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Railroad Cancer • Fela Claims • Toxic Exposure

Fighting for Railroad Workers Diagnosed with Occupational Cancer

Find Out If You Have a Railroad Cancer Case

For decades, railroad workers were routinely exposed to hazardous substances without knowing the long-term health risks. Depending on where they worked and the duties they performed, they may have been exposed to diesel exhaust, asbestos, benzene, industrial solvents, silica dust, creosote, herbicides, welding fumes, and other toxic substances.

Many occupational cancers and other serious illnesses develop years—or even decades—after exposure. As a result, workers are often diagnosed long after retirement without realizing their illness may be connected to their railroad career.

Hughes Law Offices investigates occupational exposures and helps railroad workers and their families pursue compensation under the Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA).

Learn More About Railroad Worker Illnesses

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    Railroad Departments

    Who We Serve

    Hughes Law Offices represents railroad workers from every major railroad department. Explore the occupations, job duties, and work environments where workers were historically exposed to diesel exhaust, asbestos, benzene, silica dust, industrial solvents, and other hazardous substances.

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    Railroad Track & Engineering

    Department
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    Railroad Car

    Department
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    Locomotive Engineers

    and Conductors
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    Locomotive Shop

    Workers

    No two railroad careers were exactly alike. Even workers in the same department often encountered different hazards depending on their job duties, work location, and the equipment and products they worked with. Understanding a worker's complete occupational exposure history is an important part of evaluating a railroad cancer or occupational disease claim.

    Concerned Your Illness May Be Work-Related?

    Call Us Now (312) 877-5588 Schedule a Consultation

    Railroad workers were often exposed to more than one hazardous substance during their careers. In addition to diesel exhaust, many encountered asbestos, benzene, industrial solvents, welding fumes, silica dust, creosote, herbicides, and other workplace toxins. Hughes Law Offices considers a worker's complete occupational exposure history when consulting with experts and evaluating whether an illness may be related to railroad employment.

    At Hughes Law Offices, we only accept a limited number of cases so you are sure to receive personal and timely attention from an experienced railroad cancer attorney. If you or a loved one worked for the railroad and have received a diagnosis that you suspect is work-related, contact us today as you may be entitled to compensation. To learn more about the types of cases we work on, visit our compilation of railroad settlements and verdicts here.

    Learn More About the Railroad Workers We Represent

    Occupational Illnesses

    Illnesses Linked

    to Railroad Work

    Railroad workers exposed to diesel exhaust, asbestos, benzene, silica dust, industrial solvents, and other hazardous substances face an increased risk of developing serious diseases—often decades after their exposure occurred. The illnesses below are among those most commonly associated with occupational railroad exposures.

    Cancers

    Lung Cancer
    Blood Disorders

    Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)
    Pulmonary

    Mesothelioma (Pleural)
    Cancers

    Bladder Cancer
    Blood Disorders

    Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)
    Pulmonary

    Interstitial Lung Disease
    Cancers

    Throat Cancer
    Blood Disorders

    Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL)
    Pulmonary

    Pulmonary Fibrosis

    Not every railroad worker develops the same disease. The illnesses associated with railroad employment often depend on a worker's job duties, the substances encountered, and the duration of the occupational exposure.

    Explore Additional Illnesses Associated with Railroad Work

    Cancers

    Blood Disorders

    Pulmonary/Breathing Problems

    Have You Been Diagnosed With a Railroad-Related Illness?

    If you worked for the railroad and have been diagnosed with cancer, a blood disorder, or a serious respiratory disease, Hughes Law Offices can evaluate whether your illness may be related to occupational toxic exposures and advise you of your legal options under the Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA).

    Call Us Now (312) 877-5588 Find Out If You Have a Railroad Cancer Case

    Representative Results

    Verdicts & Settlements

    Review representative railroad verdicts and settlements involving occupational cancer and toxic
    exposure claims under the Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA).     View Railroad Verdicts & Settlements

    Toxic Exposures

    Have You Been Exposed to a Railroad Toxin?

    Railroad workers were routinely exposed to hazardous substances throughout their careers, often without adequate warning or protection. Explore the toxins most commonly linked to occupational cancer and disease.

