Benzene Injury Law

Benzene Injury Law Blog

Pennsylvania Leukemia Law Firm

As a result of exposures to benzene, workers in Pennsylvania’s many industrial settings may be at elevated risk for leukemia. Benzene is a clear, organic chemical with a sweet aroma. Benzene was historically present in petroleum-based products, including degreasers, lubricants and thinners.

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    Illnesses Caused by Benzene Exposures

    Benzene is a Class 1 carcinogen that causes acute myeloid leukemia (AML), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL), and other bone and blood cancers. The lawyers at Hughes Law Offices are experienced leukemia lawyers serving Pennsylvania workers sickened by benzene exposures.

    Who is at Risk for Leukemia from Benzene?

    Oil refinery workers and tradesmen who work in steel mills are at a higher risk of developing leukemia and multiple myeloma. Most boilermakers, pipefitters, engineers and machinists in mills had benzene exposures. Mechanics, gasoline tanker truck drivers, and printers were commonly exposed to benzene. Brake cleaners, gasoline, inks, and penetrating oils have all contained benzene.

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    Pennsylvania Industries where Benzene was Present

    Pennsylvania is home to many industries whose workers were historically exposed to benzene. For instance, there were more than 100,000 people working in Pennsylvania’s steel mills at the peak of that industry’s production. Pennsylvania has also been involved in oil production longer than any other state. The world’s first commercial oil well was drilled in Titusville, PA in 1859. But even workers at smaller shops were exposed. Pennsylvania’s many gas station attendants and mechanics are at elevated risk for leukemia. Countless other workers have spent years around benzene-containing products.

    Is Pennsylvania a Good Place to file a Benzene Leukemia Lawsuit?

    The short answer is yes, benzene cases are regularly brought in Pennsylvania courts.  Why is that?  There are a variety of reasons, but one of the main reasons is related to experts. In order to prove up your case, leukemia law firms like Hughes Law Offices must retain a team of experts. These experts help connect your benzene exposures to your resulting illness. In Pennsylvania, the laws concerning the admissibility of experts to testify are relatively favorable to plaintiffs. The strength of your benzene case is often based on the strength of the expert team assembled by your lawyers. It is vital that your lawyer knows which experts to hire in each case. Hiring the wrong expert can result in your case being dismissed.

    We May Be Able To Help

    Benzene-related claims are difficult cases. Hughes Law Offices has experience with benzene cases in Pennsylvania. If you or a loved one has worked around benzene and been diagnosed with leukemia, call 1-800-BENZENE today and speak with a lawyer.

    Pennsylvania Benzene Leukemia Settlements

    Benzene settlements and verdicts vary by disease, jurisdiction, handling attorneys, and defendants. Bear in mind, some cases have resulted in “not guilty” verdicts where the sickened plaintiff received nothing. US Steel, Unocal, Sunoco, Hurst Chemical, Sun Chemical, and the owners of Liquid Wrench are some of the defendants who have been sued in Pennsylvania courts for benzene exposure. For your information, Hughes Law Offices has compiled these Pennsylvania benzene settlements and verdicts below:

    • $840,000 Verdict – a printer in his mid-50s sued US Steel. The plaintiff alleged that US Steel manufactured benzene and that the benzene was a component of the inks and solvents he used between 1973 and 2006. He argued that US Steel was aware of the dangers of benzene in the early 1950s, but kept that information from the public and end users.  The jury determined that US Steel was recklessly indifferent to the rights and/or safety of others. They also found that US Steel fraudulently concealed important information about the dangers of its benzene. The plaintiff sued other makers and sellers of benzene containing inks and solvents. Some of those other defendants settled before trial or were dismissed.
    • $600,000+ Settlement – a Pennsylvania plaintiff was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia after working as a union pipefitter from 1972 to 1992. He also worked as a gas station attendant in the late 1960s. The main defendant in this case was Liquid Wrench. Liquid Wrench was made with raffinate, a chemical that contained benzene into the late 1970s. He was exposed to benzene throughout his working career. He also used Liquid Wrench outside of his employment. The defendants settled prior to trial in 2021.

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

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