Mechanics
Safety-Kleen, Naphtha, CRC Brakleen, Liquid Wrench, and Gumout – did you work with those products? If so, you may have been exposed to benzene.
Benzene has been a known carcinogen for decades and it was historically found in many popular products used by mechanics for cleaning parts and tools. Hughes Law Offices sues manufacturers of the products that sickened our clients. If you or a loved one worked as a mechanic and have been diagnosed with a form of leukemia, call us today at 1-800-BENZENE.
Which Illnesses are caused by Benzene Exposures?
Mechanics’ benzene exposures can lead to numerous diseases, including:
- Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)
- Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)
- non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL)
- Multiple Myeloma
- Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
If a mechanic has been diagnosed with one of those diseases, the mechanic or his or her family may have a claim against the product manufacturers that contributed to the illness.
Why is that? The manufacturers of many benzene-containing products used by automobile and diesel mechanics were aware that benzene caused cancer and yet the end-users of those products – the mechanics – were never properly warned. Mechanics working in the 1970s and 1980s were not told to wear personal protective equipment like rubber gloves or respirators. In fact, many of the mechanics of that era actually washed their hands in the same benzene-containing toxins that they used to clean car and truck parts.
How were Mechanics Exposed to Benzene?
Benzene can be absorbed through the skin, inhaled and ingested. Historically, products used by mechanics which contained benzene, included:
Mechanics – Leukemia Verdicts & Settlements
$3,500,000 settlement (Florida, 2020)
The Plaintiff, a lifelong mechanic, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in his late 40’s. He alleged that he was exposed to benzene while using products such as Liquid Wrench, Marvel Mystery Oil, Safety-Kleen, and mineral spirits. His earliest exposures to benzene-containing products occurred when he was only about ten years old. The Defendants argued that the Plaintiff’s illness was the result of his decades-long smoking history. The parties reached a $3.5 million settlement.
$6,370,000 settlement (California, 2019)
The Plaintiff worked as an automotive mechanic, auto body repairman, and automobile painter for over forty years. During this time, he used a number of benzene-containing automotive solvents and paints. The Plaintiff alleged that these exposures caused him to develop myelodysplastic syndrome. He was diagnosed at the age of 68. His doctors immediately began chemotherapy to fight his illness. The Plaintiff brought suit against a large number of defendants who, after a year and a half of litigation, agreed to settle.
Confidential settlement (Louisiana, 2013)
The Plaintiff worked as a general mechanic for Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corp. at their Louisiana industrial facility from 1973 to 1978. The Plaintiff’s work required him to use large amounts of Liquid Wrench which, at the time, was purportedly contaminated with benzene. In his complaint, the Plaintiff also alleged that he was exposed to large amounts of benzene while working around some of the refining machinery. Kaiser had allegedly used benzene to de-dust some refining machinery beginning in 1972. The Plaintiff claimed that his chronic exposure to benzene caused damage to his bone marrow and other blood-forming tissue resulting in acute myeloid leukemia which ultimately led to his death. The parties settled for a confidential amount prior to trial.
Confidential settlement (Massachusetts, 2010)
The survivors of a deceased automobile mechanic alleged he was exposed to benzene while using Safety-Kleen solvent during his employment. His exposure to benzene led to the development of acute myeloid leukemia. Following his death, his widow brought suit against Safety-Kleen for the wrongful death of her husband. Following Safety-Kleen’s unsuccessful motion practice, the parties agreed to a confidential settlement.
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.
To find out if you or a loved one has a claim, call 1-800-BENZENE now and speak with a knowledgeable benzene attorney. If you’d like to learn more about how these benzene cases work, click here to review a survey of benzene settlements and verdicts.
