Railroad Lawsuit - Leukemia Caused by Benzene
A railroad worker who contracted leukemia after exposure to toxic chemicals has been awarded $7.5 million in a verdict of a jury. 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. He claimed that he was completely covered from head to foot in the chemical.
Benzene
Benzene, one of many harmful chemicals that can cause cancer, is a carcinogen. It is a carcinogen and is found in diesel fumes/exhaust which railroad workers are exposed to often. The exposure to benzene has been associated with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) as well as acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and Hodgkin lymphoma, among other blood cancers.
Creosote and diesel exhaust as well as other carcinogens are common exposures for railroad workers. While many railway workers are covered by workers' compensation, the benefits could not cover all the expenses and losses incurred by a victim. A benzene suit against a railroad may help plaintiffs recover damages that aren't covered by workers compensation.
The wife of railroad worker John Thompson recently won a settlement in wrongful death with benzene from his employer. Her husband worked as an employee of maintenance of ways for the Chicago and North Western Railroad and the Union Pacific Railroad between 1976 until 2008. He was continuously exposed to various solvents from petroleum which included benzene-laden Creosote naphtha, coal distillates carbolineum, as well as paint strippers. John was diagnosed with cancers of various types, including myelodysplastic leukemia, throughout his career. He died in November 2009 from this condition. The settlement he was awarded by the jury was $7 million. This amount covers a substantial portion of his medical bills as well as lost income and suffering and pain.
Creosote
A variety of chemicals are present in creosote. These include dioxin, pentachlorophenol, phenols and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Exposure to the chemical vapors can cause irritation to the respiratory tract. Long-term exposure to creosote has been linked to skin cancer and an illness similar in its nature to acute myeloid lymphoma.
Creosote enters the body through the lungs via air pollution through the stomach and intestines through eating contaminated food or drinking polluted water or in contact with the skin. It is absorbed rapidly through the skin. The exposure to this mixture could cause damage to the kidneys, liver and central nervous system. The toxic mixture is also absorption through the eyes and can lead to a range of ailments.
Railroad workers are exposed many hazardous chemicals at their work environments. If they are injured by these harmful substances, they should be compensated from their employer. Contact our railroad injury lawyers today 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 CSX purchased the company a few years ago the chemicals spread throughout the town and polluted the surrounding land. Residents are suing CSX for the contamination of their drinking water and homes. Regan the EPA Administrator, was in the area in order 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
In the past asbestos was used in the production of railroad materials. Many railroad workers were exposed to dangerous asbestos dust as they worked in steam trains, around them or inside repair shops. These asbestos fibers are often transported home by workers wearing their clothing and hair. They expose their families to the harmful substance.
Despite the dangers associated with asbestos exposure railroad companies have either refused to acknowledge or deny this fact for many years. Some railroad workers who were diagnosed with asbestos-related cancer later in life did not receive adequate compensation from their employer.
Because of their complexity, asbestos lawsuits differ from other workers' comp claims. Railroad workers could be able to seek compensation under the Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA). FELA is a viable alternative to traditional workers' compensation laws. Railroad workers who have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness can file a claim for compensation under FELA provided that they can prove that their employer's negligence led to their injury.
The plaintiffs in this case claim that the railroad had contaminated the Fifth Ward area with dangerous chemicals and did not clean up its aftermath. 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. class action lawsuit against union pacific railroad suffered the loss of property value due to the contamination.
Lead
People who work on railroads are susceptible to exposure to numerous carcinogenic chemicals, substances and fumes. These toxic chemicals are believed to cause leukemia as well as other fatal illnesses among workers. These exposures are often the result of railroad negligence.
Rail workers are exposed to different toxins including diesel exhaust, welding fumes and asbestos. The exposures can lead to a myriad of long-term health issues, including bladder cancer, lung cancer, esophageal cancer, kidney cancer, and various forms of leukemia.
The exposure to benzene is a primary cause of leukemia, and other blood and bone-marrow disorders. Benzene is a colorless, flammable liquid that can evaporate into the air. It is utilized in various industrial processes and can be found in the natural environment at very low levels. It is also found in gasoline and other products. Exposure to benzene, especially when inhaled or consumed, could have serious health consequences.
Contact Napoli Shkolnik to receive a free review of your case in the event that you worked on a train or a railroad and were diagnosed with a serious disease like leukemia as a result of the negligence of your employer. We can assist you in obtaining the compensation you deserve for medical treatment loss of income, and other damages. Our attorneys are skilled and devoted to helping Texans that have been wronged or injured.