Railroad Lawsuit - Leukemia Caused by Benzene
A jury awarded $7.5m to the railroad worker who developed leukemia after being exposed toxic chemicals. He worked for two railroad companies and was exposed to Benzene known as a carcinogen.
The plaintiff's job required him to deal with creosote coated ties and other equipment. He claimed that the chemical was frequently covering his entire body from head to toe.
Benzene
Benzene is one of the dangerous chemicals that have been proven to cause cancer. It is a carcinogen, and is found in diesel exhaust and fumes, which railroad workers are exposed to frequently. The exposure to benzene has been associated with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) as well as acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and Hodgkin lymphoma among other blood cancers.
Creosote and diesel exhaust as well as other carcinogens are common exposures for railway employees. While many railway employees receive workers' compensation, the benefits could not cover all the expenses and losses incurred by a victim. A benzene lawsuit against a railroad can help plaintiffs recover damages not covered by workers compensation.
The widow of railroad worker John Thompson recently won a benzene wrongful death settlement against his employer. Her husband was a maintenance employee for the Chicago and North Western Railroad as well as the Union Pacific Railroad from 1976 to 2008. He was exposed to a variety of petroleum solvents including creosote that contained benzene distilates of coal, naphtha and paint strippers. John suffered from cancers of various types including myelodysplastic lukemia throughout his career. He passed away in November 2009 from this illness. The jury awarded $7 million as an award of settlement. This sum covers a significant portion of his medical bills as well as lost income, pain and discomfort.
Creosote
Creosote contains a number of chemicals, such as dioxin, pentachlorophenol and polycyclic halocarbons. Long-term exposure may cause irritation to the respiratory tract. Creosote exposure for long periods of time has been linked with skin cancer and an illness that is similar in its nature to acute myeloid lymphoma.
Creosote enters the body through the lungs as air pollution, through the stomach and intestines after drinking or eating food that has been contaminated, polluted water or in contact with the skin. It is quickly absorbed by the skin. Exposure can cause damage to the liver, kidneys stomach, gastrointestinal tract, and central nervous system. The toxic mix is in the eyes and can lead to a range of ailments.
Rail workers are exposed of hazardous chemicals in their workplace. When toxic substances cause harm to workers the workers should be compensated from their employers. Contact our dedicated railroad injury lawyers to discuss your case.
class action lawsuit against union pacific railroad , which is a tiny Florida town, was home to an old rail company that used coal-tar creosote wood to make it waterproof and insectproof railroad tie made of wood. When the company was acquired by CSX years ago, the chemicals spread to contaminate the property. Residents are now suing CSX for the contamination of their drinking water and homes. Regan the EPA Administrator, visited the area to know more. Residents claim that drinking water that is contaminated near the UPRR plant can cause childhood leukemia as well as other health problems.
Asbestos
The use of asbestos to make railroad material was common throughout the years. Asbestos dust posed a risk for railroad workers who worked around steam trains and in repair shops. The asbestos fibers are frequently transported home by workers wearing their hair and clothing. Their families are exposed to the deadly material.
Despite the dangers of exposure to asbestos, a number of railroad companies ignored or denied its potential for harming workers' health for years. As a result, many railroad workers who were given an asbestos-related cancer diagnosis later in life did not receive sufficient compensation from their employers.
Due to their complexity, asbestos lawsuits are different from other workers' comp claims. Railroad workers may be able to obtain compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA). FELA is an alternative to traditional workers compensation laws. FELA allows railroad workers suffering from asbestos-related ailments to file a claim when they can prove their employer's negligence is the cause of their injury.
The plaintiffs in the lawsuit claim that the railroad had contaminated Fifth Ward with dangerous chemicals, and failed to clean the area. The residents of the area at the time of the contamination have been affected by a variety of health issues, including lung and throat cancer as well as asthma and other respiratory diseases. They also suffered from the loss in property value because of the contamination.
Lead
Rail workers can be exposed a variety of carcinogenic chemicals, fumes and chemicals. These toxic chemicals are known to cause leukemia and other fatal illnesses among workers. Many of these exposures are the result of negligence on the part of railroad workers.
Rail workers are exposed a variety of toxins, including diesel exhaust, welding fumes and asbestos. These exposures can cause various long-term health issues, including lung cancer, bladder cancer, esophageal cancer, kidney cancer, as well as other forms of leukemia.
One of the main causes of leukemia, as well as other blood and bone marrow conditions is exposure to benzene. Benzene is a colorless, flammable liquid that can evaporate into the air. It is utilized in various industrial processes and is present in low amounts in the surrounding environment. It is also found in gasoline and 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 railroad or train and developed a serious illness like leukemia due to the negligence of your employer. We can assist you in obtaining compensation for medical expenses loss of income, and other damages. Our lawyers are knowledgeable and devoted to helping Texans that have suffered injuries or were wronged.