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Asbestos Exposure &Amp; Mesothelioma In Railroad Workers - Levy Konigsberg
Last updated on June 2026

HAVE YOU BEEN EXPOSED TO ASBESTOS AND DEVELOPED MESOTHELIOMA OR RELATED HEALTH PROBLEMS?

You May Be Entitled To Substantial CompensationAsbestos Exposure &Amp; Mesothelioma In Railroad Workers - Levy Konigsberg

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Mesothelioma And Asbestos Exposure

ASBESTOS EXPOSURE IN THE RAILROAD INDUSTRY

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Representing Railroad Workers Harmed by Occupational Asbestos Exposure

The dangers of asbestos exposure have long been known, yet asbestos was continuously used in a wide variety of products throughout the 20th century. In the railroad and locomotive industry, asbestos was commonly used in train brake linings, engines, and other components.

In fact, the use of asbestos in the railroad industry was so widespread, even those who did not directly handle the repair of these parts were at risk of asbestos exposure.

The nature of railroad work—which often included cutting, sanding, smoothing, and otherwise disturbing asbestos-containing train components—meant that railroad workers of all types frequently inhaled or ingested asbestos dust. As a result, countless workers developed asbestosis, mesothelioma, and other asbestos-related illnesses.

If you or someone you love has suffered because of occupational exposure to asbestos, Levy Konigsberg can help. Our nationally recognized asbestos attorneys are proud to represent railroad workers and their families, fighting to protect their rights and secure the justice they deserve.

We have successfully taken on some of the biggest asbestos manufacturers in the world, recovering more than $3 Billion in total for our clients. We have decades of experience and are known for being among the first attorneys to pursue mesothelioma litigation in the U.S., as well as for achieving results that have not only changed the lives of our clients but also altered laws and public policy nationwide.

WERE YOU EXPOSED TO ASBESTOS AND DEVELOPED MESOTHELIOMA OR OTHER HEALTH ISSUES?

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How Railroad Workers & Their Families Were Exposed to Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring group of minerals known for its inherent strength and heat-resistant qualities. These qualities are what made it so popular in train, locomotive, and other railroad products, including brakes, brake pads, brake linings, clutches, driving cabins and carriages, gaskets, sealing cement, insultation, plaster, paint, wallboards, ceiling tiles, flooring, and more.

As a result, all types of railroad workers—including repair workers, roadhouse workers, maintenance workers, conductors, yardmasters, and others—were frequently exposed to asbestos in the course of their employment.

Some of the most common ways in which railroad workers were exposed to asbestos include:

  • Installing, maintaining, and repairing asbestos-containing components
  • Working near areas where asbestos-containing parts were being cut, sanded, or smoothed
  • General wear and tear on asbestos-containing components
  • Repairing, removing, or replacing brake pads, brake linings, and related parts
  • Sealing pipe joints and valves with asbestos-containing sealing cement and gaskets
  • Working on trains’ electrical, plumbing, and heating/air conditioning systems
  • Painting trains or removing old coats of paint, often with sanding
  • Installing, removing, or replacing asbestos-containing insulation, tiles, etc.

Additionally, railroad workers often brought asbestos fibers home inadvertently on their clothing and in their hair.

As a result, their families were frequently exposed to harmful asbestos fibers, and there have been numerous documented cases of railroad workers’ family members developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related health conditions.

Who Is Liable for Railroad-Related Asbestos Exposure?

Numerous manufacturers have been held liable for asbestos exposure-related damages on behalf of railroad workers and their families who suffered asbestos-related illnesses, including mesothelioma, as a result of occupational and non-occupational exposure.

Some of these entities include:

  • Abex Corporation
  • Electro-Motive Diesel (a division of General Motors)
  • Griscom-Russell Company (now Viad Corporation)
  • H.K. Porter
  • Johns Manville (JM)
  • Keasbey & Mattison (K&M)
  • Raybestos-Manhattan
  • Railroad Friction Products Corp.

Additionally, numerous railroad companies have been involved in asbestos-related litigation, including national corporations like Amtrak and Transtar, as well as local state and municipal entities.

