Railroad Lawsuit - Leukemia Caused by Benzene
A jury awarded $7.5m to an employee of a railroad who contracted leukemia after exposure to toxic chemicals. He was employed by two different railroad companies, and was exposed to Benzene which is carcinogen.
The plaintiff's work required him to manage creosote-coated equipment and ties. He claimed that the chemical was often covering him from head to toe.
Benzene
The chemical Benzene is one of the 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 regularly. Benzene exposure has been linked to myelodysplastic disorder (MDS), acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and Hodgkin lymphoma, among other blood cancers.
Creosote as well as diesel exhaust and other carcinogens are all common exposures for railroad workers. Workers' compensation could cover some expenses and losses but not all. A benzene suit against a railroad may aid plaintiffs in recovering the costs that are not 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 was a maintenance of ways employee of the Chicago and North Western Railroad and Union Pacific Railroad from 1976 until 2008. He endured chronic exposures to various petroleum solvents which included benzene-laden Creosote naphtha, coal distillates carbolineum, as well as paint strippers. John suffered from cancers of different types including myelodysplastic lukemia during his career. He died of this disease in November 2009. The settlement awarded by jury was $7 million. This amount covers a substantial portion of his medical costs as well as the loss of income and suffering and pain.
Creosote
Creosote has a variety of chemicals, including dioxin pentachlorophenol, and polycyclic hydrocarbons. Long-term exposure can cause irritation of the respiratory tract. Skin cancer and a similar illness called acute myeloid leukemia are also linked to long-term creosote exposure.
Creosote can be absorbed through the lungs, stomach and intestines, when contaminated food is eaten or drinking water that is contaminated or by contact with the skin. It is absorbed rapidly through the skin. Exposure can cause damage to the kidneys, liver the gastrointestinal tract, and the central nervous system. The toxic mix is absorbed through the eyes and may cause a variety of illnesses.
Railroad workers are exposed numerous hazardous chemicals in their workplaces. When class action lawsuit against union pacific railroad cause them harm the workers should be compensated from their employers. Contact our railroad injury lawyers today to discuss your case.
The small Florida town of Hull was once home to a rail company that treated wood using coal-tar creosote to preserve, waterproof and insect-proof wooden railroad ties. When the company was bought by CSX several years ago, the chemicals spread to contaminate the property. Residents are suing CSX over the contamination of their drinking water as well as their homes. EPA Administrator Regan visited the region to gain more information about the situation. Residents say that the drinking water sources that are contaminated near the UPRR facility are causing leukemia in children, as well as other health issues.
Asbestos
The use of asbestos for railroad materials was commonplace over the decades. Asbestos dust posed a risk for railroad workers who worked near steam trains and in repair shops. These asbestos fibers were often brought home on hair and clothing of the employees and exposed loved ones to the deadly substance.
Despite the dangers of asbestos exposure, many railroad companies were unaware or oblivious to the potential harm it could cause to workers' health for decades. Railroad workers who were diagnosed with asbestos-related cancer later in life did not receive the proper compensation from their employers.
Asbestos lawsuits are different from other workers' compensation claims due to their complexity. Railroad workers could seek compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA). FELA is a possible alternative to traditional workers' compensation laws. FELA allows railroad workers suffering from asbestos-related diseases to file claims if they can prove that their employer's negligence was the cause of their injury.
The plaintiffs in the case assert that the railroad had contaminated Fifth Ward with dangerous chemicals and did not clean the area. People who lived in the neighborhood at the time of the contamination have suffered from a variety of health issues, including lung and throat cancer asthma, lung cancer, and other respiratory illnesses. The contamination also caused a loss in property value.
Lead
Those who work on railroads can be exposed to many carcinogenic chemicals, chemicals and fumes. These toxic chemicals are believed to cause leukemia as well as other fatal illnesses in workers. These exposures are often the result of railroad negligence.
Railroad workers are frequently exposed to welding fumes, diesel exhaust asbestos, silica and asbestos among other toxins. These exposures can cause a variety of long term health problems including lung cancer, bladder cancer, esophageal carcinoma, kidney cancer, as well as other forms of leukemia.
Exposure to benzene may be a primary cause of leukemia, and other bone-marrow diseases and blood disorders. The colorless, fluid that is flammable, and it can evaporate into the air. It is employed in many industrial processes and it is present in low concentrations in the air. Benzene is also present in gasoline and other products. Exposure to benzene can cause detrimental effects on the body, especially when it is breathed in or consumed.
If you've worked on trains or in the railroad industry and have been diagnosed with a fatal illness like leukemia as the result of negligence on the part of your employer or a lack of care, contact Napoli Shkolnik for a free case review. We can help you obtain compensation for medical expenses, lost income and other damages. Our lawyers are dedicated to helping Texans who have been injured.