blacklands railroad lawsuit Can Help Workers Sue For Blood Cancer
Railroad workers exposed to a myriad of carcinogenic chemicals while on their jobs face serious health risks. A lawyer for cancer of the railroad can help employees who have been diagnosed with cancer or any other chronic illness.
For instance, CN railroad yard workers have been exposed for decades to the wood-preservative molecule creosote and a few have been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. Similar to this, research has linked the weedkiller glyphosate to an increased risk of lung cancer.
Benzene
The chemical benzene is a clear liquid that has a sweet odor. It can be absorbed by the skin, and then evaporates quickly. It is used in a wide variety of products including lubricants and solvents. It can also be found in gasoline and diesel. The World Health Organization lists benzene as carcinogenic to humans. Exposure to benzene is linked to a variety of blood cancers including acute myelogenous lukemia (AML) in children and chronic lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) in adults.
Acute myelogenous cancer can cause changes in bone marrow and red blood cells and also white blood cells. This can cause blood tumors that alter the immune system and can cause serious adverse negative effects. It can also affect your nervous system and brain. It is estimated that nearly 200,000 railroad workers are living with AML or other blood cancers resulting from their job-related exposure to harmful chemicals.
In the past, railroad employees were exposed to diesel fumes, as well as creosote and pesticides. These carcinogens were used in a wide range of railyard tasks such as the maintenance of track and other infrastructure. BNSF was mandated by federal law to protect workers from these dangerous chemicals. This lack of protection led to many cases of chronic and debilitating disease. A competent lawyer can help you seek compensation for your losses under FELA which is the Federal Employers Liability Act.
Creosote
Creosote is often used on the wood that is treated by railroad workers. The harmful chemicals enter the skin and start to harm cells. Over time, a railroad worker can develop blood cancer as a result of exposure. The cancer can vary from acute myeloid leukemia to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, myelodysplastic syndrome and more. Exposure to these chemicals can also cause lung, bladder and skin cancers.
Railroad lawsuits claim that the railroad did not inform its employees of the risks and failed to take steps to safeguard them. Certain chemicals could also cause skin burns. Symptoms of creosote exposure include burning in the throat and mouth smoking, a sour smell stomach pain, and a itchy rash.
A recent instance involves a railroad worker who claims his exposure chemicals and toxins led him to suffer from chronic health problems. He claims that his job required him handle ties soaked in solvents and creosote. He also said that he wore gloves sprayed with creosote.
A jury has awarded an ex-railway worker $7.5 Million for his injuries related to creosote as well as other chemicals that were ingested while working. He filed an action under the Federal Employers Liability Act, asserting that the railroad did not provide him with proper safety equipment.
Asbestos
Railroad workers may be exposed to a range of chemicals which include welding fumes asbestos, diesel exhaust, and silica. As a result, they are at risk of a variety of diseases and conditions. Other illnesses and injuries are also linked to railway work. A railroad lawyer who is knowledgeable about the law can assess the case of a worker, and help to get the full amount of compensation they are entitled to under federal laws.
Benzene was banned in the United States over 20 years ago. However, it's still present in degreasers and solvents used by railroad workers. It's a byproduct of diesel exhaust that can cause anemia. Workers have also been affected by lymphoma, cancer that affects blood cells.
CSX Railroad Company has been sued by a variety of employees who claim that their work exposed them to toxic substances. Eight lawsuits were filed in 2018. In one of these cases, the wife of one Waycross man claimed that his work as a machinist on the railroad caused stomach cancer and caused his death in 2014. In a number of other lawsuits, the plaintiffs claim that they were exposed to creosote, diesel exhaust, and benzene as well as herbicides, weedkillers, as well as asbestos.
Diesel Exhaust
The exhaust fumes from diesel trains are packed with cancer-causing chemicals, such as benzene. It is a clear, flammable liquid that is used in a variety of solvents and lubricants. It is also found in diesel exhaust that railroad workers, like engineers and machinists are regularly exposed to on an ongoing basis. Benzene can cause cancer and leukemia.
Other cancer-causing substances to which railroad workers are exposed include creosote as well as coal tar. Creosote can be described as a thick oily liquid used to treat railroad ties. It is a carcinogen that can be inhaled by railroad workers and is the cause of around 40 percent of lung cancers among American railroad workers, according to the study that ran for 38 years.
Excessive exposure to diesel exhaust can also increase the risk of getting multiple myeloma. This cancer affects the bone marrow and affects the production of blood plasma. Diesel exhaust can also be a source for particulate matter, which can lead to the death of people suffering from chronic respiratory diseases regardless of smoking.
Hughes Law Offices can help you if you're a railroad worker or former railroad employee who was diagnosed with blood cancer or another disease, that could have been caused by exposure to asbestos or benzene or other harmful substances in the workplace. Contact Hughes Law Offices to discuss your case today with an experienced railroad lawyer. The Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) allows railroad employees to submit claims for compensation if their employers are guilty of negligence that results in a workplace disease.