Asbestos Claims Against Rapid Transit Railroad Equipment Manufacturers

On February 29, 2012, the United States Supreme Court issued a decision in the matter of Kurns v. Railroad Friction Products Corp., 565 U.S. __, No. 10-879 (2012). In its decision, the Supreme Court held that people who suffer injuries on railroads cannot sue the manufacturers of the faulty railroad products or equipment in state courts as these lawsuits have been “preempted” by federal law.

This included claims against the suppliers of equipment that contained asbestos materials that contributed to the development of mesothelioma and other diseases.

“Preemption” is the idea that state laws are preempted by federal laws, meaning federal laws take precedence over state laws.

The United States Constitution requires that federal law be superior to state law. When the two conflict—that is, when following one requires not following the other—courts require that the federal law be followed. The state law, therefore, is preempted.

In its decision in Kurns, the Supreme Court held that federal laws governing safety on railroads preempted state-based claims against the manufacturers of asbestos-containing railroad equipment. However, a New Jersey judge later identified an exception to the ruling in Kurns.

The New Jersey case concerns Sandra Brust whose father, John Noga, had worked for the Port Authority Transit Corporation (PATCO). PATCO operates a rapid transit railroad that runs from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania into southern New Jersey. In the 1970s, Mr. Noga worked for PATCO as a train operator and supervisor.

His duties required him to operate trains, service the trains during breakdowns, as well as fulfill other functions in the trainyard, where the trains were maintained and repaired.

Unfortunately, while there, he was unknowingly exposed to asbestos from the trains’ brakes and other train systems and equipment, as well as asbestos products used in the maintenance yard. Every day, workers like Mr. Noga were routinely exposed to this asbestos even if they themselves were not directly working with the products.

At the end of each day, Mr. Noga would come home from work covered with asbestos dust and fibers. As a result, his daughter Sandra was exposed to the asbestos dust that was on her father’s clothing not only when he came home from work, but also when she laundered his dirty work clothes, which was one of her regular household chores.

At no time during his employment did PATCO or the companies that manufactured or supplied the asbestos-containing equipment to the railroad ever warn Mr. Noga that by wearing his asbestos dust-covered clothes home he was exposing his family to a dangerous carcinogenic substance, even though they were well aware of the dangers of asbestos exposure.

In 2011, the Brust and Noga families were devastated to learn that Sandra had developed mesothelioma, a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Since almost all of Sandra’s exposures to asbestos occurred in New Jersey, the Brust family filed their case in the state court of New Jersey.

This decision was no small matter; not only do the state courts of New Jersey have extensive experience adjudicating asbestos-related lawsuits, but they also prioritize and quickly advance the cases filed by living plaintiffs.

In February 2012, following the Supreme Court’s decision in Kurns, the companies who manufactured the PATCO’s equipment petitioned the court to dismiss the Brust’s claims, arguing that they were now preempted by federal law.

Following a hearing on the matter, however, Judge Ann McCormick of the Superior Court of New Jersey concluded that, while most claims against railroad equipment manufacturers would be preempted, those against PATCO fall into a narrow exclusion: PATCO is considered a rapid transit system by federal regulators, and since the federal government allows states to regulate their own local rapid transit railroads, the Kurns decision and the laws that underlie it do not apply.

Levy Konigsberg was proud to represent Sandra Brust and her family, as well as numerous victims who have been negatively affected by exposure to asbestos while working on, near, or around trains and trainyards, as well as in other railroad-related occupations.

We handle mesothelioma lawsuits against major companies that exposed people to asbestos and put their health at risk.

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We work on contingency, which means there’s no cost to hire and no fee unless we win.

Why Choose Levy Konigsberg?

Since the 1980s, Levy Konigsberg has evolved into a nationwide powerhouse for mesothelioma litigation in the U.S. Our national mesothelioma lawyers have represented numerous individuals and groups of workers, successfully securing multimillion-dollar settlements and verdicts.

