Railroad Lawsuit - 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 known as a carcinogen.
The plaintiff's work required him to work with creosote-coated equipment and ties. He claimed that the chemical was frequently covering him from head to toe.
Benzene

Benzene, one of the numerous harmful chemicals that could cause cancer, is a carcinogen. It is a known carcinogen, which is present in diesel exhaust fumes which railroad workers are frequently exposed to. The exposure to benzene has been associated with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and Hodgkin lymphoma, in addition to other blood cancers.
Railroad workers are frequently exposed to a variety of carcinogens when on the job, such as creosote and diesel exhaust. Although many railway employees are eligible for workers' compensation, the benefits could not cover all the expenses and losses incurred by a victim. A benzene lawsuit against a railroad may help plaintiffs recover damages not covered by workers compensation.
The wife of railroad worker John Thompson recently won a settlement for wrongful death involving benzene against his employer. Her husband worked as a maintenance of ways employee for the Chicago and North Western Railroad and the Union Pacific Railroad between 1976 until 2008. He was exposed to a range of petroleum solvents such as creosote that contained benzene distilates of coal naphtha, paint strippers, and naphtha. During his career, John suffered from multiple types of cancer, including a form of leukemia called myelodysplastic syndrome. He died of this disease in November 2009. The settlement awarded by jury was $7 million. This sum covers a large portion of his medical bills as well as lost income, discomfort and pain.
Norfolk Southern Railway lawsuit are found in creosote, including dioxin, pentachlorophenol and phenols and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Long-term exposure may cause irritation of the respiratory tract. Long-term exposure to creosote has been linked with skin cancer and an illness that is similar to acute myeloid lymphoma.
Creosote gets into the body through the lungs, as air pollution, through the stomach and intestines, either by eating food that is contaminated or drinking contaminated water or through contact with the skin. It is rapidly absorbed through the skin. Exposure to this mixture can damage the liver, kidneys and the central nervous system. The toxic mix is in the eyes and may lead to a range of ailments.
Railroad workers are exposed to various hazardous chemicals in their work environments. If these harmful substances cause harm to them they are entitled to compensation from their employers. Contact our railroad injury lawyers today to discuss your case.
The small Florida town of Hull was once home to a rail company that treated wood using coal-tar creosote to preserve, waterproof and insectproof wooden railroad ties. When Norfolk Southern Railway lawsuit was acquired by CSX years ago the chemicals grew to infect the property around it. Residents are suing CSX for the contamination of their drinking water and homes. EPA Administrator Regan visited the area to find out more about the situation. Residents claim that contaminated drinking waters near the UPRR facility can cause leukemia in children as well as other health issues.
Asbestos
Throughout the years, asbestos was used in the production of railroad materials. Many railroad workers were exposed to dangerous asbestos dust when they worked in steam trains and around them, or in repair shops. The asbestos particles are usually transported home by workers wearing their clothes and hair. This exposes their families to the deadly substance.
Despite the dangers of exposure to asbestos, a number of railroad companies were unaware or oblivious to the possibility of harm to workers' health for decades. As a result, many railroad workers who were given an asbestos-related cancer diagnosis later in life were not given sufficient compensation from their employers.
Due to their complexity asbestos lawsuits differ from other workers' comp claims. Railroad workers may be eligible to claim compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA). FELA is a viable alternative to traditional workers compensation laws. Esophageal cancer lawsuit who have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease may file a claim under FELA in the event that they can prove their employer's negligence was the cause of their injury.
The plaintiffs in this case claim that the railroad had contaminated the Fifth Ward area with dangerous chemicals and did not clean up its aftermath. Norfolk Southern Railway lawsuit of the community that lived in the area during the time of the contamination suffered from lung and throat cancers, asthma, and other respiratory illnesses. They also were impacted by the loss of property value because of the contamination.
Lead
People who work on railroads are susceptible to exposure to numerous carcinogenic substances, chemicals and fumes. These toxic chemicals are believed to cause leukemia and other fatal illnesses in workers. These exposures are usually caused by railroad negligence.
Rail workers are exposed different toxins including diesel exhaust, welding fumes and asbestos. The exposures can lead to many long-term health issues, including lung cancer, bladder cancer, esophageal cancer, kidney cancer and other forms of leukemia.
One primary cause of leukemia and other blood and bone marrow diseases is exposure to benzene. It is a colorless, flammable liquid that has the ability to evaporate into the air. It is used in many industrial processes and it can be found in low amounts in the air. It is also found in gasoline and other products. Interstitial lung disease lawsuit to benzene 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 train or railroad and developed a serious illness such as leukemia, due to the negligence of your employer. We can assist you in obtaining compensation for medical expenses, lost income and other damages. Our attorneys are skilled and devoted to helping Texans who have been injured or wronged.