Kidney Cancer and Railroad Settlement
Each day, railroad workers transport people and cargo to their destinations. They are exposed to dangerous chemicals on a regular basis.
railroad injury settlement amounts asked his doctors about the cause of his kidney cancer and was told they did not know. There was no evidence to suggest that a reasonably diligent inquiry would reveal a link between his exposure to radiation on the Railroad and the diagnosis of renal cancer.
Brain Damage

If railroad workers are exposed harmful fumes, chemicals may be introduced into their bloodstreams, and then into their brains. This is known as toxic encephalopathy, and it can cause brain damage that can affect the mental capabilities of a person.
Memory loss, fatigue and difficulties concentrating are all symptoms of toxic encephalopathy. Untreated brain damage can result in permanent disability or even death.
Exposure to diesel fumes silica dust, welding fumes and asbestos is usually the primary cause of long term health problems for railroad workers. Many lawsuits have been filed and significant sums of money was paid out to the families of the victims.
While lung cancer is the most commonly diagnosed illness among railroad workers, there are other ailments that have been linked to work on railroads, including kidney cancer and leukemia. The lawyers at Napoli Shkolnik can assess your claim and determine if it is eligible for a settlement.
Our attorneys can help you file a suit under the Federal Employers' Liability Act. The law was passed in 1908 and grants railroad workers the right to sue their employers for injuries due to their work. Our FELA attorneys can calculate possible settlements on behalf of railroad workers that will cover medical expenses as well as lost wages, pain and suffering and compensation for wrongful deaths. Contact us for a complimentary consultation today.
Kidney Cancer
Due to exposure to toxic substances like silica, welding fumes, and asbestos over a long period of time, railroad workers are at a higher risk of developing kidney cancer. Carcinogens can also trigger other ailments, such as lung cancer and leukemia. The Federal Employers Liability Act, which was passed in 1908 and is still in force today, allows railroad workers to sue their employers in the event that they are diagnosed with a disease that is caused by their work.
If your kidney cancer has spread to other parts of your body such as the lungs or organs, then you may need to undergo chemotherapy. You could also benefit by undergoing targeted therapy, which drugs are used to fight cancer. These medications are specifically designed to target specific proteins, genes or the tissue environment that play a role in cancer growth and survival.
If your tumor isn't metastatic, you could be eligible for active surveillance. In this scenario your doctor will observe symptoms to look for signs of cancer returning. Other localized treatments include radiofrequency ablation (also known as cryoablation) as well as radiation or cryoablation. If the cancer grows back it may require surgery to eliminate it. You could be treated for metastatic kidney cancer with tyrosine-kinase inhibitors, such as axitinib and Inlyta. These drugs block the vascular growth factor (VEGF) to inhibit tumor growth.
Lung Cancer
Railroad workers are at high risk of developing lung cancer. This is especially true for non-small cell lung carcinomas such as squamous cancer or adenocarcinoma. Railroad workers may develop lung cancer due to exposure to hazardous chemicals as well as toxins such as welding fumes, diesel exhaust, asbestos and silica.
Exposure to these toxins can cause respiratory ailments such as the chronic obstructive respiratory disease (COPD). These illnesses can lead to lung cancer. It can change from stage one to stages two to four. When a diagnosis of cancer is made, healthcare specialists use a method known as staging to determine where the tumor is located and how far it has spread. The staging allows them to determine the best treatment.
In addition to lung cancer, those working in rail are at a higher risk of developing kidney cancer. This is due to long term exposure to diesel exhaust herbicides, coal dust and engine oil. Other carcinogens such as benzene are also a concern for railroad employees. Benzene can be present in crude oils and locomotive exhaust.
Contact Napoli Shkolnik as soon as you've been diagnosed with an illness or a disease that threatens your life as a result your railroad job. We can explain how the Federal Employers Liability Act, that was enacted in 1908, functions and assist you in filing claims. Railroad employees who have been diagnosed with cancer or other health condition may sue under FELA for compensation to pay for medical bills, loss of income and pain and suffering.
Leukemia
Railroads are crucial to our economy, carrying millions of people and a huge amount of freight. In many instances, however, railway workers are exposed to hazardous substances which put them at risk of developing numerous types of cancer and other severe illnesses. Under the Federal Employers Liability Act, railway workers who are diagnosed with a condition that can be linked to their workplace exposures could pursue financial compensation.
In September 2016 the jury decided to award $7.5 Million to an ex- Union Pacific Railroad worker who contracted leukemia. The man alleges that he worked in the railroad industry for more than 40 years and was exposed to creosote degreasing solvents, and other toxic chemicals, without adequate protection. He claims that the exposures caused him to develop myelodysplastic Syndrome and then progress to acute leukemia. In addition to his blood cancer, he suffered from poor eyesight, pain in his legs and feet, weight gain due to his medications, graft-versus- host disease, impotence, and memory loss.
It is not unusual for railway workers to develop kidney cancer, or other cancers, due to exposure to carcinogens, such as diesel exhaust, welding fumes and solvents including herbicides and engine oil. Railroad workers can file lawsuits to recover occupational diseases like mesothelioma in accordance with the FELA laws which were established in 1908. If you or someone near you has been diagnosed with a disease that can be traced back to your railroad job, it is essential to contact an experienced railway lawyer as soon possible.