What Experts Say You Should Know

Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia Railroad Lawsuit

Acute lymphocyticleukemia is a form of cancer that develops when white blood cells undergo a mutation in the bone marrow. The condition can cause severe symptoms and requires medical treatment to conquer.

A knowledgeable lawyer for railroad injuries can help a person obtain compensation for their illness under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA). The law requires evidence that negligence on the part of a railroad was the cause of the employee's disease.

Benzene

Benzene, a chemical with pleasant odor, is used as a chemical raw material for rubber, paints and plastics. It is also utilized in the manufacturing of chemicals, pesticides and resins, and other chemical. It is also present in crude oil and gasoline. It has been known to be toxic to humans since the 1800's, and even a low-level exposure to it can have harmful effects. Benzene was one of the first frequently used chemicals in the world and is used widely in the manufacturing of a variety of common products.

Railroad workers could have been exposed to benzene while working near railcars or locomotives. Railcar mechanics, Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia Railroad Lawsuit as as other crew members could have been exposed during construction, maintenance, and repair to diesel exhaust containing benzene. Railroad shops make use of benzene-containing products, like Liquid Wrench. This is a popular solvent used to break bolts. Machinists working on locomotives and railcars are at a greater risk of developing leukemia and other blood cancers, due to long-term exposure to the benzene.

The presence of a blood cancer such as leukemia is an indication that an employee was unintentionally exposed to chemicals at their workplace, and a railroad injury lawyer can assist the person injured to file a lawsuit for compensation. Under FELA the injured railroad worker may pursue compensation for medical bills, future needs, pain and suffering, and lost wages.

Glyphosate

Glyphosate, an herbicide, is the active ingredient in Roundup. It is used to eliminate the weeds that grow on crops such as soybeans, cotton, and corn. Inhalation poses a risk but people may also be exposed through contact with skin or consuming food grown on treated land. A number of studies have linked glyphosate to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

In 1995 the American farmers used 51.3 million kilograms of glyphosate on their crops. This represents 71.6 percent of the total glyphosate usage in 1995. It is the most commonly used herbicide in the world.

Despite the fact that the European Union and many other countries have banned glyphosate, it is still available in the U.S. as a generic product under the brand name Roundup. It has been linked to numerous health issues that include non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and chronic inflammatory intestinal disease.

The World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified glyphosate as "probably carcinogenic" to humans since. In 2022, Dewayne J. Johnson is a Californian man who was diagnosed with non Hodgkin lymphoma because he was exposed to Roundup while working as groundskeeper for a school was awarded $289,000,000 by the jury.

The EPA's scientific findings regarding human health remain the same. However, in response to the court's ruling, the Agency will re-evaluate and better explain its assessment of glyphosate’s carcinogenic potential. EPA also continues to find no evidence that glyphosate acts as an endocrine disruptor and, based on the evidence, it does not interact with estrogen, androgen or thyroid signaling pathways.

Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that bonds together to form a lightweight, yet robust material. It is invulnerable to sound, fire, and chemical. Manufacturers have used it in thousands of products. However, asbestos can also carry dangerous health risks. Asbestos fibers can lodge into the lungs' lower parts when inhaled or breathed in. This can lead to asbestosis or mesothelioma over time. Mesothelioma affects the lung's lining. Symptoms include chest pain, fatigue and coughing. It can be difficult to recognize.

Asbestos exposure can also lead to the condition known as pulmonary hypertension. This condition restricts the flow of blood to the lungs. This is known as the "silent killer." Railroad workers suffering from hypertension in the pulmonary area are at a greater danger of developing health issues, like chronic obstructive respiratory disease (COPD) which restricts the flow of air to other parts of the body. It may also lead to pleural effusions. It is a form of fluid buildup around the ribcage and in the lungs.

The Federal Employers Liability Act allows railroad workers to file lawsuits if they are diagnosed as suffering from cancer or any other serious diseases. To be eligible, they have to prove that their employer was negligent in causing their condition.

Diesel Exhaust

Railroad workers were exposed to diesel exhaust fumes for decades. While it's true that modern diesel fuel chemistry has reduced the sulfur content, and catalytic converters have improved the emission control of exhaust, there is still evidence that railway employees were exposed to large amounts of carcinogens that were emitted by diesel fumes, especially benzene and pristane. Pristane can cause plasmacytomas, which are tumors that resemble like multiple myeloma in mice.

Rail workers are at a significantly higher risk of developing multiple myeloma, according to cohort and case-control research. Diesel exhaust has been proven to cause chromosomal damages in B lymphocytes. Benzene and pristane have been demonstrated to cause other blood cancers, such as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and acute myeloid leukemia.

Dr. Infante examined the literature on the epidemiology of exposure of railroad workers to diesel emissions, which is a substance which is believed by both scientists and medical experts to be a likely or possibly human carcinogen. He also analyzed studies of animal cancers involving diesel fuel, benzene, and pristane, as well as the physiologic effects of these chemicals on lymphocytes and the human genome. According to his study, Mr. Harris was exposed to significant amounts of diesel exhaust during his employment with CSX. This exposure is likely to be a major influence on the development of his multiple myeloma. He also concluded that this was a valid opinion based upon his examination of the pertinent literature and Bradford Hill criteria.