Railroad Lawsuit - Leukemia Caused by Benzene
A railroad worker who was diagnosed with leukemia from exposure to toxic chemicals was awarded $7.5 million in a verdict of a jury. He worked for two railroad companies and was exposed to Benzene which is a known carcinogen.
The plaintiff's work required him to deal with creosote coated ties and other equipment. He claimed that he was covered from head to foot in the chemical.
Benzene
The chemical Benzene is among many dangerous chemicals found to cause cancer. It is a carcinogen. It is found in diesel exhaust and fumes that railroad workers are exposed to regularly. Exposure to benzene can be linked with myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), Hodgkin's Lymphoma and acute leukemia among other blood cancers.
Creosote as well as diesel exhaust and other carcinogens are a common exposure for railway workers. While many railway employees receive workers' compensation, the benefits may not cover all of the costs and losses of a victim. A benzene lawsuit against a railroad could aid plaintiffs in recovering damages not covered by workers' compensation.
The widow of railroad worker John Thompson recently won a benzene wrongful death settlement against his employer. Her husband was an employee in maintenance of ways for the Chicago and North Western Railroad and the Union Pacific Railroad between 1976 until 2008. He was constantly exposed to various petroleum solvents, including benzene-laden creosote, naphtha distillates of coal, carbolineum, and paint strippers. John was diagnosed with various cancers including myelodysplastic Leukemia throughout his career. He passed away in November 2009 from this disease. The jury awarded him $7 million as an award of settlement. The settlement covers a substantial portion of his medical bills as well as lost income, discomfort and pain.
Creosote
There are a variety of chemicals found in creosote, including pentachlorophenol, phenols, dioxin and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Long-term exposure to creosote can cause irritation of the respiratory tract. Creosote exposure for long periods of time has been linked to skin cancer and an illness similar in nature to acute myeloid leukemia.
Creosote may enter the body through the lungs, stomach and intestines if the food is contaminated or drinking contaminated water, or in contact with the skin. It is absorbed rapidly through the skin. The exposure to this mixture could harm the kidneys, liver and the central nervous system. The toxic mix is absorption through the eyes and can cause a variety of diseases.
Rail workers are exposed to a range of dangerous chemicals at their job. If they get injured by these toxic substances, they should be compensated from their employer. Contact our railroad injury lawyers today to discuss your case.
The tiny Florida town of Hull was once home to a rail company that treated wood using coal-tar creosote to preserve, waterproof and insectproof wooden railroad ties. When the company was acquired by CSX several years ago, the chemicals spread and contaminated the surrounding property. Residents are now suing CSX over the contamination of their drinking water and homes. EPA Administrator Regan visited the region to gain more information about the situation. Residents say that contaminated drinking water near the UPRR plant is causing leukemia in children and other health problems.
Asbestos
The use of asbestos to create railroad materials was common throughout the years. Many railroad workers were exposed to dangerous asbestos dust when they worked in steam trains and around them, or inside repair shops. class action lawsuit against norfolk southern railroad was often taken home with the workers' clothing and hair, exposing their loved ones to the deadly material.
Despite the risks of asbestos exposure, many railroad companies were unaware or oblivious to its potential for harming workers' health for years. This is why some railroad workers who had an asbestos-related cancer diagnosis later in life were not awarded adequate compensation from their employers.
Asbestos lawsuits are different from other workers' compensation claims due to their complexity. Railroad workers could be able to claim compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA). FELA is an alternative to traditional workers compensation laws. FELA permits railroad employees suffering from asbestos-related diseases to file claims if they can prove that their employer's negligence was the cause of their illness.
Plaintiffs in the case claim that the railroad had contaminated Fifth Ward with dangerous chemicals, and failed to clean it up. People who lived in the area at the time of the contamination suffered from a variety health issues such as throat and lung cancer, asthma, and other respiratory ailments. The contamination also caused an increase in the value of property.
Lead
Rail workers can be exposed diverse carcinogenic substances, fumes and chemicals. These toxic chemicals are known to cause leukemia as well as other fatal diseases in workers. These exposures are often due to railroad negligence.
Railroad workers are often exposed to diesel exhaust, welding fumes asbestos, silica, and asbestos among other toxic substances. These exposures could cause lung cancer bladder and esophageal carcinomas kidney cancer, as well as other forms of leukemia.
One of the major causes of leukemia and other bone marrow and blood diseases is exposure to benzene. Benzene is a colorless, flammable liquid that can evaporate into the air. It is used in various industrial processes and can be found in the natural environment at low concentrations. It is also found in gasoline as well as other products. Exposure to benzene can have detrimental effects on the body, particularly when it is breathed in or consumed.
If you've been on an train or in the railroad industry and have been diagnosed with a fatal disease such as leukemia, as a result of negligence by your employer Contact Napoli Shkolnik for a free case review. We will assist you in recovering the compensation you deserve for medical treatment or lost income, as well as other damages. Our lawyers are knowledgeable and devoted to helping Texans that have suffered injuries or were wronged.