Railroad Settlements and Blood Cancer
Rail workers may be exposed to toxic chemicals that can cause serious and life-threatening harm on their health. These workers can file a lawsuit for compensation under the FELA.
Blood cancers (also called hematologic tumors) are caused by chemical exposures that occur frequently on railroads. For assistance, contact an attorney for settlements on behalf of railroads.
Exposure to Diesel Exhaust
The risk of lung cancer is higher in railway workers who are exposed to diesel exhaust as part of their job. This is due to the fact that diesel exhaust contains carcinogenic compounds that can cause various health problems. This includes leukemia, lung cancer and pancreatic cancer. Diesel fumes can also contain aroma hydrocarbons that possess polycyclic chemistry and can irritate the lungs. Railroad workers are frequently exposed to exhaust fumes of diesel when working in the train's cab or in the shop.
The toxins present in diesel exhaust can also be absorbed via the skin, which could cause long-term health problems. Railroad workers who work in rail yards with chemicals spilled or inhale fumes from leaky valves or wash their hands with solvents containing benzene are at a higher risk of cancer. Benzene, transparent liquid that has an aroma of sweet, comes from crude oil and is an ingredient of gasoline and diesel fuel. It is also found in diesel soot, and in solvents for degreasing that are employed by railroad workers to clean their equipment.
Researchers examined death certificates to discover the connection between years spent working in diesel exhaust and lung cancer deaths among railway workers. Multiple myeloma settlements revealed that railway conductors and engineers have greater risk of developing lung cancer due to this exposure. However, the researchers did not see a similar link for electricians and railroad machinists. This could be due to the fact that electricians and machinists aren't generally perform the same jobs for long periods of time.
Exposure to Asbestos
Asbestos is a very toxic material, may have been inhaled by railroad workers working inside locomotive crew cabs and repair shops. Asbestos was used as an insulator in older trains and to line the brake shoes. Railroad workers who breathed asbestos fibers had a higher chance of developing severe medical conditions, such as mesothelioma asbestosis and lung cancer. They also had a higher risk of developing cardiopulmonary.
On the job, railroad machinists and engineers conductors, among other employees are frequently exposed to diesel fumes. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health classified benzene as a carcinogen. It is present in diesel and gasoline fuels used by railroad engines. It can also be found in railroad connections that have been treated with coal tar, creosote or other chemicals. Exposure to benzene or other substances increase the risk of colon, bladder, kidney, esophageal, blood and lung cancers, including leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma. It can also increase the risk of developing non-cancerous conditions like asbestosis, chronic obstrusive lung disorder and asthma.
Many railroad workers have died from cancer because of exposure to harmful chemicals while on the job. Anyone who has been affected by cancer as a result of railroad work should immediately seek out mesothelioma attorneys who are experienced in FELA suits.
Exposure to Welding Fumes
Rail workers are exposed to toxic chemicals that can lead to serious health problems over time, such as cancer. They also are susceptible to lung diseases like mesothelioma, as well as other respiratory ailments. The exposure to welding fumes, asbestos, diesel exhaust silica and solvents are linked with blood cancers as well with other ailments of the lungs and respiratory tract. Railroad employees who have been diagnosed with chronic illnesses due to exposure to these substances should consult an attorney representing railroad workers to learn about filing a claim.
Welding fumes contain harmful substances such as chromium, manganese and Cadmium, which have all been linked to cancer. The fumes also contain benzene which is a petroleum-based chemical, which can cause blood cancer. Diesel exhaust fumes are a different source of benzene to which train engineers, machinists and conductors might be exposed. Creosote, a different chemical, can lead to blood cancer. This substance is used to treat railroad ties which connect the rails together. This compound is toxic and has high levels of benzene.
Rail workers who were exposed during the course and scope of their work to these chemicals may file a suit under FELA. They can seek compensation to help pay their medical expenses, lost income and other expenses. Various studies have shown the connection between exposure to these substances and mesothelioma lung cancer, cancer of the bladder, non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, esophageal cancer, kidney cancer, colon cancer, multiple myeloma and other ailments.
Exposure to Solvents
Chemical solvents are commonly used by railroad workers. These solvents include benzene. The benzene is a clear flammable liquid with a sweet scent that is used in a wide variety of lubricants and solvents. It is also an byproduct of diesel exhaust which railroad machinists, engineers, conductors and electricians are frequently exposed to. Benzene, a carcinogen that is well-known is a blood disorder causing agent like myeloma or leukemia.
In addition to benzene, railroad employees are also exposed solvents such as creosote and coal tar. These chemicals are used as wood preservatives during the construction of bridges and other structures on railroads. They are also used in rail ties which employees of railroad track departments use to connect railroad tracks together. These chemicals are toxic for the liver and skin.
union pacific settlements who develop blood cancers such as Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma or Leukemia, or Multiple Myeloma could be eligible for compensation. Railroad workers must prove that their illnesses were caused by their work on the railroad to be able to be eligible for a claim. Hughes Law Offices has successfully dealt with FELA claims for railroad workers who have developed blood cancers. Contact us today for a an initial free consultation. We will review your case and inform you of the advantages. Our railroad settlement cancer lawyers don't charge an attorney's fee unless they obtain money for you.