Railroad Lawsuit - Leukemia Caused by Benzene
A railroad worker who was diagnosed with leukemia after exposure to toxic chemicals was awarded $7.5 million in a jury verdict. 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 ties and equipment. He claimed that he was often covered from head to toe by the chemical.
Benzene
Benzene is one of many hazardous chemicals that have been discovered to cause cancer. It is a recognized carcinogen that is found in diesel exhaust fumes which railroad workers are regularly exposed to. The exposure to benzene has been linked to myelodysplastic disease (MDS), acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and Hodgkin lymphoma, as well as other blood cancers.
Railroad workers are frequently exposed to a variety of carcinogens while working on the job, including creosote and diesel exhaust. Workers' compensation can cover some expenses and losses however, it does not cover all. A benzene suit against a railroad can help plaintiffs recover damages that aren't covered by workers compensation.
The wife of railroad worker John Thompson recently won a settlement for wrongful death involving benzene against his employer. Her husband was a maintenance of ways employee of the Chicago and North Western Railroad and the Union Pacific Railroad from 1976 to 2008. He endured chronic exposures to various solvents of petroleum which included benzene-laden Creosote naphtha, coal tar distillates carbolineum, as well as paint strippers. In his professional life, John suffered from multiple types of cancer, including a particular type of leukemia called myelodysplastic syndrome. He died in November 2009 from this illness. The jury awarded $7 million as an award of settlement. This sum covers a large portion of his medical expenses as well as lost income, pain and discomfort.
Creosote
Creosote is a mixture of chemicals, including dioxin, pentachlorophenol and polycyclic hydrocarbons. Exposure for long periods can cause irritation to the respiratory tract. Creosote exposure for long periods of time has been linked with skin cancer and an illness similar in its nature to acute myeloid lymphoma.
Creosote is absorbed into the body via the lungs as air pollution, through the stomach and intestines by eating contaminated food or drinking unclean water or coming into contact with the skin. It is rapidly absorbed through the skin. It can cause damage to the liver, kidneys the gastrointestinal tract, and the central nervous system. The toxic mixture is also taken up through the eyes and may lead to a range of ailments.
Railroad workers are exposed many dangerous chemicals in their workplaces. When blacklands railroad lawsuit cause them harm they are entitled to compensation from their employers. Contact our railroad injury lawyers today to discuss your case.
The small Florida town of Hull was once home to a rail company that treated wood with coal-tar creosote to preserve, waterproof and insectproof wooden railroad ties. When the company was acquired by CSX in the past the chemicals were spread and contaminated the surrounding property. Residents are suing CSX for the contamination of their drinking water as well as their homes. EPA Administrator Regan visited the region to gain more information about the situation. Residents claim that contaminated drinking waters near the UPRR facility cause leukemia in children, as well as other health issues.
Asbestos
Over the years, asbestos was utilized to make railroad materials. Many railroad employees were exposed to dangerous asbestos dust as they worked in and around steam trains or inside repair shops. These asbestos fibers were often taken home with the workers' clothing and hair and exposed loved ones to the harmful substance.
Despite the risks associated with asbestos exposure railroad companies have largely been ignoring or denying this for decades. In the end, many railroad workers who were diagnosed with an asbestos cancer diagnosis later in life were not given sufficient compensation from their employers.
Because of their complexity, asbestos lawsuits differ from other workers' comp claims. Railroad workers could seek compensation under the Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA). FELA is a different way to traditional laws governing workers' compensation. Railroad workers who have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease can file a claim for compensation under FELA provided that they can prove their employer's negligence was the cause of their injury.
The plaintiffs in this case allege that the railroad contaminated the Fifth Ward area with dangerous chemicals and did not remove the traces of the contamination. Those who were living in the community at the time of the contamination been affected by a variety of health issues, including lung and throat cancer as well as asthma and other respiratory illnesses. They also were impacted by the loss of property value because of the contamination.
Lead
Railroad workers can be exposed to numerous carcinogenic substances, chemicals and fumes. These toxic chemicals can cause numerous debilitating, fatal diseases for workers, such as leukemia. A lot of these incidents are the result of negligence on the part of railroad workers.
Rail workers are exposed to many toxins, including diesel exhaust, welding fumes and asbestos. These exposures can lead to a myriad of long-term health problems, including lung cancer, bladder cancer, esophageal cancer kidney cancer, as well as other forms of leukemia.
The exposure to benzene is a primary cause of leukemia and other bone-marrow and blood disorders. The colorless, flammable liquid that can evaporate into the air. It is used for many industrial processes and it can be found in low amounts in the surrounding environment. Benzene is also present in gasoline and other products. Exposure to benzene in particular, when consumed or inhaled, could have serious health consequences.
Contact Napoli Shkolnik to receive a free assessment of your case in the event that you worked on a train or a railroad and contracted a serious illness such as leukemia, due to the negligence of your employer. We will help you receive compensation for medical expenses, lost income and other damages. Our lawyers are knowledgeable and dedicated to helping Texans that have been wronged or injured.