10 Quick Tips About Railroad Lawsuit Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

cancer lawsuits  - Leukemia Caused by Benzene

A railroad worker who developed leukemia from exposure to toxic chemicals has been awarded $7.5 million in a jury verdict. He worked for two railroad companies and was exposed to Benzene, known as a carcinogen.

The plaintiff's job required him to deal with creosote coated ties and other equipment. He claimed that the chemical was frequently covering him from head to toe.

Benzene

Benzene, one of the many harmful chemicals that can cause cancer, is a carcinogen. It is a known carcinogen found in diesel exhaust fumes which railroad workers are regularly exposed to. Exposure to benzene can be linked to 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 all common exposures for railroad workers. Workers' compensation may cover some expenses and losses however, it does not cover all. A benzene lawsuit against a railroad can help plaintiffs recover damages that aren't covered by workers' compensation.

The widow of railroad worker John Thompson recently won a benzene wrongful death settlement against his employer. Thompson was a maintenance employee who worked for the Chicago and North Western Railroad and Union Pacific Railroad from 1976 to 2008. He was exposed to various petroleum solvents that included benzene-laden creosote naphtha, coal distillates carbolineum, paint strippers. John was diagnosed with cancers of all kinds including myelodysplastic Leukemia during his career. He passed away in November 2009 of this type of cancer. The jury awarded $7 million as a settlement. The amount is a large portion of his medical costs as well as lost income and pain and suffering.

Creosote

Creosote consists of a range of chemicals, including dioxin pentachlorophenol, and polycyclic hydrocarbons. Long-term exposure to vapors of the chemicals can cause irritation to the respiratory tract. Leukemia-like skin cancers and a similar disease known as acute myeloid leukemia have also been associated with long-term exposure to creosote.

Creosote may enter the body via the lungs, the stomach and intestines when food items are consumed that contain toxins, drinking water that is contaminated or in contact with the skin. It is quickly absorbed through the skin. Exposure to this mix can harm the kidneys, liver and central nervous system. The toxic substance is absorbed through the eyes and can cause a variety of ailments.

Rail workers are exposed to a wide range of harmful chemicals at their workplace. When these toxic substances cause them harm, they should receive compensation from their employers. Contact our dedicated railroad injury lawyers to discuss your case.

Hull is a small Florida town, was once the home of an old railroad company that used coal-tar-based creosote on wood to protect against insects and waterproof wooden railroad tie. When CSX purchased the company a few years ago the chemicals grew and polluted the surrounding land. Residents are suing CSX over the contamination of their drinking water and homes. Regan the EPA Administrator, was in the area to learn more. Residents say that contaminated drinking water near the UPRR plant causes childhood leukemia and other health issues.

Asbestos

The use of asbestos in the production of railroad materials was commonplace over the decades. Asbestos dust was a threat to railroad workers who worked near steam trains and in repair shops. The asbestos particles were frequently transported home on the hair and clothing of workers which exposed their loved ones to the deadly material.

Despite the dangers of asbestos exposure railroad companies have largely dismissed or denied the dangers for decades. This is why some railroad workers who were diagnosed with an asbestos-related cancer diagnosis later in life weren't given the proper compensation from their employers.

Asbestos claims differ from other claims for workers' compensation due to their complexity. Railroad workers may be eligible to claim compensation through the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA). FELA is a viable alternative to traditional workers' compensation laws. FELA permits railroad employees suffering from asbestos-related diseases to file claims when they can prove their employer's negligence was the reason of their injury.

The plaintiffs in this case claim that the railroad contaminated Fifth Ward with dangerous chemicals and did not clean it up. People who lived in the neighborhood at the time of the contamination suffered from a variety of health issues including throat and lung cancer, asthma, and other respiratory diseases. The contamination also caused the property to lose value.

Lead

People who work on railroads can be exposed to numerous carcinogenic substances, chemicals, and fumes. These harmful chemicals are known to cause leukemia and other fatal illnesses among employees. Many of these exposures result of negligence on the part of railroad workers.

Rail workers are exposed to various toxins, including diesel exhaust, welding fumes and asbestos. These exposures can cause lung cancer, bladder and esophageal carcinomas kidney cancer, as well as other forms of leukemia.

The most common cause of leukemia and other bone marrow and blood conditions is exposure to benzene. Benzene, a colorless fluid that is flammable and can evaporate into air, is a substance that can cause leukemia. It is utilized in many industrial processes and can be found in the environment at very low levels. Benzene is also found in gasoline as well as other products. Exposure to benzene could have serious effects on the body, particularly when it is inhaled or consumed.

Contact Napoli Shkolnik to receive a free review of your situation when you worked on a train or railroad and contracted a serious illness like leukemia due to the negligence of your employer. We will assist you in recovering the compensation you deserve for medical treatment or lost income, as well as other damages. Our attorneys are skilled and dedicated to helping Texans who have suffered injuries or were wronged.