One Of The Biggest Mistakes That People Make Using Railroad Settlement Cll
Benzene, Butadiene, and Other Carcinogens on the Railroad
Many railroad workers are exposed to benzene butadiene and other carcinogens during the job. You may be entitled to compensation for developing an illness that is grave, such as leukemia.
Leukemias can develop in the lymphatic tissues or bone marrow. Chronic lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) is one of the four major types of leukemia in adults.
Benzene
Benzene can be inhaled, or absorbed through the skin. It is a basic by-product of oil that is used in the production of nylons, plastics, and synthetic fibers. It is also used in lubricants dyes, detergents, paints, pesticides and pharmaceuticals. It is a recognized cancerous substance that causes leukemia as well as other cancers, including acute myelogenous lymphoma (AML), myelodysplastic disorders and lymphomas.
Railroad workers are exposed to benzene by using mineral spirits, solvents, and degreasers. When working on locomotives and freight cars workers are exposed to exhaust fumes and diesel fumes. Because of this, railroad workers are at a greater chance of developing chronic leukemia.
Numerous epidemiologic studies have shown that exposure to benzene may increase the risk of leukemia. A recent study that was a meta-analysis provided summary estimates of the effect of exposure to benzene and the risk of AML, Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL).
The meta-analysis reveals that exposure to occupational benzene increases the chance of developing these leukemias. The results for AML, CLL and ALL were less favourable. This could be due to the lower reporting rate for these subgroups, in addition due to the lack of dose response with the increase in exposure. The meta-analysis found no evidence of bias in the publication.
Asbestos
Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that has been used to make thousands of industrial products. Its resistance to heat, fire and corrosion makes it an ideal material for railroad locomotives and other machines. Asbestos poses a risk to those who handle it. When exposed to the material, asbestos fibers can be broken down into tiny fibers that can become airborne. Inhaling them, they may form a hole in the lung. This can result in various serious illnesses, including mesothelioma.
When asbestos fibers enter a person's lungs, they can irritate the lung's lining. railroad back injury settlements can cause an accumulation of collagen that hardens over time, forming plaques called pleural. This condition can lead to chest pain and breathing problems.
Another type of lung damage resulting from asbestos exposure is fibrosis which creates scar tissue that hinders a person's ability to breathe. If not treated, this condition can be fatal.
If you are a railroad worker who was diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness or condition, you should contact a FELA lawyer immediately. A mesothelioma lawyer can help you file a claim for compensation. To be successful, you must prove that your exposure to a toxic substance while on the job caused the development of your disease. FELA attorneys often collaborate with industrial safety specialists known as industrial hygienists in order to examine the materials used at the railroad's workplace and determine if the railroad company adhered to proper occupational safety practices.
Diesel Exhaust
Railroad workers are frequently exposed to carcinogenic fumes and substances on the job, such as diesel exhaust. Exposure to diesel exhaust has been linked to lung cancer and other serious occupational illnesses in railroad workers, including mesothelioma and pulmonary fibrisis. Inhaling particulates and engine exhaust can cause long-term health problems that are difficult to treat.
Diesel fuel is used in locomotives and the cabin of a locomotive is tiny with no ventilation. Railroad workers are exposed to diesel exhaust through breathing it into the cab, as well as pulling it back onto themselves and their clothes when they leave the cab. Diesel exhaust can also be a problem for railroad workers who work in yards or shops because they are in close proximity to locomotives.
Diesel exhaust contains mutagenic and cancerous compounds that can enter the bloodstream. These chemicals can cause harm to the respiratory system and blood and bone marrow. Researchers discovered that those who had been exposed to diesel exhaust for the longest period of time were at the greatest chance of developing lung cancer.
Even after adjusting for smoking and other causes lung cancer mortality was significantly higher in railroad workers exposed to diesel emissions. The Lyon Firm is investigating claims from railroad workers who claim to have been ill-affected by exposure to diesel exhaust and other industrial toxic substances.