union pacific railroad lawsuit For Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Railroad workers often have prolonged exposure to carcinogenic chemicals as well as substances like creosote, benzene, and asbestos. If you have been diagnosed with cancer and believe your exposure to these chemicals at work contributed to it, you may be entitled to compensation.
The FELA law allows railroad workers to sue their employers for negligence. For more details, contact an acute myeloid plaintiff in a railroad lawsuit lawyer.
Benzene Exposure
Benzene, a colorless toxic gas can cause cancer when exposed for long periods of time. It is naturally produced in the environment, and also by gas emissions and tobacco smoke. The skin can also absorb benzene. A railroad worker who has developed cancer as a result of exposure to benzene could be eligible for monetary compensation from their employer.
In one instance, a deceased railroad employee's widow was awarded damages of $1,500,000 from the company that employed him. Her husband was a pumpman on different tankers in the 1970s as well as the 80s. He was often exposed to benzene's toxic fumes. His wife filed a claim for unjustified death against the vessel's owner after he died in 1995 of acute myeloid lymphoma.
Acute myeloid cancer is a form of cancer which spreads rapidly and can be fatal within several months after diagnosis if it is not treated. It is usually treated with chemotherapy. However, in union pacific railroad lawsuit , targeted therapy and radiation might be employed.
We obtained defense verdicts in 2 cases where plaintiffs claimed that they suffered brain damage due to exposure to solvents throughout their 23-year career on the railroad. The defense offered experts' testimony on medical causation, industrial hygiene, and the jury concluded that the railway workplace was fairly safe.
Creosote Exposure
Coal creosote tar is a mix of hundreds of chemicals that are used to protect wood, such as railroad ties. It contains a variety of carcinogens including polycyclic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Creosote's PAHs are absorbed through the skin and can be inhaled through drinking water that is contaminated with the chemical. PAHs can be absorbed into lungs where they can cause lung cancer.
Creosote exposure through inhalation can cause a range of symptoms that include eye irritation, respiratory irritation as well as nausea and vomiting. It can cause skin burns in the third and second degrees. The coal tar creosote contains an amalgamation of PAH compounds that include naphthalene, naphthalene, and other carcinogenic compounds, such as Acenaphthene.
Creosote-related exposure can cause negative effects on the health of workers as well as their families. Certain workers have developed papular basis cell carcinomas (common occupational skin cancers) which can develop to different parts of the body. Other sufferers have had chronic esophageal ulcers, bronchitis and fibrosis of the liver and lungs.
The railroad industry does not always effectively inform its employees regarding the dangers associated with long-term exposure to toxic substances. It is not unusual for railroad employees to leave diesel locomotives, cranes, or forklifts running while working. Diesel exhaust from these engines can be inhaled and ingested. They also soak rags in solvents containing benzene to clean machines and tools.
Workers' Compensation
Railroad workers who have been diagnosed with cancer or another chronic illness as a result of exposure to toxic chemicals such as benzene and creosote may be entitled to compensation for their medical expenses and other damages. Bladder cancer lawsuit could help workers pursue claims under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) for financial damages.
Many health issues resulting from occupational exposure to carcinogenic chemicals like diesel fumes, asbestos and silica don't manifest themselves until a worker is older. In most cases, the statutes of limitations only last three years following the first diagnosis. This is the reason it is crucial that anyone who is a potential victim contact an experienced attorney for railroad accidents immediately after they are diagnosed.
In a recent case Napoli Shkolnik PLLC successfully defended a lawsuit filed against our client by a former railway employee who was diagnosed with leukemia after years of exposure to toxic chemicals. The plaintiff claimed that the company violated FELA by failing to train their employees and equip them with the proper safety equipment.
The jury awarded the plaintiff damages of $7.5 million after determining that the cancer was directly linked to his work at the Chicago & North Western Railroad. The man was exposed by the company to benzene and other toxic chemicals such as creosote and benzene as well as degreasing agents.
FELA
Former railroad workers who are diagnosed with cancer as a result of exposure to toxic substances at work might be able to claim compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA). In contrast to workers' compensation laws that provide victims with medical expenses and a portion of lost wages, FELA is a fault-based law that requires evidence that the railroad's employer did not adequately protect its employees from the dangers of chemical exposures.
Railroad companies often fight FELA claims for occupational diseases. Defense attorneys often argue that the former employee is unable to pinpoint specific instances of health problems. They also point out the lack of official test results that indicate the presence of toxic substances or carcinogens found in equipment or parts manufactured and used by the railway company.
A successful FELA claim is awarded compensation for past and future physical pain and suffering in addition to loss of enjoyment life, psychological stress, and other related damages. If the victim dies due to the incident, the family can file a wrongful-death claim to recover compensation.
We partner with FELA attorneys to help railroad employees injured obtain the financial assistance they require. Contact us for a free case evaluation. We represent railroad workers throughout the United States, including New York City, Boston, Hartford, St. Louis, Denver, and other cities.