Common Industrial Toxins and Their Health Risks
Our firm focuses exclusively on toxic torts and FELA claims. We represent engineers, conductors, track gangs, and shop workers who have been exposed to a “toxic soup” of carcinogens.
Diesel Exhaust
Known as a Group 1 carcinogen, diesel fumes are a constant presence in rail yards and shops. Having defended railroads for years, we know how they often failed to provide adequate ventilation. As your toxic tort attorney, we link these exposures to lung, bladder, and kidney cancers.
Learn more about diesel exhaust exposure.
Asbestos
For decades, workers handled asbestos-laden gaskets, brake shoes, and insulation. We understand the devastating link between these fibers and mesothelioma or asbestosis.
Learn more about asbestos exposure.
Solvents and Degreasers
Benzene-based solvents and degreasers are frequently used in machine shops and locomotive maintenance. Exposure to these chemicals is a known cause of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and other blood-related illnesses.
Learn more about solvents and degreasers.
Silica Sand
Inhaling crystalline silica dust from ballast or sandblasting leads to irreversible lung scarring (silicosis) and cancer. We hold companies accountable for failing to provide proper respiratory protection.
Creosote
Common in railroad ties, creosote is a potent carcinogen. If you spent years on a track gang or handling ties, your risk for skin and lung cancers increased significantly. A toxic exposure attorney can help prove the railroad’s negligence in your exposure.
Learn more about creosote exposure.
Railroad Pesticides & Herbicides
Potent weedkillers used along the right-of-way have been linked to Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Our firm investigates the specific chemical applications used during your years of service.
Learn more about railroad pesticides and herbicides.
Welding Fumes
Welding on locomotives produces toxic metal fumes like manganese and hexavalent chromium, which are linked to “Welder’s Parkinsonism” and severe respiratory distress.
Learn more about welding fumes.
Secondhand Smoke
For decades, railroaders were trapped in locomotive cabs filled with smoke. We fight the “smoking defense” often used by railroads to deflect blame for your illness.
Learn more about secondhand smoke.
How Our Toxic Tort Lawyers Fight for You
A successful claim requires proving a direct link between your specific job duties and your medical diagnosis. Because of our defense background, we provide a level of advocacy that general practice firms cannot replicate.
1. Reconstructing Your Exposure History
Corporate defendants often hope that records have been lost or memories have faded over the decades. We counter this by digging through:
- Internal Archives: We look for the “overlooked” internal memos and air quality studies that prove the company knew of the risks.
- Supply Chain Evidence: We track down the specific purchase orders for solvents, degreasers, or herbicides used during your tenure.
- Witness Networks: We leverage a national network of former coworkers and shop foremen to corroborate the lack of safety equipment and ventilation.
2. Defeating the “Lifestyle” Defense
The defense will almost always try to blame your illness on lifestyle factors like smoking or diet. We specialize in countering these tactics, using medical experts to prove that the industrial toxins you were forced to breathe were the “substantial contributing factor” to your diagnosis.
3. Deploying Top-Tier Scientific Experts
We work with a hand-selected group of oncologists, hematologists, and industrial hygienists. These experts testify about how chemicals behave in confined spaces, like locomotive cabs or maintenance pits, and explain the cellular damage caused by toxins like benzene or asbestos.
Take the First Step Toward Justice
The companies you worked for have teams of lawyers and insurance adjusters working right now to protect their bottom line. You deserve a toxic tort attorney who has been in those meetings and knows how to break through their defenses.
At Hughes Law Offices, we don’t just file paperwork; we build a strategic roadmap designed to restore your financial stability and hold negligent employers accountable. Ready to get started? Follow the links below to learn more or schedule a free consultation.
