Railroad Lawsuit - Leukemia Caused by Benzene
A jury awarded $7.5m to a railroad worker who developed leukemia after exposure to toxic chemicals. He worked for two railroads and was exposed to Benzene, known as a carcinogen.
The plaintiff's job required him deal with creosote coated ties and other equipment. He claimed that the chemical was frequently covering him from head to toe.
Benzene
The chemical Benzene is one of the numerous harmful chemicals that could cause cancer is a carcinogen. It is a carcinogen that is found in diesel exhaust and fumes that railroad workers are exposed to on a regular basis. The exposure to benzene is linked to myelodysplastic disease (MDS) as well as acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and Hodgkin lymphoma, among other blood cancers.
Railroad workers are often exposed to a variety of carcinogens during their time on the job, such as creosote and diesel exhaust. Workers' compensation might pay for some losses and expenses, but not all. A benzene lawsuit against a railroad may assist plaintiffs to recover damages that aren't covered by workers compensation.
The widow of railroad worker John Thompson won a benzene settlement against his employer. Leukemia lawsuit was a maintenance employee who worked for the Chicago and North Western Railroad as well as the Union Pacific Railroad from 1976 until 2008. Leukemia lawsuit was continuously exposed to various petroleum solvents, including benzene-laden creosote, naphtha, coal tar distillates, carbolineum, and paint strippers. Throughout his career, John suffered from multiple types of cancer, including a type of leukemia called myelodysplastic syndrome. John passed away from this condition in November 2009. The jury awarded him $7 million as an award of settlement. The settlement covers a significant portion of his medical bills as well as lost income and suffering and pain.
Creosote
Creosote is a mixture of chemicals, including dioxin, pentachlorophenol as well as polycyclic hydrocarbons. Long-term exposure to the gaseous components of the chemicals 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 exposure to creosote.
Creosote enters the body through lungs as air pollution, through the stomach and intestines through eating contaminated food or drinking polluted water or in contact with the skin. It is quickly absorbed through the skin. Exposure to this mixture can cause damage to the kidneys, liver and central nervous system. The toxic substance is absorbed through the eyes and may cause a variety of diseases.
Rail workers are exposed to a variety of dangerous chemicals at their job. When these toxic substances cause harm the workers should be compensated from their employers. 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 protect, waterproof and insectproof wooden railroad ties. When CSX bought the company many years ago the chemicals spread and polluted the surrounding land. Residents are seeking to sue CSX for contaminating their homes and drinking water. Regan, the EPA Administrator, visited the area to find out more. Residents claim that contaminated drinking waters close to the UPRR facility cause leukemia in children, as well as other health issues.
Asbestos
In the past, asbestos was used in the production of railroad materials. Asbestos dust posed a risk for railroad workers who worked near steam trains and in repair shops. These asbestos fibers were often transported home on the hair and clothing of workers which exposed their loved ones to the deadly substance.
Despite the dangers of asbestos exposure, a lot of railroad companies were unaware or oblivious to its potential to harm workers' health for decades. As a result, some railroad workers who were diagnosed with an asbestos cancer diagnosis later in life were not awarded sufficient compensation from their employers.
Asbestos lawsuits differ from other workers' compensation claims due to their complexity. Railroad workers may be able claim compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA). FELA is a possible alternative to traditional laws governing workers' compensation. Railroad workers who have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease are able to file a claim under FELA so long as they can prove that their employer's negligence caused their injury.
The plaintiffs in this instance claim that the railroad had contaminated the Fifth Ward area with dangerous chemicals and did not remove the traces of the contamination. Residents of the community who lived in the area at the time of contamination suffered from lung and throat cancers, asthma and other respiratory illnesses. They also were impacted by the loss of property value because of the contamination.
Lead
Rail workers can be exposed numerous carcinogenic chemicals, fumes and chemicals. These toxic chemicals can trigger various debilitating and fatal ailments for workers, including leukemia. Leukemia lawsuit are often due to railroad negligence.
Railroad workers are frequently exposed to diesel exhaust, welding fumes asbestos and silica as well as other toxins. These exposures can lead to many long-term health problems, including bladder cancer, lung cancer, esophageal cancer kidney cancer, and various forms of leukemia.
One of the major causes of leukemia and other bone marrow and blood disorders is benzene exposure. It is a colorless and flammable liquid that can evaporate into the air. It is utilized in many industrial processes, and is also found in the environment at very low levels. It is also present in gasoline and many other products. Exposure to benzene in particular, when inhaled or consumed, can have serious health effects.
Contact Napoli Shkolnik to receive a free review of your situation in the event that you worked in a train or railway and then contracted a serious illness such as leukemia, due to the negligence of your employer. We can assist you in obtaining compensation for your medical care loss of income, and other damages. Our lawyers are knowledgeable and devoted to helping Texans that are injured or wronged.