Railroad Lawsuit - Leukemia Caused by Benzene
A railroad worker who contracted leukemia after exposure to toxic chemicals has been awarded $7.5 million in a jury verdict. He worked for two railroads and was exposed to Benzene, known carcinogen.
The plaintiff's work required him to work with creosote-coated ties and equipment. He claimed that the chemical was covering him from head to toe.
Benzene
Benzene, among the many harmful chemicals that can cause cancer is a carcinogen. It is a carcinogen that is found in diesel exhaust that railroad workers are exposed to regularly. Exposure to benzene has been linked with myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) and acute leukemia, and Hodgkin's lymphoma among other blood cancers.
Railroad workers are often exposed to a variety of carcinogens while working on the job, including creosote and diesel exhaust. While many railway employees receive workers' compensation, these benefits could not cover all the cost and expenses of a victim. A benzene lawsuit against a railroad may assist plaintiffs in recovering damages that are not covered by workers compensation.
The wife of railroad worker John Thompson recently won a settlement for wrongful death involving benzene against his employer. Thompson was a maintenance of right employee for the Chicago and North Western Railroad and the Union Pacific Railroad from 1976 to 2008. He was exposed to a variety of petroleum solvents like creosote which contained benzene distilates of coal tar, naphtha and paint strippers. John was diagnosed with cancers of different types such as myelodysplasticleukemia throughout his career. John passed away in November 2009 from this condition. The jury awarded $7 million as an award of settlement. This amount covers a significant portion of his medical expenses loss of income, discomfort and pain.
Creosote
There are a variety of chemicals found in creosote. They include dioxin, pentachlorophenol and phenols and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Exposure to long-term vapors of the chemicals can cause irritation to the respiratory tract. Skin cancer and a related illness known as acute myeloidleukemia have also been associated with long-term creosote exposure.
Creosote may enter the body through the lungs, stomach and intestines if food that is contaminated is consumed, contaminated water is drunk or through contact with the skin. It is quickly absorbed through the skin. Exposure to this mix can harm the kidneys, liver and central nervous system. The toxic mix is in the eyes and may cause a variety of illnesses.
Rail workers are exposed to a variety of hazardous chemicals at their workplace. If these toxic chemicals cause harm to workers they must be compensated from their employers. Contact our dedicated railroad accident lawyers to discuss your case.
Hull is a small Florida town, was once home to an old rail company that used coal-tar creosote on wood to waterproof and insectproof wooden railroad tie. When CSX bought the company many years ago the chemicals spread and contaminated the surrounding property. Residents are suing CSX for the contaminating their homes and drinking water. EPA Administrator Regan visited the area to find out more about the situation. Residents say contaminated drinking water close to the UPRR plant causes childhood leukemia and other health problems.
Asbestos
Throughout the years, asbestos was utilized to make railroad materials. Many railroad workers were exposed asbestos dust as they worked in and around steam trains or in repair shops. The asbestos particles were frequently carried home on the hair and clothing of the workers, exposing their loved ones to the deadly substance.
Despite the dangers of asbestos exposure, railroad companies have ignored or denied this for decades. Railroad workers who were diagnosed with asbestos cancer later in life were not given sufficient compensation from their employers.
Asbestos lawsuits are different from other workers' compensation claims due to their complexity. Railroad workers might be able to seek compensation under the Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA). FELA is a viable alternative to traditional workers' compensation laws. Railroad employees who have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease can file a claim under FELA provided that they can prove their employer's negligence caused their injury.
The plaintiffs in this case claim that the railroad contaminated Fifth Ward with dangerous chemicals and did not do anything to clean it up. Residents of the area at the time of the contamination suffered from a range of health issues, including lung and throat cancer, asthma, and other respiratory ailments. They also suffered from the loss in property value due to the contamination.
Lead
Rail workers can be exposed a variety of carcinogenic substances, fumes, and chemicals. These harmful chemicals can cause various debilitating and fatal ailments for workers, including leukemia. A lot of these exposures result of negligence on the part of railroad workers.
Rail workers are exposed various toxins, including diesel exhaust, welding fumes, and asbestos. These exposures could cause lung cancer bladder and esophageal tumors kidney cancer, as well as other types of leukemia.
Exposure to benzene may be the most common cause of leukemia as well as other bone-marrow and blood disorders. The colorless liquid Benzene that is flammable, and which can evaporate into air, is a substance that can cause leukemia. It is employed in various industrial processes and it is found in low concentrations in the environment. union pacific railroad lawsuits is also found in gasoline and a variety of other products. Exposure to benzene can cause adverse effects on your body, especially when it is inhaled or consumed.
If you've worked on an train or in the railroad industry and have been diagnosed with a fatal disease such as leukemia, as a result of the negligence of your employer and/or negligence, you should contact Napoli Shkolnik for a free case review. We can help you obtain compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and other damages. Our lawyers are knowledgeable and dedicated to helping Texans that have been wronged or injured.