Michigan Railroad Cancer Law Firm

Chicago-based Hughes Law Offices serves current and former railroad employees diagnosed with cancer, leukemia and pulmonary issues as a result of their work for the railroad.  Whether you worked in engine service, on the track, or in the shops, we will analyze your craft’s unique exposures and determine whether they contributed to cause your illness.  We handle railroad cancer lawsuits in Michigan and throughout the United States.

Chronic railroad exposures to diesel exhaust, asbestos, creosote, welding fumes, silica sand, benzene-containing solvents and degreasers, herbicides, and secondhand smoke can lead to numerous conditions, including:

Cancer:

• Lung Cancer
• Laryngeal Cancer
• Bladder Cancer
• Kidney Cancer
• Stomach Cancer
• Colorectal Cancer

Leukemia:

• Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)
• Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)
• Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL)
• Multiple Myeloma (MM)

Pulmonary:

• Diesel Asthma
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
• Reactive Airway Disease (RADS)
• Pulmonary Fibrosis
• Emphysema

Neurological:

• Toxic Encephalopathy
• Parkinson’s Disease

We serve all railroad employees in crafts with historical exposures to toxins, including the following:

• Locomotive Engineer
• Brakeman/Conductor
• Track Department/Trackman
• Locomotive Machinist/Electrician/Pipefitter
• Car Department/Carman
• Bridges & Buildings

In proving up your railroad cancer lawsuit, Hughes Law Offices will take any unique exposures into account. For instance, we have served clients who described leaking underground fuel tanks, serving chemical plants and refineries, exposures from toxic freight, etc.  We will bring all of those exposures to bear in proving up your railroad cancer case.  

Class I railroads operating in Michigan include:

• CSX Transportation – CSX operates out of Livernois Yard (also known as Junction Yard) and Wyoming Yard. 
• Norfolk Southern Railway – NS operates out of Livernois Yard. NS formerly operated Grand Rapids Yard and Gearhart Yard. 
• Canadian National Railway – CN’s Michigan facilities include Battle Creek Yard, Michigan ISouth Yard, Flat Rock Yard, and Cory Yard. CN formerly operated Pontiac Yard. 

Illustrative Michigan railroad verdicts & settlements:

• $2,600,000 verdict – Locomotive engineer working out of Conrail’s Detroit yards endured chronic exposure to diesel exhaust while riding in locomotives. As a result of his exposure, he developed diesel asthma in his early 60’s. His asthma condition was permanent and would reduce life expectancy. (Battaglia v. Conrail)
• $472,500 verdict – Railroad electrician was regularly exposed to chlorinated solvents and asbestos during his 35-year career working for Grand Trunk Western. The Plaintiff was subsequently diagnosed with asbestosis, bilateral pleural thickening, toxic encephalopathy, and dementia. The Plaintiff was a heavy smoker and the award was reduced to reflect the Plaintiff’s 25% comparative negligence. At the time of trial, the Plaintiff was 66 years old. (Schluster v. Grand Trunk W. R.R.)

Hughes Law Offices is providing case histories to inform visitors about actual case fact patterns and rulings in your area. Unless specifically noted, the cases summarized herein were not handled by attorneys at Hughes Law Offices.  

If you suspect that your illness or that of a loved one could be related to railroad workplace exposures, please call 312-877-5588 to speak to a railroad cancer attorney.