Railroad Jobs Exposed to Carcinogens

The following is a list of people who work on trains and railways who might be exposed to cancer-causing chemicals on the job.

Need a Texas Railroad Cancer Lawyer? Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged. If you or a loved one was diagnosed with cancer, you should contact our lawyers immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit.

Railroad Worker Cancer Lawsuit

In September 2016, a jury in Madison County awarded $7.5 million to James Brown, a railroad worker who developed cancer after being exposed to creosote, degreasing solvents, lead, and other toxic chemicals on the job.

Types of Railway Workers

There are three types of railroads that employ thousand of workers in various occupations. Freight trains carry billions of tons of cargo. Passenger trains transport millions of commuters and travelers. Urban trains include subways, light-rail, and trolleys in cities and suburbs. Some examples of railroad jobs include:

People Who Work on Trains: Locomotive engineers drive trains between stations. Conductors coordinate activities of the crew, make announcements, check tickets, and oversee the loading and unloading of cargo.
Yardmasters & Engineers: They do not travel on trains, but coordinate activities in the rail yard. Engineers operate brakes, signals, or switches to keep the train running safely.
Repair & Maintenance: Yard workers are responsible for fixing trains and maintaining the existing railroad track and right-of-way. They may also work in overhaul facilities where old trains are broken down and refurbished.
Construction: Railway track layers install railroad turnout ties and tracks. Tracks are installed on ballast deck bridges, loading platforms, load out terminals, and line haul operations. Electricians install signals or switches.

Carcinogen Exposure in Trains & Railroads

Exposure to cancer-causing chemicals varies widely — everything from massive chemical spills after accidents, to “quiet” exposures from odorless fumes like benzene or diesel exhaust. Here are a few examples:

Asbestos: Asbestos is a carcinogen linked to the lung cancer mesothelioma. It was used as insulation on locomotives and roadhouses. Asbestos is also in cement ties, plaster, wallboards, brake pads, clutches, and more.
Benzene: Carcinogen found in solvents, degreasers, vapors from gasoline and diesel, paint, industrial emissions, new or old chemical spills in the yard, cleaners, and more.
Creosote: Exposure to soot and coal tar creosote is associated with colon cancer and skin cancer.
Diesel Exhaust: Burning diesel fumes produce benzene and other toxic chemicals. Studies show a 40% increased risk of lung cancer in railroad workers in jobs operating trains.
Other Toxic Chemicals: Trains commonly transport carcinogenic chemicals. Workers can be exposed if they load or unload chemicals, clean up spills after major accidents, breathe fumes from leaking valves, work in a yard where spills have occurred, or repair trains that carried chemicals.

List of Railroad & Train Occupations

Agent
Boilerman
Brakeman
Bridge tender
Bridge mechanic
Carman
Conductor
Crew
Dispatcher
Engineer
Engine driver
Fireman
Flagman
Gandy dancer
Guard
Hostler
Inspector
Length runner
Locomotive engineer
Lineman
Mechanical engineer
Platelayer
Porter
Rail yard engineer
Rail bender, bonder, filler, setter, grinder
Repair
Roadhouse master
Road foreman
Secondman
Section gang
Signalman
Stationmaster
Superintendant
Switch operator
Ticker collector
Tower operator
Track inspector
Track maintenance
Trainman
Train master
Traquero
Yardmaster
Yard engineer
Yard foreman
Welder

Train & Railroad Cancer Risks

Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia
Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)
Anaplastic Anemia
Bladder cancer
Bone cancer / bone marrow
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia
Colon cancer
Encephalopathy
Esophageal cancer
Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Kidney cancer
Laryngeal cancer
Leukemia
Lung cancer
Naso-pharyngeal cancer
Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Mesothelioma
Multiple Myeloma
Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)
Rectal cancer
Skin cancer
Stomach cancer
Throat cancer
And more

Need a Railroad Cancer Lawyer in Texas?

Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.

Collen’s amazing success in the courtroom and well known dedication to his clients has earned him the recognition of his peers as one of The Top Trial Lawyers in Texas.”

The Clark Firm has assembled a team of trial lawyers with more than 100 years experience, participation in over 600 jury trials and $260 million in verdicts and/or settlements. Please use the form below to contact our Texas railroad cancer lawyers for a free lawsuit review.