 

Our top-rated mesothelioma lawyers have:

  • A massive knowledge of asbestos law and science
  • Decades of experience to their legal practices
  • Tried hundreds of asbestos and mesothelioma cases before juries
  • Secured record mesothelioma and asbestos compensation verdicts
  • Achieved some of the highest peer reviews and ratings available
  • Helped hundreds of satisfied clients

Additionally, we offer:

  • A caring and understanding approach to your case
  • Personalized attention and counsel based on each unique case
  • No upfront costs for handling your mesothelioma case
  • Fast and efficient handling of your mesothelioma case
  • Frequent case updates and reliable attorney accessibility

Understanding the science of asbestos exposure is an invaluable resource. One of the many benefits of our early involvement in mesothelioma litigation is our access to pioneering researchers and experts in this complex and ever-changing medical field. We put these experts to work on behalf of our clients, in the courtroom and in treatment of their disease.

Our lawyers bring to bear on every case a level of experience that can only come from decades of working together toward a common goal—maximum compensation for mesothelioma victims and their families.

Each new generation of mesothelioma attorneys at the firm acquires the skills, techniques, and knowledge of our senior partners through mentoring relationships. Not only does this benefit every lawyer, but it also benefits our clients in the form of consistently successful representation.

 

A Long History of Success in Mesothelioma Cases

Countless lawyers who advertise themselves as mesothelioma attorneys have never actually handled an asbestos case before. In fact, they refer them out to real mesothelioma lawyers for a fee.

That is not how we operate.

We are true, experienced mesothelioma attorneys who personally work on each case from beginning to end. We are always happy to meet our clients, whether at our New York, New Jersey, California, Georgia, Washington, or Maryland offices, at a client’s home or hospital, or anywhere in the country.

Our legal team has succeeded by negotiating tirelessly with manufacturers of asbestos products and their insurance companies, no matter how influential or uncooperative they are. We are even often able to recover compensation from companies that have long been bankrupt.

Most defense lawyers are familiar with our solid reputation and credentials and know in advance that we will not settle for less than the best possible offer. They know that we build every mesothelioma and asbestos case as if it is going to trial, and we have taken hundreds of cases to juries when a fair settlement had not been offered.

The mesothelioma attorneys at Levy Konigsberg have also served as lead counsel in major state and federal mass consolidation cases designed to benefit many hundreds of people diagnosed with mesothelioma and other types of asbestos-related diseases.

We are proud of the work our lawyers do on behalf of our clients, often in groundbreaking cases against the toughest defendants. Our law firm has obtained landmark asbestos and mesothelioma jury verdicts for exposures to welding rods, cable, asbestos gaskets and packing, commercial talc, and industrial equipment, including the first-ever jury verdicts against welding rod, cable, and commercial talk manufacturers.

Our law firm is frequently referenced by the legal press for our association with the largest and landmark asbestos and mesothelioma verdicts in virtually every category, including various jurisdictions, types of asbestos products involved, and forms of asbestos exposure.

We have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation for victims of mesothelioma and asbestos cancers, and we are prepared to fight for you.

 

Providing Your Case with the Individual Attention It Deserves

Unfortunately, many law firms today use a generalized approach to handling cases of the same type, even those as complex as mesothelioma cases.

With a goal of cutting back on the time spent on each case, they use broad-brush practices and techniques to process cases as fast as they can, often risking the possibility of missing important details in a case and, thus, undermining the goal of negotiating the best possible compensation for their clients.

Contrary to such mentality, we treat every case as if it was our only one. We investigate each case with a team of lawyers, paralegals, and leading experts in the field, all while being in constant communication with the clients, to ensure that we have done everything we could to reach the full potential of each individual case.

In many courts, mesothelioma cases are treated urgently and given high priority. This is particularly true if the claimant is alive. In some jurisdictions, the entire case can be resolved within four to five months; in others, it can take longer.

Here, at Levy Konigsberg, our mesothelioma cancer attorneys do everything possible to avoid delays and move our clients’ cases as quickly as we can. We accomplish this in large part due to the coordinated work of our team members and the fact that every mesothelioma case goes through a strict control and supervision, including regular follow-ups and reviews by the lead lawyers.

Our mesothelioma attorneys update clients on a regular basis, so that they always know of every important development on their case and that it is being taken care of. Our lawyers and support staff take every phone call with a high level of priority and try to answer them on the spot.

