Multiple Myeloma Caused by Railroad WorkUnder FELA railroad employees can bring lawsuits to seek compensation for their injuries. In order to succeed in bringing a claim, the injured worker must show that negligence by the railroad was the cause of their injury.The evidence presented at the trial included testimony from toxicologist who relied on different studies and their relative risks to demonstrate that Harris’s multiple myeloma had been caused by his exposure to diesel exhaust.Benzene ExposureThe exposure to benzene can be linked to a variety of hematopoietic cancers, including Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), Acute Non-Lymphocytic Leukemia (ANLL) and Multiple Myeloma. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, benzene is a Group 1 Carcinogen. The chemical is present in diesel fumes, and many railroad workers are frequently exposed to it.Furthermore, some railroad employees are also exposed to benzene by using cleaning products such as Safety-Kleen or CRC. These cleaning agents contain a benzene type known as methylbenzene. When methylbenzene gets into contact with water, it is converted into a chemical known as dioxin. Dioxins are a group of chemicals that can trigger a variety of serious health problems such as lung cancer.Parker Waichman has successfully represented numerous railroad workers in personal injury lawsuits against their employers under FELA. For example, a jury awarded a former Chicago and North Western Railroad worker $7.5 million for his diagnosis of acute myeloidleukemia following years of exposure to chemicals and solvents on the job.In another instance, a plaintiff was diagnosed with multiple lymphoma following several years of employment as a railroad signal maintenance technician. The plaintiff claimed that his condition was caused from exposure to diesel exhaust, as well as benzene exposure he experienced on the job. Before the beginning of trial, BNSF filed a motion for summary judgment based upon the idea that plaintiff knew or could have realized that his cancer was caused by his exposures to chemicals and environmental dangers during his employment at the railroad.Creosote ExposureA poisonous chemical that is that is used as a wood preserver, creosote has been linked to various cancers including skin and scrotal cancer. Railroad workers who worked on the maintenance and repair of railway ties are regularly exposed to this substance. The National Toxicology Program has reported that workers who handle creosote face a higher risk of developing cancer lethal than the general population.In a recent court case railroad workers sued after being diagnosed with multiple myeloma. He claimed that occupational exposure to diesel exhaust and other environmental dangers caused cancer. The court ruled that the plaintiff was aware of the possibility of harm from his railroad work and could have discovered the injury through a reasonably thorough internet search prior to the time he was diagnosed. Since he was not able to take this step his action is deemed to be time-barred.In a separate instance, the railroad was successful in defending its verdict in a lawsuit filed in Philadelphia County by an ex-railroad worker. The plaintiff claimed that he developed bladder cancer due to the exposure he received from secondhand smoke and other toxic chemicals, like creosote or diesel exhaust.Parker Waichman has also obtained defense verdicts in cases that involve other types of cancers like prostate and lung cancer. These cases were brought by former railroad workers who claimed their cancers had been due to a lifetime exposure to toxic chemicals at work. The firm is prepared to review the facts of your case and explain your options.Asbestos ExposureRailroad employees could be exposed to asbestos during their job. Workers are exposed to asbestos while they work on railroad ties, fix or install railway equipment or work on railroad ties. Asbestos exposure can result in mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other illnesses.In Interstitial lung disease lawsuit filed against CSX Transportation, plaintiff Ronald K. Harris claims that he developed multiple myeloma as a consequence of his employment with the railroad. According to the lawsuit, Harris worked for CSX Transportation at its Laredo rail yard on a regular basis. In the process the worker breathed "harmful chemical substances, toxic chemicals, agents, fumes and particles, and substances including but not restricted to diesel exhaust, welding fumes, creosote, carbon monoxide and phenols. dioxins, and heavy metals."We successfully represented our clients at the jury trial that lasted two weeks, where it was alleged that repetitive lifting and bending while working as trackmen led to herniated disks in the lumbar region, causing a 25% disability permanent that resulted in loss of wages and pain and discomfort. The railroad was found not to be negligent, and the plaintiff received only a minimal award.Environmental ExposureRailroad workers are exposed to a number of different environmental chemicals. This exposure can trigger various health issues including multiple myeloma, based on the type and extent of the work. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with multiple myeloma as because of work done on the railroad, you should contact Parker Waichman to discuss your options.In a recent case, railroad workers received $7.5 million from a jury following his diagnosis with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia. He sued two major railways in the claim that their exposure to diesel exhaust and asbestos caused his health issues.However, the railroads filed an appeal to a summary judgment, arguing that the plaintiff was aware of essential facts and potential causes of his injuries at the time he was diagnosed. The court agreed and granted the railroads' motion, concluding that the plaintiff had failed to make a reasonably diligent inquiry into whether the condition was connected to his employment at a railroad.At trial, the plaintiff presented expert testimony from an industrial hygiene specialist and epidemiologists. Expert witnesses claimed that Harris's myeloma was a result of the exposure he received to diesel exhaust. The expert witness provided numerous studies to support this claim. These studies showed a correlation between diesel exhaust and certain kinds of cancer. There is no credible scientist, however has ever concluded that diesel exhaust is the cause of multiple myeloma.