Railroad Liver Cancer Lawsuit

Liver cancer has become a serious concern for many current and former railroad workers, especially those with long-term exposure to toxic substances on the job.

The railroad industry historically relied on materials and processes that released diesel exhaust, benzene, asbestos, and industrial solvents, chemicals now known to cause cellular damage in vital organs like the liver.

Prolonged exposure to these carcinogens can result in mutations that may lead to liver cancer, lung cancer, and other occupational diseases.

Railroad workers who developed liver cancer after years of service may be eligible to file a railroad cancer lawsuit under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).

This law allows injured workers to seek compensation from railroad employers that failed to protect them from hazardous working conditions.

Many of these cancer claims argue that inadequate ventilation, lack of proper safety protocols, and employer negligence contributed to unsafe levels of toxic exposure.

If you’ve received a liver cancer diagnosis after working in the railroad industry, it’s important to speak with an experienced railroad cancer lawyer to explore your legal options.

Scientific Research Supporting Liver Cancer Claims in Railroad Workers

The most persuasive science in railroad liver-cancer claims centers on long-term mixed exposures typical of legacy rail shops and cabs: diesel engine exhaust (rich in PAHs/nitro-PAHs), creosote/PAHs from railroad ties, chlorinated solvents used for degreasing (e.g., trichloroethylene (TCE), perchloroethylene (PCE), and metal/welding fumes, with occasional contact to other petrochemical aerosols.

Diesel exhaust is firmly established for lung cancer; for primary liver cancers (e.g., HCC) the epidemiology is limited/suggestive, so rail cases typically rely on biologic plausibility (oxidative stress, CYP-mediated activation, chronic hepatic inflammation and fibrosis) plus task-based exposure reconstruction rather than a single “smoking-gun” agent.

Studies and literature on liver cancer and occupational exposures include:

• IARC Monographs – Diesel Engine Exhaust (Vol. 105, 2012): Group 1 (carcinogenic to humans) for lung cancer; liver evidence limited. Crucial for documenting historically high inhalation burdens in enclosed cabs/shops and co-exposure to PAHs that can initiate hepatic oxidative damage.
• IARC Monographs – Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (e.g., benzo[a]pyrene; Vols. 92/100F): Several PAHs classified Group 1/2A, with liver tumors in animals and strong mechanistic evidence (DNA adducts, mutagenicity). Supports claims involving creosote-treated ties and diesel soot deposition in roundhouses.
• IARC Monographs – Trichloroethylene (TCE; Vol. 106): Group 1 human carcinogen (kidney cancer) with consistent liver tumor findings in animals and mechanistic pathways (TCA/DCA metabolites causing peroxisome proliferation, genotoxic stress). Relevant to solvent degreasing in rail shops.
• IARC Monographs – Perchloroethylene (PCE): Group 2A (probably carcinogenic) with animal liver tumors and oxidative/cytotoxic mechanisms; pertinent where solvent cleaning and parts washing occurred.
• IARC Monographs – Vinyl Chloride (VCM; Vol. 100F): Group 1 for hepatic angiosarcoma and HCC in high-exposure settings; not universal in rail, but demonstrates that chlorinated petrochemical vapors can be decisive liver carcinogens where present.
• Welding Fumes (IARC Group 1, 2017): Established lung carcinogen; metal fume exposures (e.g., hexavalent chromium, nickel) produce systemic oxidative stress and hepatocellular enzyme perturbations, supporting a pro-carcinogenic milieu when combined with diesel/solvent aerosols.
• Transportation/metalworking cohorts (multiple case–control/cohort studies): Report elevated hepatobiliary signals where solvent/exhaust exposures were sustained; effect sizes vary with exposure assessment quality but buttress dose–response arguments in mixed-exposure settings.
• U.S. railroad diesel cohorts (Garshick, Laden, et al.): Quantify intense, chronic diesel exposure in operating crafts—indispensable for exposure magnitude/duration reconstruction that can be paired with liver endpoints in registry/claims analyses.
• OSHA/NIOSH standards (29 CFR 1910; Benzene, Methylene Chloride, Hazard Communication, Welding Fumes): Require monitoring, controls, and medical surveillance—probative on foreseeability and duty to protect under FELA negligence theories.

In practice, successful railroad liver-cancer claims (HCC/intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma) document cumulative exposure to diesel/PAHs/solvents/welding fumes by job and era, explain mechanistic plausibility, and integrate medical work-ups that rule out competing causes (viral hepatitis, heavy alcohol use, metabolic liver disease) while showing how workplace exposure materially increased risk.

Railroad Jobs at Risk for Exposure to Dangerous Substances Linked to Liver Cancer

Not all jobs in the railroad industry carried the same level of risk, but several positions placed workers in direct contact with cancer-causing substances.

Those at the highest risk often worked around diesel-powered equipment, chemical cleaners, or contaminated infrastructure without proper protective gear.

Roles at elevated risk include:

• Diesel mechanics and maintenance crews regularly exposed to exhaust and fuel residue
• Locomotive engineers and conductors operating engines with limited ventilation
• Track maintenance workers handling railroad ties treated with creosote or other chemicals
• Sheet metal workers, pipefitters, and welders exposed to welding fumes and asbestos
• Yardmasters and equipment operators working in confined environments with poor air quality

Railroad workers exposed to these conditions are now filing liver cancer lawsuits, alleging that the companies failed to warn them about long-term health risks and did not provide adequate safeguards.

Can I File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit if My Loved One Passed Away of Liver Cancer?

Yes, surviving family members may be eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) if their loved one passed away from liver cancer linked to railroad employment.

