Railroad Workers and CancerIf you or someone close to you has been diagnosed with cancer after working as a railroad employee and you are a railroad worker, you could be entitled to compensation. The Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) allows for compensation when railroad employers are negligent and causes cancer or related injury.Lung cancer is a common symptom for railway workers exposed to diesel exhaust fumes. The carcinogenic substances can cause different types of cancers, such as bladder cancer, leukemia , and pancreatic cancer.Lung CancerLung cancer can be increased by exposure railway workers to exhaust fumes from diesel engines. The fumes consist of diesel fuel, which contains an extremely toxic mix of more than 12 carcinogenic chemicals. They also contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons which can damage the lungs over time.Many railroad workers are exposed fumes as they work in engine crew cab compartments or shop areas. The diesel fumes contain the main components of diesel fuel. These include carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen sulfide and nitrogen oxide, as well as other minor components. These toxins can cause serious health issues like heart attacks, lung disease and cancer.A study found that railroad engineers and conductors were at greater risk for lung cancer. This type of cancer is usually found in the lungs and can often be fatal within a few months.There are two types of lung cancer that are non-small-cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer. Both kinds of lung cancer can be treated using different treatments. But, it's difficult and costly to treat lung cancer.If you or a loved one has developed lung cancer after working in the railroad industry, you could have legal claims against your employer. Railroad workers have the right to claim medical damages under federal law in the event of their condition being due to their work conditions or negligence.To determine if a railroad employee's health issue was caused by their employment, a lawyer can review the worker's work history as well as employment documents. Lawyers can also talk with other professionals that are adept at investigating and prosecuting lawsuits involving railroads.It was widely known that asbestos and other carcinogenic chemicals were used by railroad companies and put employees at a higher risk of mesothelioma. Even after asbestos was banned in 1970, railroad companies still used it and other products made from asbestos, without warning their employees.In the process they developed mesothelioma which is a cancer that can be fatal that affects the lining of the lungs. It can also be an early indicator for other kinds of cancer.There is a strong connection between exposure to diesel exhaust and the risk of dying from lung cancer. As a result, it is essential that railroad workers undergo regular medical checks and ask their doctors to recommend lung cancer screening methods. These tests include chest x-rays or low-dose CT scans.LeukemiaLeukemia is a form of cancer that develops in the blood-forming tissues. It is a type of white blood cell, called lymphocytes. If not treated it could lead to death. Cancer Lawsuits are at a higher chance of developing this kind of cancer because of their exposure to chemicals in their workplace. The most frequent chemical exposures include herbicides and pesticides, benzeneand diesel fuel and benzene.There is a growing body of evidence proving that certain industrial chemicals increase the chance of getting leukemia, a blood cancer. The most frequent chemical exposure is the chemical benzene. It is a petroleum product found in gasoline or diesel fuel. Railroad Injury Settlement Amounts , which is a clear, flame-proof liquid with an odor that is sweet is very widespread. It is also used in many solvents, lubricants, and other products.The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has listed the chemical benzene as a carcinogen which means it could cause cancer. It is commonly found in diesel exhaust that railroad machinists, conductors, engineers electricians, laborers and others are exposed to on a daily day basis.Other chemicals that can cause blood cancer in railroad workers include creosote as well as coal tar. Both of these chemicals can be found on railroad bridges and structures as well as in the ties that train track department employees use to join railroad tracks together.Pesticides and herbicides are also chemicals that have been linked with blood cancers among railroad workers. Pesticides and herbicides can be used to eliminate pests and unwanted plant life in the railroad yard or right of way.The most frequent pesticides you will find in railroad yards or right-of-ways include herbicides, and fungicides. These chemicals can increase your chances of developing a type of blood cancer like leukemia. They can cause abnormal blood cells to form in your bone marrow which could lead to decreased capacity for cells to function normally.Other industrial chemicals that can be a risk factor for blood cancers in railroad workers are asbestos, lead and benzene. These toxins are all extremely harmful and can lead to death if they are not treated.Asbestos CancerMany serious diseases can be caused by asbestos, including mesothelioma, or lung cancer. Cancer can take a long time to develop, and some asbestos-related cancers can prove fatal. If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related condition and you want to help, we can assist.Railroad workers were the main source of asbestos exposure in the 20th century, mainly in the manufacturing and repairing rail products. Engineers boilermakers, metal casters and others who worked with these products were exposed to asbestos fibers during the production process.Inhaling asbestos, it can bind to the lung's lining (pleura) or even your stomach and your intestines (peritoneum). The most common types are pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma.Mesothelioma which is the most severe type of asbestos-related cancer is the most common. It mostly affects the lungs but can be found in the abdominal lining, heart or testicles.A physical exam and blood tests are sufficient to determine mesothelioma. However, doctors will also conduct an imaging scan to check for any signs of abnormalities in the body. If they believe mesothelioma could be the cause of the symptoms of a patient then they'll perform a biopsy to take the tissue or fluid to test.An attorney who is familiar in FELA lawsuits should be contact by anyone who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma. Railroad Injury Settlement Amounts with experience can help you receive the compensation you're due.Railway workers who have been exposed to asbestos for a long period of time are more likely to develop mesothelioma than other people in the same profession. They are 35 times more likely to develop mesothelioma than those who have not been exposed to asbestos.They are also more likely to develop cardiopulmonary fibrosisand other diseases that can cause death, such as strokes and heart failure. In the past 50 years there have been numerous reports linking railroad workers with various ailments related to asbestos.Numerous studies have demonstrated that asbestos exposure increases the risk of mesothelioma and lung cancer in addition to other serious ailments. Railroad workers who smoke cigarettes are also at greater risk of developing lung cancer.Other CancersRailroad workers are part of a large industry that moves goods daily, from coal to cars. They're also exposed various substances that can cause cancer. Some of the most commonly used substances that may cause cancer in railroad workers are asbestos and benzene.Benzene, a chemical which is found in crude oil, gasoline, and other sources, is found in the exhausts of trains and in the degreasing solution used by railroads to clean their equipment. It is a terribly harmful carcinogen, and it can be taken up by the skin coming into contact with these chemicals.Wearing goggles when working with diesel fumes or degreasing solvents will help shield your eyes from the harmful effects of benzene. Employees working in buildings which are suffused with diesel fumes may inhale the benzene. It is also possible to breathe the fumes. Railroad Injury Settlement Amounts that can cause cancer that railroad workers might be exposed to is creosote. Creosote is a hefty oily, smoky liquid used to treat wood for railroads. It's a known carcinogen, and is also inhaled by railroad workers who treat railroad ties with creosote.Lung cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer among railroad workers. International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified diesel emissions from locomotives as group 1 (carcinogenic for humans).It's estimated that 40% of the lung cancers diagnosed among American railroad workers are related to the exposure to diesel. In a 38-year study, workers who were exposed to diesel exhaust were more likely to develop lung cancer than those who weren't.Despite all safety precautions, the railroad industry poses a high risk of getting cancer. In fact, it's been noted that the incidence of lung cancer has increased among those who are employed with modern diesel engines.People who have contracted cancer while working on railroad tracks may be entitled to compensation. It is important to speak with a professional lawyer as soon as you become aware that you've been diagnosed with cancer.