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Railroad Settlements and Asbestos

In 1862, Congress passed The Pacific Railroad Act. This law allowed for the funding of two transcontinental railway companies by providing large grants for rights-of-way. Railroad workers who contract cancer as a result of exposure to work-related hazards can sue their employers under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).

A jury in Illinois awarded $7.5 million to an ex- Union Pacific Trackman who died of acute myeloid Leukemia. He blamed his blood cancer on extensive workplace exposures to creosote and benzene, both of which were used to protect and waterproof railroad ties made of wood.

Creosote

Coal tar Creosote is an organic wood preserver, is used to shield railroad tie from the sun, heat and cold, rain, and snow. Workers are exposed chemicals and solvents, like benzene during the application of coal creosote tar. Benzene is a well-known carcinogen, and can cause leukemia, myelodysplastic disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma as well in other serious adverse effects like convulsions, changes to your heartbeat, liver damage, anemia and bone marrow damage. cancer of the skin and lungs.

Our lawyers have successfully defended several lawsuits against Union Pacific Railroad involving coal-tar creosote exposure. One of these cases resulted in a $7,500,000 verdict. The plaintiff was a track employee who was diagnosed with acute myeloid tumors because of exposure to toxic chemical compounds on working for over 31 years. The jury found that the railroad did not provide him with personal protective gear and exposed him of toxic chemicals that included coal-tar tar creosote and coal tar distillates.

Another case involved the use of copper naphthenate as substitute for coal tar creosote. Although copper naphthenate isn't more harmful to the environment than creosote, it can nevertheless be extremely dangerous. Copper naphthenate is a cancer-causing agent and can cause nerve, skin and lung damage. It can also contaminate the soil and groundwater with benzene.

Benzene

Benzene is a colorless petroleum hydrocarbon used in the production of plastics, resins and synthetic fibers. It is also found in diesel fuel and exhaust. Most railroad workers are exposed to diesel fumes on a regular basis. Benzene is a known carcinogen, and has been linked with leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).

There is no safe exposure level to benzene. It can be breathed in or absorbed through the surface of the skin. Long-term exposure to it can damage the blood and cause different health issues, including anemia, irregular menstrual cycles and fertility issues. It is also associated with certain types of cancers including lung and breast cancer.

It is possible to inhale benzene orally, but it is most dangerous when inhaled. Inhaling benzene can cause headaches, dizziness and nosebleeds. Benzene may also affect the immune system, which could result in infections.

Recent reports have revealed the high levels of benzene near two Chicago train stations. Commuters, railroad workers and city residents were exposed to excessive levels of pollution. Schools closed classes, and cities urged residents to seek shelter. Railroad workers, such as car department employees, locomotive machinists pipefitters and electricians, frequently employ benzene-containing goods such as Safety-Kleen parts washers, CRC Brakleen as well as thinners and paints. The chemical is also used in printing solvents.

Asbestos

The use of asbestos in the railroad industry was discovered in the early days. Asbestos comprises six naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals which were once very popular in construction for their fire retardant resistant, fire-retardant, corrosion resistant and mesothelioma caused by railroad how To get a settlement insulate properties. Inhaling these tiny fibers can cause serious health problems such as lung cancer asbestosis and mesothelioma caused by railroad How to get a settlement (https://milkyway.cs.rpi.edu). The signs of these health conditions can take anywhere from 15 to 30 years to manifest.

The EPA has prohibited the mining and processing of asbestos in this country however, it is used in many products. This includes certain types of flooring felt, paper and fake fireplace embers. However, when these products are exposed to heat or water they could release toxic asbestos fibers. They could also be released into air during demolition or home remodeling.

A recent study has found that exposure to benzene just for five years significantly increases the risk of developing acute myeloid cancer (aml caused by railroad how to get a settlement). If you're experiencing symptoms like night sweats, unexplained loss of weight and suppression or loss of appetite visit your doctor right away. They can do a blood test to look for AML.

The EPA recently resolved a case against Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services Inc. (GWRSI). GWRSI utilizes locomotives that run on diesel fuel and emit nitrogen oxides (NOx) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). This EPA rail settlement plan requires GWRSI to replace any of its existing locomotives with new ones that comply with EPA emission standards.

Diesel Exhaust

As long as diesel fuel continues to be used to power freight train, railroad workers are exposed to exhaust. Diesel exhaust is a poisonous mix of chemicals that includes carcinogens like benzene and carbon monoxide. It also contains particulate matter, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides.

In fact the International Agency for Research on throat cancer caused by railroad how to get a settlement classified diesel exhaust as a group 1 carcinogen. Additionally, diesel exhaust is an important cause of respiratory illness in the form of bronchiopulmonary illnesses like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bronchiectasis. A 2006 article published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives linked railroad worker's employment with COPD rates.

When railcars and locomotives are running and idle, they emit diesel exhaust. When engines are running, they release gases like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxidants along with diesel fumes.

Diesel exhaust fumes can be indistinguishable in locomotive cabs where conductors and engineers work up to six hours each day. When workers enter and exit the cabins, the engine and equipment emit more exhaust fumes from diesel engines and pose a risk to respiratory cancers and other issues.

Furthermore railroad mechanics are exposed to diesel exhaust in roundhouses that are not ventilated and shops. They are exposed to running locomotives and track equipment in closed areas that often produce harmful inhalants like asbestos-insulated steam pipes and boilers and silica sand.