Indiana Railroad Cancer and Diesel Exposure
Indiana Railroad Injury Lawsuits
The railroad industry blossomed throughout the Midwest at the turn of the century, and grew considerably in the post-war years in Illinois, Ohio, Michigan and Indiana. Indiana railroads have been critical to the success of the region’s commerce, transporting steel, auto components and agricultural outputs East and West. With the industrial and job growth, however, came serious health and safety risks to railroaders in various positions and rail yards.
Due to the rail industry’s use of hazardous materials like solvents, asbestos, creosote, pesticides, ballast rock and diesel fuel, many Indiana railroad workers have faced an increased risk of related cancers and medical conditions. Contact our FELA railroad cancer lawyers to investigate your claim and build a strong case against any negligent employer.
Which Indiana Railroad Workers are at Cancer Risk?
A number of jobs and positions at rail yards are considered to be riskier due to the amount of carcinogenic toxins present. Indiana rail yards may have been filled with diesel exhaust as the engines on locomotives can consume hundreds of gallons of fuel in a relatively short amount of time. Conductors, engineers and brakemen have reported returning home after work, dragging with them the potent odor of diesel on their clothing, skin and hair. Chronic inhalation of diesel fumes may lead to numerous lung diseases, including lung cancer, AML, COPD, emphysema and pulmonary fibrosis.
Benzene is another carcinogen frequently found in the typical rail yard, a component found in gasoline and numerous solvents used by diesel mechanics, machinists, and maintenance crews. Many of the same staff, including welders, pipefitters and electricians may have been working long hours in small, enclosed workshops without proper ventilation. Welding fumes, asbestos and diesel exhaust have been serious concerns.
Maintenance of way and track maintenance workers around the country have been diagnosed with numerous cancers linked to heavy exposure to diesel fuel, creosote, ballast rock silica dust and herbicides. Signal operators, carmen and other Indiana railway employees also faced toxic exposure at the workplace, placing them at high risk of later developing an occupational lung disease.
What Are Some Large Indiana Railroad Worksites?
- Avon: Avon Yard (CSX)
- Elkhart: Elkhart Young Yard (NS)
- Fort Wayne: East Wayne Yard (NS)
- Hammond: Gibson Yard (Indiana Harbor Belt)
- Indianapolis: Hawthorne Yard (CSX)
- Jeffersonville: Jeff Yard (Louisville & Indiana)
- Gary: Kirk Yard
What Are Typical Railroad Cancer Settlement Amounts?
Each individual FELA railroad injury claim is unique and an injury settlement will depend on a specific work history and the severity of a work-related illness or injury. Our railroad workers cancer attorneys have settled these types of toxic exposure cases for six and seven figures. We have sought the following damages to compensate victims and their loved ones:
- Medical Costs: all medical expenses related to an occupational cancer can be covered when basic insurance is not enough. All treatments, medications, surgeries, consults and hospital visits can be reimbursed in the past and paid for in the future. Rehab programs, long-term care and further job training can also be awarded in a settlement.
- Lost Wages:past and future lost earnings can be recovered in a FELA lawsuit if a worker was forced to stop working due to an illness or injury sustained on the job at a rail yard.
- Non-economic damages: we can seek compensation packages for individuals for their pain and suffering, reduced quality of life, and loss of companionship. In the event of a terminal illness, families can sue for wrongful death compensation.
Despite better oversight by federal work health and safety agencies like OSHA that have improved work safety standards, there is still a high risk of toxic exposure at rail yards due to the amount of hazardous substances on site. Acute and chronic toxic exposures are still probable in many cases.
After a confirmed lung disease or cancer diagnosis, Indiana railroad workers may be able to file Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) injury claims. If more compensation is necessary to ensure a stable financial future, a personal injury lawsuit may also be considered. Contact our attorneys to discuss your legal options.
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ABOUT THE LYON FIRM
Joseph Lyon has 17 years of experience representing individuals in complex litigation matters. He has represented individuals in every state against many of the largest companies in the world.
The Firm focuses on single-event civil cases and class actions involving corporate neglect & fraud, toxic exposure, product defects & recalls, medical malpractice, and invasion of privacy.
NO COST UNLESS WE WIN
The Firm offers contingency fees, advancing all costs of the litigation, and accepting the full financial risk, allowing our clients full access to the legal system while reducing the financial stress while they focus on their healthcare and financial needs.
What Toxins are found at Indiana Rail Yards?
Railroads have always used a large amount of hazardous materials to build and maintain a large network of train tracks, while operating diesel locomotives that expel huge amounts of diesel exhaust into the atmosphere and surrounding rail yards. Indiana railroaders may have faced toxic exposure in the form of solvents, degreasers, asbestos insulation, welding fumes, diesel fumes, benzene-based products, creosote, pesticides, and silica dust in ballast rock.
What Cancers Are Linked to Railroad Toxic Exposure?
There are numerous occupational illnesses that have strong links to exposure to industrial solvents, silica dust, pesticides, asbestos, diesel exhaust, benzene, creosote and welding fumes, including the following medical conditions:
- Lung Cancer
- Bladder Cancer
- Esophageal Cancer
- Nasopharyngeal Cancer
- Stomach Cancer
- Kidney Cancer
- Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)
- Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)
- Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL)
- Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
- Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
- Multiple Myeloma
- Aplastic Anemia
- COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
- Emphysema
- RADS (Reactive Airways Dysfunction Syndrome)
- Interstitial Lung Disease
- Pulmonary Fibrosis
Why Hire The Lyon Firm?
The Toxic Exposure Lawyers at our firm have twenty years of experience in handling this kind of complex litigation. We work on your behalf to negotiate a fair and rightful settlement when a company has failed to provide a safe work environment. We have the resources to take your case and provide you with the results any professional would expect. We work on a contingency fee basis, and we assume all financial risks and legal fees. Contact our team of railroad injury lawyers for a free and confidential case review.

CONTACT THE LYON FIRM TODAY
Indiana Railroad Cancer FAQ
Railroad safety experts have noted that there are health concerns around exposure to solvents, herbicides, ballast dust, asbestos, welding fumes, creosote, diesel fumes and the following benzene-based products:
- Varsol (mineral spirit)
- Liquid Wrench (penetrating solvent)
- Safety-Kleen Parts Washer
- Safety-Kleen Solvent
- Gasket adhesives and glues
- CRC Brake and Carb Cleaners
- Gasoline
- Cutting fluids
- Lubricants
- Paints and paint thinners
- Avon: Avon Yard (CSX)
- Elkhart: Elkhart Young Yard (NS)
- Fort Wayne: East Wayne Yard (NS)
- Hammond: Gibson Yard (Indiana Harbor Belt)
- Indianapolis: Hawthorne Yard (CSX)
- Jeffersonville: Jeff Yard (Louisville & Indiana)
- Gary: Kirk Yard
- Railroad Cancer Lawsuits
- FELA Railroad Injury Claims
- Occupational Lung Disease
- Ventilation Hazards
- OSHA Violations
- Asbestos
- Workplace Injury Claims
- Benzene Exposure
- Chemical Inhalation
- Silica
- Aplastic Anemia
- Multiple Myeloma
- Myelodysplastic Syndrome
- Interstitial Lung Disease
- Leukemia
- Sarcoidosis
- CSX
- Conrail
- Union Pacific
- Norfolk Southern
- Amtrak
- BNSF
- Canadian National Railway
- Creosote
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