Mesothelioma in Railroad Workers Exposed to Asbestos
If you or a loved one was exposed to asbestos as a railroad worker and has developed an asbestos-related disease, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.
- Content Reviewed by:
- Darron E. Berquist
- Page Last Updated:
- November 24, 2025
Railroad workers are at severe risk of developing asbestos-related diseases because the material was commonly used in a variety of railroad components. Parts like brakes, insulation, and engine gaskets often included asbestos for its heat-resistant properties. This widespread use now leaves railroad workers with a higher likelihood of developing mesothelioma or other conditions stemming from asbestos exposure.
Mesothelioma symptoms often take decades to surface, making it crucial to act quickly once they appear. Early medical intervention can make a massive difference in your treatment, and prompt legal action can be vital to getting you and your family the help and compensation you need.
The nationally recognized mesothelioma and asbestos exposure attorneys at The Lanier Law Firm are ready to help you sort through the legal process with confidence and peace of mind, allowing you and your family to focus on health and recovery.
Asbestos Exposure for Railroad Workers
The proliferation of asbestos-containing products in the railroad industry throughout the 20th century has exposed many workers to asbestos while performing their duties, such as maintaining, repairing, and operating trains and infrastructure. This exposure has put them at high risk of developing diseases like mesothelioma. Many railroad workers will be diagnosed with mesothelioma decades after their first exposure to asbestos.
The compassionate, experienced attorneys at The Lanier Law Firm can help railroad workers get the support they need following a mesothelioma diagnosis. If you or a loved one was a railroad worker and has developed an asbestos-related disease, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other harms you may face due to asbestos exposure.
Sources of Asbestos Exposure for Railroad Workers
Asbestos-containing materials may have been a common sight for many railroad workers. Some of the tasks that commonly exposed railroad workers to asbestos included:
- Maintenance and Repairs: Asbestos fibers were often released into the air during repair and maintenance work on components like insulating pipes, brake pads, and engine parts. In addition, these parts often released asbestos fibers through regular wear and tear. Workers could then inhale or ingest the microscopic fibers, which could become embedded in bodily tissue.
- Construction and Renovation: Railroad workers who built or renovated railroad lines frequently dealt with insulation and other building materials containing asbestos. Handling those components released asbestos particles within them to enter the air, potentially endangering those nearby.
- Daily Operations: Enough asbestos-containing materials were present at and around railways to put railroad workers at risk during their day-to-day tasks, even if the exposure wasn’t as severe.
Workers were continuously exposed to airborne asbestos fibers from degrading parts, even while riding in trains.
Products That Exposed Railroad Workers to Asbestos
Various common train and rail parts manufactured during most of the 20th century contained asbestos. Materials that commonly contained asbestos include the following:
- Brake Components – Cheap and resistant to heat and friction, asbestos was a common component in brake shoes and pads used on railroads. Repairing or replacing these parts can dislodge asbestos fibers.
- Insulation Materials – Many types of thermal insulation contained asbestos due to its heat-resistant properties, including those used with boilers, engines, pipes, and other components. Handling or removing railroad insulation can cause asbestos fibers to shake free.
- Gaskets and Seals – Gaskets used to seal engines, valves, and pumps often contained asbestos because of its resistance to heat and corrosion. Tasks like grinding, cutting, or replacing gaskets could cause workers to inhale asbestos dust.
- Fireproofing Materials – Blankets, curtains, panels, and shields installed or stored in trains and train stations often contained asbestos. Handling these components can expose railroad workers to asbestos particles.
- Other Common Sources – Paint, plaster, tiles, panels, and siding are among other asbestos-containing materials to which railroad workers were regularly exposed.
Call 800-723-3216 now to see if our mesothelioma law firm can pursue compensation for you and your family. Consultations are free.
Legal Options for Railroad Workers Diagnosed With Mesothelioma
Railroad workers sickened by asbestos exposure may be eligible to pursue mesothelioma compensation and justice thorough several paths.
Personal Injury Lawsuits
Workers diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases might be eligible to hold railroad companies, product manufacturers, or other parties accountable for their asbestos exposure by filing a personal injury lawsuit for mesothelioma.
In a personal injury suit, you must prove the defendants manufactured, marketed, and sold a harmful product and failed to warn workers and consumers about the potential for harm. You can pursue compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain, suffering, and more.
Depending on specific statutes of limitations and state laws, mesothelioma victims generally have between one and six years after their diagnosis to file a lawsuit. Many suits are settled within a year, but some can drag on longer if they proceed to trial.
Wrongful Death Claims
When a railroad worker dies from mesothelioma or a related illness, their immediate family members may be entitled to compensation through a mesothelioma wrongful death lawsuit for the financial and emotional costs of their passing. Those may include funeral costs and lost income, as well as emotional distress and loss of companionship.
Many personal injury plaintiffs die before the resolution of their claims because of the aggressive nature of mesothelioma. In such a case, we can continue pursuing wrongful death compensation on behalf of their loved ones.
Asbestos Trust Funds
Dozens of companies responsible for asbestos exposure have filed for bankruptcy protection. The court required them to establish asbestos trust funds to compensate asbestos-exposure victims. About $30 billion remains available in these funds, and filing a claim with them is a faster and more-straightforward process than pursuing a lawsuit.
Railroad workers typically have two to three years to pursue claims under the deadlines set by most individual trust funds. You can pursue claims against multiple trust funds if more than one company is responsible for your condition. Our experienced mesothelioma attorneys can help you gather evidence and seek all compensation available to you through these funds.
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Our award-winning attorneys are committed to winning the maximum possible compensation for our clients and will handle your case with the care and attention it deserves.
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The Lanier Law Firm has a long history of winning asbestos-related cases, including on behalf of railroad workers. Our deep understanding of asbestos laws and regulations contributes to our expert reputation for compassionate, experienced legal representation.
Don’t take our word for it, our record of successful results speaks for itself. We’ve won nearly $20 billion in asbestos-related settlements and verdicts for our clients.
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Our firm leverages its extensive legal resources, including expert witnesses and medical professionals, to exhaustively investigate sources of asbestos exposure and hold those responsible accountable for the harm they’ve done to our clients. These resources help us build strong cases and win the compensation our clients deserve.
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We’re dedicated to our clients’ well-being and understand the financial pressures they face. We don’t charge any upfront costs—our services are available to all asbestos-exposure victims, regardless of their means. You won’t owe us anything unless and until we win your case, and we ‘ll fight zealously for the justice you deserve.
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Were you exposed to asbestos as a railroad worker? Have you or a loved one been diagnosed with mesothelioma or a similar illness? If so, don’t wait. Contact us today through our online form for a free case evaluation. Our experienced and knowledgeable mesothelioma lawyers are ready to hold companies responsible for your suffering and win you the compensation you deserve.
Darron E. Berquist specializes in asbestos exposure and product liability. He was part of the team that secured a $4.69 billion jury verdict in Ingham v. Johnson & Johnson, linking asbestos in talcum powder to ovarian cancer. Recognized by Best Lawyers for Mass Tort and Product Liability Litigation (2024-2025).
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