Railroad Lawsuit - Leukemia Caused by Benzene
A jury has awarded $7.5m to a railway worker who developed leukemia after exposure to toxic chemicals. He was employed by two different railroad companies and was exposed to Benzene which is a carcinogen.
The plaintiff's work required him to work with creosote-coated ties and equipment. He claimed that he was frequently 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, and is found in diesel fumes/exhaust, which railroad workers are exposed to regularly. Exposure to benzene has been associated to myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and Hodgkin's Lymphoma and acute leukemia among other blood cancers.
Railroad workers are typically exposed to a range of carcinogens during their time on the job, such as creosote and diesel exhaust. Workers' compensation might pay for certain losses and expenses, but not all. A benzene lawsuit against a railroad can 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. John Thompson was an employee of maintenance of ways for the Chicago and North Western Railroad and Union Pacific Railroad between 1976 until 2008. He endured chronic exposures to various solvents of petroleum which included benzene-laden Creosote naphtha, coal distillates carbolineum, as well as paint strippers. John was diagnosed with cancers of different types including myelodysplastic Leukemia during his career. He died from this illness in November 2009. The settlement awarded by jury was $7 million. This sum covers a large portion of his medical expenses, lost income and discomfort and pain.
Creosote
A variety of chemicals are present in creosote, such as pentachlorophenol, phenols, dioxin and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Long-term exposure to chemical vapors could cause irritation to the respiratory tract. Creosote exposure for long periods of time has also been linked to skin cancer and an illness similar in its nature to acute myeloid lymphoma.
Creosote enters your body through the lungs, as air pollution, through the stomach and intestines after eating food that is contaminated or drinking polluted water or in contact with the skin. It is absorbed rapidly through the skin. Exposure to this mix can harm the kidneys, liver and central nervous system. The toxic substance is absorbed through the eyes and can cause a variety of illnesses.
class action lawsuit against railroads are exposed to a range of harmful chemicals at their workplace. If these harmful substances cause them harm, they should receive compensation from their employers. Contact our dedicated railroad injury lawyers to discuss your case.
Hull A small Florida town, was once home to an old rail company that used coal-tar-based creosote on wood to waterproof and insectproof railroad tie made of wood. When the company was acquired by CSX in the past the chemicals grew to contaminate the surrounding property. Residents are suing CSX for the contaminating their homes and drinking water. EPA Administrator Regan visited the area to get more information about the situation. Residents say that the drinking water sources that are contaminated near 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 was a danger to many railroad workers who worked around steam trains and in repair shops. The asbestos fibers are frequently carried home by workers on their hair and clothing. This exposes their families to the deadly material.
Despite the dangers of asbestos exposure, railroad companies have ignored or denied this for decades. Railroad workers who were diagnosed with asbestos-related cancer later in life were not given adequate compensation from their employer.
Due to their complexity, asbestos lawsuits are different from other workers' comp claims. Railroad workers might be able to obtain compensation through the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA). FELA is an alternative to traditional workers compensation laws. Railroad workers who have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease may file a claim under FELA, as long as they can prove that their employer's negligence was the cause of their injury.
The plaintiffs in the case assert that the railroad contaminated Fifth Ward with dangerous chemicals, and failed to clean it up. People who lived in the community at the time of the contamination have suffered from a variety of health issues, including lung and throat cancer as well as asthma and other respiratory illnesses. The contamination also caused an increase in the value of property.
Lead
Rail workers are exposed to various carcinogenic chemicals, fumes and chemicals. These toxic chemicals are known to cause leukemia as well as other fatal illnesses among employees. A lot of these incidents are the result of negligence by railroads.
Rail workers are exposed various toxins, including diesel exhaust, welding fumes and asbestos. These exposures can cause a variety of long term health issues including lung cancer, bladder cancer, esophageal cancer kidney cancer, and other forms of leukemia.
One of the main causes of leukemia as well as 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 various industrial processes and is present in the natural environment at lower concentrations. Benzene can also be found in gasoline and other products. Exposure to benzene when inhaled or consumed, can cause serious health problems.
If you've been on trains or in the railway industry and have been diagnosed with a fatal illness such as leukemia as a result of negligence on the part of your employer or a lack of care, contact Napoli Shkolnik for a free case review. We will help you receive compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and other damages. Our attorneys are experienced and dedicated to helping Texans who have suffered injuries or were wronged.