Railroad Lawsuit - Leukemia Caused by Benzene
A jury awarded $7.5m to an employee of a railroad who contracted leukemia after being exposed 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 handle creosote coated ties and equipment. Kidney cancer lawsuit claimed that the chemical was often covering him from head to toe.
Benzene
The chemical Benzene is among many dangerous chemicals found to cause cancer. It is a carcinogen, and is present in diesel exhaust which railroad workers are exposed to often. Exposure to benzene has been associated to myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and Hodgkin's Lymphoma and acute leukemia in addition to other blood cancers.
Railroad workers are typically exposed to a variety of carcinogens when on the job, such as creosote and diesel exhaust. Workers' compensation could cover some expenses and losses however, it does not cover all. A benzene lawsuit against a railroad can aid plaintiffs in recovering damages not covered by workers compensation.
The wife of railroad worker John Thompson recently won a settlement involving benzene for wrongful deaths against his employer. John Thompson was maintenance of ways employee for the Chicago and North Western Railroad and the Union Pacific Railroad between 1976 between 1976 and 2008. He was exposed to a variety of petroleum solvents including creosote that contained benzene, coal tar distilates naphtha, paint strippers, and naphtha. John suffered from various cancers such as myelodysplasticleukemia throughout his career. He died from this illness in November 2009. The jury awarded $7 million as a settlement. The settlement covers a substantial portion of his medical expenses loss of income, discomfort and pain.
Creosote
Creosote is a mixture of chemicals, including dioxin, pentachlorophenol and polycyclic halocarbons. Long-term exposure to creosote can cause irritation of the respiratory tract. Skin cancer and a similar illness called acute myeloid leukemia have also been linked to long-term exposure to creosote.
Creosote enters the body through the lungs via air pollution through the stomach and intestines, either by eating contaminated food or drinking polluted water or in contact with the skin. It is quickly absorbed through the skin. Exposure to this mix can harm the kidneys, liver and the central nervous system. The toxic mixture can also be taken up through the eyes and can cause a variety of illnesses.
Railroad workers are exposed to many dangerous chemicals in their work environments. If these toxic chemicals cause them harm they must be compensated from their employers. Contact our dedicated railroad injury lawyers to discuss your case.
The tiny Florida town of Hull was once home to a railroad company that treated wood using coal-tar creosote in order to preserve, waterproof and insectproof wooden railroad ties. When CSX purchased the company a few years ago the chemicals grew and contaminated the surrounding property. Residents are seeking to sue CSX for contamination of their homes and drinking water. EPA Administrator Regan visited the region to gain more information about the situation. Residents claim that drinking water that is contaminated close to the UPRR plant causes childhood leukemia and other health problems.
Asbestos
The use of asbestos in the production of railroad material was common throughout the years. Asbestos dust was a danger for railroad workers who worked near steam trains and in repair shops. The asbestos fibers are frequently carried home by workers on their clothing and hair. They expose their families to the dangerous substance.
Despite the dangers of asbestos exposure, a lot of railroad companies did not recognize or even deny the possibility of harm to workers' health for decades. Railroad workers who were diagnosed with asbestos cancer later in life were not given sufficient compensation from their employers.
Asbestos lawsuits are different from other workers' compensation claims due to their complexity. Railroad workers may be able to obtain compensation through the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA). FELA is an alternative to traditional workers compensation laws. FELA allows railroad workers suffering from asbestos-related illnesses to file a claim if they can prove that their employer's negligence was the cause of their injuries.
The plaintiffs in this case claim that the railroad had contaminated Fifth Ward with dangerous chemicals and failed to clean it up. The residents of the community that lived in the area at the time of the contamination suffered from throat and lung cancers, asthma, and other respiratory diseases. The contamination also led to a decrease in property value.
Lead
Those who work on railroads can be exposed to numerous carcinogenic substances, chemicals and fumes. These harmful chemicals are known to cause leukemia and other fatal illnesses among workers. Multiple myeloma lawsuit of these exposures are a result of negligence by railroads.
Rail workers are exposed many toxins, including diesel exhaust, welding fumes and asbestos. The exposures could lead to lung cancer bladder and esophageal tumors, kidney cancer, and other forms of leukemia.
Lymphoma lawsuit to benzene may be the most common cause of leukemia as well as other blood and bone-marrow diseases. Benzene is a colorless, flammable liquid that can evaporate into the air. It is utilized in many industrial processes and is present in the environment in lower concentrations. bnsf lawsuit is also found in gasoline and other products. The exposure to benzene, particularly when inhaled or consumed can cause serious health problems.
If you have worked on an train or in the railroad industry and have developed a serious disease like leukemia as a result of negligence on the part of your employer, contact Napoli Shkolnik for a free case review. We will help you receive compensation for medical expenses, lost income and other damages. Our lawyers are passionate about helping Texans who have suffered injuries.
