A Railroad Cancer Lawyer Can Help Workers Sue For Blood Cancer
Railroad workers exposed to a myriad of carcinogenic chemicals on the job face 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 were exposed to the creosote preservative for wood for a long time, and some have been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. Studies have also linked the weedkiller, glyphosate, to an increased risk of lung cancer.
Benzene
The chemical benzene is sweet and has a clear liquid smell. It evaporates quickly in air and can also be inhaled through the skin. Benzene is present in various products, like solvents and lubricants. It is also present in gasoline and diesel. The World Health Organization lists benzene as a carcinogen for humans. The chemical has been linked to various types of blood cancers. This includes acute myelogenous (AML) leukemia in children, and chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) in adults.
Acute myelogenous lymphoma may cause abnormalities in bone marrow and red blood cells as well as white blood cells. This can lead to blood tumors, which can affect the immune system and causing severe adverse effects. It can also affect the brain and nervous system. Over 200,000 railroad employees could have AML or other cancers of the blood due to their exposure toxic chemicals while working.
In the past railroad workers were exposed to diesel fumes, creosote, herbicides, pesticides and asbestos. These carcinogens are utilized in a variety of railyard jobs which include track maintenance, as well as other infrastructure. BNSF was required under Federal law to provide workers with adequate protection from these dangerous chemicals. This lack of protection led to many cases of long-term, chronic illnesses. A lawyer can assist you to get compensation for your losses according to FELA, or the Federal Employers Liability Act.
Creosote
Railroad workers often touch wood that has been treated with creosote. The toxic chemicals penetrate the skin and start to damage cells. Exposure to toxic chemicals can cause blood cancer among railroad workers over time. Cancers can vary from acute leukemia to myelodysplastic Syndrome and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma 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 the risks and did not take steps to protect the workers. Additionally certain chemicals are abrasive and can cause skin burns. Creosote-related symptoms include burning in the mouth and throat and throat, the smell of smoke stomach pain and eruption of rash.
Recent incident involves a railroad worker who claims exposure to toxic chemicals, chemicals and other toxins has brought his chronic health issues. The worker claims his job required him to work with tie clips that were soaked in creosote and solvents. He also claimed to wear gloves that had been treated with creosote.
A jury awarded an ex-railroad employee $7.5 million for his injuries caused by exposure to creosote and other dangerous chemicals that he was exposed to while working on the job. class action lawsuit against railroads filed an action under the Federal Employers Liability Act, contending that the railroad failed to provide him with proper safety equipment.
Asbestos
Railroad workers are exposed to a variety of chemicals including welding fumes and diesel exhaust. They could also be exposed to asbestos or silica. In turn, they are at risk for various diseases and conditions. Other illnesses and injuries are also connected to railway work. A railroad lawyer who is knowledgeable about the law can assess a worker’s case and help them get the full payment they are entitled under federal law.
Benzene is a chemical that was banned in the United States 20 years ago and is still used in degreasers, solvents 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 which affects blood cells.
A number of lawsuits have been filed against CSX Railroad Company by workers who claim their job exposed them to harmful substances. Eight lawsuits were filed in 2018. In one of these cases, the wife of an Waycross man claimed that his work as a machinist on the railroad caused stomach cancer. It resulted in his death in 2014. Other lawsuits claim exposure to diesel exhaust, benzene, creosote, herbicides, weed killers and asbestos.
Diesel Exhaust
Diesel train fumes are packed with cancer-causing chemicals, including benzene. Benzene is a clear, flammable liquid that is utilized in a variety of solvents and lubricants. It is also present in diesel exhausts that railroad workers, like engineers and machinists are exposed to on a regular basis. Benzene is a carcinogen and exposure to it could cause leukemia and blood system cancers.
Creosote, coal tar, and other cancer-causing substances are exposed to railroad workers. Creosote, a heavy oily liquid used to treat railroad ties. It is a cancer-causing chemical that railroad workers can inhale. According to a study that ran for 38 years it's responsible for 40 percent of lung cancers in American railroad workers.
Excessive exposure to diesel exhaust can increase the risk of developing multiple myeloma, a cancer that affects bone marrow and can affect the production of blood plasma. Diesel exhaust is also a source of particulate matter that can cause chronic respiratory diseases and death without smoking.
If you are a former or current railroad employee who has been diagnosed with a blood cancer or a different disease that could be triggered by exposure to benzene, asbestos, or other toxic workplace substances, call 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 were negligent and caused an occupational illness.