Railroad Lawsuit - Leukemia Caused by Benzene
A jury has awarded $7.5m to the railroad worker who developed leukemia after being exposed to toxic chemicals. He was employed by two different railroad companies and was exposed to Benzene which is carcinogen.
The plaintiff's job required him to work with creosote-coated tie and other equipment. He claimed that he was often covered from head to foot by the chemical.
Benzene
Benzene is one of many dangerous chemicals that have been discovered to cause cancer. It is a carcinogen and is present in diesel exhaust, which railroad workers are exposed to frequently. Exposure to benzene is associated with myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), Hodgkin's lymphoma and acute leukemia as well as other blood cancers.
Creosote, diesel exhaust and other carcinogens are typical exposures for railway workers. Workers' compensation may pay for some losses and expenses however, it does not cover all. A benzene lawsuit against a railroad may help plaintiffs recover damages not covered by workers compensation.
The widow of railroad worker John Thompson recently won a settlement for wrongful death involving benzene against his employer. Her husband was a maintenance employee for the Chicago and North Western Railroad and the Union Pacific Railroad from 1976 until 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. John passed away in November 2009 of this illness. The jury awarded him $7 million as an award of settlement. The amount is a large portion of his medical bills as well as the loss of income and suffering and pain.
Creosote
There are a variety of chemicals found in creosote. They include pentachlorophenol, phenols, dioxin and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Long-term exposure can cause irritation to the respiratory tract. Creosote exposure for long periods of time has also been linked to skin cancer and an illness that is similar in nature to acute myeloid leukemia.
Creosote is able to enter the body through the lungs, stomach and intestines when contaminated food is eaten or drinking water that is contaminated or when it comes into contact with the skin. It is rapidly absorbed through the skin. Exposure to this mix can damage the liver, kidneys and central nervous system. The toxic mixture is also taken up through the eyes and may cause a variety of illnesses.
Railroad workers are exposed many dangerous chemicals in their workplaces. If they suffer injuries from these toxic substances, they are entitled to compensation from their employer. Contact our dedicated railroad accident lawyers to discuss your case.
The small Florida town of Hull was once home to a railroad company that treated wood using coal-tar creosote to preserve, waterproof and insect-proof wooden railroad ties. When CSX bought the company years ago the chemicals spread and contaminated the land around. Residents are now suing CSX for the contamination of their drinking water and homes. EPA Administrator Regan visited the area to learn more about the situation. Residents say that contaminated drinking water near the UPRR plant can cause childhood leukemia as well as other health issues.
Asbestos
The use of asbestos in the production of railroad materials was widespread throughout the years. Many railroad workers were exposed asbestos dust as they worked in steam trains and around or in repair shops. These asbestos fibers are typically transported home by workers wearing their clothing and hair. This exposes their families to the deadly material.
Despite the dangers of asbestos exposure, a lot of railroad companies ignored or denied its potential for harming workers' health for years. Some railroad workers who were diagnosed with asbestos cancer later in life were not given sufficient compensation from their employers.
Due to their complexity, asbestos lawsuits differ from other workers' compensation claims. Railroad workers might be able to claim compensation through the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA). FELA is a viable alternative to traditional workers compensation laws. Railroad workers who have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease may file a claim under FELA in the event that they can prove their employer's negligence caused the injury.
The plaintiffs in the case assert that the railroad contaminated Fifth Ward with dangerous chemicals, and failed to clean the area. Residents of the community who lived in the area at the time of the contamination suffered from lung and throat cancers, asthma, and other respiratory diseases. They also suffered from the loss of property value because of the contamination.
Lead
Railroad workers are susceptible to exposure to numerous carcinogenic substances, chemicals, and fumes. These harmful chemicals are known to cause leukemia as well as other fatal illnesses among workers. These exposures are often caused by negligence on the part of railroad workers.
Railroad workers are often exposed to welding fumes, diesel exhaust asbestos, silica, and asbestos among other contaminants. These exposures can cause lung cancer bladder and esophageal carcinomas, kidney cancer, and other types of leukemia.
The most common cause of leukemia and other blood and bone marrow diseases is exposure to benzene. Benzene, a colorless fluid that is flammable and able to evaporate into air, is one of the substances that can cause leukemia. class action lawsuit against norfolk southern railroad is utilized in a variety of industrial processes and is found in the natural environment at low levels. It is also found in gasoline and a variety of other products. Exposure to benzene can have adverse effects on your body, particularly when it is inhaled or consumed.
If you've been on an train or in the industry of railroads, and have been diagnosed with a fatal disease such as leukemia, as a result of negligence on the part of your employer and/or negligence, you should contact Napoli Shkolnik for a free case review. We will assist you in recovering the compensation you deserve for medical treatment as well as lost income and other damages. Our lawyers are dedicated to helping Texans who have been injured.