Benzene Injury Law

Acute Leukemia Due to Chronic Exposure to Benzene

What is Acute Myeloid Leukemia?

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML), also known as acute myelogenous leukemia, acute myeloblastic leukemia, acute granulocytic leukemia and acute nonlymphocytic leukemia is a fast-growing cancer of the blood and bone marrow. AML is the most common type of acute leukemia and is most common in adults.

AML attacks myeloid cells, which are white blood cells in the bone marrow. The cells are not able to mature and are unable to ward off infections. As the unhealthy cells build up they crowd out healthy cells.

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    What Causes Acute Myeloid Leukemia?

    The most common cause of acute myeloid leukemia is previous exposure to toxic chemicals and carcinogenic substances like benzene. Benzene was often used as a base material in products such as solvents, detergents, degreasers, lubricants, inks, glues, plastics, rubbers, pesticides, paints, coatings, polishes, and thinners. Gasoline contains dangerous levels of benzene. Workers who participated in the manufacture of these products are at an increased risk for AML.

    Benzene exposure is also common among individuals who work around petroleum based products, such as fuels and paints. Therefore, these workers are also at an increased risk for developing AML

    When a worker is diagnosed with AML due to this type of long term exposure, product manufacturers, property owners, and employers whose negligence contributed to these injuries, may be held liable.

    Who is at Risk for Acute Myeloid Leukemia from Benzene Exposure?

    Most of the clients we see here at Hughes Law Offices suffered benzene exposures at work. Benzene can be absorbed through the skin, inhaled or ingested. While jobs with benzene exposures are varied, jobs well known for high-level exposures include:

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    Symptoms of Acute Myeloid Leukemia

    Typical symptoms during the early stages of AML may seem a lot like the flu or other ordinary illnesses – fever, fatigue, weight loss, pale skin, shortness of breath, and bone pain are common. Other signs and symptoms of AML may include bruising easily, frequent infections, and unusual bleeding, especially from the nose and gums. Contact a doctor for further diagnosis if you develop any signs or symptoms that seem unusual.

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    Acute Myeloid Leukemia Treatment Options

    There are two basic phases of treatment for AML: remission induction therapy and consolidation or maintenance therapy. The first phase of treatment is to kill the leukemia cells in the bone marrow and blood. The next step is aimed at destroying the remaining leukemia cells. This will decrease the risk of relapse.

    The most common therapies included in these two stages are chemotherapy, radiation therapy, bone marrow stem cell transplant, targeted therapy, drug therapy, and/or biological therapy. You can read more about diagnosis and treatment for acute myeloid leukemia from benzene exposure here

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    Acute Myeloid Leukemia Lawsuits

    If you, or someone you care about, has developed acute myeloid leukemia due to benzene exposure, you may have a right to compensation. At Hughes Law Offices, LLC, we are dedicated to helping those with AML obtain the settlement they deserve through a benzene exposure lawsuit. We target not only the manufacturers of these dangerous benzene-containing products, but also property owners who carelessly exposed workers to benzene.

    Exposure to this cancer-causing chemical can cause AML to develop years later. Multiple experts are needed to ensure your case will garner the justice it deserves. Unfortunately, too many generations of American workers have been exposed to benzene, and only with consistent pressure, will the petro-chemical conglomerates be held to account for their negligence and for your suffering.

    Choosing the right benzene exposure lawyer to represent you in any legal action can make all the difference in the outcome of your benzene lawsuit. To learn more about fact patterns, settlement values, and benzene verdict amounts, click here.

    As you focus on healing, let our law firm help achieve justice on your behalf. Call 1-800-BENZENE today to book your free consultation to speak with an experienced benzene attorney.

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    Verdicts and Settlements

    Survey of Benzene

    Hughes Law Offices is providing case histories to inform visitors about actual case fact patterns and rulings.
    Unless specifically noted, the cases summarized herein were not handled by attorneys at Hughes Law Offices.
    See All Verdicts

    Verdict

    $3.2M

    Helper/rigger/leadman on barges diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia via benzene exposure. Plaintiff exposed to benzene via solvents used to clean tools. Employer provided the solvents. Older versions of Liquid Wrench contained high mixtures of benzene.

    Verdict

    $7.5M

    Gasoline tanker truck driver diagnosed with blood cancer following years of benzene exposure at defendant’s premises. Benzene was component of the fuel that he was loading and hauling.

    Verdict

    $5.8M

    Plaintiff had a 39-year career with Sabine Towing. Throughout his career, plaintiff held various positions, including seaman, quartermaster, boatswain, third mate, second mate, chief mate and master..

    Verdict

    $8.0M

    Able-bodied seaman diagnosed with kidney cancer as a result of exposure to benzene and other hydrocarbons while loading and discharging crude oil and other products, cleaning tanks and measuring tank levels.

    Verdict

    $3.5M

    In his 30s at the time, decedent was a contracted tanker truck driver who regularly transported toxic products. As a result, he was regularly exposed to chemicals containing benzene.

    Settlement

    $1.5M

    Plaintiff’s decedent had worked as a pump man aboard various tankers in the early 1970s and early 1980s where he was exposed to benzene. In 1994, about 15 years since his last exposure to benzene, the decedent was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML).

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