Careers with any railroad company were always considered more hazardous than other lines of work due to the nature of the industry. Rail yards can be full of heavy machinery moving about in different directions, and also full of chemicals that must be properly handled. Toxic materials have been used by railroads for over a hundred years, and many companies like Union Pacific still operate rail yards that have old, outdated mechanisms in place.
As a result, many workers at Hinkle Yard in Oregon, and many others around the nation have faced a daily assault of toxic exposure with solvents, fuels, welding fumes, diesel exhaust, silica, benzene, creosote and asbestos. A heavy dose of any toxin can greatly raise the risk of later developing certain cancers, the fate of thousands of former railroad workers.
Contact a toxic exposure lawyer at (513) 381-2333 to begin reviewing any workplace injury claims.
What Can I Recover in a Railroad Cancer Lawsuit?
Every railroad cancer claim will be unique because everyone’s work history and personal health issues will be different. The final settlement in each case will depend on how severe an illness is, and whether you are able to work in the future and need long-term disability coverage. Victims are encouraged to hire an attorney in these cases–ideally an attorney with significant proven success and relevant experience handling railroad injury and diesel exposure cancer lawsuits. Some damages that plaintiffs can seek in an injury claim include the following:
- Past medical costs
- Future coverage for surgery, treatment, medication and rehab
- Any costs that insurance will not cover
- Long-term disability
- Reduced quality of life
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earnings
- Wrongful Death
About Hinkle Yard
The Union Pacific Railroad’s Hermiston, Oregon Hinkle Yard is one of UP’s Locomotive Service and Repair facilities. There is a long history at Hinkle and the first locomotive shop and servicing facilities on site were constructed in 1951. Throughout the years, thousands of different employees passed through, including many mechanics, machinists, engineers, conductors, yardmen, carmen, brakemen, signal operators, maintenance staff and pipefitters. Many were likely exposed to a variety of toxic materials.
From 1977 to 1997, Hinkle served as an Amtrak stop along the Pioneer route which provided rail passenger service to Hermiston, Boardman, and Stanfield. The Hinkle Amtrak station is now closed.
