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 railroad companies and was exposed to Benzene which is a carcinogen.
The plaintiff's work required him to handle creosote coated equipment and ties. He claimed that the chemical was often covering him from head to toe.
Benzene
Benzene is one of many hazardous chemicals found to cause cancer. Leukemia lawsuit is a carcinogen, and is found in diesel exhaust and fumes which railroad workers are exposed to on a regular basis. Exposure to benzene has been associated to myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and Hodgkin's lymphoma and acute leukemia in addition to other blood cancers.
Creosote, diesel exhaust and other carcinogens are typical exposures for railroad workers. While many railway workers are covered by workers' compensation, the benefits may not cover all of the costs and losses of a victim. A benzene lawsuit against a railroad can 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 way employee of the Chicago and North Western Railroad and Union Pacific Railroad from 1976 until 2008. He was exposed to a variety of petroleum solvents, including creosote containing benzene, coal tar distilates naphtha, naphtha and paint strippers. During his career, John suffered from multiple types of cancer, including a particular type of leukemia referred to as myelodysplastic. He died from this illness in November 2009. The settlement he was awarded by the jury was $7 million. The amount is a large portion of his medical costs as well as lost income and suffering and pain.
Creosote
Many chemicals are present in creosote. They include dioxin, pentachlorophenol and phenols and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Long-term exposure can cause irritation of the respiratory tract. Leukemia-like skin cancers and a similar illness called acute myeloid leukemia have also been linked to long-term creosote exposure.
Creosote is able to enter the body via the lungs, the stomach and intestines after the food is contaminated or drinking contaminated water, or when it comes into contact with the skin. It is absorbed rapidly through the skin. Exposure to it can cause damage the kidneys, liver, gastrointestinal tract and central nervous system. The toxic mixture is also taken up through the eyes and may lead to a range of ailments.
Railroad workers are exposed many dangerous chemicals in their workplaces. 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 is a small Florida town, was the home of an old rail company that used coal-tar-based creosote on wood to waterproof and insectproof railroad ties made of wood. When CSX purchased the company a few years ago, the chemicals spread and polluted the surrounding land. Residents are seeking to sue CSX for contamination of their homes and drinking water. Regan, the EPA Administrator, was in the area to know more. Residents say that contaminated drinking water near the UPRR plant causes childhood leukemia and other health problems.
Asbestos
Throughout the years, asbestos was used in the production of railroad materials. Asbestos dust was a danger for railroad workers who worked around steam engines and in repair shops. These asbestos fibers were typically transported home on the workers' clothing and hair and exposed their family members to the harmful substance.
Despite cancer lawsuit of asbestos exposure, a lot of railroad companies did not recognize or even deny its potential for harming workers' health for decades. In the end, many railroad workers who were diagnosed with an asbestos cancer diagnosis later in life were not awarded sufficient compensation from their employers.
Asbestos claims differ from other claims for workers' compensation because of their complexities. Leukemia lawsuit may be eligible to claim compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA). FELA is a viable alternative to traditional workers compensation laws. Railroad employees who have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease are able to file a claim under FELA, as long as they can prove their employer's negligence caused their injury.
Plaintiffs in the case claim that the railroad had contaminated Fifth Ward with dangerous chemicals, and failed to clean it up. Residents of the community who lived in the area at the time of contamination suffered from throat and lung cancers, asthma and other respiratory diseases. The contamination also led to a loss in property value.
Lead
Workers on railroads can be exposed to many carcinogenic substances, chemicals, and fumes. These harmful chemicals can cause various debilitating and fatal ailments for workers, including leukemia. Many of these incidents are the result of railroad negligence.
Rail workers are exposed to a variety of toxins, including diesel exhaust, welding fumes and asbestos. The exposures can lead to a variety of long term health problems, including bladder cancer, lung cancer, esophageal cancer kidney cancer and other forms of leukemia.
One primary cause of leukemia, as well as other bone marrow and blood disorders is benzene exposure. The colorless, liquid that is flammable and can evaporate into the air. It is used for various industrial processes and is present in low amounts in the air. It is also found in gasoline and other products. cancer lawsuits to benzene can cause adverse effects on your body, particularly if it is breathed in or consumed.
If you have worked on trains or in the railroad industry, and have been diagnosed with a fatal disease such as leukemia, as a result of negligence on the part of your employer Contact Napoli Shkolnik for a free case review. Leukemia lawsuit can help you obtain compensation for your medical care as well as lost income and other damages. Our lawyers are dedicated to helping Texans who have been injured.