Railroad Lawsuit - Leukemia Caused by Benzene
A railroad worker who was diagnosed with leukemia from exposure to toxic chemicals was awarded $7.5 million in a verdict of a jury. He worked for two railroad companies, and was exposed to Benzene which is a carcinogen.
The plaintiff's job required him to handle creosote coated ties and equipment. He claimed that he was frequently completely covered with the chemical.
Benzene
Benzene, among the many harmful chemicals that can cause cancer is a carcinogen. It is a known carcinogen found in diesel exhaust fumes, which railroad workers are regularly exposed to. The exposure to benzene has been linked to myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) as well as acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and Hodgkin lymphoma, as well as other blood cancers.
Railroad workers are usually exposed to a range of carcinogens when on the job, including creosote and diesel exhaust. While a majority of railway workers receive workers' compensation, the benefits might not cover all of the expenses and losses incurred by a victim. A benzene lawsuit against a railroad might aid plaintiffs in recovering the costs that are not covered by workers' compensation.
The wife of railroad worker John Thompson recently won a settlement for wrongful death involving benzene against his employer. Thompson was a maintenance of right employee who worked for the Chicago and North Western Railroad as well as the Union Pacific Railroad from 1976 until 2008. He endured chronic exposures to various solvents of petroleum such as benzene-laden sulfosote, naphtha, coal tar distillates carbolineum, paint strippers. Throughout his career, John suffered from multiple forms of cancer, including a type of leukemia known as myelodysplastic. He died in November 2009 from this type of cancer. The settlement he was awarded by the jury was $7 million. This sum covers a large portion of his medical bills loss of income, pain and discomfort.
Creosote
Several chemicals are found in creosote, including dioxin, phenols, pentachlorophenol and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Long-term exposure to chemical vapors could cause irritation to the respiratory tract. Leukemia-like skin cancers and a similar illness called acute myeloid leukemia are also linked to long-term creosote exposure.
Creosote enters the body through lungs as air pollution, through the stomach and intestines by eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water or through contact with the skin. It is absorbed quickly through the skin. The exposure can cause damage to the kidneys, liver stomach, gastrointestinal tract, and central nervous system. The toxic mix can be absorbed through the eyes and cause a variety of diseases.
Railroad workers are exposed to various hazardous chemicals in their workplaces. If they suffer injuries from these toxic substances, they should be compensated from their employer. Contact our dedicated railroad accident lawyers to discuss your case.
The tiny Florida town of Hull was once home to a rail company that treated wood using coal-tar creosote to preserve, waterproof and insectproof wooden railroad ties. When the company was bought by CSX some time ago, the chemicals spread to contaminate the surrounding property. Residents are now suing CSX over the contamination of their drinking water as well as their homes. Regan the EPA Administrator, was in the area to find out more. Residents have reported that drinking water contaminated close to the UPRR plant is causing childhood leukemia and other health issues.
csx railroad lawsuit of asbestos to make railroad materials was commonplace over the years. Many railroad workers were exposed to hazardous asbestos dust when they worked in steam trains and around them, or in repair shops. These asbestos fibers were often taken home with the hair and clothing of the workers and exposed loved ones to the dangerous material.
Despite the dangers of asbestos exposure, railroad companies have been ignoring or denying this for decades. In the end, many railroad workers who were diagnosed with an asbestos-related cancer diagnosis later in life weren't given adequate compensation from their employers.
Because of their complexity, asbestos lawsuits are different from other workers' comp claims. Railroad workers may be able to claim compensation through the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA). FELA is an alternative to traditional workers' compensation laws. Railroad workers who have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease can file a claim for compensation under FELA so long as they can prove their employer's negligence was the cause of their injury.
The plaintiffs in this case claim that the railroad contaminated Fifth Ward with dangerous chemicals and did not clean the area. The residents of the community at the time of the contamination have been affected by a variety of health issues including throat and lung cancer as well as asthma and other respiratory ailments. The contamination also led to an increase in the value of property.
Lead
People who work on railroads can be exposed to many carcinogenic chemicals, substances and fumes. These toxic chemicals can trigger a number of debilitating and fatal diseases for workers, such as leukemia. A lot of these exposures result of negligence in railroads.
Railroad workers are often exposed to diesel exhaust, welding fumes, asbestos and silica among other toxic substances. These exposures can lead to various long-term health issues including bladder cancer, lung cancer, esophageal cancer kidney cancer and other forms of leukemia.
Exposure to benzene can be the most common reason for leukemia, as well as other blood and bone-marrow disorders. The colorless liquid Benzene that is flammable and may evaporate into air, is a substance that can cause leukemia. It is utilized in various industrial processes and is present in the environment at low concentrations. Benzene is also present in gasoline and other products. Exposure to benzene could have detrimental effects on the body, especially when it is inhaled, or ingested.
Contact Napoli Shkolnik to receive a free review of your situation if you worked on a railroad or train and developed a serious illness such as leukemia, due to the negligence of your employer. We will assist you in recovering the compensation you deserve for medical treatment loss of income, and other damages. Our lawyers are dedicated to helping Texans who have suffered injuries.