Railroad Settlements and AsbestosIn 1862, Congress passed the Pacific Railroad Act which provided funding for two transcontinental railroad companies by giving large grants of land for rights-of-way. Railroad workers who contract cancer from exposure to their work environment may file lawsuits against their employers under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).An Illinois jury handed down an $7.5 million verdict to a former Union Pacific trackman dying from acute myeloid leukemia. He blamed his blood cancer on extensive exposure to creosote at work and benzene, which were used to preserve and waterproof railroad ties made of wooden.CreosoteCoal tar crosote is an organic wood preservative used to shield railroad ties from sun, heat, cold rain and snow. In the process of applying coal tar creosote workers are exposed to a wide range of toxic chemicals and solvents such as benzene. Benzene is a well-known carcinogen, can cause leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, as well as other serious effects like convulsions, heartbeat changes, liver damage, anemia, and cancers of the lungs and the body.Our lawyers have been successful in prosecuting numerous lawsuits against Union Pacific Railroad for exposure to coal-tar creosote. One of these cases landed an award of $7,500,000. The plaintiff was a track department employee who contracted acute myeloidleukemia due to exposure to the chemical compound that is toxic in his work over 31 years. The jury found that the railroad failed to provide any personal protection equipment and regularly exposed him to a wide variety of harmful chemicals such as coal-tar creosote, coal tar distillates, carbolineum, naphtha and other cleaning solvents.Another case involved the use of copper naphthenate as substitute for creosote made of coal tar. Although it is less harmful to the environment than creosote can still be very dangerous. Copper naphthenate is a cancer-causing agent and can cause nerve, skin and lung damage to the lung, skin and nerves. It also contaminates groundwater and soil with benzene.BenzeneBenzene is a colorless liquid petroleum hydrocarbon used in the production of resins, plastics, and synthetic fibers. It is also used in diesel fuel and exhaust. Diesel fumes are inhaled regularly by nearly all railroad workers. railroad back injury settlements is a carcinogen, and has been linked to leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).There is no safe level of exposure to benzene. It can be taken in through the skin and inhaled. Long-term exposure to the benzene compound can cause blood loss, which can lead to irregular menstrual cycles, anemia, and fertility issues. The chemical benzene has been linked to certain types of cancer including lung and breast cancer.It is possible to inhale benzene orally however it is most dangerous when breathed. Inhaling benzene can cause headaches, dizziness, or nosebleeds. It can also disrupt the immune system, which can result in infections.Recent reports have revealed the high levels of benzene in the vicinity of two Chicago train stations. Commuters and railroad workers were exposed to the high levels of pollution, which led to schools having to stop classes and cities to request residents to shelter-in-place. Railroad workers, like car department employees and locomotive mechanics, electricians, and pipefitters use products containing benzene, such as Safety-Kleen part washers CRC Brakleen, as well as paints thinners, paints, and other products. It is also used as printing solvents.AsbestosThe asbestos use in the railway industry began in the middle of the century. union pacific settlements is comprised of six silicate minerals naturally occurring with fibrous structure. They were once utilized in the construction industry due to their an anti-corrosion, fire retardant and insulate characteristics. Inhaling these particles can cause serious health issues including lung cancer and asbestosis. These illnesses can last up to 30 years before symptoms show up.The EPA has prohibited the mining and processing of asbestos in the United States however, it is utilized in a variety of products. This includes certain types of floor felt, paper, and fake fire embers. However, when these products are exposed to water or heat they could release harmful asbestos fibers. The fibers can also be released into the air when buildings are demolished or when homes are renovated.A recent study has discovered that exposure to benzene even for five years significantly increases the risk of developing acute myeloid leukemia (AML). If you're suffering from symptoms such as night sweats that are not explained, loss of weight and suppression or loss of appetite visit your doctor right away. They can conduct tests on your blood to identify AML. Colon cancer lawsuit settlements settled a recent case against Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services Inc. GWRSI operates locomotives that operate on diesel fuel and emit nitrogen oxides (NOx) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). railroad injury settlement amounts requires GWRSI to replace any of its existing locomotives with new ones that meet EPA emission standards.Diesel ExhaustAs long as diesel fuel is used to power railroad workers, they will remain exposed to exhaust. Diesel exhaust is a dangerous cocktail of chemicals, including carcinogens like benzene and carbon monoxide. It also includes particulate matter, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides.The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified diesel exhaust as Group 1 carcinogen. Additionally, diesel exhaust is an underlying cause of respiratory disease in the form of bronchiopulmonary disorders such as chronic obstructive respiratory disease (COPD) and bronchiectasis. A report published in Environmental Health Perspectives in 2006 related railroad worker employment to COPD rates.Rail cars and locomotives emit diesel exhaust when they run and are idling in roundhouses, depots shops and yards. The machines and engines that are idle emit gases in addition to the diesel fumes. These include sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.Diesel exhaust fumes can be not distinguishable in locomotive cabs, in which conductors and engineers are seated for at least six hours a day. When workers enter or exit the cabs, the engine and equipment emit more diesel exhaust fumes which can lead to respiratory cancers and other issues.Furthermore, railroad back injury settlements are heavily exposed to diesel exhausts in poorly ventilated roundhouses and shops. They work in enclosed areas with locomotives, track equipment and asbestos-insulated steam boilers.