Benzene Injury Law

Benzene in Fuels

As a result of gasoline and other fuel exposures, many tradespeople are at increased risk for leukemia. If you worked around fuels and you’ve been diagnosed with leukemia, call 1-800-BENZENE today.

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    Which Cancers are Caused by Fuel Exposures?

    The blood and bone marrow cancers most strongly associated with long term exposures to toxic fuels, include:

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    Why do Fuel Exposures Cause Leukemia?

    Chronic fuel exposures can lead to the development of cancer because many common fuels contain benzene. Benzene is a naturally occurring component of crude oil. It is a Group 1 carcinogen that targets the blood and bone marrow systems. Examples of other Group 1 carcinogens include asbestos, plutonium, and tobacco.

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    How do Benzene Cases Work?

    In most cases, we will target the manufacturers of the benzene-containing fuels and the property owners where exposures occurred. In railroad and maritime cases, we will sue the employers whose negligence failed to protect you from these toxic exposures.

    Which Fuel Contains the Most Benzene?

    Of the fuels that Americans regularly encounter, unleaded gasoline has the most benzene. Unleaded gasoline is one of the most common benzene exposure routes for working Americans. However, some American workers may encounter specialized fuels, fuel derivatives, or feedstocks that contain more benzene than what is present in gasoline. Some of our refinery and maritime workers have described exposures to pure benzene.

    How can Benzene Exposures Occur?

    Dangerous levels of benzene can enter your body through inhalation, ingestion, or absorption through the skin. Inhaling fuel vapors is one of the most common benzene exposure routes. We have represented mechanics who used to clean parts with gasoline. Those workers suffered dangerous dermal exposures – where the benzene is absorbed through the skin directly into the bloodstream.

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    Have you Received a Diagnosis After Chronic Fuel Exposures?

    If you or a loved one endured long term fuel exposures and have been diagnosed with a related disease, the attorneys at Hughes Law Offices may be able to help. These are complicated cases that require experienced attorneys. While you and your loved ones focus on recovery, let us do the work needed to prove your case. Contact Hughes Law Offices today at 1 (800) 236-9363 for a free attorney consultation.

    Fuel Exposure Verdicts & Settlements

    Settlement (Pennsylvania, 2019)

    $575K

    The Decedent worked as a laborer, electrician, and maintenance supervisor at the Defendant’s Pennsylvania refinery from 1973 until 2001. The Decedent subsequently developed atypical chronic lymphocytic leukemia that rapidly progressed into acute myeloid leukemia. The Decedent passed away and his...

    Verdict (Minnesota, 2016)

    $15.5M

    A 49-year-old locomotive engineer was working for BNSF Railway at the Northtown Yard in Fridley, Minnesota when tank cars containing casinghead gasoline vented poisonous fumes where he was working. The railroad covered up the fact that he had been exposed...

    Verdict (California, 2015)

    $2.3M

    The Plaintiff worked as a maritime worker aboard the Defendant’s ships from 1988 to 1996. During that time he was regularly exposed to crude oil and other carcinogens. The Plaintiff subsequently developed non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. At the time of trial, the...

    Verdict (Louisiana, 2012)

    $17.5M

    The Plaintiff spent four years working as a petroleum inspector on ships and barges that were owned by Chevron, Texaco, and Unocoal during the 1980s. While performing his normal duties, he was regularly exposed to benzene. Many years later, the...

    Verdict (Nevada, 2011)

    $7.5M

    The Plaintiff, a tanker truck driver, endured chronic exposures to benzene during a six-year period loading and delivering gasoline from the Defendant’s fuel terminal in Las Vegas. As a result of his exposure to benzene, the Plaintiff developed myelodysplastic syndrome...

    Settlement (Louisiana, 2010)

    Confidential Settlement

    The Plaintiff worked as a gas station attendant for Defendant from 1965 through 1978. His work required him to pump gas and perform various mechanic tasks on automobiles while using the Defendant’s oil products. Years later, the Plaintiff was diagnosed...

    Settlement (Illinois, 2006)

    Confidential Settlement

    The Plaintiff, a veteran, served as a jet mechanic for the U.S. Marine Corps from 1973 to 1989. During his time in the Corps, he worked at various bases around the country. He later developed chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The Plaintiff...

    Verdict (California, 2002)

    $5.1M

    The Plaintiff, age 51, worked as a merchant seaman on the Defendant’s vessels, hauling crude oil from Alaska to Southern California. He was exposed to benzene while assisting with the loading and unloading of crude oil and while cleaning the...

    Settlement (Massachusetts, 2000)

    $1.5M

    The Decedent had worked as a pump man aboard various tankers in the 1970s and 1980s where he was exposed to benzene. In 1994, about 15 years after his last exposure to benzene, the Decedent was diagnosed with acute myeloid...

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

    Resources

    [1] https://monographs.iarc.who.int/list-of-classifications
    [2] https://publications.iarc.fr/576
    [3] https://www.epa.gov/gasoline-standards
    [4] API Toxicological Review Benzene September 1948 (“Insomuch as the body develops no tolerance to benzene, and as there is a wide variation in individual susceptibility, it is generally considered that the only absolutely safe concentration for benzene is zero”).

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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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