Multiple Myeloma Caused by Railroad WorkUnder FELA railroad workers may sue to recover compensation for injuries. However, to be successful in bringing a claim the injured person must prove that negligence on the part of the railroad played a role in causing their injury.The evidence presented at the trial included testimony from an toxicologist, who relied on different studies and risk factors to establish that Harris's multiple myeloma was caused by his exposure to diesel exhaust.Benzene ExposureThere is a link between benzene and a number of hematopoietic tumors which include Acute Myeloid Leukemia(AML), Acute Non-Lymphocytic Leukemia(ANLL) and Multiple Myeloma. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) the chemical the classification of benzene is Group 1 carcinogen. This chemical can be found in diesel fumes and railroad workers are exposed to it.Railroad workers may also be exposed by cleaning products such as CRC or Safety-Kleen. These cleaning products contain a type benzene known as methylbenzene. When methylbenzene is in contact with the water, it's converted into a chemical called dioxin. Dioxins can cause lung cancer and other serious health problems.Parker Waichman has successfully represented many railroad workers in personal injury cases against their employers under FELA. A jury gave $7.5 million to a former Chicago and North Western Railroad employee diagnosed with acute myeloid tumors after years of exposure.In another case, a plaintiff was diagnosed with multiple lymphoma after many years of service as a railroad maintenance technician for signals. He claimed his condition was caused by exposure to diesel exhaust and benzene exposure he experienced during his work. Before the beginning of trial, BNSF filed a motion for summary judgment based on the notion that plaintiff was aware or could have realized that his cancer was caused by his exposure to chemicals as well as environmental hazards during his railroad employment.Creosote ExposureCreosote, a poisonous chemical used to preserve wood has been linked to several cancers including skin cancer and scrotal carcinoma. Creosote is a common problem for railroad workers who work on the maintenance and repair of railway ties. The National Toxicology Program has reported that workers who work with creosote have a greater chance of developing cancer that is fatal than the general population.In the recent court case, railroad workers filed suit after being diagnosed with multiple myeloma. He claimed that occupational exposure to diesel exhaust and other environmental hazards caused cancer. The court decided that the plaintiff was aware of the possibility of dangers posed by his work in the railroad and could have discovered his injury by conducting a fairly thorough internet search prior to the time when he was diagnosed. Because he failed to undertake this task his claim is time-barred.In a different case the railroad won a defense verdict in a lawsuit filed in Philadelphia County by a former railroad employee. The plaintiff claimed he developed bladder cancer as a result of his occupational exposure to secondhand smoke and other chemicals like creosote or diesel exhaust.Parker Waichman has also obtained defense verdicts in cases involving different types of cancers, like prostate and lung cancer. These cases were filed by former railroad workers, who claimed their cancers had been caused by exposure to toxic chemicals at work. The firm is prepared to review the facts of your case and provide your options.Asbestos ExposureAsbestos can pose a risk for railroad employees. This can happen when workers are handling railroad ties, or repair or install railway equipment. Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma or lung cancer and other illnesses.Ronald K. Harris, the plaintiff in a lawsuit against CSX Transportation claims that he contracted multiple myeloma through his job at the railroad. Harris, according to the lawsuit, worked on a daily basis for CSX Transportation in its Laredo railroad yard. In the process Harris inhaled "harmful chemical substances, toxic chemicals, fumes, agents, particles, and substances, including but not restricted to diesel exhaust, welding fumes, creosote, carbon monoxide and phenols. dioxins, and heavy metals."We successfully represented our clients in the jury trial that lasted two weeks, where it was claimed that the repetitive lifting and bending as trackmen caused herniated disks in the lumbar area and an injury that caused a 25% disability for the rest of his life that resulted in loss of wages and pain and discomfort.  lung cancer lawsuit  was not found to be negligent, and the plaintiff was awarded a modest award.Environmental ExposureRailroad workers are exposed to a range of chemicals in the environment. Based on the kind of work they do the exposure could cause health issues of a variety such as multiple myeloma. Contact Parker Waichman if you or someone in your family has been diagnosed with myeloma after working on the railroad.In  lung cancer lawsuit , a railroad worker received $7.5 million from an appeals court after being diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia. He filed a lawsuit against two major railroads, claiming their exposure to diesel exhaust and asbestos caused his health issues.The railroads filed an appeal for summary judgment asserting that at the time of the plaintiff's diagnosis, the plaintiff was aware of the circumstances and causes of his injury. The court ruled in favor of the railroads' motion concluding that the plaintiff was unable to make a reasonably diligent inquiry into whether or not his health condition was related to his railroad employment.At  lung cancer lawsuit , the plaintiff presented expert evidence from an industrial hygienist and epidemiologists. Expert witnesses claimed that Harris's myeloma arose as a result of his exposure to diesel exhaust. In support of this claim the expert witness cited numerous studies that demonstrated that there was a link between certain kinds of cancers and diesel exhaust. A reputable scientist, however has ever concluded that diesel exhaust is the source of multiple myeloma.