Railroad Lawsuit - Leukemia Caused by Benzene
A railroad worker who contracted leukemia after exposure to toxic chemicals was awarded $7.5 million in a jury verdict. He worked for two different railroad companies, and was exposed to Benzene which is carcinogen.
The plaintiff's work required him to handle creosote-coated ties as well as equipment. He claimed that he was often completely covered in the chemical.
Benzene
Benzene, one of many harmful chemicals that can cause cancer, is a carcinogen. It is a carcinogen that is found in diesel fumes/exhaust which railroad workers are exposed to on a regular basis. Exposure to benzene has been linked to myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) as well as acute leukemia, and Hodgkin's lymphoma in addition to other blood cancers.
Creosote and diesel exhaust as well as other carcinogens are typical exposures for railroad workers. Workers' compensation can cover some expenses and losses but not all. A benzene suit against a railroad can aid plaintiffs in recovering damages that are not covered by workers compensation.
Railroad Cancer Lawsuit Settlements of railroad worker John Thompson won a benzene settlement against his employer. Her husband was a maintenance employee who worked for the Chicago and North Western Railroad as well as the Union Pacific Railroad from 1976 to 2008. He endured chronic exposures to various petroleum solvents which included benzene-laden Creosote naphtha, coal tar distillates carbolineum, as well as paint strippers. John was diagnosed with cancers of different types including myelodysplastic lukemia throughout his career. He passed away from this disease in November 2009. The settlement awarded by jury was $7 million. The settlement covers a significant portion of his medical bills as well as lost income and pain and suffering.
Creosote
There are a variety of chemicals found in creosote. They include dioxin, pentachlorophenol and phenols and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Long-term exposure to gaseous components of the chemicals could cause irritation to the respiratory tract. Skin cancer and a leukemia-like illness called acute myeloid leukemia have also been linked to long-term exposure to creosote.
Creosote may enter the body via the lungs, the stomach and intestines, when food that is contaminated is consumed, drinking water that is contaminated or through contact with the skin. It is absorbed rapidly through the skin. The exposure to this mixture could harm the kidneys, liver and the central nervous system. The toxins can be absorbed through the eye and cause a variety of diseases.
Rail workers are exposed to a wide range of dangerous chemicals at their job. When they are injured by these toxic substances, they should be compensated from their employer. Contact our dedicated railroad injury lawyers to discuss your case.
Hull is a small Florida town, was once the home of an old railroad company that used coal-tar creosote wood to waterproof and insectproof railroad tie made of wood. When the company was acquired by CSX several years ago the chemicals grew to contaminate the surrounding property. Residents are suing CSX over the contamination of their drinking water as well as their homes. Regan the EPA Administrator, toured the area in order to learn more. Residents claim that drinking water that is contaminated close to the UPRR plant can cause childhood leukemia as well as other health issues.
Asbestos
In the past asbestos was utilized to make railroad materials. Many railroad workers were exposed asbestos dust while working in steam trains and around them, or in repair shops. The asbestos fibers are frequently carried home by workers on their hair and clothing. They expose their families to the harmful substance.
Despite the dangers of asbestos exposure, railroad companies have refused to acknowledge or deny this fact for decades. Some railroad workers who were diagnosed with asbestos cancer later in life didn't receive adequate compensation from their employer.
Because of their complexity, asbestos lawsuits differ from other workers' compensation claims. Railroad workers could be able to claim compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA). FELA is an alternative to traditional workers compensation laws. Railroad employees who have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease may file a claim under FELA, as long as they can prove that their employer's negligence caused their injury.
The plaintiffs in this case allege that the railroad had contaminated the Fifth Ward area with dangerous chemicals and did not clean up the mess. People who lived in the area at the time of the contamination suffered from a variety health issues, including lung and throat cancer asthma, lung cancer, and other respiratory diseases. They also were impacted by the loss of property value because of the contamination.
Lead
Rail workers are exposed to various carcinogenic chemicals, fumes and chemicals. These toxic chemicals can trigger various debilitating and fatal diseases for workers, such as leukemia. Many of these exposures are the result of negligence on the part of railroad workers.
Rail workers are exposed to many toxins, including diesel exhaust, welding fumes, and asbestos. These exposures may lead to lung cancer, bladder and esophageal carcinomas, kidney cancer, and other types of leukemia.
One of the major causes of leukemia and other bone marrow and blood diseases is exposure to benzene. Benzene, a colorless fluid that is flammable and may evaporate into air, is a substance that can cause leukemia. It is used for various industrial processes and it is found in low concentrations in the surrounding environment. Benzene is also found in gasoline and a variety of other products. Exposure to benzene can have adverse effects on your body, especially when it is inhaled, or ingested.
Contact Napoli Shkolnik to receive a free evaluation of your case in the event that you worked on a train or railroad and contracted a serious illness such as leukemia because of the negligence of your employer. We will assist you in recovering compensation for medical expenses, lost income and other damages. Our lawyers are passionate about helping Texans who have been injured.