Railroad Lawsuit - Leukemia Caused by Benzene
A railroad worker who contracted leukemia after exposure to toxic chemicals was awarded $7.5 million in a jury verdict. He worked for two railroad companies 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 he was often completely covered from head to foot by the chemical.
Benzene
Benzene, among the many harmful chemicals that can cause cancer is a carcinogen. It is a carcinogen that is present in diesel exhaust that railroad workers are exposed to frequently. Exposure to benzene has been linked with myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), acute leukemia, and Hodgkin's lymphoma in addition to other blood cancers.
Creosote as well as diesel exhaust and other carcinogens are typical exposures for railway employees. While many railway workers are covered by workers' compensation, the benefits may not cover all of a victim's expenses and losses. A benzene lawsuit against a railroad may assist plaintiffs to recover damages that aren't covered by workers compensation.
The wife of railroad worker John Thompson won a benzene settlement against his employer. Thompson was a maintenance of way employee of the Chicago and North Western Railroad and the Union Pacific Railroad from 1976 to 2008. He was exposed to a range of petroleum solvents including creosote that contained benzene distilates of coal tar naphtha, paint strippers and naphtha. John suffered from cancers of different types including myelodysplastic lukemia during his career. He died from this illness in November 2009. The jury awarded $7 million as an award of settlement. This amount covers a substantial portion of his medical expenses including lost income, suffering and pain.
Creosote
Creosote is a mixture of chemicals, including dioxin, pentachlorophenol as well as polycyclic hydrocarbons. Exposure for long periods can cause irritation of the respiratory tract. Creosote exposure for long periods of time has been linked to skin cancer and an illness that is similar to acute myeloid leukemia.
Creosote enters your body through the lungs, as air pollution, through the stomach and intestines through drinking or eating food that has been contaminated, contaminated water or through contact with the skin. It is quickly absorbed by the skin. Exposure can cause damage to the liver, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract and central nervous system. The toxic mixture is also in the eyes and can lead to a range of diseases.
Rail workers are exposed to a range of hazardous chemicals at their job. When toxic substances cause harm they must be compensated from their employers. 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 wooden railroad ties. When the company was bought by CSX several years ago and the chemicals grew, they began and contaminated the surrounding property. Residents are now suing CSX over the contamination of their drinking water as well as their homes. Regan the EPA Administrator, toured the area in order to find out more. Residents say that the drinking water contaminated close to the UPRR facility cause leukemia in children as well as other health issues.
Asbestos
The use of asbestos in the production of railroad material was common throughout the decades. Asbestos dust posed a risk to many railroad workers who worked near steam trains and in repair shops. These asbestos fibers were often taken home with the hair and clothing of workers which exposed their loved ones to the dangerous material.
Despite railroad workers cancer lawsuit associated with asbestos exposure, railroad companies have dismissed or denied the dangers for decades. 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' compensation claims. Railroad workers could be able to claim 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 disease can file a claim for compensation under FELA in the event that they can prove their employer's negligence caused their injury.
The plaintiffs in this case claim that the railroad had contaminated Fifth Ward with dangerous chemicals, and failed to clean it up. Residents of the community who resided in the area at the time of the contamination suffered from throat and lung cancers, asthma, and other respiratory illnesses. They also suffered from the loss of property value because of the contamination.
Lead
Workers on railroads are exposed to a variety of carcinogenic chemicals, substances and fumes. These toxic chemicals are known to cause leukemia as well as other fatal illnesses in workers. These exposures are usually caused by railroad negligence.
Railroad workers are frequently exposed to diesel exhaust, welding fumes asbestos and silica as well as other contaminants. These exposures could cause lung cancer bladder and esophageal tumors kidney cancer, as well as other types of leukemia.
Exposure to benzene can be the main cause of leukemia as well as other bone-marrow diseases and blood diseases. It is a colorless, liquid that is flammable and can evaporate into the air. It is used in a variety of industrial processes and is present in the air at low levels. It is also found in gasoline and other products. Exposure to benzene may have adverse effects on your body, particularly if it is inhaled, or ingested.
Contact Napoli Shkolnik to receive a free assessment of your case when you worked on a railroad or train and developed a serious illness such as leukemia, due to the negligence of your employer. We will help you recover compensation for medical treatment, lost income and other damages. Our lawyers are committed to helping Texans who have suffered injuries.