Its History Of Railroad Lawsuit Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Railroad class action lawsuit against railroads - Leukemia Caused by Benzene

A jury has awarded $7.5m to the railroad worker who developed leukemia following exposure to toxic chemicals. He worked for two railroad companies and was exposed to Benzene which is carcinogen.

The plaintiff's work required him to work with creosote-coated equipment and ties. He claimed that the chemical was often covering him from head to toe.

Benzene

The chemical Benzene is among many dangerous chemicals that have been discovered to cause cancer. It is a well-known carcinogen that is found in diesel exhaust fumes, which railroad workers are regularly exposed to. Exposure to benzene is associated with myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) as well as acute leukemia, and Hodgkin's lymphoma among other blood cancers.

Creosote and diesel exhaust as well as other carcinogens are a common exposure for railway workers. Workers' compensation could pay for certain losses and expenses, but not all. A benzene lawsuit against a railroad may aid plaintiffs in recovering damages not covered by workers compensation.

The widow of railroad worker John Thompson recently won a benzene wrongful death settlement against his employer. Her husband Cancer was a maintenance of ways employee of the Chicago and North Western Railroad and the union pacific railroad lawsuit Pacific Railroad from 1976 to 2008. He was exposed to various solvents from petroleum such as benzene-laden sulfosote, naphtha, coal tar distillates carbolineum, paint strippers. John was diagnosed with various cancers, including myelodysplastic leukemia, during his career. John passed away from this condition in November 2009. The settlement that was awarded by the jury was $7 million. The settlement covers a substantial portion of his medical bills as well as lost income, pain and discomfort.

Creosote

Creosote consists of a range of chemicals, including dioxin pentachlorophenol, and polycyclic hydrocarbons. Long-term exposure to the vapors of the chemicals can cause irritation to the respiratory tract. Long-term exposure to creosote has been linked with skin cancer and an illness that is similar in nature to acute myeloid lymphoma.

Creosote is able to enter the body through the lungs, stomach and intestines after food that is contaminated is consumed, drinking contaminated water, or through contact with the skin. It is quickly absorbed by the skin. Exposure to this mix can harm the kidneys, liver and central nervous system. The toxic mixture may be absorbed through the eyes and cause a variety of illnesses.

Railroad workers are exposed to many hazardous chemicals at their work environments. If they are injured by these harmful substances, they deserve compensation from their employer. Contact our railroad injury lawyers today to discuss your case.

The tiny Florida town of Hull was once home to a railroad company that treated wood using coal-tar creosote in order to preserve, waterproof and insect-proof wooden railroad ties. When the company was bought by CSX in the past and the chemicals grew, they began to contaminate the surrounding property. Residents are seeking to sue CSX for contaminating their homes as well as drinking water. EPA Administrator Regan visited the region to gain more information about the situation. Residents say that contaminated drinking water near the UPRR plant can cause childhood leukemia as well as other health problems.

Asbestos

The use of asbestos to make railroad lawsuit materials was commonplace over the decades. Many railroad workers were exposed to dangerous asbestos dust as they worked in and around steam trains or in repair shops. The asbestos dust was often brought home on hair and clothing of workers which exposed their loved ones to the deadly material.

Despite the dangers that come with asbestos exposure, railroad companies have dismissed or cancer denied the dangers for many years. Some railroad workers who were diagnosed with asbestos cancer later in life were not given adequate compensation from their employer.

Asbestos lawsuits are different from other claims for workers' compensation due to their complexity.