5 Lessons You Can Learn From Railroad Settlement Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Railroad Settlements and Asbestos
In 1862, Congress passed the Pacific Railroad Act, which helped to fund two transcontinental railroads by the granting of large amounts of lands for rights-of-way. Railroad workers who contract cancer because of exposure to their workplaces are able to sue their employers under the Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA).
An Illinois jury has handed down a $7.5 million verdict to an ex- Union Pacific trackman dying from acute myeloid leukemia. He blamed his blood cancer on massive exposure to creosote and benzene. These chemicals were used to preserve and waterproof wooden railroad ties.
Creosote
Coal tar is an organic wood preservative used to shield railroad ties from sun, cold, heat, rain and snow. Workers are exposed to harmful solvents and chemicals, such as benzene in the application of coal creosote that is tar. Benzene is a well-known carcinogen can cause leukemia as well as non-Hodgkin lymphoma, as well as other serious effects like heartbeat and convulsions, liver damage, anemia and cancers of the lung and body.
Our lawyers have been successful in prosecuting several lawsuits against the Union Pacific Railroad involving coal-tar creosote exposure. One of these cases resulted in a $7,500,000 verdict. Colon cancer lawsuit settlements was a track department employee who was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia due to exposure to the toxic chemical compound on his job over 31 years. The jury concluded that the railroad did not provide any personal protective equipment and frequently exposed him to a wide variety of harmful chemicals such as coal-tar creosote and coal tar distillates, naphtha, carbolineum and other cleaning solvents.
Another claim was about the use of copper naphthenate a substitute for coal tar creosote. While copper naphthenate isn't as harmful to the environment than creosote is, it can nevertheless be extremely hazardous. Copper naphthenate is known to cause lung, skin and nerve damage. It also has the potential to contaminate soil and groundwater with benzene.
Benzene
A colorless, liquid petroleum hydrocarbon, benzene is used in production of resins, plastics nylon, synthetic fibers and other. It is also used in diesel fuels and exhaust. Most railroad workers are exposed to diesel fumes regularly on a basis. Benzene, a known carcinogen has been linked to leukemia as well as the myelodysplastic disease (MDS).
There is no safe exposure to benzene. It can be inhaled or absorbs through the surface of the skin. railroad injury settlement amounts -term exposure to the benzene compound can damage the blood, causing irregular menstrual cycles, anemia, and fertility issues. There is also a link between benzene to certain types of cancer which include lung and breast cancer.
It is possible to inhale benzene orally but it is the most hazardous when inhaled. Inhaling benzene can lead to headaches, dizziness, nose bleeds and loss of consciousness. Benzene can also interfere with the immune system, which can result in infections.
Recent reports have revealed the high levels of benzene near two Chicago train station. Commuters and railroad workers were exposed to these high levels of pollution, that led to schools closing classes and cities to ask residents to take shelter. Railroad workers, including car department employees, locomotive machinists pipefitters and electricians, often utilize benzene-containing products, such as Safety-Kleen parts washers as well as CRC Brakleen as well as thinners and paints. Also, benzene is used in printing solvents.
Asbestos
The asbestos usage in the railroad industry was discovered in the early days. Asbestos is a group of six naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals that were once highly sought-after in construction due to their fire-retardant corrosion-resistant, fire-retardant, and insulate properties. Inhaling these tiny fibers could cause serious health issues such as lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis. Symptoms of these health conditions can take anywhere from 15 to 30 years to show.
The EPA has banned asbestos mining and processing in the United States, but it still appears in a number of products. railroad injury settlement amounts includes certain types of flooring felt, paper and fake fire embers. However, if these materials are exposed to water or heat they could release toxic asbestos fibers. These fibers can also be released into air during demolition or home remodeling.
A recent study has discovered that exposure to benzene even for five years significantly increases the likelihood of developing acute myeloid cancer (AML). Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing symptoms such as night sweats, or a sudden weight loss. They can conduct an examination of your blood to look for AML.
The EPA has settled a case against Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services Inc. GWRSI utilizes locomotives that operate on diesel fuel and emit nitrogen oxides (NOx) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). railroad back injury settlements requires that GWRSI replace any of its locomotives with newer models that meet EPA emissions standards.
Diesel Exhaust
As long as diesel fuel is used to power freight trains, railroad workers will remain exposed to exhaust. Diesel exhaust is a mix of harmful chemicals that include carcinogens like benzene and carbon monoxide, and formaldehyde. It also contains oxides of nitrogen as well as particulate matter and polyaromatic hydrocarbons.
In reality the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified diesel exhaust as a class 1 carcinogen. Additionally, diesel exhaust is an underlying cause of respiratory disease in the form of bronchiopulmonary diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bronchiectasis. An article published in Environmental Health Perspectives in 2006 related railroad worker employment to COPD rates.
When locomotives and railcars are running and idling they emit diesel exhaust. The machinery and engines that idle emit gases in addition diesel fumes, which include nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide.
The smell of diesel exhaust is typically present in locomotive cabs, in which conductors and engineers can sit for up to six hours at one time. The engine and equipment emit more exhaust fumes from diesel engines when workers enter or leave the cabs. This can cause lung and cancerous issues.
Moreover, railroad mechanics are heavily exposed to diesel exhaust in poorly ventilated roundhouses and shops. They work in enclosed areas with locomotives, track equipment and asbestos-insulated steam boilers.