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How To Build A Successful Railroad Settlement Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Even If You're Not Business-Savvy
Railroad Settlements and Asbestos

In 1862, Congress passed The Pacific Railroad Act. The act helped to fund two transcontinental railroad companies through large grants for rights of way. Railroad workers who develop cancers due to workplace exposures may file lawsuits against their employers under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).

A jury in Illinois awarded $7.5 million to an ex- Union Pacific Trackman who died of acute myeloid Leukemia. He blamed his blood cancer on a massive exposure to creosote at work and benzene, both of which were used to protect and waterproof railroad ties made of wood.

Creosote

Coal tar - a wood preserver, can be used to protect railroad tie from the sun, heat and cold, rain, and snow. Workers are exposed solvents and chemicals, including benzene, in the process of applying of coal creosote that is tar. Benzene is a known carcinogen and can cause leukemia, myelodysplastic disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma as well as other serious side effects like convulsions changes in your heartbeat, liver damage, anemia, bone marrow damage and cancer of the lungs and skin.

Our lawyers have successfully defended various lawsuits against Union Pacific Railroad involving coal-tar creosote exposure. One of these cases ended in an $7.500,000 verdict. The plaintiff was a track employee who was diagnosed with acute myeloid tumors as a result exposure to chemicals that were toxic on the job for over 31 years. The jury found that the railroad failed to provide any personal protective equipment and regularly exposed him to a large number of toxic chemicals, including coal-tar creosote as well as coal tar distillates, carbolineum and naphtha and other cleaning solvents.

Another claim was about the use of copper naphthenate as an alternative to coal tar creosote. Although copper naphthenate may be less harmful to the environment than creosote it can nevertheless be extremely hazardous. Copper naphthenate is a carcinogen and can cause nerve, skin and lung damage to the lung, skin and nerves. It also contaminates the soil and groundwater with benzene.

Benzene

A colorless, liquid petroleum hydrocarbon, benzene is a component in the production of resins, plastics, nylon and synthetic fibers. It is also found in diesel fuels and exhaust. Virtually all railroad workers are exposed to diesel fumes on a regular basis. Benzene is a known carcinogen, and has been linked to leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).

There is no safe level of exposure to benzene. It can be inhaled or taken in through the surface of the skin. Exposure to benzene for long periods of time can harm blood vessels, causing irregular menstrual flow, anemia and fertility issues. Benzene is also associated with certain types of cancers such as breast and lung cancer.

Benzene is a substance that can be consumed orally however it is more dangerous when inhaled. Inhaling benzene could cause headaches, dizziness, nose bleeds and loss of consciousness. Benzene may also affect the immune system and trigger infections.

railroad knee injury settlements have revealed the high levels of benzene near two Chicago train station. Commuters and railroad workers were exposed to these excessive levels of pollution, which caused schools to shut down classes, and cities to instruct residents to take shelter in their homes. Railroad workers, such as car department employees, locomotive machinists pipefitters and electricians regularly utilize benzene-containing products, like Safety-Kleen parts washers and Brakleen as well as thinners and paints. Benzene can also be found in printing solvents.

Asbestos

The use of asbestos in the railroad industry began in the middle of the century. Asbestos is a group of six naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals that were extremely popular in construction due to their fire-retardant, fire-retardant, corrosion-resistant and insulate properties. Inhaling these particles can cause serious health issues like lung cancer and asbestosis. Symptoms of these health conditions may take between 15 and 30 years to appear.

The EPA has been able to ban asbestos mining and processing in the United States However, asbestos is still found in a wide range of products. This includes some types of paper, flooring felt and fake fireplace embers. When these materials are exposed either to water or heat they may release asbestos fibers. The fibers can also be released into the air when buildings are being demolished or when homes are renovated.

A recent study revealed that even five years of exposure to benzene significantly increases a person's risk for developing acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Contact your doctor if are experiencing symptoms such as night sweats, or a sudden weight loss. They can perform tests on your blood to identify AML.

The EPA settled a recent case against Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services Inc. GWRSI employs locomotives that operate on diesel fuel and emit nitrogen oxides (NOx) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). This EPA settlement requires GWRSI to replace any of its existing locomotives with new ones that meet EPA emission standards.

Diesel Exhaust


As long as diesel fuel continues be used to power freight train railroad workers are exposed exhaust. Diesel exhaust is a mix of toxic chemicals which include carcinogens such benzene monoxide, and formaldehyde. It also contains particulate matter, polyaromatic hydrocarbons as well as nitrogen oxides.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified diesel exhaust as a group 1 carcinogen. Diesel exhaust is also a cause of respiratory illnesses such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or bronchiectasis. A 2006 article published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives linked railroad workers' employment to COPD rates.

If railcars and locomotives are running and idle, they emit diesel exhaust. The idling engines and machinery emit gases in addition to the diesel fumes, including nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide.

The odor of diesel exhaust is frequently inescapable inside locomotive cabs, in which conductors and engineers can sit for up to six hours at the same time. The equipment and engine emit more diesel exhaust fumes when workers enter and leave the cabs. This could cause lung and cancerous issues.

Additionally, railroad mechanics are heavily exposed to diesel exhausts in poorly ventilated roundhouses and shops. They work with running locomotives and track equipment in closed spaces that can produce dangerous inhalants, like asbestos-insulated steam boilers and steam pipes and silica sand.

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