Leukemia Caused by Railroad Work
Railroad workers transport people and goods throughout the United States. As a result, they are frequently exposed to carcinogenic chemicals and substances such as asbestos, silica, creosote, diesel exhaust, and solvents.
The toxic exposure could lead to life-threatening diseases such as leukemia. Fortunately, railroad workers can file lawsuits under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA). A skilled FELA lawyer can help injured railroad employees recover compensation.
FELA
Former railroad workers are at an increased risk of developing lung cancers and colon, as well as kidneys, brains, and blood. These workers could include brakemen, engineers, conductors yardmasters track maintenance technicians, other crew members, as also machinists and office personnel. These workers have been exposed to various carcinogens during their employment including asbestos, diesel exhaust, and creosote. An experienced attorney can help establish that the working conditions led to a diagnosis of leukemia and build an extensive FELA claim.
In contrast to workers' compensation, FELA allows railroad workers to sue their employers for negligence. FELA awards for cancer cases that occur on railroads are typically higher than workers compensation. This is due to the fact that the FELA award is made up of damages for non-economic losses like suffering and pain. An experienced attorney may interview the client, their family and friends to gain an understanding how much suffering.
Asbestos, benzene and other carcinogens are linked to various cancers, such as mesothelioma. Railroad companies used a lot of these chemicals despite the fact that their manufacturers were aware, or should have known, that exposure these chemicals could lead to mesothelioma or other types of cancers. For example, a jury recently gave $7.5 million to one of the railroad workers who developed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) after long-term exposures to creosote, a toxic chemical found in railroad yards.
Benzene
Benzene, a colorless liquid with a distinct smell, is used in the production of lubricants and gasoline. It is a carcinogen that causes cancer in lab animals as well as humans. In particular, exposure to benzene has been linked to acute myeloidleukemia (AML) as well as chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and multiple myeloma.
These diseases can be serious and fatal. copd caused by railroad how to get a settlement can also cause severe symptoms and alter the lives of those affected. Some patients suffer from a condition called myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), where the white blood cells are destroyed. The disease can cause pain, fatigue, and other problems for those who have it.
In turn, those who suffer the effects of these conditions could be entitled compensation. This can include money to pay medical expenses as well as lost income. In certain situations railroad workers can seek compensation for non-economic losses like pain and suffering.
Many railroad employees are exposed to benzene and other dangerous substances on a daily basis. This is often due the absence of safety equipment or training. A FELA claim can assist those who were exposed to benzene or other toxic chemicals in the rail yards to get the financial compensation they deserve. This can be used to pay for past and future medical expenses and lost wages. The compensation may also be used to pay for non-economic damages such as pain and discomfort.
Asbestos
Asbestos is a mineral that naturally occurs is a natural mineral that binds to form an extremely light fiber and almost indestructible. It is an building material since it is resistant to fire, water and sound-proof. Asbestos is also very cheap to manufacture and can be processed into a variety of products. Railroad companies employed asbestos in the manufacture of brake shoes, insulating material and other components of trains. Sadly, railroad companies failed to recognize the long-term risks of asbestos exposure.
The most frequent illnesses that result from asbestos exposure are asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. These diseases have long periods of latency which means that railroad workers who were exposed to asbestos may not experience symptoms until decades after exposure.
Asbestos deteriorates into microscopic fibres which can be inhaled. These fibers can be lodged in the tissues of railroad workers who breathe them into their lungs. In time fibers can lead to asbestosis and even mesothelioma, a deadly form of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs.
If you are a former or current railroad worker who has developed bladder colon, kidney, esophageal the respiratory and gynecological types of cancers; blood cancers such as leukemia and multiple myeloma, or asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer, consult with an expert FELA lawyer. A FELA lawyer will review your case to determine if there is an opportunity to claim.
Diesel Exhaust
Diesel exhaust is a common cause of concern for railroad workers. This is due to trains traveling across the country to move people and goods. Every year, American railroads move 30 million passengers and 1.6 billion tons of freight. This includes trucks, cars, chemicals, oil, grain, lumber and other items.
Diesel exhaust is a complicated mixture of soot particles and carbon, in addition to more than 40 organic compounds that have been proven to cause cancer. Soot particles can be inhaled and inhaled which is why they are particularly harmful. The soot particles can also cling onto other chemicals in exhaust, making them more toxic.
Long-term exposure to diesel exhaust could cause health issues, such as asthma and heart disease, as well as lung cancer. In addition, it may cause a myriad of problems, such as irritation of the eyes and throat, wheezing and difficulty breathing and making pre-existing allergies worse.
Exposure to diesel exhaust could increase the risk of leukemia in railway workers. It is a source of benzene, one of the chemicals that is extremely harmful. It is a liquid that is non-flammable, colorless and has an unpleasant odor. It is often found in gasoline, but it can also be found in products such as glue, paint, and detergents. The bone marrow is affected by benzene and blood production. It can also cause leukemia and myeloma.