Unexpected Business Strategies Helped Railroad Settlement Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Succeed
Railroad Settlements and Asbestos
In 1862, Congress passed The Pacific Railroad Act. This act helped to fund two transcontinental railroad companies by granting large grants to rights-of-way. Railroad workers who develop cancer as a result of exposures at work can sue employers under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).
A jury in Illinois awarded $7.5 million to a former Union Pacific Trackman who died of acute myeloid Leukemia. The man blamed his blood cancer on extensive workplace exposures to creosote and benzene, which were used to preserve and waterproof railroad ties made of wood.
Creosote
Coal tar crosote is a wood preserver used to shield railroad ties from the sun, cold, heat and snow. When applying coal tar creosote, workers are exposed to a wide range of toxic chemicals and solvents, including benzene. Benzene, a known carcinogen can cause leukemia as well as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, as with other serious consequences like heartbeat fluctuations, convulsions, liver damage, anemia and cancers of the lung and body.
Our attorneys have successfully prosecuted several lawsuits against Union Pacific Railroad involving coal-tar creosote exposure. One of these cases resulted in the amount of $7.500,000 verdict. The plaintiff was a track department employee who was diagnosed with acute myeloid tumors due to exposure to toxic chemical compounds while on working for over 31 years. The jury concluded that the railroad failed to provide any personal protection equipment and regularly exposed him to a large number of toxic chemicals including coal-tar creosote as well as coal tar distillates, naphtha, carbolineum and other cleaning solvents.
Another claim was the use of copper naphthalenate a replacement for coal tar creosote. Although copper naphthenate is less damaging to the environment than creosote, it could still be extremely dangerous. Copper naphthenate is a cancer-causing agent and can cause skin, nerve and lung damage to the lung, skin and nerves. It also contaminates groundwater and soil with benzene.
Benzene
Benzene is a colorless petroleum hydrocarbon that is used to create resins, plastics, and synthetic fibers. It is also found in diesel fuel and exhaust. Diesel fumes are inhaled regularly by almost all railroad workers. Colon cancer lawsuit settlements is a carcinogen that is well-known has been linked to leukemia and the myelodysplastic disorder (MDS).
There is no limit to the amount of exposure to benzene. It can be breathed in or absorbs through the surface of the skin. Long-term exposure to it can damage the bloodstream and cause various health issues, including menstrual cycle irregularities, anemia and fertility issues. The chemical is also linked to certain types of cancers including lung and breast cancer.
Inhaling benzene can be the most hazardous. Inhaling benzene can cause headaches, dizziness or nosebleeds. The benzene fumes can also affect the immune system and trigger infections.
Recent reports have highlighted the elevated levels benzene near two Chicago train stations. Commuters railway workers, commuters and city residents were exposed to the high levels of pollution. Schools halted classes and cities asked residents to seek shelter. Railroad workers, such as car department employees as well as locomotive mechanics, electricians and pipefitters, use products containing benzene, such as Safety-Kleen part washers, CRC Brakleen as well as paints, thinners and other products. Benzene can also be found in printing solvents.
Asbestos
In the beginning, asbestos was used 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 tiny fibers could cause serious health problems such as lung cancer mesothelioma and asbestosis. Symptoms of these health conditions can take anywhere from 15 to 30 years to appear.
The EPA has stopped the mining and process of asbestos in the United States However, asbestos is utilized in a variety of products. This includes certain types of flooring felt, paper and fake fire embers. However, when these materials are exposed to water or heat they could release harmful asbestos fibers. These fibers may also get into the air when buildings are being demolished or when homes are being renovated.
A recent study found that just five years of exposure to benzene can significantly increase the risk of developing acute myeloid leukemia (AML). If you are suffering from symptoms such as night sweats that are not explained, weight loss, or a decrease in appetite or a lack of appetite, see your doctor immediately. They can perform an analysis of your blood to determine AML.
The EPA recently concluded a settlement with Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services Inc. (GWRSI). GWRSI operates locomotives that emit nitrogen oxides and fine particulates (PM2.5) when they run on diesel fuel. This EPA settlement requires GWRSI to replace any of its existing locomotives with new ones that meet EPA emission standards.
Diesel Exhaust
As long as diesel fuel is used to power railroads, workers will continue to be exposed exhaust. Diesel exhaust is a mixture of toxic chemicals that includes carcinogens like benzene, carbon monoxide, and formaldehyde. It also contains particulate matter, polyaromatic hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides.
In fact, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified diesel exhaust as a group 1 carcinogen. Moreover, diesel exhaust is a cause of respiratory illnesses in the form of bronchiopulmonary diseases such as chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) and bronchiectasis. railroad back injury settlements published in Environmental Health Perspectives in 2006 linked railroad worker employment to COPD rates.
When railcars and locomotives are running and idling, they emit diesel exhaust. Idling engines emit gases, like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxidants, in addition to diesel fumes.
Colon cancer lawsuit settlements of diesel exhaust is usually evident in the cabs of locomotives, where conductors and engineers sit for up to six hours at the same time. The equipment and engine emit more exhaust fumes from diesel engines when workers enter or leave the cabins. This can lead to pulmonary and cancerous ailments.
Moreover, railroad mechanics are heavily exposed to diesel exhaust in roundhouses that are not ventilated and shops. They work in enclosed spaces equipped with track equipment, locomotives and asbestos-insulated steam boilers.