The Best Advice You'll Ever Get About Railroad Settlement Cll
Benzene, Butadiene, and Other Carcinogens on the Railroad
Many railroad employees are exposed to benzene butadiene, and other carcinogens on the job. You could be eligible for compensation for developing leukemia, a serious illness.
Leukemias can develop in the bone marrow or lymphatic tissues. Chronic lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) is one of the four main types of leukemia in adults.
Benzene
Benzene can be inhaled, or absorbed by the skin. It is a crude oil by-product utilized in the production of plastics, resins, nylons, and synthetic fibers. It is also used in lubricants dyes, detergents, paints, pesticides, and other drugs. It is a known carcinogen which causes leukemia, acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) myelodysplastic syndromes and lymphomas.
Mineral spirits, solvents and degreasers can be used by railroad workers to expose them to benzene. When working on locomotives or freight cars workers are exposed to exhaust fumes from diesel engines and. Railroad workers are at a higher chance of developing chronic lymphocytic Leukemia because of this exposure.
Numerous epidemiologic studies have demonstrated that exposure to benzene increases the risk of leukemia. A meta-analysis of 22 recent studies has provided a summary of the impact of benzene on AML and Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia(ALL) and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia(CLL).
The results of the meta-analysis show that exposure to occupational benzene increases the risk of these leukemias. However, the results for AML and CLL were less than those for ALL. This could be due to the lower reporting rate for these subgroups, in addition to an absence of dose-response with increasing exposures. The meta-analysis did not reveal any evidence of bias in publications.
Asbestos
Asbestos is a mineral that is fibrous which has been used in thousands of industrial products. Its resistance to fire, heat and corrosion made it a perfect material for railroad locomotives as well as other equipment. However, asbestos poses the risk of health hazards when workers handle it. When exposed to the substance, asbestos fibers can break down into microscopic strands that become airborne. They are then inhaled and can lodge deep in the lungs of an individual. This can result in various serious illnesses, such as mesothelioma.
Asbestos fibers can cause irritation to the lung lining once they enter the lungs. This irritation can result in an increase in collagen which hardens with time and creates plaques of pleural fluid. This condition can cause chest pain and trouble breathing.
railroad cancer settlement amounts of lung injury caused by asbestos exposure is fibrosis, which causes scar tissue that interferes with the ability of a person to breathe. If left untreated this condition can turn fatal.
If you are a railroad employee who was diagnosed with an asbestos-related condition or condition, you should get in touch with an FELA attorney right away. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer will help you file an application for compensation. To be able to claim compensation, you will need to prove that exposure to harmful substances while on the job caused your condition. FELA lawyers often work with industrial safety experts referred to as industrial hygienists who review the materials in the railroad workplace and determine whether the railroad company adhered to proper workplace safety procedures.
Diesel Exhaust
Railroad workers are frequently exposed to carcinogenic materials and fumes on the job, including diesel exhaust. The exposure to diesel exhaust has been linked to mesothelioma, lung cancer and a variety of other serious occupational diseases among railroad workers. Inhaling the exhaust of engines and particulates can lead to chronic health issues that may be difficult to treat.
Diesel fuel is used in locomotives and the interior of a locomotive's cab is tiny and has no ventilation. Railroad workers can become exposed to diesel exhaust through breathing it in the cab and drag it back onto their clothing and on themselves after they leave the cab. Diesel exhaust is also an issue for railroad employees who work in yards or shops as they are frequently near to locomotives.
Diesel exhaust contains mutagenic as well as cancerous compounds that can get into the bloodstream. These chemicals can cause damage to the respiratory system as well as blood and bone marrow. Researchers discovered that those who had been exposed to diesel exhaust for a long period of time were at the greatest risk of developing lung cancer.
Even after controlling for smoking and other factors lung cancer mortality was significantly higher among railroad workers exposed to diesel emissions. The Lyon Firm is investigating a number of complaints from railroad workers who were affected from frequent exposure to diesel exhaust and solvents, as well as other industrial toxic exposures.