Railroad Lawsuit - Leukemia Caused by Benzene
A jury awarded $7.5m to the railroad worker who developed leukemia following exposure to toxic chemicals. He was employed by two railroad companies and was exposed to Benzene which is a carcinogen that has been identified.
The plaintiff's job required him to work with creosote-coated tie and other equipment. 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 that is present in diesel exhaust fumes which railroad workers are regularly exposed to. The exposure to benzene is associated with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and Hodgkin lymphoma, among other blood cancers.
Railroad workers are usually exposed to a range of carcinogens while working on the job, such as creosote and diesel exhaust. While many railway employees receive workers' compensation, the benefits might not cover all of the cost and expenses of a victim. A benzene lawsuit against a railroad may help plaintiffs recover damages that are not covered by workers' compensation.
The wife of railroad worker John Thompson recently won a settlement in wrongful death with benzene from his employer. Her husband was a maintenance of right employee of the Chicago and North Western Railroad and the Union Pacific Railroad from 1976 until 2008. He was exposed to a variety of petroleum solvents such as creosote with benzene in it, coal tar distilates naphtha, naphtha and paint strippers. John was diagnosed with various cancers, including myelodysplastic leukemia, throughout his career. He died in November 2009 from this type of cancer. The settlement he was awarded by the jury was $7 million. This amount covers a substantial portion of his medical expenses including lost income, suffering and pain.
Creosote
Creosote consists of a range of chemicals, including dioxin, pentachlorophenol, and polycyclic hydrocarbons. Exposure to long-term gaseous components of the chemicals could cause irritation to the respiratory tract. Long-term exposure to creosote has been linked to skin cancer and an illness that is similar to acute myeloid lymphoma.
Creosote enters the body through the lungs, as air pollution, through the stomach and intestines, either by eating or drinking water that is contaminated or by contact with the skin. It is quickly absorbed through the skin. Exposure to this mixture may cause damage to kidneys, the liver and central nervous system. The toxic mixture can also be absorbed via the eye and cause a range of ailments.
Rail workers are exposed to a variety of dangerous chemicals at their work. When these toxic substances cause harm to them the workers should be compensated from their employers. Contact our railroad injury lawyers today to discuss your case.
The small Florida town of Hull was once home to a rail company that treated wood using coal-tar creosote, which was used to preserve waterproof and insect-proof wooden railroad ties. When CSX bought the company years ago the chemicals grew and contaminated the surrounding property. Residents are suing CSX for contaminating their homes as well as drinking water. Regan, the EPA Administrator, toured the area to find out more. Residents claim that drinking water contaminated close to the UPRR facility have been linked to the development of leukemia among children and other health issues.
Asbestos
Through the years asbestos was used to create railroad materials. Many railroad workers were exposed to hazardous asbestos dust when they worked in and around steam trains or inside repair shops. The asbestos particles are usually brought home by workers who wear their clothing and hair. This exposes their families to the deadly substance.
Despite the risks of asbestos exposure, a lot of railroad companies did not recognize or even deny the potential harm it could cause to workers' health for years. As a result, some railroad workers who were given an asbestos-related cancer diagnosis later in life were not awarded sufficient compensation from their employers.
Asbestos lawsuits differ from other workers' compensation claims due to their complexity. Railroad workers may be able to claim compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA). union pacific railroad lawsuit is a viable alternative to traditional workers compensation laws. FELA permits railroad employees suffering from asbestos-related diseases to file claims if they can prove their employer's negligence caused the cause of their illness.
The plaintiffs in the case assert that the railroad had contaminated Fifth Ward with dangerous chemicals, and failed to clean it up. Residents of the neighborhood at the time of the contamination have been affected by a variety of health issues that include throat and lung cancer asthma, lung cancer, and other respiratory ailments. The contamination also led to the property to lose value.
Lead
People who work on railroads can be exposed to numerous carcinogenic chemicals, chemicals and fumes. These toxic chemicals are believed to cause leukemia and other fatal diseases in workers. A lot of these exposures are the result of negligence on the part of railroad workers.
Railroad workers are frequently exposed to welding fumes, diesel exhaust asbestos, silica, and asbestos among other contaminants. These exposures can cause lung cancer, bladder and esophageal carcinomas, kidney cancer, and other types of leukemia.
One of the major causes of leukemia, as well as other blood and bone marrow conditions is exposure to benzene. Benzene, a colorless liquid that is flammable, and which can evaporate into air, is a substance that can cause leukemia. It is used in various industrial processes, and is also found in the environment in lower concentrations. It is also found in gasoline and a variety of other products. Exposure to benzene, especially when consumed or inhaled, can have a number of health risks.
Contact Napoli Shkolnik to receive a free review of your case If you were employed on a train or railroad and developed a serious illness such as leukemia, due to the negligence of your employer. We can help you obtain compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and other damages. Our attorneys are skilled and devoted to helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.