Leukemia Caused by Railroad Work
Railroad workers transport goods and passengers across the United States. In turn, they are regularly exposed to carcinogenic chemicals and materials like asbestos, silica, creosote, diesel exhaust as well as solvents.
This toxic exposure can cause life-threatening conditions such as leukemia. Railroad employees are able to make a claim under Federal Employers Liability (FELA). A FELA lawyer who is well-versed can assist railroad workers in obtaining compensation.
FELA
Many former railroad workers are at risk of increased risk of developing cancers that affect the colon, lungs, brain, kidney and blood. These workers may include brakemen, engineers, conductors yardmasters, track maintenance technicians and other crew members, as also machinists and office staff. These workers are exposed to a range of carcinogens during their employment which include asbestos, diesel exhaust and creosote. A skilled attorney can establish that these conditions led to a leukemia diagnosis, and build a comprehensive FELA case.
As opposed to workers' compensation FELA allows railroad employees to sue employers for negligence. Furthermore the value of an FELA award for an incident involving cancer in the railroad is typically much higher than the amount paid out through workers compensation. The FELA award also includes damages for non-economic losses such as discomfort and pain. An experienced attorney is able to question the client and their family members to determine the severity of the pain.
Asbestos and benzene as well as other carcinogens are linked to various cancers, including mesothelioma. Many of these chemicals were utilized by railroad companies, even though their manufacturers knew or should have been aware that exposures to these chemicals could cause mesothelioma and various other cancers. For example, a jury recently granted $7.5 million to railway worker who contracted acute myeloid leukemia (AML) after long-term exposures to creosote, a toxic chemical found in railroad yards.
Benzene
Benzene is a colorless fluid with a distinct smell and is used to manufacture gasoline, lubricants and other chemicals. It is a known carcinogen that means it causes cancer in lab animals as well as in humans. In particular, exposure to benzene has been linked to acute myeloid leukemia (AML) as well as chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and multiple myeloma.
These diseases can be fatal. These diseases can cause chronic symptoms and alter the lives of those affected. For example, some patients experience a condition called myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) which happens when the blood cells that produce white blood cells are destroyed. The disease can cause pain, fatigue, and other problems for those who have it.
In turn, those who are suffering from the effects of these conditions could be entitled compensation. This includes compensation for medical expenses and lost wages. In certain instances, railroad workers can also claim compensation for non-economic losses like suffering and pain.
Many railroad workers are exposed to benzene and other hazardous chemicals on a daily basis. This is often because of a lack of adequate training or safety equipment. A FELA claim can help those exposed to benzene or other toxic chemicals in rail yards seek the financial compensation they need. The compensation can be used to cover medical expenses as well as future medical costs. It also covers non-economic damages such as suffering and pain.
Asbestos
Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally forms a fiber that is light and virtually unbreakable. It is utilized as a construction material because it is water-resistant, fire-resistant and sound-proof. Asbestos is also made very inexpensively and capable of being transformed into many different products. Railroad companies employed asbestos in brake shoes, insulating materials and other train components. Unfortunately, aml caused by railroad how to get a settlement didn't realize the long-term health risks associated with asbestos exposure.
The most frequent diseases that result from exposure to asbestos are asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. Because these illnesses have a lengthy latency that railroad workers exposed to asbestos might not develop symptoms for years.
Asbestos is broken down into microscopic fibres that can be inhaled. When railroad workers inhale these fibers into their lungs they can become lodged in their tissue. Over time, fibers can cause asbestosis or mesothelioma. This is a fatal lung cancer that affects the lining of your lungs.
If you are a current or former railroad worker who developed bladder colon, kidney, esophageal respiratory and gynecological cancers; blood cancers like leukemia and multiple myeloma; or asbestos-related illnesses such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, talk to an expert FELA lawyer. A knowledgeable FELA attorney can review your case and determine if you are eligible for claims for compensation.
Diesel Exhaust
Railroad workers are frequently exposed to diesel exhaust. Trains travel across America to carry people and goods. The American railroads carry 30 million passengers every year, as well as 1.6 billion tonnes of freight. This includes cars, trucks chemical, lumber, oil, grain and other items.
Diesel exhaust is a complicated mixture that contains carbon and soot, and more than 40 organic substances that are known to cause cancer. Soot particles pose a particular risk because they can be breathed deep into the lungs, and taken in. The soot particles can stick to other chemicals in the exhaust, causing them to be more toxic.
Long-term exposure to diesel exhaust can cause health issues, such as asthma and heart disease, as well as lung cancer. In addition, it may cause a range of other 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 for railroad workers. It is a source of benzene, a chemical that is extremely hazardous. The benzene liquid has a sweet smell, is colorless and is flammable. It is found in gasoline, but also in paint, glue, and detergents. Benzene can affect bone marrow and blood production. It can also cause leukemia as well as myeloma.