Benzene Exposure in Lake Charles

Benzene is a highly flammable, clear, colorless, sweet-smelling liquid used in the production of plastics, paints, rubber, resins, detergents, lubricants, drugs, pesticides, and synthetic fabrics. Benzene is predominantly found in petroleum refineries and is a naturally occurring component of gasoline and raw crude oil. When an employee is negligently exposed to benzene resulting in disease, cancer, or wrongful death, the employee or surviving family members are entitled to compensation for their losses. At Baggett McCall LLC, we have extensive experience representing victims in complex claims involving benzene exposure and cancer.

Our occupational disease lawyers have significant experience in benzene exposure in Lake Charles and have established a reputation for results. Our lawyers know how to prove exposure at industrial sites and know how to resolve cases without litigation when it best serves a client’s interests. If, however, your case requires a trial, the firm is equipped to do exactly that. The firm successfully handled, to a multi-million dollar verdict, the leading benzene exposure cancer case in Louisiana, Warren v. Sabine Towing. Contact us for an initial consultation and case evaluation. Choose your lawyer carefully.

Occupational Exposure to Benzene

Workers in petroleum refineries and workers involved in the transportation of benzene and products that contain benzene face serious health risks, including cancer. Benzene exposure is an occupational hazard to those involved in the transportation of benzene, gas, or crude oil by truck, barge, or railroad. Other high-risk groups include workers who are involved in the production of plastics, paints, rubber, resins, detergents, lubricants, drugs, or pesticides, as well as those in the synthetic materials and printing industries. Anyone who works in an industry that produces or uses benzene will be exposed to higher levels of the chemical than the general population.

Our firm in Lake Charles has litigated many dozens of benzene exposure and cancer-related cases. These include cases for industrial plant workers, seamen aboard a variety of vessels, and truck drivers. In preparing these cases for trial, we have forced the oil companies to turn over hundreds of thousands of documents, which prove these companies’ culpability and fault in wrongfully exposing our clients to benzene. Our lawyers have been able to create a computer-based library of millions of documents, giving us immediate access in preparing any case related to benzene exposure.

Benzene Health Effects and Related Diseases

Long-term occupational exposure to benzene has been associated with several diseases and conditions characterized by the suppression of the immune system. If you have been exposed to Benzene in Lake Charles, the diseases and conditions you may be at risk for include:

• Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML), also called acute myeloblastic leukemia, acute granulocytic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, acute nonlymphocytic leukemia, and ANLL is a cancer of the blood-forming tissues that forms an excess of immature white blood cells in the bone marrow and blood. Defendants in the benzene cases have long taken the position that the only form of cancer that can be caused by benzene is AML and not other cancers of the blood. Our firm has been able to prove that this is not true and has been able to link numerous blood cancers and other blood disorders to long-term benzene exposure.
• Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (also called CML or Chronic Granulocytic Leukemia) is a form of cancer in which the bone marrow makes too many white blood cells.
• Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (also called CLL) is a blood and bone marrow disease that usually gets worse slowly and is the second most common type of leukemia in adults. It often occurs during or after middle age; it rarely occurs in children.
• Multiple Myeloma (also known as Myeloma or Plasma Cell Myeloma) is a slowly progressing blood and bone marrow disease that usually occurs during or after middle age and rarely occurs in children. It is a cancer of the plasma cell, an important part of the immune system that produces immunoglobulins (antibodies) to help fight infection and disease.
• Myelodysplastic Syndrome (also known as Myelodysplasia or MDS) is a group of disorders in which the bone marrow does not make enough healthy blood cells.  There are also abnormal (blast) cells in the blood and/or bone marrow. It is a condition that may or may not progress to cancer.
• Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (also known as non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, NHL, or sometimes just as Lymphoma) is a cancer of the blood-forming organs that starts in cells called lymphocytes, which are part of the body’s immune system.

Regardless of what you are diagnosed with, you deserve committed legal representation fighting for your right to compensation after you have been exposed to hazardous chemicals.

Work With Our Compassionate Lake Charles Lawyers to Seek Justice for Harm From Benzene Exposure

Reach out to Baggett McCall LLC online for a free consultation, or call 337-478-8888 or 1-800-New-Claim (639-5246) now to speak directly with an experienced occupational diseases lawyer about benzene exposure in Lake Charles. Choose your lawyer carefully. Contact Baggett McCall today.