A Railroad Cancer Lawyer Can Help Workers Sue For Blood Cancer
Railroad workers who are exposed to a wide range of carcinogenic chemicals while on their job are exposed to significant health dangers. A railroad cancer lawyer can assist these employees who are diagnosed with cancer, or other chronic illnesses.
For instance, CN rail yard workers have been exposed to the wood preservative creosote for decades and some have been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. Research has identified the weedkiller, Glyphosate and an increase in lung cancer risk.
Benzene
The chemical benzene has a clear liquid with a pleasant scent. It evaporates quickly in air and can also be inhaled through the skin. Benzene is a component in a wide range of products such as lubricants and solvents. It is also found in gasoline and diesel fuel. The World Health Organization lists benzene as a carcinogen for humans. Benzene is linked to several types of blood cancers, including acute myelogenous (AML) leukemia in children and chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), in adults.
Acute myelogenous leukemia can cause bone marrow red blood cells, bone marrow and white blood cells to change. This can lead to blood tumors, which can affect the immune system and causing serious side effects. It can also affect your nervous system and brain. It is estimated that around 200,000 railway workers suffer with AML or other blood cancers resulting from their job-related exposure to harmful chemicals.
In the past, railroad workers were exposed to diesel fumes, creosote, herbicides, pesticides and asbestos. These carcinogens were utilized in a wide range of railyard duties like maintaining track and other infrastructure. BNSF was required by Federal law to ensure that workers had adequate protection from these hazardous chemicals. This omission led to a number of instances of debilitating and chronic ailments. A competent lawyer can assist you pursue compensation for your injuries under FELA which is the Federal Employers Liability Act.
Creosote
Creosote is often used on wood treated by railroad workers. The toxic chemicals soak into the skin and start to harm cells. Exposure to toxic chemicals can cause blood cancer in railroad workers over time. Cancers can range from acute leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, and non-Hodgkin's lymphom to acute myeloid cancer. Exposure to these chemicals could also cause lung, bladder and skin cancers.
Railroad lawsuits claim that the railroad failed to inform workers of these risks and failed to take steps to protect the workers. Certain chemicals can also cause skin burns. Creosote can trigger stomach discomfort, stomach pain, stomach burning, and pimple.
A recent case involves a railroad worker who claims that his exposure to toxic chemicals and chemicals led him to have chronic health problems. He claims his job required him to handle ties that were soaked in creosote and solvents. He says he also wore gloves that were treated with creosote.
A jury has awarded a former railroad worker $7.5 million for his injuries resulting from exposure to creosote and other dangerous chemicals he was exposed during his work. wasatch railroad contractors lawsuit filed a suit under the Federal Employers Liability Act claiming that the railroad was unable to provide him with the appropriate safety equipment.
Asbestos
Railroad workers are exposed to a wide range of chemicals, including welding fumes and diesel exhaust. They are also exposed asbestos or silica. In turn, they are at risk of many diseases and conditions. Lung cancer is one of the most prevalent conditions however, other diseases and injuries have also been associated with railway jobs. A knowledgeable lawyer for railroads can evaluate a worker's case and help him or her pursue the full amount of compensation that they are entitled to under federal law.
Benzene is an ingredient 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 can cause anemia. Workers have also been affected by lymphoma - a cancer that affects blood cells.
CSX Railroad Company has been sued by a number of workers who claim that their work exposes them to toxic substances. Eight lawsuits were filed during the year 2018. In one of these cases, the wife of a Waycross man claimed that his work as a machinist on the railroad caused stomach cancer and caused his death in 2014. In other lawsuits, plaintiffs claim exposure to diesel exhaust, benzene and creosote herbicides, weed killers, and asbestos.
Diesel Exhaust
Diesel train fumes contain cancer-causing chemicals like benzene. It is a clear liquid that is easily flammable, is utilized as an lubricant and solvent. It is also found in diesel exhaust that railroad workers such as conductors, engineers, and machinists are exposed to regularly. Benzene is a carcinogen and exposure to it can cause blood system leukemia and cancers.
Other cancer-causing substances to which railroad workers are exposed include creosote as well as coal tar. Creosote is a thick oily liquid used to treat railroad ties. It is a recognized carcinogen, which is inhaled by railroad workers and is the reason for around 40 percent of lung cancers that occur among American railroad workers according to an investigation that lasted for 38 years.
Excessive exposure to diesel exhaust may also increase the risk of contracting multiple myeloma. This cancer affects bone marrow and affects the production of blood plasma. Diesel exhaust is also a major source of particulate matter, which may reduce lung function and lead to chronic respiratory disease mortality, regardless of smoking.
Hughes Law Offices can help you if you are an employee of a railroad or a former railroad employee who has been diagnosed with a blood cancer or another disease, that could be caused by exposure to asbestos, benzene or other toxic materials in the workplace. Contact Hughes Law Offices to discuss your case with a knowledgeable railroad lawyer. The Federal Employers Liability Act allows railroad workers to claim compensation from their employers when they have been negligent and cause a workplace illness.