A Railroad Lawsuit For Acute Myeloid LeukemiaRailroad workers are often exposed to prolonged exposure to carcinogenic chemicals and substances such as creosote, benzene, and asbestos. If you've 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. Contact a specialist railroad lawsuit acute myeloidleukemia lawyer for more details.Benzene ExposureBenzene, a colorless and toxic gas can cause cancer when exposed for a prolonged period. It is generated in the atmosphere as well as through the release of gas and tobacco smoke. The skin is also able to absorb benzene. A railroad worker who has developed cancer as a result of exposure to benzene might be able to receive monetary compensation from their employer.In one instance a railroad employee who died widow was awarded $1,500,000 in damages from the company that employed him. Her late husband worked as pumpman on a variety of tankers in the 1970s and 80s, and was often exposed to benzene. His wife filed a lawsuit for unjustified death against the vessel's owner after he passed away in 1995 from acute myeloid lymphoma.Acute myeloid cancer is a form of cancer which spreads rapidly and can be fatal within the first few months after diagnosis if it isn't treated. Most commonly, it is treated by chemotherapy. However, in certain cases, targeted therapies and radiation can be utilized.We obtained defense verdicts in 2 cases, in which plaintiffs claimed they suffered brain injury due to solvent-induced exposure over their 23-year journey on rail. The defense presented expert testimony on medical causation and industrial hygiene and the jury determined that the railroad's work environment was relatively safe.Creosote ExposureIt is a mixture consisting of hundreds of chemicals used to preserve wood such as railroad ties. Scleroderma lawsuit is made up of a variety of carcinogens that are known such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The PAHs that are found in creosote are absorption through the surface of the skin or ingested by drinking water that is contaminated with this chemical. PAHs can also be absorbed into the lungs, where they could cause lung cancer.Creosote exposure through inhalation can cause a range of symptoms such as eye irritation, respiratory irritation nausea and vomiting. It can also cause third and second degree burns to the skin. Coal tar creosote is a rich source of PAH compounds which include acenaphthene, naphthalene fluorene, phenanthrene, and fluorene each of which is carcinogenic.Creosote exposure could affect the health of family members and employees, as well. For instance, some employees have developed basal cell tumors papular which are typical occupational skin cancers that can spread to other areas of the body. Some workers have also suffered from chronic lung disease, esophageal and liver fibrosis and chronic bronchitis.In many cases, the railroad industry isn't able to adequately inform employees about the dangers of long-term exposure to toxic substances. For instance, it's common for railroad workers to abandon diesel-powered locomotives, forklifts and cranes on the road during their work. These engines produce large amounts of exhaust from diesel engines, which is ingested and breathed in through the lungs. They also soak rags in benzene-based solvents to clean machinery and tools.Workers' CompensationRailroad workers who contract cancer or develop another chronic disease due to exposure toxic chemicals, such as benzene and Creosote may be eligible for compensation for their medical costs and other losses. A New York railroad cancer attorney can assist workers in pursuing claims for damages monetary under the Federal Employers Liability Act, or FELA.Many diseases resulting from occupational exposures to carcinogenic substances like asbestos and diesel fumes, do not manifest until a worker reaches an older age. In most cases, the statutes of limitations only last three years following a person's first diagnosis. It is therefore crucial that potential victims speak with an attorney who handles railroad injuries promptly after being diagnosed.In a recent lawsuit, Napoli Shkolnik PLLC was able to successfully defend a lawsuit filed against our client by an ex-railroad employee who had been diagnosed with leukemia after a long period of exposure to toxic chemicals. The plaintiff claimed that the firm was in violation of FELA by not providing employees with the appropriate safety equipment and education.The jury awarded the plaintiff damages of $7.5 million after concluding 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, including creosote, benzene and degreasing agents.FELAFormer railroad employees who are diagnosed with cancer because of exposure to toxic substances at work might be able to claim compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA). Contrary to the statutes for workers' compensation which cover medical expenses as well as loss of wages to the victim, FELA is a statute based on fault, which requires evidence of the railroad company not taking steps to protect its employees from the dangers of chemical exposures.Railroad companies are often involved in FELA lawsuits involving occupational illnesses. Their defense attorneys commonly argue that the ill former employee is unable to pinpoint specific instances of exposure to harmful substances. They also point to the absence of official test results that indicate the presence of toxins or carcinogens within equipment or parts made and used by the railway company.A successful FELA claim is paid for future and past physical suffering and pain, loss of enjoyment of life, psychological stress, and other damages. If the victim is killed in the process or a result of the accident, the family is able to make a claim for wrongful death to claim compensation.At Napoli Shkolnik PLLC, we work with experienced FELA lawyers to assist injured railroad workers get the financial support they need. Contact us for a complimentary consultation. We represent railroad workers throughout the country, including New York City, Boston, Hartford, St. Louis, Denver, and other cities.