Railroad Lawsuit - Leukemia Caused by Benzene
A jury awarded $7.5m to a railway worker who developed leukemia after being exposed to toxic chemicals. He worked for two railroads and was exposed to Benzene which is a carcinogen that has been identified.
The plaintiff's work required him to handle creosote coated equipment and ties. He claimed that he was frequently covered from head to foot by the chemical.
Benzene
The chemical Benzene is one of the many harmful chemicals that can cause cancer, is a carcinogen. It is a well-known carcinogen found in diesel exhaust fumes, which railroad workers are regularly exposed to. Exposure to benzene has been associated to myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) as well as Hodgkin's lymphoma and acute leukemia along with other blood cancers.
Creosote and diesel exhaust as well as other carcinogens are typical exposures for railroad workers. Although many railway employees are eligible for workers' compensation, these benefits may not cover all a victim's expenses and losses. A benzene lawsuit against a railroad could help plaintiffs recover damages not covered by workers' compensation.
The wife of railroad worker John Thompson won a benzene settlement against his employer. Thompson was a maintenance of ways employee for the Chicago and North Western Railroad and Union Pacific Railroad between 1976 and 2008. He was exposed to various petroleum solvents which included benzene-laden Creosote naphtha, coal tar distillates carbolineum, paint strippers. During his career, John suffered from multiple types of cancer, including a type of leukemia referred to as myelodysplastic. He passed away in November 2009 of this condition. The jury awarded him $7 million as settlement. The settlement covers a significant part of his medical expenses including lost income, suffering and pain.
Creosote
Creosote has a variety of chemicals, including dioxin, pentachlorophenol and polycyclic halocarbons. Long-term exposure to creosote can cause irritation to the respiratory tract. Creosote exposure for long periods of time has been linked with skin cancer and an illness that is similar in nature to acute myeloid lymphoma.
Creosote can enter the body through the lungs, stomach and intestines if the food is contaminated or drinking contaminated water or in contact with the skin. It is absorbed rapidly through the skin. Exposure can cause damage to the liver, kidneys as well as the gastrointestinal tract and central nervous system. The toxic mix is taken up through the eyes and can lead to a range of diseases.
Rail workers are exposed to a variety of hazardous chemicals at their work. If these toxic chemicals cause harm to them they must be compensated from their employers. Contact our dedicated railroad accident lawyers to discuss your case.
Hull A small Florida town, was once the home of an old rail company which used coal-tar creosote wood to make it waterproof and insectproof railroad tie made of wood. When the company was acquired by CSX several years ago the chemicals grew and contaminated the surrounding property. Residents are suing CSX for the contaminating their homes and drinking water. Regan, the EPA Administrator, was in the area in order to know more. Residents say that contaminated drinking water near the UPRR plant causes childhood leukemia and other health issues.
Asbestos
The use of asbestos to make railroad materials was commonplace over the years. Asbestos dust was a danger for railroad workers who worked around steam engines and in repair shops. The asbestos dust was often carried home on the workers' clothing and hair which exposed their loved ones to the dangerous material.
Despite the dangers of asbestos exposure, railroad companies have been ignoring or denying this for decades. As a result, some railroad workers who were diagnosed with an asbestos cancer diagnosis later in life were not awarded adequate compensation from their employers.
Asbestos lawsuits are different from other claims for workers' compensation because of their complexities. Railroad workers might be able to claim compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA). FELA is an alternative to traditional laws governing workers' compensation. railroad lawsuits who have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness can file a claim for compensation under FELA so long as they can prove their employer's negligence led to their injury.
Plaintiffs in the case claim that the railroad contaminated Fifth Ward with dangerous chemicals and did not do anything to clean the area. Residents of the community who lived in the area during the time of the contamination suffered from lung and throat cancers, asthma, and other respiratory illnesses. They also were impacted by the loss of property value due to the contamination.
Lead
Rail workers may be exposed to a variety of carcinogenic substances, fumes, and chemicals. These harmful chemicals are known to cause leukemia as well as other fatal illnesses among workers. These exposures are usually the result of railroad negligence.
Railroad workers are often exposed to diesel exhaust, welding fumes asbestos, silica and asbestos among other toxins. These exposures may lead to lung cancer bladder and esophageal tumors kidney cancer, as well as other types of leukemia.
One of the major causes of leukemia and other bone marrow and blood disorders is benzene exposure. Benzene, a colorless liquid that is flammable and can evaporate into air, is a chemical that can cause leukemia. It is used in various industrial processes and it is present in low amounts in the air. The chemical is also present in gasoline as well as other products. Exposure to benzene may have serious effects on the body, particularly when it is breathed in or consumed.
Contact Napoli Shkolnik to receive a free evaluation of your case when you worked on a train or a railroad and were diagnosed with a serious disease such as leukemia, due to the negligence of your employer. We can help you obtain the compensation you deserve for medical treatment, lost income and other damages. Our lawyers are dedicated to helping Texans who have been injured.