Railroad Lawsuit - Leukemia Caused by Benzene
A railroad worker who developed leukemia due to exposure to toxic chemicals has been awarded $7.5 million in a jury verdict. He worked for two railroads and was exposed to Benzene, which is a carcinogen that has been identified.
The plaintiff's work required him to work with creosote-coated ties and equipment. He claimed that the chemical was often covering him from head to toe.
Benzene
The chemical Benzene is among many hazardous chemicals that have been found to cause cancer. It is a well-known carcinogen that is present in diesel exhaust fumes, which railroad workers are regularly exposed to. Benzene exposure has been associated with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and Hodgkin lymphoma, in addition to other blood cancers.
Railroad workers are typically exposed to a range of carcinogens while working on the job, such as creosote and diesel exhaust. While a majority of railway workers receive workers' compensation, the benefits could not cover all the expenses and losses incurred by a victim. A benzene lawsuit against a railroad could 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 such as creosote with benzene in it, coal tar distilates, naphtha and paint strippers. John suffered from cancers of all kinds, including myelodysplastic leukemia, during his career. John passed away from this condition in November 2009. The jury awarded him $7 million as an amount of compensation. This amount covers a significant portion of his medical expenses loss of income, discomfort and pain.
Creosote
Many chemicals are present in creosote. They include dioxin, pentachlorophenol, phenols and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Long-term exposure to creosote can cause irritation of the respiratory tract. Leukemia-like skin cancers and a similar disease known as acute myeloid leukemia have been linked to long-term exposure to creosote.
railroad lawsuit settlements can enter the body through the lungs, stomach and intestines after contaminated food is eaten or drinking contaminated water, or when it comes into contact with the skin. It is absorbed quickly through the skin. Exposure to this mix can cause damage to the kidneys, liver and the central nervous system. The toxic mixture is also taken up through the eyes and may cause a variety of diseases.
Rail workers are exposed to a range of hazardous chemicals in their job. If these harmful substances cause harm to workers they are entitled to compensation from their employers. Contact our railroad injury lawyers today to discuss your case.
The small Florida town of Hull was once home to a rail company that treated wood with coal-tar creosote to preserve, waterproof and insect-proof wooden railroad ties. When the company was bought by CSX in the past the chemicals were spread to contaminate the surrounding property. Residents are seeking to sue CSX for contamination of their homes and drinking water. EPA Administrator Regan visited the area to find out more about the situation. Residents claim that drinking water sources that are contaminated near the UPRR facility cause leukemia in children and other health issues.
Asbestos
The use of asbestos to create railroad materials was commonplace over the decades. Many railroad workers were exposed asbestos dust when they worked in steam trains, around them or inside repair shops. The asbestos particles are usually brought home by workers who wear their clothes and hair. They expose their families to the deadly material.
Despite the risks of asbestos exposure, a lot of railroad companies resisted or ignored the potential harm it could cause to workers' health for decades. Railroad workers who were diagnosed with asbestos cancer later in life did not receive adequate compensation from their employer.
Asbestos lawsuits are different from other workers' compensation claims because of their complexities. Railroad workers might be able to seek 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 can file a claim under FELA, as long as they can prove that their employer's negligence caused the injury.
The plaintiffs in this case allege that the railroad had contaminated the Fifth Ward area with dangerous chemicals and did not clean up its aftermath. People who lived in the neighborhood at the time of the contamination have suffered from a range of health issues, including lung and throat cancer, asthma, and other respiratory diseases. They also suffered from the loss of property value because of the contamination.
Lead
People who work on railroads can be exposed to numerous carcinogenic substances, chemicals, and fumes. These toxic chemicals are known to cause leukemia and other fatal illnesses in workers. These exposures are often caused by negligence on the part of railroad workers.
Railroad workers are often exposed to welding fumes, diesel exhaust, asbestos and silica among other toxic substances. These exposures can result in many long-term health issues including bladder cancer, lung cancer, esophageal cancer, kidney cancer, and various forms of leukemia.
Exposure to benzene can be the primary cause of leukemia, and other bone-marrow and blood diseases. Benzene, a colorless fluid that is flammable and can evaporate into air, is one of the substances that can cause leukemia. It is employed in various industrial processes, and it is present in low concentrations in the surrounding environment. The chemical is also present in gasoline as well as other products. Exposure to benzene can have adverse effects on your body, especially when it is breathed in or consumed.
If you've been on an train or in the railway industry and have developed a serious illness like leukemia as the result of negligence on the part of your employer or a lack of care, contact Napoli Shkolnik for a free case review. We can help you get compensation for medical expenses, lost income and other damages. Our lawyers are knowledgeable and committed to helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.