cancer lawsuits For Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Railroad workers frequently have prolonged exposure to carcinogenic chemicals and substances like creosote, benzene and asbestos. If you have been diagnosed with cancer and believe that your exposure to these chemicals at work contributed to it, you may be entitled to compensation.
The FELA allows railroad workers to sue for negligence. Contact a specialist railroad lawsuit acute myeloidleukemia lawyer for more information.
cancer lawsuit is a colorless, toxic gas that can cause cancer to people who are exposed over long durations. It is produced in the environment, as well as from the combustion of gas and tobacco smoke. The skin can also absorb the benzene. A railroad worker who suffered from cancer as a result of exposure to benzene could be able to file a claim against their employer for compensation.
In one instance a railroad worker who died widow was awarded damages of $1,500,000 from the company that employed him. Her husband was a pump man on various tankers during the 1970s and 80s, and was often exposed to benzene. His wife filed a claim for the wrongful death of the vessel's owner after he died in 1995 from acute myeloid lymphoma.
Acute myeloid leukemia can be a fast-moving cancer that can be fatal within few months if treated promptly. It is usually treated with chemotherapy, however in some instances radiation therapy and targeted therapy are also possible.
We obtained defense verdicts in 2 cases, where plaintiffs claimed they suffered brain injury due to exposure to solvents throughout their 23-year career on the railroad. The defense presented expert testimony on medical causation as well as industrial hygiene and the jury ruled that the work environment of the railroad was reasonably safe.
Creosote Exposure
Coal creosote, also known as tar, is a blend of hundreds of chemicals used to preserve wood, such as railroad ties. It contains a variety of carcinogens including polycyclic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Creosote's PAHs are in the skin and can be ingested via drinking water that has been contaminated with the chemical. PAHs can also be absorbed into the lungs, where they could cause lung cancer.
Creosote can trigger a variety symptoms, such as eye irritation, respiratory irritation and nausea and vomiting. It can cause skin burns in the second and third degree. Coal tar creosote is a rich source of PAH compounds that include naphthalene, acenaphthene, fluorene, and phenanthrene All of them are carcinogenic.
Creosote can affect the health of employees as well as their families. For example, some workers have developed papular basal cell carcinomas which are typical occupational skin cancers that may spread to other parts of the body. Other workers have suffered from chronic lung disease the liver fibrosis, esophageal, and esophage, and chronic bronchitis.
The railroad industry does not always effectively communicate with its employees regarding the dangers associated with long-term exposure to toxic substances. It is not uncommon for railroad workers to leave cranes, diesel locomotives, or forklifts on the road while they work. These engines generate large amounts of exhaust fumes, which can be ingested and inhaled through the lung. They also immerse rags in solvents that contain benzene to clean tools and machinery.
Workers' Compensation
Railroad workers who develop cancer or another chronic disease because of exposure to toxic chemicals such as benzene or Creosote, could be entitled to compensation for their medical costs and other expenses. A New York railroad cancer attorney can assist workers in pursuing claims for financial damages under the Federal Employers Liability Act, or FELA.
Many illnesses related to exposure to carcinogenic substances at work, such as asbestos and diesel fumes, do not manifest until a person is older. In the majority of cases, time limit for a statute of limitations is three years after a person's first diagnosis. Therefore, it is crucial that potential victims contact an attorney who handles railroad injuries promptly after being diagnosed.
In a recent lawsuit, Napoli Shkolnik PLLC was able to successfully defend a lawsuit filed against our client by an ex-railroad employee who was diagnosed with leukemia as a result of years of exposure toxic chemicals. The plaintiff alleged that the company violated FELA by failing to train their employees and equip employees with the correct safety equipment.
The jury awarded the plaintiff damages of $7.5 million after determining that the cancer was directly linked to his work at the Chicago & North Western Railroad. The man was exposed to benzene by the company and other toxic chemicals like creosote, benzene, and degreasing agents.
FELA
If a former railroad employee is diagnosed with cancer resulting from exposure to toxic substances during their work the worker may make a claim under the Federal Employers Liability Act, or FELA. In union pacific railroad lawsuit to workers' comp laws that provide victims with medical expenses and some lost wages, FELA is a fault-based law that requires proof that the railroad's employer was negligent in protecting its workers from the dangers of chemical exposures.
Railroad companies frequently fight FELA claims involving occupational illnesses. Defense lawyers usually argue that the sick former employee is unable identify specific instances of exposure to harmful substances. They are also critical of official tests that show the presence or carcinogens or toxins in equipment or parts used by the railway.
In a successful FELA claim family members of the victim can be compensated for past and future suffering and loss of enjoyment life, mental stress, and other damages. If the victim dies as a result then the family can bring a wrongful-death lawsuit to claim the compensation.
At Napoli Shkolnik PLLC, we work with experienced FELA lawyers to assist injured railroad workers get the financial help they require. Contact us for an appointment for a free case assessment. We represent railroad workers across the nation including New York City, Boston and Hartford, St. Louis and Denver among others.