Are railroaders still at risk today?
Yes. While safety standards have improved, railroaders are continually exposed to toxic chemicals and dust.
Historically, railroads have been some of the largest employers in America, with nearly 135,000 railroaders currently employed by the Class I railroads. But this has also meant that many current and former employees face the fallout of hazardous working conditions today.
Take the Rutherford Intermodal Rail Yard in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Railroaders there had been exposed to diesel exhaust that has caused serious conditions, like asthma and lung cancer. Ted Gianaris and the attorneys of Law for People serve railroaders who have been impacted in Harrisburg, and we’re proud to do the same for railroaders across the country.
Those railroaders have come from a wide range of occupations. We represent locomotive engineers, conductors, brakemen, and firemen on train crews, and switchmen, signal maintainers, section foremen and crew members from the yard and field. And that’s an incomplete list. Each of these jobs has its own set of risks and potential toxic exposures.
You can click on any of the above job titles to see more information about how those occupations have been exposed to toxins.
If you or someone you care about has been affected by exposure to harmful chemicals and pollutants in this line of work, we’ll work tirelessly to get you justice. We mean that — so much so that you don’t pay anything unless we win your case.
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Toxic Exposures in the Railroad Industry
Diesel Exhaust: Diesel exhaust is a complex mixture of gases and particulates produced by diesel engines. Long-term exposure can lead to serious health problems like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, and cardiovascular disease. Railroaders are often exposed to excess diesel exhaust from locomotives idling in rail yards.
Benzene: Benzene is a component of diesel fuel and also used as a solvent in parts washers and in the production of other chemicals. Long-term exposure to benzene can lead to leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Minimizing exposure to benzene is crucial.
Solvents: Parts washers and solvents are often used my mechanics to clean tools.
Silica: Silica dust is produced during operations like track maintenance. Inhalation of silica dust can lead to silicosis, a chronic lung disease, and an increased risk of lung cancer.
Asbestos: Asbestos was widely used in the railroad industry due to its heat-resistant properties. Railroad brakes often contained asbestos. Exposure to asbestos can lead to diseases like asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. Contact an experienced railroad cancer lawyer if you have been diagnosed with any lung-related disease.
Common Diagnoses Among Railroaders
Exposure to numerous carcinogens including asbestos, silica dust, diesel exhaust, degreasers, solvents, welding fumes and other toxic compounds can cause cancer in railroaders. Many traditional safety briefings and training did not warn railroad workers that their on-the-job exposures could lead to a life-changing diagnosis.
Cancer:
- Bladder Cancer
- Colorectal Cancer
- Esophageal Cancer
- Kidney Cancer
- Laryngeal Cancer
- Mesothelioma
- Stomach Cancer
Leukemia:
- Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)
- Multiple Myeloma (MM)
- Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)
- Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL)
Pulmonary conditions:
- Asthma
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Emphysema
- Pulmonary Fibrosis
- Reactive Airway Disease (RADS)
Neurological:
Train Crew
- Engineer
Responsible for operating the locomotive. - Conductor
In charge of train in its entirety, and of the train crew at large. - Brakeman
Inspects the train, assists the conductor, operates the brakes and assists in switching. - Fireman
Steam locomotive crew who feeds the firebox with fuel. On diesel locomotives, the firemen would monitor controls and assist the engineer.
Yard or Field Operations
- Switchman
Attends the switch in a railroad yard, switching trains from one track to another. - Signal Maintainer
Maintains signals, including those of hot box detectors, dragging equipment detectors, railroading crossings, CTC and formerly telegraph lines. - Section Foreman
Individual in authority over group of workers. - Section Crew
Group of workers responsible for assisting in yard operations.
Legal Guidance After Your Life-Changing Diagnosis
Our team of experienced railroad cancer lawyers is ready to review your case for free. If we believe you have a valid claim, we will file a lawsuit on your behalf. We operate on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay anything unless we win your case. This ensures that you can pursue justice without worrying about upfront legal fees.
Discuss your case with one of our lawyers without any obligation. During this consultation, we will assess the merits of your case and guide you on the best course of action.
Gianaris Trial Lawyers represents railroaders with life-changing injuries and diagnoses including cancer, leukemia, and pulmonary conditions caused by exposures on the railroad. Every job on the railroad comes with a unique set of exposures that can make railroaders sick. We stand behind these railroaders and hold their employers accountable across the country.
