A Railroad Lawsuit For Acute Myeloid Leukemia Railroad workers typically have long-term exposure to carcinogenic chemicals and substances such as creosote, benzene, and asbestos. If you believe that exposure to these chemicals during work caused your cancer, you may be entitled to compensation. The FELA law allows railroad employees to sue their employers for negligence. Contact an experienced railroad lawsuit acute myeloidleukemia lawyer for more details. Benzene Exposure Benzene, a colorless and toxic gas, can cause cancer if exposed to for a long period of time. It is generated in the atmosphere as well as from the combustion of gas and tobacco smoke. Skin can also absorb benzene. A railway worker who has developed cancer due to exposure to benzene might be able to sue their employer to receive compensation. In one case the deceased railroad employee's widow was awarded $1,500,000 in damages from the company that employed him. Her late husband worked as an engineer on various tankers in the 1970s and 1980s and was often exposed to benzene. His wife filed a suit for wrongful death against the vessel's owner following his passed away in 1995 from acute myeloid lymphoma. Acute myeloid leukemia is a fast-moving cancer that can be fatal within a few months if not treated promptly. It is usually treated by chemotherapy. However, in some cases, targeted therapy and radiation might be employed. We obtained defense verdicts for a class 1 railroad in two cases where plaintiffs claimed injuries to their brains from solvent-induced exposure throughout their 23-year journey on the railways. The defense provided expert evidence on medical causation, as well as industrial hygiene and the jury determined that the railroad's work environment was reasonably safe. Creosote Exposure Coal tar creosote is a mixture of hundreds of chemicals used to preserve wood, like railroad ties. It contains several known carcinogens including polycyclic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The PAHs present in creosote can be absorption through the surface of the skin, or ingested by drinking water that is infected with this chemical. PAHs can be absorbed into lungs where they can cause lung cancer. Creosote inhalation can cause a variety symptoms, including respiratory irritation, eye problems and nausea and vomiting. It can also cause third and second degree burns to the skin. The coal tar creosote chemical is made up of PAH compounds like naphthalene and other carcinogenic compounds, such as Acenaphthene. Creosote-related exposure can be detrimental to the health of employees and their families. For instance, some workers have developed papular basal cell carcinomas which are common skin cancers that can spread to other areas of the body. Others have suffered from chronic asthma, esophageal esophagus ulcers, and fibrosis of the lungs and liver. The railroad industry doesn't always effectively inform its employees regarding the dangers associated with exposure to long-term toxic substances. For instance, it's not unusual for railroad workers to abandon diesel-powered locomotives, forklifts, and cranes running during their work. Diesel exhaust from these engines could be inhaled and consumed. They also soak rags in benzene-based solvents to clean machinery and tools. union pacific railroad lawsuit who contract cancer or develop another chronic disease due to exposure harmful chemicals like benzene and Creosote may be eligible for compensation for medical expenses and other losses. A New York railroad cancer attorney could help workers pursue claims for financial damages under the Federal Employers Liability Act, or FELA. Many illnesses that are triggered by exposure to carcinogenic substances in the workplace like diesel fumes asbestos and silica, do not develop until a worker is older. Therefore, the statute of limitations in the majority of cases is only for three years from when an individual is first diagnosed with the disease. This is why it is vital to contact an experienced attorney for railroad accidents within the first few days after they are diagnosed. In a recent case Napoli Shkolnik PLLC successfully defended an action 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 violated FELA by failing to train their employees and provide them with the appropriate safety equipment. The jury awarded the plaintiff $7.5 million in damages after finding his cancer was linked to his work at the Chicago & North Western Railroad. The man was exposed to various toxic chemicals including benzene, creosote and degreasing solvents while working for the company. FELA If a former railway worker is diagnosed with cancer as a result of exposure to toxic substances during their work or at work, they can pursue a claim for compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act, or FELA. In contrast to workers' compensation statutes which cover medical expenses as well as lost wages to victims, FELA is a statute founded on fault that requires proof of the railroad employer failing to protect their workers from the dangers of chemical exposures. Railroad companies often fight FELA lawsuits involving occupational diseases. Defense lawyers often claim that the former employee is unable to identify particular instances of ailment. They also point out the lack of official tests indicating the presence or carcinogens or chemicals in the parts or equipment employed by railways. A successful FELA claim is compensated for past and future physical pain and suffering as well as loss of enjoyment of life, psychological distress and other related damages. If the victim dies as a result of their injuries or other causes, a wrongful-death claim could be filed to recover the compensation of the deceased's family members. At Napoli Shkolnik PLLC, we collaborate with experienced FELA lawyers to assist injured railroad workers receive the financial help they require. Contact us for a free consultation. We represent railroad workers across the country including New York City, Boston and Hartford, St. Louis and Denver among others.
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