Railroad Settlements and Asbestos
In 1862, Congress passed the Pacific Railroad Act which helped to fund two transcontinental railroads by giving large grants of land for rights-of-way. Railroad workers who contract cancer from exposure to their work environment may file lawsuits against their employers under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).
An Illinois jury awarded a $7.5 million verdict to an ex- Union Pacific trackman dying from acute myeloid leukemia. He blamed his blood cancer on a massive exposure to creosote and benzene, both of which were used to protect and waterproof wooden railroad ties.
Creosote
Coal tar creosote, a wood preserver, can be employed to shield railroad ties from heat, sun and cold, rain, and snow. Workers are exposed to harmful chemicals and solvents, including benzene, during the application of coal creosote tar. Benzene is a known carcinogen and is known to cause myelodysplastic syndrome, leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma as in other serious adverse effects like convulsions, changes to your heartbeat, liver damage, anemia and bone marrow damage. cancer of the lungs and skin.
Our attorneys have successfully prosecuted several lawsuits against Union Pacific Railroad involving coal-tar creosote exposure. railroad injury settlement amounts of these cases culminated in the settlement of a $7.500,000 verdict. The plaintiff was a track department employee was diagnosed with acute myeloid cancer as a result exposure to chemicals that were toxic on the job for 31 years. The jury concluded that the railroad failed to provide any personal protective equipment and regularly exposed him to a broad range of toxic chemicals, including coal-tar creosote, coal distillates, carbolineum and naphtha and other cleaning solvents.
Another theory was the use of copper naphthalenate as an alternative to creosote made from coal. Although it is less harmful to the environmental than creosote is very dangerous. Copper naphthenate is a carcinogen and can cause skin, nerve and lung damage. It can also contaminate the soil and groundwater with benzene.
Benzene
A colorless liquid petroleum hydrocarbon which is used in the production of resins, plastics nylon and synthetic fibers. It can also be found in diesel fuels and exhaust. The majority of railroad workers are exposed to diesel fumes on a daily basis. Benzene is a known carcinogen has been linked to leukemia and the myelodysplastic disorder (MDS).
There is no limit to the amount of exposure to benzene. It can be inhaled or absorbs through the surface of the skin. Long-term exposure to benzene may cause blood damage, leading to irregular periods, anemia and fertility issues. There is also a link between benzene to certain types of cancer which include lung and breast cancer.
Benzene can be ingested orally however it is most dangersome when inhaled. Inhaling benzene can cause dizziness, headaches nose bleeds, dizziness and loss of consciousness. Benzene can also interfere with the immune system, which can result in infections.
Recent reports have highlighted the high levels of benzene at two Chicago train stations. Commuters and railroad workers were exposed high levels of pollution which led to schools having to stop classes and cities to require residents to stay in shelters. Railroad workers, including car department employees, locomotive machinists, pipefitters and electricians regularly make use of benzene-containing items such as Safety-Kleen parts washers as well as CRC Brakleen as well as thinners and paints. The chemical is also used in printing solvents.
Asbestos
At first, asbestos was used in the railroad industry. Asbestos is a class of six naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals that were very popular in construction for their fire retardant, fire-retardant, corrosion-resistant and insulate properties. Inhaling these tiny fibers could cause serious health problems such as lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma. These illnesses can last up to 30 years before symptoms appear.
The EPA has been able to ban the mining and processing of asbestos in the United States, but it is still used in many of the products. This includes various types of flooring felt, paper and fake fireplace embers. When these materials are exposed to heat or water they may release asbestos fibers. They could also be released into air during demolition or renovations.
railroad injury settlement amounts has discovered that exposure to benzene for just five years significantly increases the likelihood of developing acute myeloid tumor (AML). Contact railroad back injury settlements if notice symptoms like night sweats or an unprovoked weight loss. They can conduct the test of blood to check for AML.
The EPA reached a settlement in a recent case against Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services Inc. GWRSI operates locomotives which emit nitrogen oxides as well as fine particulates (PM2.5) when they are running on diesel fuel. This EPA settlement requires GWRSI to replace any of its current locomotives with new ones that meet EPA emission standards.
Diesel Exhaust
As long diesel fuel is used to power freight trains, railroad workers will continue to be exposed exhaust. Diesel exhaust is a harmful cocktail of chemicals, including carcinogens like benzene and carbon monoxide. It also contains oxides of nitrogen particulate matter, polyaromatic hydrocarbons.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified diesel exhaust as a group 1 carcinogen. Additionally, railroad back injury settlements is an important cause of respiratory illness in the form of bronchiopulmonary diseases such as chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) and bronchiectasis. A report published in Environmental Health Perspectives in 2006 related the employment of railroad workers to COPD rates.
Rail and locomotives emit diesel exhaust when they run and are idling in roundhouses and depots as well as yards and shops. Idling engines emit gases, like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, in addition to diesel fumes.
Diesel exhaust fumes can be indistinguishable in locomotive cabs in which conductors and engineers are seated for at least six hours a day. The engine and equipment emit more diesel exhaust fumes when workers enter and leave the cabins. This can cause lung and cancerous issues.
In roundhouses that are not well ventilated workshops, shops, and roundhouses railroad mechanics face high levels of exposure to diesel exhaust. They work in enclosed areas equipped with track equipment, locomotives and asbestos-insulated steam boilers.