These lawsuits argue that the railroad industry exposed workers to hazardous substances without adequate safety measures, leading to fatal diagnoses.

Family members (such as spouses, children, or other dependents) can pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, funeral costs, and the emotional toll of losing a loved one.

These claims often include evidence of occupational exposure to diesel exhaust, solvents, and other toxic substances known to damage the liver.

Claims also cite co-occurring conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) that further complicated the victim’s health.

If you believe your loved one’s liver cancer was caused by prolonged exposure during railroad work, an experienced railroad cancer attorney can help you determine eligibility and take legal action on your family’s behalf.

Liver cancer is a serious disease that begins in the tissues of the liver, often forming as a malignant tumor that can spread to other organs.

While some cases are caused by genetic or lifestyle factors, occupational exposure to toxic substances has emerged as a significant risk factor, especially for former railroad employees.

In the railroad industry, long-term contact with benzene, crude oil, and other industrial chemicals (including diesel exhaust exposure) may increase the risk of occupational illness such as liver cancer.

Liver cancer is classified as either primary (originating in the liver) or secondary (spreading from another part of the body).

The World Health Organization has recognized that exposure to certain toxic agents in the workplace can contribute to liver and bladder cancer, among others.

Symptoms and Complications of the Different Types of Liver Cancer

There are several types of liver cancer, with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) being the most common.

Symptoms may be subtle at first but often progress to serious complications if left undiagnosed.

Common signs include:

• Persistent abdominal pain
• Swelling
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fatigue
• And more

For workers with a history of toxic exposure, these symptoms may develop slowly over time and often going unrecognized until the disease has advanced.

Liver cancer caused by workplace exposure may also come with additional complications, including liver failure, fluid buildup in the abdomen (ascites), and metastasis to other organs.

Families of affected workers often face not only emotional distress but also significant medical costs.

Treatment for Liver Cancers

Liver cancer treatment depends on the type, stage of cancer, and the patient’s overall health.

Common treatment options include surgical resection (removal of part of the liver), liver transplantation, chemotherapy, targeted drug therapy, and radiation.

Advanced cases may require a combination of treatments or palliative care to manage symptoms.

For those impacted by occupational illness, treatment can be a complex process involving frequent hospital visits, extensive testing, and long-term prescriptions.

You may qualify for a railroad liver cancer lawsuit if you worked in the railroad industry and were later diagnosed with liver cancer.

Many railroad employees were regularly exposed to diesel exhaust fumes, asbestos insulation, and other hazardous substances known to cause serious illness, including liver cancer.

Whether your exposure was due to short term exposure in confined spaces or cumulative exposure over many years, you could be eligible to file a claim.

Qualifying depends on your employment status, medical documentation, and whether your illness can be linked to harmful substances encountered during railroad work.

Workers who developed chronic illnesses such as liver cancer, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, or chronic bronchitis may have legal grounds to take action—especially if their employer failed to provide safety training or protective gear.

If you lost a loved one due to liver cancer, surviving family members may also qualify for legal action.

An experienced attorney can help you understand your rights and determine whether your case meets the criteria for a valid claim under federal law.

Gathering Evidence for a Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit

Building a strong railroad liver cancer claim requires compelling evidence that links your illness to occupational exposure.

This process can be complex but is crucial to proving employer negligence and securing the compensation you deserve.

Helpful evidence may include:

• Detailed work history showing long-term railroad work in areas where diesel engine exhaust, welding fumes, or asbestos insulation were present.
• Medical records confirming your cancer diagnosis, treatment plan, and prognosis.
• Documentation of past workplace injuries, complaints, or known exposure incidents.
• Testimony from coworkers, supervisors, or industrial experts regarding safety conditions and the presence of toxic substances.
• Reports showing the company’s failure to warn workers or implement protective measures against respiratory irritation and other health hazards.

An experienced railroad cancer attorney can help you collect and organize this evidence, working with medical and occupational experts to build a credible case.

Damages Recoverable Under a FELA Claim for Cancer Diagnosis

If your liver cancer diagnosis is connected to railroad employment, you may be eligible for meaningful compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).

Unlike traditional workers’ compensation, FELA allows injured workers to pursue a broader range of injury claims when employer negligence plays a role.

Recoverable damages may include:

• Medical expenses like hospital stays, treatments, and follow-up care.
• Lost wages and diminished future earning capacity due to illness.
• Compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life.
• Reimbursement for out-of-pocket costs tied to your treatment.
• Wrongful death benefits for surviving family members if a loved one passed away from liver cancer tied to railroad work.

The value of your railroad cancer claim will depend on several factors, including severity of illness, level of toxic exposure, and the extent of the railroad company’s negligence.

At Gianaris Trial Lawyers, we represent railroad employees and their families impacted by occupational exposure to dangerous substances.

Our law firm is actively investigating railroad liver cancer cases, working to hold companies accountable for exposing workers to hazardous substances like diesel exhaust fumes, crude oil, and asbestos.

We understand the long-term effects of exposure to toxic substances and the toll a serious illness can take on workers and families.

Our team is experienced in FELA litigation and knows how to pursue fair compensation for workplace injuries caused by prolonged or significant exposure to harmful chemicals.

Whether you were a shop worker, engineer, or mechanic, our attorneys can help you navigate the claims process and pursue justice.

We work with medical experts and occupational safety professionals to prove the link between your cancer and your time in the railroad industry.

If you’re ready to seek compensation, contact Gianaris Trial Lawyers today for a free, confidential consultation.

You can also use the chatbot on this page to see if you qualify immediately.

We’ll help determine whether your case qualifies for a railroad cancer lawsuit and explain your legal options moving forward.