A Railroad Lawsuit For Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Rail workers are often exposed to chemicals and substances that can cause cancer, such as asbestos and benzene. If you have been diagnosed with cancer and believe that your exposure to these chemicals during your job caused it, you may be entitled to compensation.
The FELA allows railroad workers to sue for negligence. Contact a specific railroad lawsuit acute myeloidleukemia lawyer for more information.
Benzene Exposure
Benzene, a colorless and toxic gas that can cause cancer when exposed for a long time. It is naturally produced in the environment, as well as by gas emissions and tobacco smoke. The human body can also absorb benzene through the skin. Railroad workers who developed cancer due to exposure to benzene may be eligible for monetary compensation from their employer.
In one case, the widow of a railroad employee who died was awarded $1,500,000 by the company which employed her husband. Her husband was a pumpman on different tankers in the 1970s and 1980s. He was frequently exposed to benzene, a toxic chemical. After his death from acute myeloid leukemia in the year 1995 His wife filed a wrongful death claim against the vessel's owner.
Acute myeloid Leukemia is a cancer that is fast-moving and can be fatal within several months if it is not treated promptly. It is most commonly treated with chemotherapy, but in some cases radiation and targeted therapy may be used.
We obtained defense verdicts for a class 1 railroad in two cases where plaintiffs claimed that they suffered injuries to their brains caused by solvent exposure over their 23 years on the railroads. The defense presented experts' testimony on medical causation, industrial hygiene and the jury concluded that the work environment of the railroad was reasonably safe.
Creosote Exposure
Coal tar creosote is a mixture of hundreds of chemicals that are used to preserve wood, such as railroad ties. It contains a variety of carcinogens that are known, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The PAHs in creosote can be in the skin and can be ingested via drinking water that is contaminated with the chemical. PAHs can also be absorbed into the lungs, where they could cause lung cancer.
Inhalation exposure to creosote can lead to a variety of symptoms like irritation to the respiratory tract, eye problems, and nausea and vomiting. It can cause third and second degree burns to the skin. Coal tar creosote is a rich source of PAH compounds that include naphthalene, acenaphthene and fluorene. Phenanthrene is also a component All of them are carcinogenic.
Creosote exposure can affect the health of the workers and their families and their families, as well. For instance, certain workers have developed basal cell carcinomas of the papular papule that are common skin cancers that can spread to other regions of the body. Others have suffered from chronic bronchitis, esophageal ulcers, and fibrosis of the liver and lungs.
The railroad industry does not often communicate effectively with its employees about the dangers associated with exposure to long-term toxic substances. For instance, it's not uncommon for railroad employees to leave diesel-powered engines, forklifts and cranes in operation while they work. Diesel exhaust from these engines could be inhaled or ingested. They also soak rags in solvents containing benzene to clean equipment and tools.
Workers' Compensation
Railroad workers who contract cancer or suffer from another chronic illness due to exposure toxic chemicals such as benzene or Creosote could be entitled to compensation for medical expenses and other expenses. A New York railroad cancer lawyer can assist workers in pursuing claims under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) for financial damages.
Many ailments related to occupational exposure to carcinogenic substances such as diesel fumes, asbestos and silica are not likely to develop until a worker is older. In most cases, the statute of limitations lasts only three years after a person's first diagnosis. This is why it is essential to contact an experienced attorney for railroad accidents immediately after they are diagnosed.
In a recent case, Napoli Shkolnik PLLC successfully defended the suit brought against our client by a former railway employee who was diagnosed with leukemia following years of exposure to toxic chemicals. The plaintiff claimed that the company was in violation of FELA by not providing their employees with the required safety equipment and education.
union pacific railroad lawsuit gave the plaintiff $7.5 million in damages after finding that the cause of his cancer was directly connected to his work at the Chicago & North Western Railroad. The man was exposed by the company to benzene and other toxic chemicals, including creosote, benzene, and degreasing agents.
FELA
Former railroad employees who are diagnosed with cancer resulting from exposure to toxic substances at work might be eligible to file a claim for compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA). In contrast to workers' compensation statutes which provide medical expenses and loss of wages to the victim, FELA is a statute based on fault and requires proof that the railroad employer is not adequately protecting its workers from the dangers of exposure to chemicals.
Railroad companies are often involved in FELA lawsuits involving occupational illnesses. Defense attorneys typically argue that the former employee is unable to identify specific instances of unhealthy conditions. They also point to the absence of test results from an official laboratory that show the presence of toxins or carcinogens within equipment or components manufactured and used by the railway company.
A successful FELA claim is the compensation for future and past physical pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, psychological distress and other related damages. If the victim dies in the process of the incident, the family may pursue wrongful-death claims to seek the compensation.
We collaborate with FELA attorneys to assist injured railroad employees obtain the financial assistance they require. Contact us for an evaluation of your case at no cost. We represent railroad workers throughout the country, including New York City, Boston, Hartford, St. Louis, Denver, and other cities.