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Railroad Lawsuit Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly
Railroad Lawsuit - Leukemia Caused by Benzene

A railroad worker who contracted leukemia after exposure to toxic chemicals has been awarded $7.5 million in a verdict of a jury. He worked for two different railroad companies, and was exposed to Benzene which is a carcinogen.

The plaintiff's job required him to handle creosote coated tie and other equipment. He claimed that he was often completely covered with the chemical.

Benzene

Benzene is one of the dangerous chemicals that have been discovered to cause cancer. It is a known carcinogen that is present in diesel exhaust fumes, which railroad workers are regularly exposed to. Exposure to benzene has been linked to myelodysplastic disorder (MDS) as well as acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and Hodgkin lymphoma among other blood cancers.

Creosote, diesel exhaust, and other carcinogens are a common exposure for railway employees. Although many railway employees are eligible for workers' compensation, the benefits might not cover all of a victim's expenses and losses. A benzene suit against a railroad could aid plaintiffs in recovering damages that are not covered by workers compensation.

The widow of railroad worker John Thompson won a benzene settlement against his employer. Her husband was maintenance of ways employee for the Chicago and North Western Railroad and the Union Pacific Railroad between 1976 to 2008. He was exposed to a range of petroleum solvents, including creosote with benzene in it distilates of coal tar, naphtha and paint strippers. John was diagnosed with cancers of all kinds such as myelodysplasticleukemia during his career. John passed away in November 2009 of this condition. union pacific railroad lawsuits awarded him $7 million as settlement. This amount covers a significant portion of his medical bills, lost income and pain and discomfort.

Creosote

A variety of chemicals are present in creosote, such as dioxin, pentachlorophenol, phenols and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Exposure to long-term chemical vapors could cause irritation to the respiratory tract. Skin cancer and a similar illness known as acute myeloidleukemia have been linked to long-term creosote exposure.


Creosote enters the body through lungs as air pollution, through the stomach and intestines through eating or drinking contaminated water or through contact with the skin. It is quickly absorbed through the skin. It can cause damage to the kidneys, liver, gastrointestinal tract and central nervous system. The toxins can be absorbed by the eye and cause a variety of illnesses.

Rail workers are exposed of hazardous chemicals at their workplace. If they are injured by these toxic substances, they are entitled to compensation from their employer. Contact our railroad injury lawyers today to discuss your case.

The small Florida town of Hull was once home to a railroad company that treated wood using coal-tar creosote in order to preserve, waterproof and insectproof wooden railroad ties. When the company was acquired by CSX years ago, the chemicals spread to infect the property around it. Residents are suing CSX for the contaminating their homes and drinking water. Regan, the EPA Administrator, toured the area to find out more. Residents say that the drinking water contaminated near the UPRR facility have been linked to the development of leukemia among children, as well as other health issues.

Asbestos

Through the years, asbestos was used to make railroad materials. Asbestos dust posed a risk to many railroad workers who worked around steam trains and in repair shops. The asbestos particles were frequently brought home on hair and clothing of the employees, exposing their loved ones to the dangerous material.

Despite the risks of asbestos exposure, many railroad companies resisted or ignored the potential harm it could cause to workers' health for years. This is why some railroad workers who were given an asbestos-related cancer diagnosis later in life were not awarded the proper compensation from their employers.

Because of their complexity, asbestos lawsuits differ from other workers' compensation claims. Railroad workers might be able to obtain compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA). FELA is a substitute for traditional workers' compensation laws. FELA permits railroad employees suffering from asbestos-related ailments to file a claim if they can prove their employer's negligence is the cause of their injuries.

The plaintiffs in this case claim that the railroad had contaminated the Fifth Ward area with dangerous chemicals and failed to remove the traces of the contamination. Those who were living in the community at the time of the contamination suffered from a variety of health issues including throat and lung cancer asthma, lung cancer, and other respiratory ailments. The contamination also caused the property to lose value.

Lead

Railroad workers are susceptible to exposure to numerous carcinogenic chemicals, substances and fumes. These toxic chemicals are believed to cause leukemia and other fatal illnesses among employees. These exposures are often caused by negligence on the part of railroad workers.

Rail workers are exposed many toxins, including diesel exhaust, welding fumes and asbestos. The exposures could lead to lung cancer bladder and esophageal carcinomas kidney cancer, as well as other forms of leukemia.

One of the main causes of leukemia, as well as other blood and bone marrow diseases is exposure to benzene. It is a colorless, fluid that is flammable, and it can evaporate into the air. It is utilized in various industrial processes, and it can be found in low concentrations in the environment. The chemical is also present in gasoline and other products. Exposure to benzene in particular, when inhaled or consumed, could have serious health consequences.

Contact Napoli Shkolnik to receive a free review of your case if you worked on a railroad or train and contracted a serious illness such as leukemia because of the negligence of your employer. We can assist you in obtaining the compensation you deserve for medical treatment as well as lost income and other damages. Our attorneys are passionate about helping Texans who have suffered injuries.

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