Railroad Lawsuit - Leukemia Caused by Benzene
A railroad worker who contracted leukemia from exposure to toxic chemicals has been awarded $7.5 million in a jury verdict. He worked for two railroad companies and was exposed to Benzene which is a known carcinogen.
The plaintiff's job required him to handle creosote coated ties and equipment. He claimed that the chemical was often covering his entire body from head to toe.
Benzene
Benzene, one of the numerous harmful chemicals that could cause cancer is a carcinogen. It is a well-known carcinogen that is present in diesel exhaust fumes, which railroad workers are regularly exposed to. Exposure to benzene has been associated to myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), Hodgkin's Lymphoma and acute leukemia as well as other blood cancers.
Railroad workers are often exposed to a variety of carcinogens while working on the job, including creosote and diesel exhaust. Workers' compensation may cover some expenses and losses, but not all. A benzene lawsuit against a railroad can aid plaintiffs in recovering damages not covered by workers' compensation.
The wife of railroad worker John Thompson won a benzene settlement against his employer. John Thompson was maintenance of ways employee for the Chicago and North Western Railroad and Union Pacific Railroad between 1976 until 2008. He was exposed to a range of petroleum solvents such as creosote which contained benzene distilates of coal tar, naphtha and paint strippers. Throughout his career, John suffered from multiple types of cancer, including a form of leukemia known as myelodysplastic syndrome. He died of this disease in November 2009. The settlement that was awarded by the jury was $7 million. This amount covers a substantial portion of his medical bills as well as lost income and pain and suffering.
Creosote
Creosote consists of a range of chemicals, including dioxin, pentachlorophenol, and polycyclic hydrocarbons. Long-term exposure can cause irritation of the respiratory tract. Skin cancer and a similar disease known as acute myeloid leukemia have also been linked to long-term exposure to creosote.
Creosote can enter the body through the lungs, stomach and intestines when contaminated food is eaten or drinking contaminated water, or in contact with the skin. It is absorbed quickly through the skin. It can cause damage to the liver, kidneys as well as the gastrointestinal tract and central nervous system. The toxic mix is in the eyes and may cause a variety of diseases.
Railroad workers are exposed various hazardous chemicals in their work environments. When toxic substances cause harm the workers should be compensated from their employers. Contact our dedicated railroad accident lawyers to discuss your case.
Hull A small Florida town, was home to an old railroad company which used coal-tar creosote wood to protect against insects and waterproof wooden railroad tie. When the company was bought by CSX several years ago the chemicals grew to contaminate the property. Residents are suing CSX for the contaminating their homes and drinking water. Regan, the EPA Administrator, toured the area to learn more. Residents claim that contaminated drinking waters close to the UPRR facility cause leukemia in children as well as other health issues.
Asbestos
Throughout the years, asbestos was utilized to make railroad materials. Asbestos dust could pose a threat to railroad workers who worked in steam trains and in repair shops. These asbestos fibers were typically brought home on hair and clothing of workers, exposing their loved ones to the harmful substance.
Despite the risks of exposure to asbestos, a number of railroad companies were unaware or oblivious to the possibility of harm to workers' health for decades. As a result, some railroad workers who were given an asbestos cancer diagnosis later in life were not given adequate compensation from their employers.
Due to their complexity, asbestos lawsuits differ from other workers' compensation claims. Railroad workers may be able claim compensation under the Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA). FELA is a substitute for traditional workers' compensation laws. Bladder cancer lawsuit who have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease can file a claim under FELA provided that they can prove that their employer's negligence caused the injury.
Bladder cancer lawsuit in this lawsuit claim that the railroad contaminated the Fifth Ward area with dangerous chemicals and failed to clean up the mess. The residents of the community at the time of the contamination have suffered from a range of health issues, including lung and throat cancer as well as asthma and other respiratory diseases. The contamination also caused a decrease in property value.
Lead
Railroad workers can be exposed to numerous carcinogenic substances, chemicals and fumes. These toxic chemicals can trigger numerous debilitating, fatal ailments for workers, including leukemia. Many of these exposures result of negligence on the part of railroad workers.
Railroad workers are frequently exposed to welding fumes, diesel exhaust asbestos and silica as well as other toxins. union pacific railroad lawsuit can result in various long-term health issues, including bladder cancer, lung cancer, esophageal cancer, kidney cancer and other forms of leukemia.
One of the major causes of leukemia as well as other bone marrow and blood diseases is exposure to benzene. Benzene, a colorless fluid that is flammable, and which can evaporate into air, is a substance that can cause leukemia. It is employed in various industrial processes and it is found in low amounts in the surrounding environment. The chemical is also present in gasoline and other products. Exposure to benzene in particular, when consumed or inhaled, can cause serious health problems.
If you have worked on trains or in the railway industry and have developed a serious disease such as leukemia, as a result of the negligence of your employer, contact Napoli Shkolnik for a free case review. We will assist you in recovering the compensation you deserve for medical treatment, lost income and other damages. Our attorneys are skilled and devoted to helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.