Asbestos and Railroad Workers

Railroad workers faced serious asbestos exposure risks for decades. Some are still at risk today, as asbestos lingers in older equipment and materials. Many workers now have asbestos illnesses, like mesothelioma, and have filed lawsuits to recover damages.

If you or a loved one were diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related lung cancer, you might be entitled to substantial compensation. Fill out our form to receive our free Financial Compensation Packet. Our packet is loaded with information on experienced mesothelioma attorneys in your area, how to file a claim for asbestos trust funds, how to get paid in 90 days, and more. 

Railroad Workers: History With Asbestos

Railroad workers have always played a significant role in the nation, and with railroads spanning across most of the county, there were once many job functions for railroad workers. From 1930 until the 1980s, numerous railroad workers faced asbestos exposure each day they worked.

While some railroad workers were responsible for inspecting rails and railroad ties, others laid rail tracks. Other responsibilities included heating and electricity aboard locomotives, train engineering, conductors, and yardmasters.

Railroad workers were primarily responsible for bringing this change. Their jobs included operating, building, inspecting, maintaining, and repairing more than 300,000 miles of track that spanned the country.

As the 20th Century moved on, cars became the most popular mode of transportation in the United States, but railroads and trains are used for exports and still employ millions of people in the nation.

Asbestos is no longer as big a risk as it once was for railroad workers. However, asbestos was previously used in many products and machinery, placing workers at risk of developing illnesses such as asbestos-related lung cancer and malignant mesothelioma.

Asbestos Products and Exposure for Railroad Workers

The most common products and areas that contained asbestos in the railroad industry include:

• Insulation
• Cement
• Tile
• Plaster
• Gaskets
• Locomotive brake pads, clutches, and brake linings
• Caboose ceilings
• Driving cabins
• Carriages
• Wallboards

It was standard practice to sand and cut materials for railroad workers. Asbestos fibers would then permeate throughout the air and affect any railroad worker in the vicinity, even those who weren’t responsible for maintenance and repair work.

Asbestos Studies on Railroad Workers

The Department of Medicine of Brigham and Women’s Hospital conducted a study during the 1950s involving railroad workers and their exposure to asbestos. According to the study, published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH),

“Before the transition from steam- to diesel-powered locomotives during the 1950s certain railroad workers had the opportunity for significant occupational exposure to asbestos. Past studies have demonstrated that older workers with jobs associated with the repair of steam locomotives had the most exposure.”

Railroad Asbestos Lawsuits

Since railroad workers don’t always qualify for workers’ compensation, many workers injured by asbestos filed an asbestos lawsuit against their employers, allowed under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).

Under FELA, railroad workers could sue employers by proving that negligence contributed to their asbestos-related injuries and illnesses.

However, FELA only applies to employers that have operations in numerous states.

Employees can only file a lawsuit against the manufacturers who supplied asbestos-containing products to employers for one-state-only railroad companies.

If you worked in the railroad industry and now have an asbestos illness, let a mesothelioma lawyer help you decide what legal steps to take next.

Additional Help for Railroad Workers

Remember, if you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related cancer, you may qualify for significant compensation. Remember to fill out our form to get your free Financial Compensation Packet, with information on asbestos and mesothelioma lawyers in your area.