A Railroad Lawsuit For Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Rail workers are often exposed to substances and chemicals that can cause cancer, including asbestos and benzene. If you believe that exposure to these substances while working caused cancer, you could be entitled compensation.
The FELA law allows railroad workers to sue their employers for negligence. Contact an experienced railroad lawsuit acute myeloid leukemia lawyer for more details.
Benzene Exposure
Benzene, a colorless and toxic gas that can cause cancer if exposed to for long periods of time. It is naturally produced in the environment, and also by gas emissions and smoking tobacco. The human body may also absorb benzene through the skin. A railroad worker who develops cancer due to exposure to benzene may be eligible for financial compensation from their employer.
In one instance a railroad worker who died widow was awarded damages of $1,500,000 from the company that employed him. Her late husband worked as a pump man on various tankers in the 1970s and 80s, and was exposed to benzene. His wife filed a suit for the wrongful death of the vessel's owner following his passed away in 1995 from acute myeloid lymphoma.
Acute myeloid cancer is a form of cancer that spreads quickly and can be fatal within a few months of diagnosis if not treated. The majority of the time, it is treated with chemotherapy. However, in some cases, targeted therapy or radiation could be utilized.
We obtained defense verdicts in 2 cases, in which plaintiffs claimed they suffered brain injury due to solvent-induced exposure over their 23-year rail career. The defense presented expert witness testimony on medical causation, industrial hygiene, and the jury ruled that the work environment of the railroad was fairly safe.
Creosote Exposure
It is a mix comprised of hundreds of chemicals that are used to preserve wood such as railroad ties. It is a known carcinogen including polycyclic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The PAHs in creosote are in the skin and may be ingested by drinking water contaminated with the chemical. cancer lawsuits can be absorbed into lungs where they may cause lung cancer.
Inhalation exposure to creosote can cause a variety of symptoms, including irritation to the respiratory tract, eye problems, and nausea and vomiting. Leukemia lawsuit can also cause third and fourth degree burns to the skin. Coal tar creosote has a variety of PAH compounds such as naphthalene and acenaphthene, fluorene, and phenanthrene, all of which are carcinogenic.
cancer lawsuits can cause negative effects on the health of workers and their families. Some workers have developed papular basal cell carcinomas (common occupational skin cancers) which can spread to different parts of the body. Other workers have suffered from chronic lung disease as well as liver and esophageal fibrosis and chronic bronchitis.
A lot of times, the railroad industry isn't able communicate effectively with employees about the dangers of a long-term exposure to toxic substances. It is not unusual for railroad workers to leave cranes, diesel locomotives or forklifts in operation while working. Diesel exhaust from these engines could be inhaled and eaten. They also soak rags in benzene-based solvents to clean machines and tools.
Workers' Compensation
Railroad workers who have been diagnosed with cancer or a chronic illness because of exposure to toxic chemicals like creosote or benzene may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses and other losses. A New York railroad cancer lawyer can help claimants pursue claims under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) for monetary damages.
Many ailments related to occupational exposure to carcinogenic substances like diesel fumes asbestos and silica don't develop until a worker is older. In the majority of cases, time limit for a statute of limitations is three years after a person's first diagnosis. This is why it is vital that potential victims get in touch with an experienced attorney for railroad accidents within the first few days when they are diagnosed.
In a recent lawsuit Napoli Shkolnik PLLC was able to successfully defend a lawsuit filed against our client by an ex-railway employee who had been diagnosed with leukemia as a result of years of exposure toxic chemicals. The plaintiff claimed the company was in violation of FELA for failing to provide their employees with the proper safety equipment and education.
The jury awarded the plaintiff $7.5 million in damages, after determining that the cause of his cancer was directly connected to his job on the Chicago & North Western Railroad. The man was exposed by the company to benzene and other toxic chemicals, including creosote, benzene and degreasing agents.
FELA
Former railroad employees who are diagnosed with cancer due to exposure to toxic substances at work might be qualified to claim compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA). Contrary to workers' compensation statutes that offer victims medical expenses as well as some lost wages, FELA is a fault-based statute that requires evidence that the railroad's employer was negligent in protecting its workers from the dangers of chemical exposures.
Railroad companies frequently fight FELA lawsuits involving occupational diseases. Defense lawyers typically argue that the former employee is unable to pinpoint specific instances of health issues. They also point out the absence of test results from an official laboratory that show the presence of toxic substances or carcinogens in equipment or parts manufactured and used by the railway company.
If you win a FELA claim family members of the victim are entitled to compensation for their past and future suffering as well as loss of enjoyment of life, mental distress and other damages. If the victim is killed due to the accident or a result of the accident, the family is able to pursue wrongful-death claims to claim compensation.
We partner with FELA attorneys to help injured railroad employees receive the financial aid they need. Contact us today to arrange an evaluation of your case for free. We represent railroad workers across the United States, including New York City, Boston, Hartford, St. Louis, Denver, and other cities.