Railroad Lawsuit - Leukemia Caused by Benzene
A jury awarded $7.5m to a railway worker who developed leukemia following exposure to toxic chemicals. He was employed by two different railroad companies, and was exposed to Benzene which is a carcinogen.
The plaintiff's job required him to deal with creosote coated ties and other equipment. He claimed that he was often completely covered from head to foot with the chemical.
Benzene
Benzene is one of the hazardous chemicals found to cause cancer. It is a carcinogen. It is found in diesel exhaust and fumes which railroad workers are exposed to frequently. Benzene exposure has been linked to myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and Hodgkin lymphoma, among other blood cancers.
Railroad workers are usually exposed to a variety of carcinogens while working on the job, including creosote and diesel exhaust. While a majority of railway workers receive workers' compensation, these benefits might not cover all of a victim's expenses and losses. A benzene suit against a railroad might help plaintiffs recover the costs that are not covered by workers' compensation.
The wife of railroad worker John Thompson recently won a benzene wrongful death settlement against his employer. Her husband worked as a maintenance of ways employee for the Chicago and North Western Railroad and Union Pacific Railroad between 1976 and 2008. He was exposed to a variety of petroleum solvents, including creosote containing benzene, coal tar distilates naphtha, naphtha and paint strippers. In his professional life, John suffered from multiple types of cancer, including a type of leukemia known as myelodysplastic syndrome. He died in November 2009 from this type of cancer. The jury awarded $7 million as settlement. This sum covers a large portion of his medical expenses as well as lost income, pain and discomfort.
Creosote
Creosote has a variety of chemicals, including dioxin, pentachlorophenol, and polycyclic hydrocarbons. Long-term exposure to gaseous components of the chemicals could cause irritation to the respiratory tract. Long-term exposure to creosote has also been linked to skin cancer and an illness that is similar to acute myeloid leukemia.
union pacific railroad lawsuit gets into the body through the lungs via air pollution through the stomach and intestines by eating food that is contaminated or drinking contaminated water or through contact with the skin. It is quickly absorbed through the skin. Exposure to this mixture may cause damage to the kidneys, liver and central nervous system. The toxic mixture is also absorption through the eyes and can cause a variety of diseases.
Railroad workers are exposed to many hazardous chemicals at their work environments. When toxic substances cause harm to workers they must be compensated from their employers. Contact our dedicated railroad accident lawyers to discuss your case.
The small 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 CSX purchased the company several years ago, the chemicals spread and polluted the surrounding land. Residents are suing CSX over the contamination of their drinking water as well as their homes. EPA Administrator Regan visited the area to learn more about the situation. Residents say that the drinking water sources that are contaminated near the UPRR facility have been linked to the development of leukemia among children and other health issues.
Asbestos
The use of asbestos for railroad materials was commonplace over the decades. Many railroad workers were exposed to dangerous asbestos dust when they worked in and around steam trains or in repair shops. These asbestos fibers were often brought home on workers' clothing and hair and exposed loved ones to the dangerous material.
Despite the dangers of asbestos exposure, a lot of railroad companies were unaware or oblivious to its potential to harm workers' health for years. Some railroad workers who were diagnosed with asbestos cancer later in life did not receive adequate compensation from their employers.
Asbestos lawsuits differ from other workers' compensation claims 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. FELA allows railroad employees with asbestos-related ailments to file a claim if they can prove that their employer's negligence is the cause of their illness.
The plaintiffs in this lawsuit claim that the railroad had contaminated the Fifth Ward area with dangerous chemicals and did not clean up the mess. The residents of the area at the time of the contamination have suffered from a range of health issues including throat and lung cancer as well as asthma and other respiratory ailments. They also suffered from the loss in property value due to the contamination.
Lead
Workers on railroads can be exposed to many carcinogenic substances, chemicals, and fumes. These toxic chemicals are known to cause leukemia and other fatal diseases in workers. These exposures are usually the result of railroad negligence.
Rail workers are exposed a variety of toxins, including diesel exhaust, welding fumes and asbestos. These exposures can cause many long-term health issues including bladder cancer, lung cancer, esophageal cancer, kidney cancer, as well as other forms of leukemia.
The exposure to benzene is the most common reason for leukemia, as well as other blood and bone-marrow diseases. Benzene, a colorless liquid that is flammable and able to evaporate into air, is one of the substances that can cause leukemia. It is used in a variety of industrial processes and can be found in the environment in low concentrations. The chemical is also present in gasoline and many other products. Exposure to benzene can have negative effects on the body, particularly if it is inhaled or ingested.
Contact Napoli Shkolnik to receive a free evaluation of your case if you worked on a train or railroad and then contracted a serious illness like leukemia as a result of the negligence of your employer. We can assist you in obtaining compensation for your medical care loss of income, and other damages. Our attorneys are skilled and committed to helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.