Railroad Lawsuit - Leukemia Caused by Benzene
A jury has awarded $7.5m to a railroad worker who developed leukemia after being exposed toxic chemicals. He worked for two railroad companies and was exposed to Benzene which is a known carcinogen.
union pacific railroad lawsuit required him to handle creosote coated ties and equipment. He claimed that he was often covered from head to foot with the chemical.
Benzene
Benzene, one of the many harmful chemicals that can cause cancer is a carcinogen. It is a well-known carcinogen found in diesel exhaust fumes which railroad workers are regularly exposed to. Exposure to benzene is associated to myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) as well as Hodgkin's Lymphoma and acute leukemia among other blood cancers.
Railroad workers are usually exposed to a variety of carcinogens while working on the job, including creosote and diesel exhaust. Workers' compensation may cover some expenses and losses, but not all. A benzene suit against a railroad can aid plaintiffs in recovering damages that aren't covered by workers compensation.
The wife of railroad worker John Thompson won a benzene settlement against his employer. Her husband was a maintenance of right employee who worked for the Chicago and North Western Railroad and the Union Pacific Railroad from 1976 until 2008. He was constantly exposed to various petroleum solvents such as benzene-laden sulfosote, naphtha, coal distillates carbolineum, paint strippers. John was diagnosed with cancers of various types such as myelodysplasticleukemia throughout his career. He passed away from this disease in November 2009. Leukemia lawsuit awarded $7 million as an amount of compensation. The settlement covers a significant part of his medical expenses as well as lost income and suffering and pain.
Creosote
Creosote consists of a range of chemicals, including dioxin pentachlorophenol and polycyclic hydrocarbons. Long-term exposure to creosote can cause irritation of the respiratory tract. Skin cancer and a similar illness called acute myeloid leukemia are also linked to long-term creosote exposure.
Creosote may enter the body via the lungs, the stomach and intestines, when the food is contaminated or drinking contaminated water, or when it comes into contact with the skin. It is absorbed quickly through the skin. The exposure to this mixture could cause damage to kidneys, the liver and central nervous system. The toxic mixture can also be in the eyes and can lead to a range of diseases.
Rail workers are exposed of hazardous chemicals in their job. When they are injured by these harmful substances, they are entitled to compensation from their employer. Contact our dedicated railroad injury lawyers to discuss your case.
Bladder cancer lawsuit of Hull was once home to a railroad company that treated wood with coal-tar creosote to preserve, waterproof and insectproof wooden railroad ties. When the company was bought by CSX in the past and the chemicals grew, they began to infect the property around it. Residents are seeking to sue CSX for the contaminating their homes and drinking water. EPA Administrator Regan visited the region to gain more information about the situation. Residents say that contaminated drinking water close to the UPRR plant can cause childhood leukemia as well as other health issues.
Asbestos

Through the years asbestos was used in the production of railroad materials. Asbestos dust posed a risk for railroad workers who worked around steam trains and in repair shops. These asbestos fibers are typically brought home by workers who wear their clothing and hair. They expose their families to the deadly material.
Despite the dangers of asbestos exposure, a lot of railroad companies were unaware or oblivious to its potential for harming workers' health for decades. Railroad workers who were diagnosed with asbestos-related cancer later in life didn't receive adequate compensation from their employers.
Bladder cancer lawsuit to their complexity, asbestos lawsuits are different from other workers' compensation claims. union pacific railroad lawsuit could seek compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA). FELA is a viable alternative to traditional workers' compensation laws. Railroad workers who have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease may file a claim under FELA provided that they can prove that their employer's negligence caused their injury.
The plaintiffs in this case allege that the railroad contaminated the Fifth Ward area with dangerous chemicals and did not clean up the mess. The residents of the community that lived in the area at the time of the contamination suffered from lung and throat cancers, asthma and other respiratory diseases. The contamination also led to an increase in the value of property.
Lead
Railroad workers are exposed to a variety of carcinogenic substances, chemicals, and fumes. These toxic chemicals are known to cause leukemia as well as other fatal illnesses in workers. These exposures are usually caused by railroad negligence.
Railroad workers are often exposed to welding fumes, diesel exhaust, asbestos and silica among other toxic substances. These exposures can result in a variety of long term health issues including bladder cancer, lung cancer, esophageal cancer, kidney cancer, as well as other forms of leukemia.
Exposure to benzene is a primary cause of leukemia and other blood and bone-marrow disorders. Benzene, a colorless fluid that is flammable and may evaporate into air, is a chemical that can cause leukemia. It is utilized in various industrial processes, and is also found in the environment at very low levels. Benzene can also be found in gasoline and other products. Exposure to benzene in particular, when inhaled or consumed, can have a number of health risks.
Contact Napoli Shkolnik to receive a free assessment of your case If you were employed on a train or a railroad and were diagnosed with a serious disease such as leukemia, due to the negligence of your employer. We can help you obtain compensation for medical treatment or lost income, as well as other damages. Our attorneys are passionate about helping Texans who have suffered injuries.