A Railroad Lawsuit For Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Rail workers are frequently exposed to substances and chemicals that can cause cancer, such as asbestos and benzene. If cancer lawsuit 've been diagnosed with cancer and believe that your exposure to these chemicals while working caused it, you could be entitled to compensation.
The FELA allows railroad workers to sue for negligence. Contact a dedicated railroad lawsuit acute myeloid leukemia lawyer for more details.
Benzene Exposure
Benzene, a colorless toxic gas can cause cancer when exposed to it for a long time. It is created in the environment, as well as through the release of gas and tobacco smoke. The skin is also able to absorb benzene. A railroad worker who has developed cancer as a result of exposure to benzene could be eligible for compensation in the form of monetary payments from their employer.
In one case a railroad employee who died widow was awarded $1,500,000 in damages from the company which employed him. Her husband, who died in 1995, worked as an engineer on various tankers during the 1970s and 1980s and was often exposed to benzene. His wife filed a suit for wrongful death against the vessel owner after he died in 1995 from acute myeloid lymphoma.
Acute myeloid cancer is a type of cancer that spreads quickly and can be fatal within a few months of diagnosis if it is not treated. The majority of cases, it is treated by chemotherapy. However, in some cases, targeted therapy and radiation might be employed.
We have obtained defense verdicts in two cases, in which plaintiffs claimed brain injury from exposure to solvents throughout their 23-year railroad career. The defense presented expert testimony on medical causation and industrial hygiene and the jury ruled that the railroad's work environment was relatively safe.
Creosote Exposure
It is a mixture consisting of hundreds of chemicals used to preserve wood such as railroad ties. It contains a variety of carcinogens including polycyclic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The PAHs present in creosote may be taken up through the surface of the skin or inhaled by drinking water that is contaminated with this chemical. PAHs also get absorbed by cancer lawsuits , where they may cause lung cancer.
Inhalation exposure to creosote can cause a variety of symptoms like respiratory irritation, eye problems and nausea and vomiting. It can cause third and second degree burns to the skin. Coal tar creosote consists of a number of PAH compounds which include acenaphthene, naphthalene, fluorene, and phenanthrene each of which is carcinogenic.
Creosote exposure could cause negative effects on the health of employees as well as their families. For example, some workers have developed basal cell carcinomas of the papular papule which are typical occupational skin cancers that can spread to other areas of the body. Others have been affected by chronic lung disease, esophageal and liver fibrosis and chronic bronchitis.
The railroad industry isn't always effectively communicate with its employees about the dangers that come with long-term exposure to toxic substances. It is not uncommon for railroad workers to leave cranes, diesel locomotives, or forklifts running while working. These engines generate large amounts of diesel exhaust, which can be ingested and inhaled through the lungs. They also soak rags in benzene containing solvents to clean machines and tools.
Worker's Compensation
Railroad workers who have been diagnosed with cancer or a chronic illness as a result of exposure to toxic chemicals such as benzene and creosote may be entitled to compensation for their medical expenses and other losses. A New York railroad cancer lawyer can help claimants pursue claims under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) for damages in the form of money.
Many diseases that are triggered by exposure to carcinogenic substances in the workplace, such as asbestos and diesel fumes don't manifest until the worker is older. In most cases, the time limit for a statute of limitations is three years after the first diagnosis. This is why it is important to contact an experienced attorney for railroad accidents within the first few days after they are diagnosed.
In a case that was recently heard, Napoli Shkolnik PLLC successfully defended the suit brought against our client by a former railway worker who was diagnosed with leukemia following years of exposure to toxic chemicals. The plaintiff claimed the company was in violation of FELA by not providing their employees with the proper safety equipment and training.
The jury gave the plaintiff damages of $7.5 million after concluding that the cancer was directly related to his work at the Chicago & North Western Railroad. cancer lawsuits was exposed to various toxic chemicals including benzene, creosote, and degreasing solvents when working for the company.
FELA
Former railroad workers who are diagnosed with cancer resulting from exposure to toxic substances at work might be eligible to file a claim for compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA). In contrast to workers' compensation laws, which provide victims with medical expenses and some loss of wages, FELA is a fault-based statute that requires evidence that the railroad's employer failed to protect its workers from the dangers of chemical exposures.
Railroad companies frequently fight FELA lawsuits that concern occupational diseases. Defense lawyers often argue that the former employee isn't able to pinpoint specific instances of health problems. They also point to the lack of test results from an official laboratory that show the presence of toxic substances or carcinogens found in equipment or parts manufactured and used by the railway company.
In the event of a successful FELA claim family members of the victim can be compensated for past and future pain and suffering as well as the loss of enjoyment from life, mental distress, and other damages. If the victim dies as a result of their injuries, a wrongful death claim may be pursued to seek compensation for the deceased's family members.
At Napoli Shkolnik PLLC, we work with experienced FELA lawyers to assist injured railroad workers obtain the financial support they need. Contact us to set up an evaluation of your case for free. We represent railroad workers across the United States, including New York City, Boston, Hartford, St. Louis, Denver, and other cities.