Railroad Lawsuit - Leukemia Caused by Benzene

A railroad worker who developed leukemia as a result of exposure to toxic chemicals has been awarded $7.5 million in a verdict of a jury. He was employed by two railroad companies and was exposed to Benzene which is a carcinogen that has been identified.


The plaintiff's job required him to deal with creosote coated ties and other equipment. He claimed that he was frequently covered from head to foot with the chemical.

Benzene

Benzene, one of the numerous harmful chemicals that could cause cancer is a carcinogen. Scleroderma lawsuit is a recognized carcinogen that is found in diesel exhaust fumes, which railroad workers are regularly exposed to. Exposure to benzene is associated to myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), acute leukemia, and Hodgkin's lymphoma as well as other blood cancers.

Railroad workers are frequently exposed to a range of carcinogens during their time on the job, such as creosote and diesel exhaust. Scleroderma lawsuit may pay for some losses and expenses however, it does not cover all. A benzene lawsuit against a railroad may assist plaintiffs to recover damages that aren't covered by workers' compensation.

The widow of railroad worker John Thompson recently won a settlement in wrongful death with benzene from his employer. John Thompson was an employee of maintenance of ways for the Chicago and North Western Railroad and Union Pacific Railroad between 1976 and 2008. He was constantly exposed to various solvents from petroleum which included benzene-laden Creosote naphtha, coal tar distillates, carbolineum, and paint strippers. During his career, John suffered from multiple forms of cancer, including a form of leukemia known as myelodysplastic syndrome. Stomach cancer lawsuit passed away in November 2009 of this condition. The settlement that was awarded by the jury was $7 million. The settlement covers a substantial portion of his medical bills as well as lost income, pain and discomfort.

Creosote

Several chemicals are found in creosote, such as dioxin, pentachlorophenol and phenols 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 been linked with skin cancer and an illness similar in nature to acute myeloid leukemia.

Creosote is absorbed into the body via the lungs, as air pollution, through the stomach and intestines by eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water or through contact with the skin. It is quickly absorbed by the skin. Exposure to it can cause damage the liver, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract and central nervous system. The toxic mixture is also absorbed through the eyes and can cause a variety of illnesses.

Rail workers are exposed to a variety of hazardous chemicals at their job. If these harmful substances cause harm the workers should be compensated from their employers. Contact our dedicated railroad accident lawyers to discuss your case.

Hull the town, which is a tiny Florida town, was the home of an old railroad company that used coal-tar creosote wood to make it waterproof and insectproof wooden railroad ties. When CSX bought the company many years ago the chemicals spread throughout the town and contaminated the land around. Residents are seeking to sue CSX for contaminating their homes and drinking water. EPA Administrator Regan visited the area to find out more about the situation. Residents say that the drinking water contaminated close to the UPRR facility can cause leukemia in children and other health issues.

Asbestos

Throughout the years asbestos was used to make railroad materials. Asbestos dust could pose a threat for railroad workers who worked around steam trains and in repair shops. These asbestos fibers are typically carried home by workers on their hair and clothing. This exposes their families to the deadly material.

Despite the risks of asbestos exposure, a lot of railroad companies ignored or denied the possibility of harm to workers' health for decades. This is why some railroad workers who were given an asbestos cancer diagnosis later in life did not receive the proper compensation from their employers.

Due to their complexity, asbestos lawsuits differ from other workers' comp claims. Railroad workers might be able to claim compensation under the Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA). FELA is an alternative to traditional workers compensation laws. FELA allows railroad employees 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 the case assert that the railroad had contaminated Fifth Ward with dangerous chemicals, and failed to clean the area. Residents of the community who lived in the area during the time of the contamination suffered from throat and lung cancers, asthma and other respiratory diseases. The contamination also caused a loss in property value.

Lead

Rail workers can be exposed numerous carcinogenic substances, fumes, and chemicals. These toxic chemicals can cause a number of debilitating and fatal illnesses for employees, including leukemia. A lot of these incidents are the result of negligence in railroads.

Railroad workers are often exposed to welding fumes, diesel exhaust asbestos, silica and asbestos among other toxins. The exposures could lead to lung cancer bladder and esophageal carcinomas, kidney cancer, and other types of leukemia.

One primary cause of leukemia as well as other bone marrow and blood disorders is benzene exposure. It is a colorless, flammable liquid that has the ability to evaporate into the air. It is used in a variety of industrial processes, and is also found in the natural environment at very low levels. It is also found in gasoline as well as other products. Exposure to benzene in particular, when inhaled or consumed, could have serious health consequences.

If you've been on an train or in the industry of railroads, and have developed a severe illness like leukemia as the 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 or lost income, as well as other damages. Our attorneys are skilled and devoted to helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.