Workers who are exposed to the toxic chemical benzene can develop Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), a fast-growing blood cancer that starts in the bone marrow. The risk is especially serious for mechanics and railroad workers.
Need a Texas Acute Myeloid Leukemia Lawyer? Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged. If you or a loved one was diagnosed with leukemia from benzene exposure, you should contact our lawyers immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit.
Benzene and Leukemia
Benzene is sweet-smelling chemical that is added to gasoline and used as a base chemical in solvents, paint, plastics, inks, dyes, glue, and many more products. Benzene evaporates quickly in the air and it is known to cause cancer, according to the American Cancer Society.
Benzene in the Body
In the body, benzene accumulates in the bone marrow and causes the bones to produce abnormal white blood cells. Benzene causes many types of blood cancer, but especially Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), Myelodysplastic Syndrome, and Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
What is the Risk of Leukemia?
In 2010, a meta-analysis of 15 studies found a 40% increased risk of leukemia from benzene, but higher exposures were associated with even higher cancer risks.
What is the problem?
Benzene was shown to be toxic to humans in studies published over 100 years ago, yet very few products that contain benzene currently carry any safety warnings about the health hazards. In recent years, juries have awarded multi-million dollar verdicts to people who developed AML from benzene in products without warning labels.
Occupational Exposure to Benzene
The problem is that millions of Americans are exposed to benzene every day on the job. The risk is especially serious for workers in the following industries:
- Mechanics
- Auto repair shops
- Railroad workers
- Bus garages
- Solvent exposure in factories
- Petroleum refineries
- Oil pipelines
- Shipyards and tankers
What is Acute Myeloid Leukemia?
Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) starts in the bone marrow, which is the spongy tissue inside the bones that produces blood cells. In people with leukemia, the bones produce too many white blood cells, and the cells are immature or damaged.
In addition to crowding out healthy cells, these abnormal cells do not work very well. People with leukemia have trouble fighting off infections, bruise and bleed easily, and they feel tired constantly.
Symptoms of AML Leukemia
The symptoms of AML may not appear for several years or even decades after exposure to benzene. When symptoms do appear, they can include:
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Frequent or severe infections
- Losing weight without trying
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Enlarged liver or spleen
- Easy bruising or bleeding
- Tiny red spots on the skin
- Fever
- Body chills
- Dizziness
- Loss of appetite
Need an Leukemia Lawyer in Texas?
Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.
Collen’s amazing success in the courtroom and well known dedication to his clients has earned him the recognition of his peers as one of The Top Trial Lawyers in Texas.”
The Clark Firm has assembled a team of trial lawyers with more than 100 years experience, participation in over 600 jury trials and $260 million in verdicts and/or settlements. Please use the form below to contact our Texas leukemia lawyers for a free lawsuit review.
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