A Railroad Lawsuit For Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Railroad workers frequently have prolonged exposure to carcinogenic chemical and substances like asbestos, benzene and creosote. If you think that exposure to these substances while working caused cancer, you could be entitled to compensation.
The FELA law allows railroad workers to sue their employers for negligence. Contact a specialist railroad lawsuit acute myeloid leukemia lawyer for more information.
Benzene Exposure
Benzene, a colorless toxic gas can cause cancer if exposed to for a prolonged period. cancer lawsuits is generated in the environment as well as from the combustion of gas and tobacco smoke. The skin is also able to absorb benzene. Railroad workers who developed cancer due to exposure to benzene could be eligible for compensation in the form of monetary payments from their employer.
In one instance, a deceased railroad employee's widow was awarded damages of $1,500,000 from the company which employed him. The late husband worked as pumpman on several tankers during the 1970s and 1980s and was exposed to benzene. His wife filed a claim for the wrongful death of the vessel owner after he passed away in 1995 from acute myeloid lymphoma.
Acute myeloid leukemia is a cancer that is fast-moving and can cause death in several months if it is not treated immediately. It is most commonly treated with chemotherapy, but in some instances radiation and targeted therapy might be utilized.
We obtained defense verdicts for an industry class 1 railroad in two cases in which plaintiffs claimed injuries to their brain from solvent-induced exposure over their 23-year tenure on the railways. The defense offered experts' testimony on medical causality, industrial hygiene and the jury determined that the work environment of the railroad was relatively safe.
Creosote Exposure
Coal tar creosote is a mixture of hundreds of chemicals used to protect wood, such as railroad ties. It contains several known carcinogens including polycyclic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The PAHs present in creosote are absorbed through the skin and may be ingested by drinking water that is contaminated with the chemical. PAHs are also absorbed through the lungs, where they may cause lung cancer.
Creosote can trigger various symptoms, such as respiratory irritation, eye problems and nausea and vomiting. It can cause skin burns that are of the second and third degree. Leukemia lawsuit is an amalgamation of PAH compounds including naphthalene and other carcinogenic compounds such as Acenaphthene.
Creosote exposure could affect the health of the workers and their families as well. For instance, some workers have developed papular basal cell carcinomas which are common skin cancers that can spread to other parts of the body. Others have been affected by chronic lung disease, esophageal and liver fibrosis and chronic bronchitis.
In many cases, the railroad industry isn't able to adequately inform employees on the dangers of long-term exposure to toxic substances. For instance, it's not uncommon for railroad workers to leave diesel-powered engines, forklifts and cranes running while they work. These engines generate large amounts of diesel exhaust, which can be ingested and inhaled through the lungs. They also soak rags in benzene-containing solvents to clean equipment and tools.
Workers' Compensation
Railroad workers who contract cancer or other chronic diseases because of exposure to harmful chemicals like benzene and Creosote may be eligible for reimbursement for medical expenses and other expenses. A New York railroad cancer attorney could assist in pursuing claims for monetary damages under the Federal Employers Liability Act, or FELA.
Many illnesses that are triggered by exposure to carcinogenic substances like diesel fumes asbestos and silica are not likely to appear until a person is older. In the majority of cases, statutes of limitations only last three years following the first diagnosis. This is why it is important that any potential victims contact an experienced attorney for railroad accidents as soon as possible after they are diagnosed.
In a recent instance, Napoli Shkolnik PLLC successfully defended an action brought against our client by a former railway employee who was diagnosed with leukemia after years of exposure to toxic chemicals. The plaintiff alleged that the company violated FELA by failing to train their employees and provide them with the proper safety equipment.
The jury gave the plaintiff damages of $7.5 million after finding that the cancer was directly linked to his work at the Chicago & North Western Railroad. The man was exposed to benzene by the company and other toxic chemicals like creosote, benzene, and degreasing agents.
cancer lawsuits who have been diagnosed with cancer because of exposure to toxic chemicals at work could be able to file a claim for compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA). In contrast to workers' comp laws which offer victims medical expenses and some loss of wages, FELA is a fault-based statute that requires evidence that the railroad's employer failed to protect its workers from the dangers of chemical exposures.
Railroad companies frequently fight FELA claims involving occupational illnesses. 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 showing the presence of toxic substances or carcinogens within equipment or parts made and used by the railway company.
A successful FELA claim is paid for future and past physical pain and suffering in addition to loss of enjoyment life, psychological distress, and other related damages. If the victim is killed due to the incident of the incident, the family may file a wrongful-death claim to receive the compensation.
We collaborate with FELA attorneys to help railroad employees injured get the financial help they need. Contact us to set up a free case evaluation. We represent railroad workers across the nation including New York City, Boston and Hartford, St. Louis and Denver, among other cities.