If unavailable at that very moment, we call clients back as promptly as possible. It is not uncommon that our mesothelioma attorneys provide clients with their personal cell phone numbers to address any urgent questions that the clients may have in the future.

 

Reach Out to Our Award-Winning Mesothelioma Attorneys Today for a Free Consultation

Our mesothelioma attorneys fight for justice on behalf of innocent people, including the victims of deadly asbestos exposure. Companies that knew the threat asbestos poses must be held accountable for the illnesses and harm that resulted from their negligence. If you were exposed to asbestos, the mesothelioma lawyers at Levy Konigsberg are ready to help.

Our partners have been honored with an AV® Preeminent™ rating, the highest given, from the nationwide Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™. Year after year, our partners are designated by their peers as Super Lawyers® and as the Best Lawyers® in America.

While we are proud of our awards and accolades, our clients remain the central and most important part of our practice. Their satisfaction is our top priority. We understand that every client’s case is their whole life. Our attorneys treat each client with the care they deserve, addressing their unique needs and doing our utmost to help them put their life back together as much as possible.

We offer a free initial consultation, and cover the expenses of building your case, so there is no cost to you unless we recover compensation for you.

We have offices located in New York, New Jersey, California, Georgia, Washington, and Maryland. Many of our mesothelioma lawyers are licensed to practice law in a number of U.S. states and have the capability and extensive experience of representing mesothelioma clients throughout the United States. You are encouraged to contact us with any questions.

Cases of Asbestos Exposure

Mesothelioma News

ATTENTION: Mesothelioma has no known cure and often causes severe pain, suffering, and other types of damage, such as loss of consortium, and loss of income. Additionally, due to the exceedingly high cost of mesothelioma treatments, many families exhaust savings and accumulate financial debt in order to pay for the medical expenses of their family member.

Under the law of most states, pain and suffering from mesothelioma may be compensated through the award of money damages, usually obtained with the help of experienced mesothelioma attorneys. In some states other types of damages may also be recovered.

Asbestos litigation affords mesothelioma victims the opportunity to receive financial compensation and hold accountable the companies that caused their asbestos exposure.

IMPORTANT: If you or your family member has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you should get in touch with a mesothelioma lawyer as early as possible to determine if you have a mesothelioma case and to:

  • Preserve your rights to bring a legal action against the responsible parties within the limited time frame allowed by law, known as statute of limitations;
  • Obtain maximum compensation in your case by being able to:
    • Preserve evidence and establish facts of the asbestos exposure while the claimant is still alive and able to provide information;
    • File and resolve a lawsuit against the responsible parties before they file for bankruptcy or, if they already have, to obtain compensation before their bankruptcy trust funds run out of money;
  • Expedite your case, as courts tend to give higher priority to mesothelioma lawsuits where the claimant is still alive.

NOTE: We have offices located in New York, New Jersey, California, Georgia, Washington, and Maryland. Many of our mesothelioma lawyers are licensed to practice law in a number of U.S. states and have the capability and extensive experience of representing mesothelioma clients throughout the United States. You are encouraged to contact us with any questions.

Since the 1970s, our founding partners were pioneers in championing the rights of asbestos and mesothelioma victims. In fact, Stan Levy was the first personal injury lawyer in the Northeast to pursue an asbestos case and one of the first mesothelioma attorneys in America.

Later, in 1985, he formed Levy Konigsberg with a mission to apply his extensive experience and legal knowledge to seek justice and financial compensation on behalf of asbestos and mesothelioma victims across the United States.

Find out whether you have a case by speaking to one of our experienced mesothelioma lawyers.

Trust Levy Konigsberg's Legal Team for Proven Results in Mesothelioma Cases

Levy Konigsberg LLP, a nationally recognized law firm, has built a legacy over three decades, securing billions in compensation for its clients. Led by award-winning attorneys, we specialize in representing individuals and families across the country who have suffered from asbestos exposure and devastating illnesses such as mesothelioma. Our top-rated trial practice holds corporations accountable for exposing workers and communities to asbestos, with numerous testimonials and successful case results.

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