Railroad Lawsuit - Leukemia Caused by Benzene
A railroad worker who was diagnosed with leukemia as a result of exposure to toxic chemicals was awarded $7.5 million in a verdict of a jury. He worked for two railroads and was exposed to Benzene, known as a carcinogen.
The plaintiff's work required him to work with creosote-coated equipment and ties. He claimed that the chemical was frequently covering him from head to toe.
Benzene
The chemical Benzene is among many dangerous chemicals that have been proven to cause cancer. It is a carcinogen that is found in diesel exhaust and fumes which railroad workers are exposed to on a regular basis. The exposure to benzene is associated with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and Hodgkin lymphoma among other blood cancers.
Railroad workers are often exposed to a range of carcinogens when on the job, such as creosote and diesel exhaust. Workers' compensation can cover some expenses and losses but not all. A benzene lawsuit against a railroad may aid plaintiffs in recovering damages not covered by workers compensation.
The widow of railroad worker John Thompson won a benzene settlement against his employer. Thompson was a maintenance of ways 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 containing benzene distilates of coal naphtha, paint strippers and naphtha. In his professional life, John suffered from multiple forms of cancer, including a particular type of leukemia known as myelodysplastic. John passed away from this condition in November 2009. The jury awarded him $7 million as settlement. This amount covers a substantial part of his medical expenses as well as the loss of income and pain and suffering.
Creosote
There are a variety of chemicals found in creosote, including dioxin, pentachlorophenol and phenols and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Exposure to the vapors of the chemicals can cause irritation to the respiratory tract. Leukemia-like skin cancers and a similar disease known as acute myeloid leukemia have also been associated with long-term exposure to creosote.
blacklands railroad lawsuit enters the body through the lungs as air pollution, through the stomach and intestines by eating contaminated food or drinking unclean water or coming into contact with the skin. It is absorbed rapidly through the skin. The exposure can cause damage to the kidneys, liver, gastrointestinal tract and central nervous system. The toxic mix is in the eyes and may lead to a range of illnesses.
Railroad workers are exposed many dangerous chemicals in their work environments. When they are injured by these toxic substances, they deserve compensation from their employer. Contact our dedicated railroad accident lawyers to discuss your case.
Hull, a small Florida town, was home to an old railroad company that used coal-tar creosote on wood to make it waterproof and insectproof railroad tie made of wood. When the company was bought by CSX years ago the chemicals grew to contaminate the surrounding property. Residents are seeking to sue CSX for contaminating their homes as well as drinking water. EPA Administrator Regan visited the area to find out more about the situation. Residents say that the drinking water contaminated near the UPRR facility cause leukemia in children, as well as other health issues.
Asbestos
In the past, asbestos was used in the production of railroad materials. Many railroad workers were exposed asbestos dust as they worked in steam trains, around them or in repair shops. These asbestos fibers were often carried home on the hair and clothing of workers and exposed their family members to the deadly substance.
Despite the dangers of exposure to asbestos, a number of railroad companies did not recognize or even deny 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.
Because of their complexity, asbestos lawsuits differ from other workers' compensation claims. Railroad workers may be able to seek compensation through the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA). FELA is a substitute for traditional laws governing workers' compensation. FELA permits railroad employees suffering from asbestos-related illnesses to file a claim if they can prove that their employer's negligence is the cause of their injury.
Plaintiffs in the case claim that the railroad contaminated Fifth Ward with dangerous chemicals, and failed to clean it up. Those who were living in the area at the time of the contamination suffered from a variety health issues that include throat and lung cancer asthma, lung cancer, and other respiratory ailments. They also suffered from the loss in property value due to the contamination.
Lead
People who work on railroads are exposed to a variety of carcinogenic chemicals, chemicals and fumes. These toxic chemicals can trigger many debilitating and fatal ailments for workers, including leukemia. A lot of these incidents are the result of negligence by railroads.
Rail workers are exposed to various toxins, including diesel exhaust, welding fumes and asbestos. These exposures can result in a myriad of long-term health problems, including bladder cancer, lung cancer, esophageal cancer, kidney cancer, as well as other forms of leukemia.
Exposure to benzene may be the most common cause of leukemia as well as other bone-marrow diseases and blood diseases. It is a colorless and liquid that is flammable and can evaporate into the air. It is employed in a variety industrial processes, and it is present in small amounts in the surrounding environment. Benzene can also be found in gasoline and other products. Exposure to benzene could have negative effects on the body, particularly if it is inhaled or ingested.
Contact Napoli Shkolnik to receive a free review of your case when you worked on a railroad or train and were diagnosed with a serious disease such as leukemia, due to the negligence of your employer. We can assist you in obtaining compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and other damages. Our attorneys are experienced and dedicated to helping Texans that are injured or wronged.