Railroad Lawsuit - Leukemia Caused by Benzene
A jury has awarded $7.5m to a railroad worker who developed leukemia after being exposed to toxic chemicals. He worked for two railroad companies and was exposed to Benzene known carcinogen.
The plaintiff's work required him to manage creosote-coated equipment and ties. He claimed that the chemical was covering his entire body from head to toe.
Benzene
Benzene is among the dangerous chemicals that have been found to cause cancer. It is a carcinogen, and is found in diesel fumes/exhaust that railroad workers are exposed to on a regular basis. Exposure to benzene has been associated with myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), Hodgkin's Lymphoma and acute leukemia among other blood cancers.
Railroad workers are typically exposed to a range of carcinogens while working on the job, such as creosote and diesel exhaust. Workers' compensation can pay for some losses and expenses but not all. A benzene lawsuit against a railroad can assist plaintiffs to recover damages that aren't covered by workers compensation.
The wife of railroad worker John Thompson recently won a settlement involving benzene for wrongful deaths against his employer. Her husband was a maintenance of ways employee of the Chicago and North Western Railroad and Union Pacific Railroad from 1976 until 2008. He was continuously exposed to a variety of petroleum solvents such as benzene-laden sulfosote, naphtha distillates of coal carbolineum, as well as paint strippers. John suffered from cancers of different types such as myelodysplasticleukemia throughout his career. He passed away in November 2009 from this condition. The jury awarded him $7 million as settlement. This sum covers a significant portion of his medical bills including lost income, discomfort and pain.
Creosote
Creosote contains a number of chemicals, such as dioxin, pentachlorophenol and polycyclic halocarbons. Long-term exposure may cause irritation to the respiratory tract. Skin cancer and a similar disease known as acute myeloid leukemia have also been associated with long-term creosote exposure.
Creosote can be absorbed through the lungs, stomach and intestines when food items are consumed that contain toxins, drinking water that is contaminated or by contact with the skin. It is quickly absorbed through the skin. It can cause damage to the liver, kidneys as well as the gastrointestinal tract and central nervous system. The toxic mix is taken up through the eyes and may lead to a range of ailments.
Railroad workers are exposed to many hazardous chemicals at their work environments. If they get injured by these harmful chemicals, they deserve compensation from their employer. Contact our dedicated railroad injury lawyers to discuss your case.
The tiny Florida town of Hull was once home to a rail company that treated wood with coal-tar creosote to protect, waterproof and insectproof wooden railroad ties. When CSX bought the company many years ago the chemicals grew and contaminated the property around it. Residents are seeking to sue CSX for contaminating their homes and drinking water. Regan the EPA Administrator, visited the area to know more. Residents say contaminated drinking water near the UPRR plant can cause childhood leukemia as well as other health problems.
Asbestos
Throughout the years, asbestos was used in the production of railroad materials. Asbestos dust posed a risk to railroad workers who worked in steam trains and in repair shops. csx railroad lawsuit are typically transported home by workers wearing their hair and clothing. This exposes their families to the deadly substance.
Despite the dangers of asbestos exposure, railroad companies have refused to acknowledge or deny this fact for many years. As a result, many railroad workers who had an asbestos-related cancer diagnosis later in life did not receive adequate compensation from their employers.
Because of their complexity, asbestos lawsuits are different from other workers' comp claims. Railroad workers may be able seek compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA). FELA is a possible alternative to traditional laws governing workers' compensation. FELA allows railroad employees with asbestos-related diseases to file claims if they can prove their employer's negligence was the cause of their injury.
The plaintiffs in this case claim that the railroad had contaminated the Fifth Ward area with dangerous chemicals and failed to clean up the aftermath. The residents of the community at the time of the contamination suffered from a range of health issues that include throat and lung cancer as well as asthma and other respiratory ailments. The contamination also led to a loss in property value.
Lead
Railroad workers are susceptible to exposure to numerous carcinogenic substances, chemicals and fumes. These harmful chemicals can cause numerous debilitating, fatal illnesses for workers, including leukemia. These exposures are often caused by railroad negligence.
Railroad workers are frequently exposed to welding fumes, diesel exhaust asbestos and silica as well as other toxic substances. These exposures can lead to many long-term health problems including bladder cancer, lung cancer, esophageal carcinoma, kidney cancer, and various forms of leukemia.
Exposure to benzene may be the primary cause of leukemia and other blood and bone-marrow diseases. The colorless liquid Benzene that is flammable, and which can evaporate into air, is a compound that can cause leukemia. It is employed in various industrial processes, and it can be found in low amounts in the air. Benzene is also present in gasoline and other products. Exposure to benzene when inhaled or consumed can cause serious health problems.
If you have worked on an train or in the railroad industry, and have developed a serious illness such as leukemia as a result of negligence by your employer Contact Napoli Shkolnik for a free case review. We can help you get compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and other damages. Our lawyers are knowledgeable and devoted to helping Texans who have suffered injuries or were wronged.