Railroad Lawsuit - Leukemia Caused by Benzene
A railroad worker who contracted leukemia due to exposure to toxic chemicals has been awarded $7.5 million in a jury verdict. He worked for two railroad companies and was exposed to Benzene which is a carcinogen.
The plaintiff's job required him manage creosote-coated equipment and ties. He claimed that the chemical was frequently covering his entire body from head to toe.
Benzene
Benzene, one of the many harmful chemicals that can cause cancer, is a carcinogen. It is a carcinogen. It is present in diesel exhaust which railroad workers are exposed to regularly. Exposure to benzene has been linked with myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) and acute leukemia, and Hodgkin's lymphoma along with other blood cancers.
Railroad workers are often exposed to a variety of carcinogens during their time on the job, such as creosote and diesel exhaust. While a majority of railway workers receive workers' compensation, these benefits may not cover all of the costs and losses of a victim. A benzene lawsuit against a railroad could aid plaintiffs in recovering the costs that are not covered by workers' compensation.
The wife of railroad worker John Thompson won a benzene settlement against his employer. Thompson was a maintenance of right employee who worked for the Chicago and North Western Railroad and the Union Pacific Railroad from 1976 to 2008. He was continuously exposed to a variety of petroleum solvents, including benzene-laden creosote, naphtha distillates of coal, carbolineum, and paint strippers. John suffered from cancers of various types such as myelodysplasticleukemia throughout his career. He passed away in November 2009 of this condition. The jury awarded him $7 million as an amount of compensation. This amount covers a significant portion of his medical bills, lost income and pain and discomfort.
Creosote
Several chemicals are found in creosote. These include pentachlorophenol, phenols, dioxin and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Long-term exposure can cause irritation of the respiratory tract. Leukemia-like skin cancers and a similar illness called acute myeloid leukemia have also been associated with long-term exposure to creosote.
Creosote enters your body through lungs as air pollution, through the stomach and intestines, either by eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water or through contact with the skin. It is rapidly absorbed through the skin. The exposure can cause damage to the kidneys, liver the gastrointestinal tract, and the central nervous system. The toxic mixture can also be absorbed through the eyes and cause a variety of diseases.
Rail workers are exposed of hazardous chemicals at their work. If they get injured by these toxic chemicals, they deserve compensation from their employer. Contact our dedicated railroad accident lawyers to discuss your case.
The tiny Florida town of Hull was once home to a railroad company that treated wood with coal-tar creosote, which was used to preserve waterproof and insectproof wooden railroad ties. When the company was purchased by CSX years ago, the chemicals spread to infect the property around it. Residents are now suing CSX for the contamination of their drinking water as well as their homes. EPA Administrator Regan visited the area to get more information about the situation. Residents have reported that drinking water contaminated near the UPRR plant causes childhood leukemia and other health problems.
Asbestos
The use of asbestos in the production of railroad materials was widespread throughout the decades. Many railroad workers were exposed to dangerous asbestos dust as they worked in steam trains and around them, or inside repair shops. These asbestos fibers are often carried home by workers on their clothes and hair. Their families are exposed to the deadly substance.
Despite the risks of exposure to asbestos, a number of railroad companies were unaware or oblivious to the potential harm it could cause to workers' health for years. As a result, some railroad workers who were given an asbestos-related cancer diagnosis later in life did not receive sufficient compensation from their employers.
Due to their complexity asbestos lawsuits are different from other workers' compensation claims. Railroad workers may be eligible to claim compensation through the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA). FELA is a viable alternative to traditional workers compensation laws. FELA allows railroad workers suffering from asbestos-related diseases to file claims in the event that they can prove their employer's negligence was the reason of their illness.
The plaintiffs in this case claim that the railroad contaminated Fifth Ward with dangerous chemicals and failed to clean the area. The residents of the area at the time of the contamination suffered from a range of health issues such as throat and lung cancer asthma, lung cancer, and other respiratory ailments. The contamination also led to a decrease in property value.
Lead
class action lawsuit against norfolk southern railroad can be exposed numerous carcinogenic fumes, substances, and chemicals. These toxic chemicals can cause many debilitating and fatal illnesses for workers, including leukemia. A lot of these exposures result of negligence by railroads.
Railroad workers are frequently exposed to diesel exhaust, welding fumes, asbestos and silica among other toxins. These exposures may lead to lung cancer bladder and esophageal cancers, kidney cancer, and other forms of leukemia.
The exposure to benzene is the most common cause of leukemia as well as other blood and bone-marrow diseases. It is a colorless, flammable liquid that can evaporate into the air. It is employed in many industrial processes and it can be found in low concentrations in the air. Benzene can also be found in gasoline and other products. Exposure to benzene could have negative effects on the body, especially when it is inhaled, or ingested.
Contact Napoli Shkolnik to receive a free review of your situation If you were employed in a train or railway and then contracted a serious illness such as leukemia, due to the negligence of your employer. We can assist you in obtaining compensation for medical expenses, lost income and other damages. Our lawyers are dedicated to helping Texans who have suffered injuries.