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Benzene Injury Law

Benzene in Safety-Kleen

Can Safety-Kleen Premium Solvent Cause Cancer?

Safety-Kleen markets itself as an environmental cleaning service company and supplier of parts washers. But it also has sold cancer-causing solvents containing benzene. Since 1954, mechanics working with these products have been exposed to benzene, which is a known carcinogen that causes leukemia. Specifically, benzene is known to cause acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), while also be linked to multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL).

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    Safety-Kleen & Benzene

    Safety-Kleen 105 Solvent is a mineral spirits petroleum-based hydrocarbon designed to clean automotive parts. It is advertised as a convenient, safe, and economical way to clean greasy metal parts.

    Benzene evaporates at room temperature, so when parts are being cleaned, benzene can be inhaled. This cleaner is also often used to wash dirty hands and rags, exposing skin to benzene. Any cuts or scrapes allows the solvent directly into the bloodstream.

    Warnings About Benzene in Safety-Kleen Products

    Safety-Kleen continues to sell parts washers and solvents as it has for decades. Some of the products still contain benzene, meaning it is a threat to users. Lawyers for Safety-Kleen argue that their products contain sufficient warnings and warnings have changed over the years. But ask a mechanic if their Safety-Kleen representative ever directed them to wear a respirator while using a parts washer and the answer is almost always “no”. Safety-Kleen was aware of the hazards but did not properly convey that information to their customers.

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    Exposure to Benzene

    By the early 1970s, over 100,000 Safety-Kleen parts cleaners had been sold to auto shops and other customers in the United States. A truck would pull up, haul the old solvent away and replace it with new or recycled solvent. Benzene in the tank would evaporate into the breathing space of mechanics working with the washer. Using the brush that came with most tanks stirred up even more vapors. And placing parts contaminated with gasoline or oil would add even more benzene to the system.

    Aggressive Benzene Lawyers

    Benzene lawsuits are complex and take time to resolve. Every case is difficult and there are no guarantees. A typical defendant is a large corporation and will deny responsibility. When you choose to work with the benzene attorneys at Hughes Law Offices, you get experienced attorneys who will aggressively pursue your claims and fight on your behalf.

    We know how to prosecute each case based on individual circumstances, and we know what evidence to obtain from employers and medical professionals. Competent experts must be used to connect benzene exposures with your illness. With our personal injury attorneys on your side, you will have the best chance possible in your case.

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    If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, multiple myeloma, myelodysplastic syndrome, or non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, please call our law offices. We are here to fight on your behalf, and demand the compensation you deserve. We will be by your side throughout the case, we will answer all your questions, and you will always know what to expect next.

    Contact us online today or call 1-800-BENZENE to speak with one of our attorneys. The sooner we get started, the sooner you may be compensated.

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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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