Railroad Lawsuit - Leukemia Caused by Benzene
A railroad worker who was diagnosed with leukemia due to exposure to toxic chemicals has been awarded $7.5 million in a jury verdict. He was employed by two different railroad companies, and was exposed to Benzene which is carcinogen.
railroad lawsuits required him to handle creosote coated ties and equipment. He claimed that he was frequently covered from head to foot with the chemical.
Benzene
The chemical Benzene is among many hazardous chemicals that have been proven to cause cancer. It is a carcinogen that is present in diesel exhaust fumes which railroad workers are regularly exposed to. Exposure to benzene can be linked to myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), Hodgkin's lymphoma and acute leukemia as well as other blood cancers.
Creosote and diesel exhaust as well as other carcinogens are common exposures for railway employees. Workers' compensation can be able to cover certain expenses and losses, but not all. A benzene suit against a railroad may help plaintiffs recover 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 way employee for the Chicago and North Western Railroad and the Union Pacific Railroad from 1976 until 2008. He was exposed to various solvents of petroleum which included benzene-laden Creosote naphtha distillates of coal carbolineum, paint strippers. In his professional life, John suffered from multiple forms of cancer, including a type of leukemia known as myelodysplastic. He died of this disease in November 2009. The jury awarded $7 million as an amount of compensation. This sum covers a significant portion of his medical expenses loss of income, pain and discomfort.
Creosote
Creosote contains a number of chemicals, such as dioxin, pentachlorophenol, and polycyclic hydrocarbons. Long-term exposure to creosote can cause irritation to the respiratory tract. Long-term exposure to creosote has been linked to skin cancer and an illness that is similar in its nature to acute myeloid leukemia.
Creosote may enter the body through the lungs, stomach and intestines when contaminated food is eaten or drinking contaminated water, or through contact with the skin. It is rapidly absorbed through the skin. Exposure to it can cause damage the liver, kidneys the gastrointestinal tract, and the central nervous system. The toxic mixture may be absorbed by the eye and trigger a range of ailments.
Rail workers are exposed to a range of hazardous chemicals in their job. 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.
Hull the town, which is a tiny Florida town, was once home to an old railroad company that used coal-tar creosote on wood to protect against insects and waterproof railroad tie made of wood. When the company was acquired by CSX some time ago the chemicals grew to contaminate the surrounding property. Residents are suing CSX over the contamination of their drinking water and homes. Regan, the EPA Administrator, visited the area in order to know more. Residents have reported that drinking water contaminated close to the UPRR plant is causing childhood leukemia and other health issues.
Asbestos
Over the years, asbestos was used in the production of railroad materials. Many railroad workers were exposed asbestos dust when they worked in steam trains and around or inside repair shops. These asbestos fibers were often taken home with the hair and clothing of workers and exposed loved ones to the dangerous material.
Despite the risks of exposure to asbestos, a number of railroad companies resisted or ignored the possibility of harm to workers' health for years. As a result, many railroad workers who had an asbestos-related cancer diagnosis later in life were not given sufficient compensation from their employers.
Because of their complexity, asbestos lawsuits differ from other workers' compensation claims. 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 employees who have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness can file a claim for compensation under FELA, as long as they can prove their employer's negligence caused the injury.
Plaintiffs in the case claim that the railroad had contaminated Fifth Ward with dangerous chemicals and did not clean the area. People who lived in the area at the time of the contamination suffered from a variety of health issues including throat and lung cancer as well as asthma and other respiratory illnesses. They also suffered the loss of property value because of the contamination.
Lead
Rail workers may be exposed to various carcinogenic fumes, substances, and chemicals. These toxic chemicals can cause numerous debilitating, fatal diseases for workers, such as leukemia. These exposures are usually due to railroad negligence.
Rail workers are exposed to a variety of toxins, including diesel exhaust, welding fumes and asbestos. These exposures can cause lung cancer bladder and esophageal tumors, kidney cancer, and other types of leukemia.
One of the major causes of leukemia, as well as other blood and bone marrow conditions is exposure to benzene. The colorless liquid Benzene that is flammable, and which can evaporate into air, is a compound that can cause leukemia. It is used in many industrial processes and it is found in low amounts in the surrounding environment. Benzene is also found in gasoline and many other products. Exposure to benzene, especially when inhaled or consumed can have a number of health risks.
Contact Napoli Shkolnik to receive a free evaluation of your case if you worked on a train or a railroad and contracted a serious illness such as leukemia because of the negligence of your employer. We will assist you in recovering the compensation you deserve for medical treatment, lost income and other damages. Our lawyers are knowledgeable and passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.