A Railroad Lawsuit For Acute Myeloid LeukemiaRailroad workers are often exposed to prolonged exposure to carcinogenic chemicals as well as substances like creosote, benzene, and asbestos. If you believe that exposure to these chemicals while working caused your cancer, you may be entitled compensation.The FELA allows railroad workers to sue for negligence. For more details, contact an acute myeloid plaintiff in a railroad lawsuit lawyer.Benzene ExposureBenzene is a colorless and poisonous gas that can cause cancer to people who are exposed for prolonged durations. It is produced in the environment and also from the combustion of gas and tobacco smoke. The skin is also able to absorb the benzene. A railway worker who has suffered from cancer as a result of exposure to benzene may be eligible to file a claim against their employer for compensation.In one instance a railroad employee who died widow was awarded $1,500,000 in damages from the company which employed him. Her husband was pumpman on a variety of tankers in the 1970s and 80s, and was frequently exposed to benzene. His wife filed a suit for unjustified death against the vessel's owner following his passed away in the year 1995 from acute myeloid lymphoma.Acute myeloidleukemia is an aggressive type of cancer that can be fatal in a few months if not treated promptly. Most commonly, it is treated with chemotherapy. However, in certain cases, targeted therapy or radiation might be employed.We obtained defense verdicts in 2 cases, in which plaintiffs claimed that they suffered brain damage due to exposure to solvents during their 23-year journey on rail. The defense provided expert testimony on medical causation and industrial hygiene and the jury determined that the workplace of the railroad was fairly safe.Creosote ExposureCoal tar creosote is a mixture of hundreds of chemicals used to preserve wood, like railroad ties. It contains a variety of carcinogens that are known which include polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The PAHs in creosote are in the skin and can be ingested via drinking water that is contaminated by the chemical. PAHs are also absorbed into the lungs, where they can cause lung cancer.Creosote-inhalation exposure can cause a variety of symptoms such as eye irritation, respiratory irritation as well as nausea and vomiting. It can cause skin burns of the second and third degrees. The coal tar creosote is composed of PAH compounds, including naphthalene as well as other carcinogenic compounds like acenaphthene.Creosote exposure can affect the health of family members and employees as well. For instance, some workers have developed basal cell cancers of the papular type which are typical occupational skin cancers that can spread to other parts of the body. Others have been affected by chronic lung disease the liver fibrosis, esophageal, and esophage and chronic bronchitis.In many cases, the railroad industry isn't able to adequately inform employees on the dangers of long term exposure to toxic substances. It is not uncommon for railroad employees to leave cranes, diesel engines, or forklifts in operation while working. Diesel exhaust from these engines could be inhaled or ingested. bnsf lawsuit soak rags with benzene solvents to clean machines and tools.Worker's CompensationRailroad workers who contract cancer or develop another chronic disease due to exposure toxic chemicals such as benzene or Creosote may be eligible for compensation for their medical costs and other expenses. A New York railroad cancer attorney can assist workers in pursuing claims for damages in the form of money under the Federal Employers Liability Act, or FELA.Many health issues resulting from exposure to carcinogenic substances in the workplace such as diesel fumes, asbestos and silica do not show up until a person is older. Therefore the statute of limitations typically only lasts for three years from the time someone is first diagnosed with the illness. It is therefore crucial that potential victims speak with an attorney for railroad accidents as quickly as possible after being diagnosed.In a case that was recently heard, Napoli Shkolnik PLLC successfully defended an action brought against our client by a former railway worker who was diagnosed with leukemia after years of exposure to toxic chemicals. bnsf lawsuit alleged that the company violated FELA by failing to properly train their employees and provide them with proper safety equipment.The jury gave the plaintiff damages of $7.5 million after concluding that the cancer was linked to his work at the Chicago & North Western Railroad. The man was exposed to benzene by the company and other toxic chemicals such as creosote, benzene and degreasing agents.FELAIf a former railroad employee is diagnosed with cancer as a result of exposure to toxic chemicals on the job or at work, they can be able to file a claim under Federal Employers Liability Act, or FELA. In contrast to workers' comp laws, which provide victims with medical expenses as well as some lost wages, FELA is a fault-based statute that requires evidence that the railroad company did not protect its employees from the dangers of chemical exposures.Railroad companies often fight FELA lawsuits involving occupational diseases. Defense lawyers usually claim that the sick former employee is unable to pinpoint specific instances of exposure to harmful substances. They also point out the lack of test results from an official laboratory that show the presence of toxic substances or carcinogens in the equipment or components manufactured and used by the railway company.If you win a FELA claim and a successful FELA claim, the family members of the victim are entitled to compensation for their past and future pain and suffering as well as loss of enjoyment of life, mental suffering, and other damages. If the victim dies as a result or a result of the accident, the family is able to make a claim for wrongful death to receive the compensation.We partner with FELA attorneys to help railroad employees injured get the financial help they need. Contact us today for a no-cost consultation. We represent railroad workers across the nation, including New York City, Boston and Hartford, St. Louis and Denver, among other cities.