10 Tips For Quickly Getting Railroad Settlement Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Railroad Settlements and Asbestos
In 1862, Congress passed The Pacific Railroad Act. The act helped fund two transcontinental railway companies by granting large grants for rights of way. Railroad workers who contract cancer from exposure to their work environment may sue their employers under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).
An Illinois jury handed down a $7.5 million verdict to a former Union Pacific trackman dying from acute myeloid leukemia. The judge blamed the blood-cancer on exposure to creosote as well as other chemicals used to protect wooden railroad ties.
Creosote
Coal tar is a wood preservative used to shield railroad ties from sun, cold, heat, rain and snow. When applying coal tar creosote workers are exposed to a range of toxic chemicals and solvents, including benzene. Benzene is a known carcinogen and is known to cause myelodysplastic syndrome, leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lupus as well other serious side consequences like convulsions changes in your heartbeat, liver damage anemia and bone marrow damage. cancer of the lungs and skin.
Our attorneys have successfully prosecuted multiple lawsuits against Union Pacific Railroad for exposure to coal-tar creosote. One of these cases culminated with the settlement of a $7.500,000 verdict. The plaintiff was a track staffer who developed acute myeloidleukemia as a result of exposure to the chemical compound that is toxic in his work over 31 years. The jury found that railroad did not provide any personal protective equipment, and exposed him of toxic chemicals that included coal-tar tar creosote and coal tar distillates.
Another argument was the use of copper naphthalenate an alternative to creosote from coal tar. Although copper naphthenate may be less environmentally harmful than creosote is, it can still be extremely dangerous. Copper naphthenate is a carcinogen and can cause nerve, skin and lung damage. It also has the potential to contaminate soil and groundwater with benzene.
Benzene
Benzene is a colorless petroleum hydrocarbon that is used to create plastics, resins and synthetic fibers. It can also be found in diesel fuels and exhaust. Nearly all railroad workers are exposed to diesel fumes on a regular basis. Benzene is a known carcinogen that has been linked with leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).
There is no safe exposure level to benzene. It can be absorbed through the skin and inhaled. Exposure to benzene for long periods of time can damage the blood, causing irregular periods, anemia and fertility issues. There is also a link between benzene to certain types of cancers including lung and breast cancer.
It is possible to inhale benzene orally however it is more dangerous when breathed. Inhaling benzene can cause headaches, dizziness or nosebleeds. It can also disrupt the immune system, which may lead to infections.
Recent reports have highlighted the high levels of benzene in the vicinity of two Chicago train stations. Commuters and railroad employees were exposed to these pollutant levels, which prompted schools to close classes and cities to request residents to take shelter in their homes. Railroad workers, including car department employees as well as locomotive mechanics, electricians and pipefitters utilize products containing benzene, such as Safety-Kleen part washers and CRC Brakleen as well as paints, thinners and other products. The chemical is also used in printing solvents.
Asbestos
Early on asbestos was employed in the railroad industry. Asbestos comprises six naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals that were very popular in construction for their fire-retardant resistant, fire-retardant, corrosion resistant and insulate properties. Inhaling these microscopic fibers can cause serious health issues such as lung cancer asbestosis and mesothelioma. The symptoms of these illnesses may take between 15 and 30 years before they show up.
The EPA has stopped the mining and process of asbestos in the United States however it is utilized in a variety of products. This includes certain kinds of paper, flooring felt and fake fireplace embers. When these materials are exposed either to heat or water they may release asbestos fibers. These fibers can also enter the air when buildings are being demolished or when homes are remodeled.
A recent study showed that even five years of exposure to benzene can significantly increase the risk of developing acute myeloid leukemia (AML). If you are suffering from symptoms like night sweats, unprovoked weight loss and suppression or lack of appetite, seek out your doctor immediately. They can perform a blood test to detect AML.
The EPA recently settled a case with Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services Inc. (GWRSI). GWRSI operates locomotives that emit nitrogen oxides and fine particulates (PM2.5) when they are running on diesel fuel. railroad back injury settlements requires GWRSI to replace any of its existing locomotives with new ones that meet EPA emission standards.
Multiple myeloma settlements
As long diesel fuel is used to power railroad workers, they will continue to be exposed to exhaust. Colon cancer lawsuit settlements is a harmful mix of chemicals, including carcinogens like benzene and carbon monoxide. It also includes particulate matter, polyaromatic hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides.
In reality the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified diesel exhaust as a class 1 carcinogen. In addition, diesel exhaust can be an underlying cause of respiratory disease in the form of bronchiopulmonary diseases such as chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) and bronchiectasis. A 2006 study published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives linked railroad worker's employment with COPD rates.
Locomotive and rail cars belch diesel exhaust when they run and idle in roundhouses, depots, shops and yards. Idling engines emit gases, like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxidants, in addition to diesel fumes.
Diesel exhaust fumes are often indistinguishable in locomotive cabs where conductors and engineers work at least six hours a day. When workers enter or exit the cabins, the engines and equipment release more exhaust fumes from diesel engines, creating a hazard for lung and cancer of the railway.
Moreover railroad mechanics are exposed to diesel exhausts in poorly ventilated roundhouses and shops. They work in enclosed spaces that contain track equipment, locomotives and asbestos-insulated steam boilers.