Railroad Lawsuit - Leukemia Caused by Benzene
A railroad worker who contracted 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 different railroad companies, and was exposed to Benzene which is carcinogen.
The plaintiff's work required him to handle creosote coated ties and equipment. He claimed that he was covered from head to foot by the chemical.
Benzene
The chemical Benzene is one of the numerous harmful chemicals that could cause cancer, is a carcinogen. It is a known carcinogen found in diesel exhaust fumes, which railroad workers are frequently exposed to. Exposure to benzene can be linked with myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), Hodgkin's Lymphoma and acute leukemia as well as other blood cancers.
Creosote as well as diesel exhaust and 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 could help plaintiffs recover the costs that are not covered by workers compensation.
The widow of railroad worker John Thompson recently won a benzene wrongful death settlement against his employer. Her husband was a maintenance employee who worked for the Chicago and North Western Railroad and Union Pacific Railroad from 1976 to 2008. He was exposed to a variety of petroleum solvents like creosote that contained benzene distilates of coal naphtha, naphtha and paint strippers. In his professional life, John suffered from multiple forms of cancer, including a particular type of leukemia referred to as myelodysplastic. John passed away in November 2009 from this type of cancer. 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 contains a number of chemicals, including dioxin pentachlorophenol as well as polycyclic hydrocarbons. Exposure to long-term gaseous components of the chemicals could cause irritation to the respiratory tract. Skin cancer and a leukemia-like illness known as acute myeloidleukemia are also linked to long-term exposure to creosote.
Creosote gets into the body through the lungs, as air pollution, through the stomach and intestines after drinking or eating food that has been contaminated, polluted water or in contact with the skin. It is absorbed rapidly through the skin. It can cause damage to the liver, kidneys the gastrointestinal tract, and the central nervous system. lung cancer lawsuit from smoking can also be absorbed through the eyes and may cause a variety of illnesses.
Rail workers are exposed of hazardous chemicals at their work. When toxic substances cause harm the workers should 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 home to an old railroad company that used coal-tar-based creosote on wood to seal and protect railroad tie made of wood. When the company was purchased by CSX some time ago the chemicals grew to contaminate the property. Residents are suing CSX for contaminating their homes and drinking water. EPA Administrator Regan visited the area to get more information about the situation. Residents claim that contaminated drinking waters close to the UPRR facility can cause leukemia in children, as well as other health issues.
Asbestos
Over the years, asbestos was used in the production of railroad materials. Asbestos dust posed a risk for railroad workers who worked in steam trains and in repair shops. The asbestos fibers are frequently brought home by workers who wear their clothing and hair. Their families are exposed to the deadly substance.
Despite the dangers of asbestos exposure, a lot of railroad companies resisted or ignored its potential to harm workers' health for years. Railroad workers who were diagnosed with asbestos cancer later in life didn't receive sufficient compensation from their employers.
Due to their complexity asbestos lawsuits differ from other workers' compensation claims. Railroad workers may be able to obtain compensation through the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA). FELA is a different way to traditional workers' compensation laws. FELA allows railroad workers suffering from asbestos-related ailments to file a claim if they can prove their employer's negligence was the cause of their injury.
The plaintiffs in this case claim that the railroad had contaminated the Fifth Ward area with dangerous chemicals and did not clean up the aftermath. The residents of the community that resided in the area at the time of contamination suffered from throat and lung cancers, asthma and other respiratory illnesses. They also were impacted by the loss of property value because of the contamination.
Lead
Rail workers are exposed to a variety of carcinogenic fumes, substances, 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 many toxins, including diesel exhaust, welding fumes and asbestos. These exposures could cause lung cancer bladder and esophageal tumors, kidney cancer, and other types of leukemia.
Exposure to benzene may be the most common cause of leukemia, and other bone-marrow and blood diseases. Benzene, a colorless liquid that is flammable and can evaporate into air, is a compound that can cause leukemia. It is employed in a variety industrial processes, and is present in small amounts in the natural environment. Benzene is also present in gasoline and other products. Exposure to benzene can have detrimental effects on the body, especially when it is inhaled, or ingested.
If you've been on a train or in the industry of railroads, and you have contracted a serious illness such as leukemia as a result of employer negligence or a lack of care, contact Napoli Shkolnik for a free case review. We can assist you in obtaining compensation for medical expenses as well as lost income and other damages. Our attorneys are skilled and devoted to helping Texans who are injured or wronged.