    Diesel Exhaust

    Industrial Solvents

    Creosote

    Pesticides/Herbicides

    Asbestos

    Silica Dust

    Secondhand Smoke

    Welding Fumes

    Why Hughes Law Office

    Why Railroad
    Workers Choose
    Hughes Law Offices

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    No Fee Unless
    We Recover Compensation

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    Leading Medical
    & Scientific Experts

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    Initial Consultation
    Is Free

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    Occupational Exposure
    Investigations

    Client Experiences

    What Railroad Workers and Their Families Say

    Choosing a lawyer after a cancer diagnosis is an important decision. Hear from railroad workers and their families about their experience working with Hughes Law Offices.
    53 West Jackson Boulevard Chicago IL 60604 US
    (312) 877-5588
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    Wrongful Death Case

    My family hired attorney Hughes for the wrongful death of my brother. Mr. Hughes worked very hard on our case, the results were excellent. I would recommend him to anyone needing an attorney, he is a very fair and kind person.

    Unique Expertise

    Andrew took over my asthma claim with the railroad after a different law firm failed to meet expectations. Andrew’s unique expertise in the field of diesel related injury gave him the ability to build my case exceptionally well. When Andrew presented...

    Professional and Trustworthy

    From my very first contact with Andrew we have found him to be compassionate, hard working and trust worthy. In the eight months we were associated with Andrew we feel he has also become a friend of ours...

    Worked Diligently

    For the past two years Andrew Hughes has worked diligently in helping me with my case against the Norfolk Southern R.R. During this time he has kept me thoroughly informed about my case his expertise led to me getting a generous settlement...

    Articles & Resources

    Learn About Railroad Cancer, Toxic Exposures & FELA Claims

    Our articles explain the science behind railroad occupational diseases, the history of toxic exposures in the railroad industry, and the legal issues that affect Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA) claims. Explore our latest research, case analyses, and educational resources below.

    Leaks, Gaskets, & Gaps: How Diesel Exhaust Enters a Locomotive Cab

    Diesel exhaust exposure in locomotive cabs is widespread and well-documented, something we saw firsthand in recent litigation. Our client developed non-small cell...

    Read More

    Proving Your Railroad Cancer Claim at Trial: Specific Causation

    In the first article of this series, we explained “General Causation" whether a type of exposure is known to cause a certain...

    Read More

    Proving Your Railroad Cancer Claim at Trial: General Causation

    When a railroad worker is diagnosed with cancer and files a railroad cancer claim under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA), the...

    Read More
    Explore All Articles & Resources

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Railroad Cancer & FELA FAQs

    If you have been diagnosed with cancer or another serious illness after working for the railroad, you probably have questions about your legal rights. Below are answers to some of the questions we hear most often.

    Can Railroad Workers File a Lawsuit After a Cancer Diagnosis?

    Yes. Railroad workers diagnosed with cancer or another occupational illness may have the right to pursue compensation under the Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA). The FELA allows injured railroad workers to recover damages when the railroad's negligence contributed, even in part, to their illness.

    Yes. Many railroad-related cancers and occupational diseases develop decades after workplace exposure. What matters is whether your illness was caused or contributed to by exposures during your railroad career—not whether you are still employed or retired. Because filing deadlines apply, it is important to speak with an experienced railroad cancer attorney as soon as possible after your diagnosis.

    Occupational exposures in the railroad industry have been associated with numerous cancers and serious diseases, including lung cancer, bladder cancer, mesothelioma, throat cancer, kidney cancer, acute myeloid leukemia (AML), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), pulmonary fibrosis, and other occupational illnesses. The specific illness often depends on the worker's job duties, exposure history, and the substances encountered throughout their railroad career.

    Smoking does not automatically prevent you from bringing a FELA claim. Many railroad workers were exposed to multiple workplace hazards—including diesel exhaust, asbestos, industrial solvents, silica dust, welding fumes, creosote, and herbic—throughout their careers. Hughes Law Offices evaluates each worker's complete occupational exposure history when investigating a potential claim.

    Hughes Law Offices represents railroad workers on a contingency fee basis. You pay no attorney's fees unless we recover compensation on your behalf. Your initial consultation is free, and there is no obligation to hire our firm.

    Explore All Railroad Cancer FAQs

    Ready to Find Out If Your Railroad Job Caused Your Illness?

    If you worked for the railroad and have been diagnosed with cancer, a blood disorder, or a serious respiratory illness, Hughes Law Offices can evaluate your occupational exposure history and explain your legal options under the Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA).

    Call Us Now (312) 877-5588 Find Out If You Have a Railroad Cancer Case