A Railroad Lawsuit For Acute Myeloid LeukemiaRailroad workers often have prolonged exposure to carcinogenic chemical and substances such as creosote or benzene as well as asbestos. If you have been diagnosed with cancer and believe your exposure to these chemicals while working caused it, you could be entitled to compensation.The FELA allows railroad workers to sue for negligence. For more details, talk to an acute myeloid railroad lawsuit lawyer.Benzene ExposureBenzene is a colorless, poisonous gas that can cause cancer in those who are exposed for long durations. It is naturally produced in the environment, as well as through gas emissions and smoking tobacco. The skin can also absorb benzene. A railroad worker who developed cancer due to exposure to benzene might be eligible for monetary compensation from their employer.In one case the widow of a railroad worker who passed away was awarded $1,500,000 by the company that employed her husband. The deceased husband was a pumpman for various tankers in the 1970s as well as the 1980s. Railroad Cancer Lawsuit Settlements was regularly exposed to toxic benzene. His wife filed a lawsuit for the wrongful death of the vessel's owner after he died in 1995 from acute myeloid lymphoma.Acute myeloidleukemia is an aggressive type of cancer that can be fatal in a few months if not treated immediately. The majority of patients are treated with chemotherapy, however in certain cases radiation therapy and targeted therapy can be employed.We obtained defense verdicts for an industry class 1 railroad in two cases where plaintiffs claimed injuries to their brains due to solvent-induced exposure during their 23-year career on the railways. The defense presented expert evidence on medical causation, as well as industrial hygiene and the jury determined that the workplace of the railroad was relatively safe.Creosote ExposureCoal creosote tar is a mix of hundreds of chemicals used to preserve wood, including railroad ties. It contains several known carcinogens including polycyclic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The PAHs that are found in creosote may be absorbent through the surface the skin or ingested by drinking water that is affected by this chemical. PAHs can also be absorbed into the lungs where they may cause lung cancer.Creosote can trigger a variety symptoms, including eye irritation, respiratory irritation and nausea and vomiting. It can cause skin burns of the second and third degree. Coal tar creosote consists of a number of PAH compounds that include naphthalene, acenaphthene, fluorene, and phenanthrene each of which is carcinogenic.Creosote exposure could cause negative effects on the health of employees as well as their families. Certain workers have developed papular basal cell carcinomas (common occupational skin cancers) which can expand to different areas of the body. Other sufferers have had chronic bronchitis, esophageal ulcers, and fibrosis of the liver and lungs.A lot of times, the railroad industry isn't able to adequately inform employees on the dangers of long term exposure to toxic substances. For instance, it's not uncommon for railroad workers to leave diesel-powered forklifts, locomotives and cranes on the road during their work. These engines produce large amounts of exhaust fumes, which is ingested and breathed in through the lung. They also soak rags in solvents containing benzene to clean tools and machinery.Workers' CompensationRailroad workers who contract cancer or develop another chronic disease because of exposure to toxic chemicals such as benzene or Creosote may be eligible for compensation for their medical costs and other expenses. A New York railroad cancer lawyer can help claimants pursue claims under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) to recover damages in cash.Many diseases that are triggered by occupational exposure to carcinogenic chemicals like asbestos and diesel fumes, are not evident until a worker reaches an older age. In most cases, the statutes of limitations only last three years after a person's first diagnosis. It is therefore important that potential victims speak with an attorney for railroad accidents promptly 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 decades of exposure to toxic chemicals. The plaintiff claimed that the company had violated FELA by failing to train their employees and provide employees with the correct safety equipment.The jury awarded the plaintiff damages of $7.5 million after determining that the cancer was directly connected 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 other degreasing agents.FELAFormer railroad employees who are diagnosed with cancer as a result of exposure to toxic substances at work might be in a position to claim compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA). In contrast to workers' compensation statutes which provide medical expenses and loss of wages to the victim, FELA is a statute based on fault and requires evidence of the railroad's employer not adequately protecting its workers from the dangers of exposure to chemicals.Railroad companies typically fight FELA lawsuits involving occupational illnesses. Defense lawyers often claim that the former employee is unable to pinpoint particular instances of ailment. They also point out the absence of official tests that show the presence of carcinogens, or toxic substances in the equipment or parts that are used by the railway.In a successful FELA claim, the victim's family members may be compensated for past and future pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment life, mental stress, and other damages. If the victim is killed due to the incident or a result of the accident, the family is able to pursue wrongful-death claims to seek compensation.At Napoli Shkolnik PLLC, we work with experienced FELA lawyers to help injured railroad workers obtain the financial assistance they require. 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 others.