Benzene Exposure Lawsuit

Benzene is a known carcinogen in humans and causes benzene related cancer. Breathing benzene vapors may cause immediate death and other exposures to the chemical have been linked to various forms of leukemia, most notably Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML).

Our Experience – Benzene Litigation

Why You Should Choose Schmidt & Clark, LLP

“Our law firm has substantial expertise in the highly specialized field of occupational and environmental Benzene exposure litigation”

There are many law firms in the United States that advertise their legal services for Benzene lawsuits, however most of these law firms do not actually litigate them. You can contact our law firm with confidence in knowing that we have earned the nationwide respect and recognition from our peers for the successful representation of Benzene exposure clients and their families.

If you or a loved one have been exposed to Benzene and developed a form of leukemia or other blood related disease, you should contact us immediately. You may be entitled to compensation and we can help.

What is Benzene?

Benzene is a colorless liquid with a sweet odor. Benzene evaporates into the air very quickly and dissolves slightly in water. It is highly flammable and is formed from both natural processes and human activities. Natural sources of benzene include volcanoes and forest fires. Benzene is also a natural part of crude oil, gasoline, and cigarette smoke, and a component or contaminant in numerous industrial and consumer products.

Benzene is commonly found In: adhesives, asphalts, calibrating fluid, charcoal lighter fluid, cigarette lighter fluid, contact cements, gasoline, glues, kerosene, hydraulic fluids, inks and ink markers, lacquer thinner, pesticides, processing film, rubber cement, solvents, and vinyl thinner >> Benzene Product List

Who is at risk of Benzene exposure?

Occupational Exposure: workers in many industries that produce or use benzene may be at risk for being exposed to this horrible carcinogen. Some of these jobs include benzene production (petrochemicals, petroleum refining, and coke and coal chemical manufacturing), tire manufacturing, the printing industry, and storage or transport of benzene and petroleum products containing benzene.

Other workers who may be exposed to benzene because of their occupations include workers in the rubber industry, printers industry, pesticides production, detergent production, solvent production, paint and varnish production, waste management, oil refineries, chemical plants, shoe manufacturers, petroleum processing industries, steel workers, printers, laboratory technicians, firefighters, and gas station employees.

Environmental Exposure: although benzene exposure normally occurs in the workplace, there have been many instances of Industrial discharge, disposal of products containing benzene, and gasoline leaks from underground storage tanks that have released benzene into our soil and water supplies, thus creating environmental benzene exposure situations.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has responded to environmental benzene exposure problems by setting the maximum permissible level of benzene in drinking water at 0.005 milligrams per liter (0.005 mg/L). The EPA requires that spills or accidental releases into the environment of 10 pounds or more of benzene be reported to the EPA immediately.

Consumer Exposure: some household products, such as glues, cleaning products, detergents, art supplies, and paint strippers, contain benzene. In addition, there has recently been quite a bit of news surrounding the discovery of benzene in soda and soft drinks.

Unfortunately, many companies consider the addition of the chemical to their products of as a “trade secret” and therefore do not list it on the product labeling. This corporate strategy poses a serious risk to consumers who become victims of unknown benzene exposure.

What are the side effects of Benzene exposure?

There are Acute (short-term) and Chronic (long-term) side effects to a person being exposed to the chemical. Benzene has been linked to the following:

• Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML)
• Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
• Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
• Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)
• Myelofibrosis and Myeloid Metaplasia
• Aplastic Anemia
• Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL)
• Hairy Cell Leukemia
• Multiple Myeloma
• Thrombocytopenic Purpura
• Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML)
• Hematologic Cancers

Additional Information:

• Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
• Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA)
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• National Toxicology Program – Report on Carcinogens
• American Cancer Society – Benzene

Do I have a Benzene Lawsuit?

The Toxic Tort Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus exclusively on the representation of plaintiffs in Benzene lawsuits. We are handling individual and group litigation nationwide and currently accepting new Benzene cases in all 50 states.

If you or a loved one have been exposed to Benzene and developed a form of leukemia or other blood related disease, you should contact us immediately. You may be entitled to compensation and we can help.