We Serve Railroad Brakemen
Railroad brakemen, responsible for the operation and safety of trains, face significant occupational exposures that pose various health risks. They work closely with diesel-powered locomotives, leading to regular exposure to diesel exhaust, which contains harmful substances like benzene and other carcinogens linked to respiratory issues and cancers. The maintenance and handling of track equipment can expose brakemen to asbestos, used historically in brake linings and insulation materials, which is a known cause of lung diseases, including mesothelioma. Additionally, they may encounter silica dust from ballast and track maintenance activities, increasing the risk of silicosis and lung cancer. Chemical solvents and lubricants used in routine equipment maintenance pose risks of toxic exposure through inhalation or skin contact, potentially causing neurological and systemic health effects. The use of herbicides and pesticides for vegetation control along the tracks also introduces chemical hazards. Collectively, these exposures necessitate strict adherence to safety protocols, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and regular health monitoring to mitigate the associated health risks for railroad brakemen.
Locomotive Engineers, Brakemen & Conductors Face Increased Cancer Risk
Locomotive engineers, brakemen, and conductors are at an increased risk of developing cancer due to prolonged exposure to toxic substances in the railroad industry. These exposures include diesel exhaust, asbestos, and secondhand smoke, all of which have been linked to serious health conditions. Railroad workers diagnosed with lung, bladder, laryngeal, kidney, stomach, and colorectal cancers may have been exposed to these toxins over decades of service. At Gianaris Trial Lawyers, we represent locomotive engineers, brakemen, and conductors who have been diagnosed with cancer due to occupational exposure.
Diesel Exhaust, Locomotive Crews & Cancer
Exposure to diesel exhaust has been a daily reality for many locomotive engineers and conductors. Common sources of diesel exposure include:
- Deadheading on trailing locomotives
- Running long-nose forward
- Traveling through tunnels with poor ventilation
- Working on outdated locomotives that leak exhaust into cabs
Many engineers and brakemen carried duct tape to seal cracks in floors, walls, and windows to keep exhaust out of the cab. However, these makeshift solutions were not enough to prevent chronic exposure.
A retired engineer put it best:
“A 4000-horsepower locomotive burns 240 gallons of fuel an hour at full load. The equipment blower forces polluted air into the cab, where the crew sits for 10-plus hours a day breathing dirty air. Management doesn’t care.”
Diesel Exhaust & Cancer Risks
According to the World Health Organization, diesel exhaust is a known lung carcinogen. Experts have also linked diesel exposure to:
- Bladder cancer
- Laryngeal cancer
- Throat cancer
- Stomach cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Kidney cancer
Asbestos, Locomotive Engineers & Cancer
In addition to diesel exhaust, locomotive engineers and conductors were also exposed to asbestos. Asbestos was commonly used in:
- Cab heater lines
- Steam boilers and generators
- Heating pipes inside locomotive cabs
Workers who removed asbestos from locomotives testified that it was often in damaged and friable condition, meaning asbestos fibers were easily released into the air. Locomotive crews frequently rested their boots on asbestos-covered heating pipes, unaware of the dangers.
Even into the 1980s, locomotive manufacturers continued using asbestos-containing parts. BNSF Railroad did not begin large-scale asbestos removal until December 1997, and asbestos was still being removed from locomotives as late as 2009.
Additional Asbestos Exposure in Rail Yards
Brakemen, conductors, and engineers were also exposed to asbestos through:
- Composition brake shoes used on locomotives and railcars
- Brake dust from applying train brakes, especially in the Central Appalachian Coal Belt
These exposures can lead to mesothelioma and other cancers, including:
- Lung cancer
- Laryngeal cancer
- Stomach cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Kidney cancer
Secondhand Smoke, Railroad Conductors & Cancer
Many railroad workers never smoked but were still diagnosed with lung cancer due to secondhand smoke exposure in locomotive cabs and cabooses. Secondhand smoke was a serious issue in the 1970s and 80s, and some railroads did not fully ban smoking until 2004-2005. Even after the bans, many railroads failed to enforce their policies.
Amtrak is one of the worst offenders. It did not ban smoking on passenger trains until 2004, nearly 15 years after airlines prohibited smoking. Amtrak conducted air monitoring in 1992 that revealed dangerous levels of cigarette smoke in train cars but continued to allow smoking to boost revenue. Amtrak onboard service workers diagnosed with smoking-related cancers may have strong FELA claims.
Cancers linked to secondhand smoke include:
- Lung cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Liver cancer
- Colon and rectal cancer
- Throat and esophageal cancer
- Laryngeal cancer
- Stomach cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
Other Exposures & Diseases
In addition to diesel, asbestos, and secondhand smoke, railroad workers have reported exposure to:
- Creosote
- Silica dust
- Herbicides from spray trains
- Coke emissions and chemical fumes from steel mills and refineries
These exposures can contribute to diseases such as:
- Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)
- Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)
- Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
- Multiple Myeloma
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Silicosis
- Reactive Airway Disease
Gianaris Trial Lawyers Provides Legal Guidance After a Life-Changing Diagnosis
Our team of experienced railroad lawyers is ready to provide you or a loved one with a free case evaluation. If we believe you have a qualified claim, the next step is filing a lawsuit on your behalf. We operate on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay anything unless you win your case. This ensures that you can pursue justice without worrying about upfront costs.
Contact us today to discuss your case with no obligation. We will evaluate the full picture of your case and advise you on the most effective course of action.
Gianaris Trial Lawyers represents railroaders with life-changing injuries and diagnoses including cancer, leukemia, and pulmonary conditions caused by exposures on the railroad. Certain jobs on the railroad come with unique sets of exposures that can make workers sick. We stand behind these railroaders and hold their employers accountable across the country.
