Railroad Lawsuit - Leukemia Caused by Benzene
A railroad worker who was diagnosed with leukemia after exposure to toxic chemicals has been awarded $7.5 million in a jury verdict. He worked for two railroads and was exposed to Benzene, known carcinogen.
The plaintiff's job required him to manage creosote-coated equipment and ties. He claimed that the chemical was covering his entire body from head to toe.
Benzene
Benzene, one of many harmful chemicals that can cause cancer is a carcinogen. It is a known carcinogen, which is present in diesel exhaust fumes which railroad workers are regularly exposed to. The exposure to benzene has been linked to myelodysplastic disease (MDS), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and Hodgkin lymphoma, as well as other blood cancers.
Creosote, diesel exhaust, and other carcinogens are typical exposures for railroad workers. Workers' compensation can pay for certain losses and expenses, but not all. A benzene lawsuit against a railroad could aid plaintiffs in recovering damages not covered by workers compensation.
The wife of railroad worker John Thompson won a benzene settlement against his employer. Her husband was an employee of maintenance of ways for the Chicago and North Western Railroad and the Union Pacific Railroad between 1976 to 2008. He was continuously exposed to various solvents of petroleum that included benzene-laden creosote naphtha, coal tar distillates carbolineum, as well as paint strippers. Throughout his career, John suffered from multiple forms of cancer, including a form of leukemia called myelodysplastic syndrome. He passed away in November 2009 of this disease. The jury awarded $7 million as a settlement. The amount is a large portion of his medical bills including lost income, pain and suffering.
Creosote
A variety of chemicals are present in creosote, including dioxin, pentachlorophenol and phenols and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Long-term exposure to vapors of the chemicals can cause irritation to the respiratory tract. Skin cancer and a leukemia-like illness known as acute myeloidleukemia have also been associated with long-term exposure to creosote.
Creosote enters the body through the lungs as air pollution, through the stomach and intestines by eating or drinking polluted water or in contact with the skin. It is absorbed quickly through the skin. The exposure to this mixture could cause damage to the kidneys, liver and central nervous system. The toxic mix is absorbed through the eyes and can cause a variety of ailments.
Railroad workers are exposed many hazardous chemicals at their workplaces. When these toxic substances cause harm they must be compensated from their employers. Contact our dedicated railroad accident lawyers to discuss your case.
The tiny Florida town of Hull was once home to a rail company that treated wood with coal-tar creosote to preserve, waterproof and insect-proof wooden railroad ties. When the company was purchased by CSX several years ago the chemicals were spread and contaminated the surrounding property. Residents are suing CSX over the contamination of their drinking water and homes. EPA Administrator Regan visited the area to get more information about the situation. Residents claim that drinking water that is contaminated near the UPRR plant is causing leukemia in children and other health problems.
Asbestos
The use of asbestos to create railroad materials was commonplace over the years. Many railroad workers were exposed to dangerous asbestos dust when they worked in steam trains and around or inside repair shops. These asbestos fibers were often taken home with the hair and clothing of the employees and exposed their family members to the dangerous material.
Despite the risks of exposure to asbestos, many railroad companies were unaware or oblivious to its potential to harm workers' health for decades. As a result, many railroad workers who were diagnosed with an asbestos cancer diagnosis later in life were not given adequate compensation from their employers.
Asbestos lawsuits differ from other claims for workers' compensation because of their complexities. Railroad workers may be able seek compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA). FELA is an alternative to traditional workers' compensation laws. Railroad workers who have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness may file a claim under FELA in the event that they can prove that their employer's negligence caused the injury.
Plaintiffs in the case claim that the railroad contaminated Fifth Ward with dangerous chemicals and did not do anything to clean it up. Residents of the community who resided in the area during the time of the contamination suffered from throat and lung cancers, asthma, and other respiratory illnesses. The contamination also led to a loss in property value.
Lead
Rail workers are exposed to diverse carcinogenic substances, fumes, and chemicals. These toxic chemicals are known to cause leukemia as well as other fatal illnesses among workers. These exposures are usually caused by negligence on the part of railroad workers.
Railroad workers are often exposed to diesel exhaust, welding fumes asbestos, silica and asbestos among other contaminants. These exposures can cause many long-term health issues, including bladder cancer, lung cancer, esophageal carcinoma, kidney cancer and other forms of leukemia.
cancer lawsuits to benzene is a primary cause of leukemia and other blood and bone-marrow diseases. Benzene, a colorless liquid that is flammable and can evaporate into air, is a substance that can cause leukemia. It is employed in many industrial processes and it is present in low concentrations in the surrounding environment. Benzene can also be found in gasoline and other products. Exposure to benzene, especially when inhaled or consumed, could have serious health consequences.
If you have worked on a train or in the railroad industry and have developed a serious disease such as leukemia, as a result of negligence on the part of your employer or a lack of care, contact Napoli Shkolnik for a free case review. We can help you obtain compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and other damages. Our lawyers are dedicated to helping Texans who have suffered injuries.