Railroad Lawsuit - Leukemia Caused by Benzene
A railroad worker who was diagnosed with leukemia as a result of exposure to toxic chemicals was awarded $7.5 million in a verdict of a jury. He was employed by two railroad companies and was exposed to Benzene, known carcinogen.
The plaintiff's work required him to handle creosote coated tie and other equipment. He claimed that the chemical was often covering his entire body from head to toe.
Benzene
Benzene is among the dangerous chemicals that have been found to cause cancer. It is a well-known carcinogen, which is present in diesel exhaust fumes, which railroad workers are regularly exposed to. Exposure to benzene has been linked to myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and Hodgkin's lymphoma and acute leukemia in addition to other blood cancers.
Railroad workers are typically exposed to a range of carcinogens when on the job, such as creosote and diesel exhaust. Workers' compensation could pay for certain losses and expenses however, it does not cover 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 for wrongful death involving benzene against his employer. Thompson was an employee of maintenance of ways for the Chicago and North Western Railroad and the Union Pacific Railroad between 1976 between 1976 and 2008. He was exposed to a variety of petroleum solvents like creosote with benzene in it, coal tar distilates naphtha, paint strippers, and naphtha. During his career, John suffered from multiple forms of cancer, including a type of leukemia known as myelodysplastic. class action lawsuit against norfolk southern railroad passed away in November 2009 from this illness. The jury awarded $7 million as an award of settlement. This sum covers a significant portion of his medical expenses including lost income, discomfort and pain.
Creosote
Creosote consists of a range of chemicals, including dioxin, pentachlorophenol and polycyclic halocarbons. Exposure to the chemical vapors could cause irritation to the respiratory tract. Skin cancer and a related illness known as acute myeloidleukemia have also been associated with long-term exposure to creosote.
Creosote is able to enter the body through the lungs, stomach and intestines after food items are consumed that contain toxins, drinking contaminated water, or by contact with the skin. It is absorbed quickly through the skin. Exposure to it can cause damage the kidneys, liver stomach, gastrointestinal tract, and central nervous system. The toxic mixture can also be absorbed through the eye and cause a range of illnesses.
Rail workers are exposed to a range of hazardous chemicals in their workplace. When these toxic substances cause harm to workers they are entitled to compensation from their employers. Contact our dedicated railroad accident lawyers to discuss your case.
The small Florida town of Hull was once home to a rail company that treated wood with coal-tar creosote, which was used to preserve waterproof and insect-proof wooden railroad ties. When the company was bought by CSX in the past and the chemicals grew, they began and contaminated the surrounding property. Residents are seeking to sue CSX for contaminating their homes and drinking water. Regan the EPA Administrator, toured the area in order to learn more. Residents claim that contaminated drinking waters close to the UPRR facility have been linked to the development of leukemia among children, as well as other health issues.
Asbestos
The use of asbestos in the production of railroad material was common throughout the years. Many railroad workers were exposed to hazardous asbestos dust when they worked in steam trains and around or inside repair shops. The asbestos particles were frequently carried home on the hair and clothing of the workers which exposed their loved ones to the dangerous material.
Despite the dangers of asbestos exposure, railroad companies have been ignoring or denying this for decades. As a result, many railroad workers who received an asbestos cancer diagnosis later in life did not receive sufficient compensation from their employers.
Asbestos lawsuits are different from other workers' compensation claims because of their complexities. Railroad workers might be able to obtain compensation through the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA). FELA is an alternative to traditional workers' compensation laws. FELA permits railroad employees suffering from asbestos-related diseases to file claims when they can prove their employer's negligence was the cause of their injury.
The plaintiffs in this case claim that the railroad contaminated Fifth Ward with dangerous chemicals and failed to clean the area. Those who were living in the area at the time of the contamination have suffered from a variety health issues that include throat and lung cancer, asthma, and other respiratory illnesses. They also suffered from the loss in property value due to the contamination.
Lead
Rail workers are exposed a variety of carcinogenic substances, fumes, and chemicals. These harmful chemicals are known to cause leukemia and other fatal illnesses among employees. 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 variety of long term health issues, including lung cancer, bladder cancer, esophageal cancer 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 diseases. The colorless liquid Benzene that is flammable and may evaporate into air, is a compound that can cause leukemia. It is utilized in a variety of industrial processes, and is also found in the environment in very low levels. Benzene is also found in gasoline and a variety of other products. Exposure to benzene, especially when inhaled or consumed can have serious health effects.
Contact Napoli Shkolnik to receive a free review of your case If you were employed on a train or a railroad and contracted a serious illness like leukemia as a result of the negligence of your employer. We can help you obtain compensation for medical treatment or lost income, as well as other damages. Our lawyers are dedicated to helping Texans who have suffered injuries.