Why Nobody Cares About Railroad Lawsuit Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Railroad Lawsuit - Leukemia Caused by Benzene

A railroad worker who developed leukemia due to exposure to toxic chemicals was awarded $7.5 million in a jury verdict. He worked for two railroads and was exposed to Benzene, which is a known carcinogen.

The plaintiff's work required him to handle creosote-coated ties as well as equipment. He claimed that the chemical was covering his entire body from head to toe.

Benzene

Benzene is among the hazardous chemicals that have been proven to cause cancer. It is a carcinogen. It is found in diesel exhaust and fumes which railroad workers are exposed to regularly. Exposure to benzene is associated with myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) as well as acute leukemia and Hodgkin's lymphoma in addition to other blood cancers.

Creosote, diesel exhaust and other carcinogens are a common exposure for railroad employees. Workers' compensation can pay for some losses and expenses however, it does not cover all. A benzene lawsuit against a railroad can help plaintiffs recover damages that are not covered by workers compensation.

The wife of railroad worker John Thompson won a benzene settlement against his employer. Her husband was a maintenance employee for the Chicago and North Western Railroad as well as the Union Pacific Railroad from 1976 until 2008. He was exposed to various solvents from petroleum which included benzene-laden Creosote naphtha, coal tar distillates, carbolineum, and paint strippers. In his professional life, John suffered from multiple forms of cancer, including one type of leukemia referred to as myelodysplastic. He died of this disease in November 2009. The jury awarded him $7 million as an amount of compensation. The amount is a large part of his medical expenses including lost income, pain and suffering.





Creosote

There are a variety of chemicals found in creosote, such as dioxin, phenols, pentachlorophenol and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Long-term exposure to creosote can cause irritation of the respiratory tract. Creosote exposure for long periods of time has also been linked to skin cancer and an illness that is similar to acute myeloid leukemia.

Creosote enters the body through the lungs as air pollution, through the stomach and intestines, either by eating or drinking polluted water or in contact with the skin. It is rapidly absorbed through the skin. Exposure to it can cause damage the kidneys, liver as well as the gastrointestinal tract and central nervous system. The toxic mix can be absorbed through the eye and can cause a variety of ailments.

Rail workers are exposed to a wide range of harmful chemicals at their work. If these toxic chemicals cause harm they must be compensated from their employers. Contact our railroad injury lawyers today to discuss your case.

Hull, a small Florida town, was once the home of an old rail company that used coal-tar creosote wood to make it waterproof and insectproof railroad tie made of wood. When the company was purchased by CSX years ago the chemicals grew and contaminated the surrounding property. Residents are suing CSX over the contamination of their drinking water and homes. EPA Administrator Regan visited the area to get more information about the situation. Residents say that the drinking water that is contaminated near the UPRR facility have been linked to the development of leukemia among children and other health issues.

Asbestos

The use of asbestos to make railroad materials was commonplace over the years. Asbestos dust posed a risk to railroad workers who worked in steam trains and in repair shops. The asbestos dust was often transported home on the workers' clothing and hair, exposing their loved ones to the deadly material.

Despite the dangers that come with asbestos exposure railroad companies have either ignored or denied this for decades. Railroad workers who were diagnosed with asbestos cancer later in life did not receive sufficient compensation from their employers.

Asbestos lawsuits are distinct from other claims for workers' compensation due to their complexity. Railroad workers may be able to claim compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA). FELA is an alternative to traditional laws governing workers' compensation. lung cancer lawsuit allows railroad employees suffering from asbestos-related ailments to file a claim in the event that they can prove their employer's negligence was the reason of their illness.

The plaintiffs in this case claim that the railroad had contaminated the Fifth Ward area with dangerous chemicals and failed to clean up the mess. Residents of the community who lived in the area at the time of the contamination suffered from throat and lung cancers, asthma and other respiratory illnesses. The contamination also caused an increase in the value of property.

Lead

Rail workers can be exposed numerous carcinogenic substances, fumes, and chemicals. These toxic chemicals are known to cause leukemia as well as other fatal illnesses among workers. These exposures are often caused by railroad negligence.

Railroad workers are frequently exposed to diesel exhaust, welding fumes, asbestos and silica among other toxins. The exposures could lead to lung cancer, bladder and esophageal carcinomas kidney cancer, as well as other types of leukemia.

One primary cause of leukemia and other bone marrow and blood disorders is benzene exposure. Benzene is a colorless, liquid that is flammable and can evaporate into the air. It is employed in a variety industrial processes, and it is found in low concentrations in the surrounding environment. It is also found in gasoline and other products. Exposure to benzene in particular, when inhaled or consumed can have a number of health risks.

If you have worked on an train or in the industry of railroads, and have developed a severe illness like leukemia as the result of negligence by your employer or a lack of care, contact Napoli Shkolnik for a free case review. We will assist you in recovering compensation for medical expenses or lost income, as well as other damages. Our lawyers are passionate about helping Texans who have been injured.