Railroad Lawsuit - Leukemia Caused by Benzene
A jury has awarded $7.5m to a railway worker who developed leukemia following exposure to toxic chemicals. He was employed by two railroad companies and was exposed to Benzene, which is a carcinogen that has been identified.
The plaintiff's job required him to work with creosote-coated tie and other equipment. He claimed that he was frequently completely covered from head to foot in the chemical.
Benzene
Benzene is one of many dangerous chemicals that have been proven to cause cancer. It is a carcinogen that is present in diesel exhaust fumes, which railroad workers are frequently exposed to. Exposure to benzene has been associated to myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and Hodgkin's Lymphoma and acute leukemia as well as other blood cancers.
Creosote, diesel exhaust, and other carcinogens are common exposures for railroad workers. Although many railway employees are eligible for workers' compensation, these benefits could not cover all the cost and expenses of a victim. A benzene suit against a railroad could aid plaintiffs in recovering damages that aren't covered by workers' compensation.
The wife of railroad worker John Thompson recently won a settlement involving benzene for wrongful deaths against his employer. Her husband worked as an employee of maintenance of ways for the Chicago and North Western Railroad and Union Pacific Railroad between 1976 until 2008. He was exposed to a range of petroleum solvents, including creosote with benzene in it, coal tar distilates naphtha, paint strippers and naphtha. During his career, John suffered from multiple types of cancer, including a form of leukemia called myelodysplastic syndrome. He passed away in November 2009 from this illness. The jury awarded him $7 million as an award of settlement. The amount is a large portion of his medical expenses as well as lost income and suffering and pain.
Creosote
Creosote consists of a range of chemicals, including dioxin pentachlorophenol and polycyclic halocarbons. Long-term exposure can cause irritation of the respiratory tract. blacklands railroad lawsuit and a leukemia-like illness called acute myeloid leukemia have also been associated with long-term creosote exposure.
Creosote enters your body through the lungs via air pollution through the stomach and intestines by eating food that is contaminated or drinking unclean water or coming into contact with the skin. It is absorbed quickly through the skin. It can cause damage to the kidneys, liver, gastrointestinal tract and central nervous system. The toxic mixture can also be absorbed through the eyes and trigger a range of ailments.
Railroad workers are exposed many hazardous chemicals at their work environments. If they are injured by these toxic substances, they are entitled to compensation from their employer. Contact our dedicated railroad accident lawyers to discuss your case.
The small Florida town of Hull was once home to a railroad company that treated wood using coal-tar creosote, which was used to preserve waterproof and insect-proof wooden railroad ties. When the company was acquired by CSX several years ago the chemicals grew to infect the property around it. Residents are now suing CSX over the contamination of their drinking water and homes. Regan the EPA Administrator, toured the area to find out more. Residents say contaminated drinking water close to the UPRR plant can cause childhood leukemia as well as other health problems.
Asbestos
The use of asbestos to create railroad materials was widespread throughout the years. Asbestos dust posed a risk to many railroad workers who worked around steam engines and in repair shops. The asbestos particles were frequently brought home on workers' clothing and hair which exposed their loved ones to the deadly material.
Despite the risks of exposure to asbestos, many railroad companies were unaware or oblivious to the possibility of harm to workers' health for years. As a result, many railroad workers who received an asbestos-related cancer diagnosis later in life were not awarded sufficient compensation from their employers.
Asbestos claims differ from other claims for workers' compensation because of their complexities. Railroad workers may be able to obtain compensation under 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 illness are able to file a claim under FELA provided that they can prove their employer's negligence was the cause of their injury.
The plaintiffs in this case allege that the railroad contaminated the Fifth Ward area with dangerous chemicals and did not remove the traces of the contamination. The residents of the neighborhood at the time of the contamination suffered from a variety health issues including throat and lung cancer as well as asthma and other respiratory illnesses. The contamination also led to a loss in property value.
Lead
Railroad workers are exposed to a variety of carcinogenic chemicals, substances and fumes. These toxic chemicals can trigger many debilitating and fatal ailments for workers, including leukemia. These exposures are usually the result of railroad negligence.
Railroad workers are often exposed to welding fumes, diesel exhaust asbestos, silica and asbestos among other toxic substances. The exposures could lead to lung cancer bladder and esophageal tumors kidney cancer, as well as other forms of leukemia.
The most common cause of leukemia as well as other blood and bone marrow conditions is exposure to benzene. Benzene, a colorless liquid that is flammable and can evaporate into air, is a chemical that can cause leukemia. It is employed in various industrial processes and it is found in low concentrations in the environment. It is also found in gasoline and other products. Exposure to benzene can have detrimental effects on the body, particularly when it is inhaled, or ingested.
Contact Napoli Shkolnik to receive a free review of your situation If you were employed in a train or railway and developed a serious illness such as leukemia because of the negligence of your employer. We can help you obtain compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and other damages. Our attorneys are skilled and committed to helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.