lung cancer lawsuit from smoking Can Help Workers Sue For Blood Cancer
Railroad employees who are exposed to a myriad of carcinogenic chemicals on working sites face significant health risks. A lawyer for railroad cancer can help employees who have been diagnosed with cancer or other chronic illnesses.
For instance, CN railroad yard workers have been exposed for decades to the wood-preservative, creosote and some have been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. Studies have also linked the weedkiller glyphosate and an increased risk of lung cancer.
Benzene
The chemical benzene is a transparent liquid with a sweet smell. It can be absorbed through the skin and vaporizes quickly. Benzene is a component in a variety of products that include lubricants and solvents. It is also present in gasoline and diesel fuel. The World Health Organization has classified benzene carcinogenic for humans. Exposure to benzene is linked to several types of blood cancers including acute myelogenous Leukemia (AML) in children and chronic lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) in adults.
Acute myelogenous Leukemia can cause bone marrow red blood cells, the bone marrow and white blood cells to develop abnormal. This can result in blood tumors that can affect the immune system and may cause serious side consequences. It can also affect your nervous system and brain. Over 200,000 railroad employees could be suffering from AML or other blood cancers because of their exposure to toxic chemicals on the job.
In the past, railroad workers were exposed to diesel fumes in addition to pesticides and creosote. These carcinogens are employed in a variety of railyard activities which include track maintenance, as well as other infrastructure. BNSF was legally required to shield workers from the dangers of these chemicals. This was a cause of numerous cases of long term and painful disease. A competent lawyer can assist you seek compensation for your damages under FELA, the Federal Employers Liability Act.
Creosote
Railroad workers are often able to touch wood that has been treated with creosote. The harmful chemicals enter the skin and begin to destroy cells. Exposure to toxic chemicals can cause blood cancers in railroad workers over time. The type of cancer could vary from acute myeloid lukemia to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, myelodysplastic syndrome and more. Exposure to these chemicals could also cause lung, bladder and skin cancers.
Railroad lawsuits claim the railroad failed to inform workers of the risks and failed to take the necessary steps to protect them. In addition certain chemicals can be abrasive, and cause burns to the skin. Creosote may cause stomach pain, stomach ache, stomach burning, and skin rash.
A recent instance involves a railroad worker who claims that his exposure to toxic chemicals and chemicals caused him to develop chronic health problems. He says his job required him handle ties soaked in creosote and solvents. He also claims that he used gloves treated with creosote.
A jury has awarded an ex-railroad employee $7.5 million for his injuries from exposure to creosote and other harmful chemicals he was exposed to while on the job. He filed an action under the Federal Employers Liability Act, claiming the railroad did not provide him with safety equipment.
Asbestos
Railroad workers could be exposed to a variety of chemicals which include welding fumes asbestos, diesel exhaust and silica. They are also susceptible to a wide range of ailments and diseases. Lung cancer is among the most frequent conditions but other ailments and injuries have been linked to railway jobs. A railroad lawyer who is knowledgeable about the law may be able to assess a worker’s case and help to get the full benefits they are entitled to under federal laws.
Benzene is a chemical that was banned in the United States 20 years ago however it is still found in degreasers, solvents and solvents used by railroad workers. It's a byproduct of diesel exhaust, and could cause anemia. Workers have also been affected by lymphoma which is a cancer that affects blood vessels.
A number of lawsuits have been filed against CSX Railroad Company by workers who claim that their jobs exposed to harmful substances. Eight were filed in 2018. In one of these cases, the wife of the Waycross man claimed that his job as a machinist on the railroad caused stomach cancer and led to his death in 2014. In several other lawsuits, the plaintiffs claim that they were exposed to creosote, diesel exhaust and benzene as well as herbicides, weedkillers, and asbestos.
Diesel Exhaust
The fumes of diesel trains contain cancer-causing chemical compounds like benzene. The clear liquid Benzene that is inflammable, is used as an oil solvent and as a lubricant. It can also be found in diesel exhaust, which railroad workers, such as engineers and machinists conductors are exposed to regularly. Benzene can cause leukemia and cancer.
Creosote, coal tar and other cancer-causing substances are exposed to railroad workers. Creosote, a thick oily liquid used to treat railroad ties is a recognized carcinogen. It is a known cancer-causing chemical that railroad workers are able to inhale. According to a study of 38 years it is responsible for about 40% of lung cancers among American railroad workers.
Exposure to diesel exhaust could also increase the risk of getting multiple myeloma, a cancer that affects the bone marrow and impacts the production of blood plasma. Diesel exhaust is also a source for particulate matter, which can decrease lung function and contribute to chronic respiratory disease mortality independent of smoking.
If you are a former or current railroad worker who was diagnosed with blood cancer or another disease that could be triggered by exposure to benzene, asbestos, or other toxic workplace materials, contact Hughes Law Offices today to discuss your case with an experienced railroad attorney. The Federal Employers Liability Act allows railroad workers to claim compensation when their employers have been negligent and caused a workplace illness.