[1] Railroad Workers and CancerIf you or someone close to you has been diagnosed with cancer after working as a railroad worker or other employee, you may be entitled to compensation. Cancer Lawsuit (FELA), which allows compensation for railroad employers who are negligent and cause cancer or other related injuries, affords this opportunity.Lung cancer is a frequent sign among railway workers who are exposed to diesel exhaust fumes. The carcinogenic substances can cause other types of cancers such as leukemia, bladder cancer and pancreatic cancer.Lung CancerLung cancer is a possibility that is aggravated due to the exposure to exhaust fumes from diesel engines. These fumes are made up of diesel fuel, which is a toxic mixture of more than a dozen carcinogenic chemicals. They also contain aroma hydrocarbons with polycyclic chemistry which can cause lung damage over the course of time.Railroad workers are frequently exposed to diesel fumes during their work in shop areas or in the cabs for engine crews. Diesel fumes contain the main components of diesel fuel, including carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfur sulfide and nitrogen oxide, as well as other minor components. These toxic substances can cause serious health issues, such as lung disease, heart attacks and cancer.According to a study, conductors and railroad engineers were at an increased risk of developing lung cancer. This type of cancer is usually found in the lungs. It can be fatal within a couple of months.Lung cancer comes in two forms such as small cell lung cancer as well as non-small cell lung cancer. There are various treatments for both. However, it can be difficult and costly to treat lung cancer.If you or someone close to you is suffering from lung cancer after working in the railroad industry, you may have a legal claim against your employer. Railroad workers have the right to claim medical benefits under federal law in the event of their condition being caused by their work environment or negligence.To determine if an employee's illness was due to the work they did the lawyer should review the worker's work history as well as employment documents. Lawyers can also talk with other professionals who are proficient in investigating and prosecuting railroad-related lawsuits.It was well-known that asbestos and other carcinogenic substances were utilized by the railroad company, which put employees at greater risk of mesothelioma. Railroad companies continued to employ asbestos and other asbestos-containing materials even after it was banned by the 1970s.As a result, they developed mesothelioma, a type of cancer that is fatal that affects the lining of the lungs. It can also be an early indicator for other kinds of cancer.There is a strong link between diesel exhaust exposure and the risk of dying from lung cancer. Railroad workers should undergo regular medical check-ups and ask their doctors for recommendations regarding lung cancer screening procedures. These tests include chest radiographs, as well as low-dose CT scans.LeukemiaLeukemia is a form of cancer that develops in blood-forming tissues. It affects a particular type of white blood cells, known as lymphocytes. It could be fatal if left untreated.Railroad employees are at a greater chance of developing this kind of cancer because of their exposure to chemicals in their workplace. Some of the most common chemical exposures include herbicides pesticides, benzene and diesel fuel.There is an increasing amount of evidence that suggests that certain industrial chemicals may increase the risk of developing leukemia, a blood cancer. One of the most commonly used chemical exposures is benzene, which is a petroleum-based product that is found in gasoline and diesel fuel.Benzene is a clear and flammable liquid, with the scent of sweets is very widespread. It is also used in many solvents, lubricants and other products.The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has classified benzene as to be a carcinogen. This means it can cause cancer. It is usually found in diesel exhaust that railroad machinists, engineers, conductors as well as electricians and laborers are exposed to on a daily basis.Creosote and coal tar are two other common chemicals that can trigger leukemia, a blood cancer, in railroad workers. Both of these chemicals are found on railway bridges and structures as well as in the ties that train track department employees use to join railroad tracks.Other chemical exposures that have been associated with blood cancers among railroad workers are pesticides and herbicides. Herbicides and pesticides are used to kill pests as well as other unwanted plant life that can be found in railroad yards or in the right of way.The most frequently used pesticides in railroad yards or right-ofways are herbicides, as well as fungicides. These chemicals may increase your risk to develop a form of blood cancer like leukemia. They can cause abnormal blood cells to form in your bone marrow which could result in a decrease in the ability to function normally.Other industrial chemicals that may be a risk for blood cancers in railroad workers include asbestos lead and benzene. These chemicals can be very toxic and can cause death if they're not treated.Asbestos CancerMany serious diseases can be caused by asbestos, including mesothelioma or cancer of the lung. Cancer can take a long time to develop and some asbestos-related cancers can be fatal. We can assist you if or someone you know has suffered from an asbestos-related illness.Railroad workers were a significant source of asbestos exposure in the 20th century, particularly in the process of manufacturing and repairing rail equipment. Asbestos fibers were used in the making of these products by engineers, boilermakers metalcasters, as well as other workers.Inhaling asbestos can cause damage to your lining (pleura) or stomach and intestines. The most frequent kinds are peritoneal and the pleural mesothelioma.Mesothelioma, the most severe form of asbestos-related cancer, is the most prevalent. It mostly affects the lungs, but can also affect the abdominal lining and the testicles.A physical exam and blood tests are enough to diagnose mesothelioma. However doctors may also conduct an imaging scan to look for any abnormalities in the body. If they believe mesothelioma is causing a patient's symptoms the doctor will conduct an in-person biopsy to collect tissues or fluids for testing.An attorney who is knowledgeable in FELA lawsuits should be contacted by anyone who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer will help you get the compensation you deserve.Railway workers who had been exposed to asbestos for a substantial amount of time are at greater chance of developing mesothelioma and other related diseases than other employees in the same occupation. They are 35 times more likely to be diagnosed with lung cancer than those who have never had to work with asbestos.They are also more likely to develop cardiopulmonary fibrisis, and other conditions that can lead to death, such as strokes and heart failure. During the past 50 years there have been a number of reports linking railroad workers with a variety of illnesses related to asbestos.Several studies have shown that exposure to asbestos increases the risk of mesothelioma and lung cancer as well as other serious health problems. Railroad workers who smoke cigarettes are also at a higher risk of developing lung cancer.Other CancersRailroad workers are part of an enormous industry that moves goods every day from coal to vehicles and they're exposed various substances that could lead to cancer. Asbestos and benzene are among the most dangerous substances that can cause cancer in railroad workers.The chemical Benzene comes from crude oil, gasoline and other sources and it is found in the exhaust of trains and in degreasing solvents used by railroads to clean their equipment. It is a very dangerous carcinogen, and it can be taken up by the skin in contact with these chemicals.Wearing goggles while working with solvents that degrease or vaporize diesel can shield your eyes from the harmful effects of benzene. People who work in buildings where there is a lot of diesel fumes may inhale the benzene. It is also possible to breathe the fumes.Creosote is the other cancer-causing substance railroad workers might be exposed to. Creosote can be described as a thick oily, smoky-smelling and oily liquid used to treat wood for railroads. It is a known carcinogen and can also be inhaled by railroad workers who treat railroad ties using creosote.Lung cancer is one of the most prevalent forms of cancer that railroad workers develop. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified the emission of diesel from locomotives as group 1 (carcinogenic to humans).It is estimated that 40% of lung cancers diagnosed among American railroad workers are linked to exposure to diesel. A study conducted over 38 years found that those who were exposed were more likely than those who were not to develop lung cancer.Despite all the safety precautions, there is still a high chance of developing cancer due to working in the railway industry. In fact, it's been noted that the incidence of lung cancer has increased among those who are employed with modern diesel engines.Patients who contracted cancer while working on railroad tracks might be eligible for compensation. It is important to speak with a professional lawyer as soon as you realize that you've been diagnosed with cancer.