Railroad Settlements and AsbestosIn 1862, Congress passed The Pacific Railroad Act. The act aids in the financing of two transcontinental railway companies by providing large grants for rights-of-way. Railroad workers who develop cancers from exposure to their work environment may make claims against their employers under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).A jury in Illinois gave $7.5 million to an ex- Union Pacific Trackman who died of acute myeloid Leukemia. The man blamed his blood cancer on massive exposure to creosote and benzene. Both were used to preserve and waterproof wooden railroad ties.CreosoteCoal tar creosote is an organic wood preservative used to shield railroad ties from sun, heat, cold rain and snow. During the process of applying coal tar creosote, workers are exposed to a variety of toxic chemicals and solvents like benzene. Benzene is a known carcinogen and is known to cause leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome and non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma as well other serious side effects like convulsions, changes to your heartbeat, liver damage, anemia and bone marrow damages. cancer of the lungs and skin.Our attorneys have successfully prosecuted numerous lawsuits against Union Pacific Railroad for exposure to coal-tar creosote. One of these cases ended with the amount of $7.500,000 verdict. The plaintiff was a track employee who was diagnosed with acute myeloid tumors due to exposure to harmful chemical compounds on working for over 31 years. The jury found that the railroad did not provide him with personal protective gear, and exposed him to a variety of toxic chemicals such as coal-tar tar creosote and coal tar distillates.Another instance involved the use of copper naphthenate alternative to coal tar creosote. Copper naphthenate, although less harmful to the environment than creosote can still be extremely hazardous. Copper naphthenate can cause cancer and can cause nerve, skin and lung damage. It also has the potential to contaminate soil and groundwater with benzene.BenzeneBenzene is a colorless liquid petroleum hydrocarbon that is used to make resins, plastics, and synthetic fibers. It is also used in diesel fuel and exhaust. Most railroad workers are exposed to diesel fumes on a daily basis. Benzene is a well-known carcinogen, has been linked with leukemia and the myelodysplastic disorder (MDS).There is no limit to the amount of exposure to benzene. It can be breathed in or absorbed through the surface of the skin. railroad lawsuit settlements -term exposure to benzene can harm blood vessels, causing irregular menstrual cycles, anemia, and fertility issues. It has also been linked to certain types of cancer such as lung and breast cancer.The benzene compound can be inhaled orally but it is the most dangersome when inhaled. Inhaling benzene can lead to dizziness, headaches nose bleeds, dizziness and loss of consciousness. Benzene may also affect the immune system and cause infections.A recent report has highlighted the elevated levels of benzene in the air near two Chicago train stations. Commuters railway workers, commuters and city residents were exposed to extreme levels of pollution. Schools were closed for classes and cities urged residents to take shelter. Railroad workers, like car department employees, locomotive mechanics, electricians and pipefitters work with benzene containing products like Safety-Kleen part washers, CRC Brakleen as well as paints thinners, paints and other items. The chemical is also used in printing solvents. railroad injury settlement amounts In the beginning asbestos was utilized in the railroad industry. Asbestos is composed of six silicate minerals that are naturally occurring with fibrous structure. They were once used in the construction industry due to their resistance to corrosion, fire-resisting, and insulate qualities. Inhaling these tiny fibers can cause serious health issues such as lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis. railroad back injury settlements can last up to 30 years before symptoms are evident.The EPA has stopped asbestos mining and processing in the United States, but it still appears in many products. This includes certain types of paper, floor felt, and fake fire embers. However, if these materials are exposed to heat or water they can release toxic asbestos fibers. These fibers may also get into the air when buildings are demolished or when homes are renovated.A recent study has shown that exposure to benzene just for five years significantly increases the chance of developing acute myeloid tumor (AML). Contact your doctor if experience symptoms such as night sweats or unexplained weight loss. They can perform a blood test to check for AML.The EPA 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). This EPA settlement mandates that GWRSI replace any of its current locomotives with newer models that comply with EPA emissions standards.Diesel ExhaustAs long diesel fuel continues to be used to power freight train, railroad workers are exposed exhaust. union pacific settlements is a harmful mixture of chemicals, which includes carcinogens like benzene as well as carbon monoxide. It also includes particulate matter, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides.In reality, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified diesel exhaust as a Class 1 carcinogen. Diesel exhaust can also trigger respiratory ailments like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or bronchiectasis. A report published in Environmental Health Perspectives in 2006 linked railroad worker employment to COPD rates.Locomotive and rail cars belch diesel exhaust when they are running and are idling in depots, roundhouses, yards and shops. Idling engines emit gases, like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, in addition to diesel fumes.The smell of diesel exhaust is usually evident in the cabs of locomotives, where conductors and engineers sit for up to six hours at one time. The equipment and engine emit more exhaust fumes from diesel engines as workers enter or leave the cabins. This can cause pulmonary and cancerous problems.In poorly ventilated roundhouses workshops, shops, and roundhouses, railroad mechanics face high levels of exposure to diesel exhaust. They work in enclosed spaces equipped with track equipment, locomotives and asbestos-insulated steam boilers.