Benzene Acute Myeloid Leukemia Lawsuits: Cancer from Exposure

Attorneys working with ClassAction.org are filing lawsuits on behalf of individuals who were diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) after being exposed to benzene at work.

Exposure to benzene has been linked to a higher risk of cancer—particularly leukemia and other blood-related cancers—and its health risks have been documented for over 100 years. Nevertheless, benzene remains one of the top 20 chemicals produced in the United States by volume, and allegations have surfaced that some manufacturers and employers knowingly allow workers—especially in the oil refinery, chemical and gasoline industries—to be exposed to the dangerous chemical on a daily basis in violation of state and federal regulations.

Lawsuits are now being filed seeking to hold employers, manufacturers, suppliers and others responsible for the harm caused to workers and families dealing with a cancer diagnosis after exposure to benzene or benzene-containing chemicals.

How Are People Exposed to Benzene?

Benzene is a flammable liquid that evaporates quickly in the air, and people are typically exposed to the chemical by breathing in the vapors or absorbing it through skin contact.

Although benzene is produced by natural processes like volcanoes and forest fires, most people are exposed through human activities. Benzene is a component of crude oil, gasoline and cigarette smoke, and it is also used to make detergents, dyes, drugs, lubricants, pesticides, rubber and a wide range of industrial products.

In fact, benzene lawsuits have been filed alleging that certain consumer products—including aerosol deodorants and dry shampoos, sunscreen and acne treatments—contain unsafe levels of the chemical.

Can People Get Cancer from Exposure to Benzene?

Several national and international agencies, including the National Toxicology Program and Environmental Protection Agency, classify benzene as a known human carcinogen, and exposure to the chemical has been linked to a higher risk of cancer, particularly leukemia and other blood-related cancers.

The American Cancer Society notes that studies have shown higher rates of leukemia among workers with a high level of exposure to benzene, such as those in the chemical, oil refinery and footwear manufacturing industries.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which is part of the World Health Organization (WHO), classifies benzene as carcinogenic to humans based on “sufficient evidence” that it causes acute myeloid leukemia. According to the IARC, benzene exposure is also linked to acute lymphocytic leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Who’s Eligible to File a Benzene Cancer Lawsuit?

Wrongful death lawsuits can also be filed by family members on behalf of a deceased individual.

What’s Involved in Filing a Benzene Exposure Lawsuit?

If you decide to pursue a benzene cancer lawsuit, your attorney will first gather documentation and other information relevant to your case. This may include copies of medical records, as well as details of your or your family member’s benzene exposure and its negative impact. For instance, your lawyer may request employment information—such as employers, job titles and responsibilities—that could be connected to the occupational benzene exposure.

If you’re not sure whether you or your family member was exposed to benzene, an experienced attorney can help by investigating work history and the possibility of exposure.

Once your lawyer has enough information, they will draft and submit to the court a document called a complaint, which will detail the companies you’re alleging are liable for the exposure (such as employers or benzene product manufacturers, suppliers or distributors), the allegations you’re making and the harm you and your family have suffered.

The complaint will also include your attorneys’ names and contact details, the damages you are seeking and the court where the document will be filed. When the complaint is officially filed with the court, your lawsuit begins.

In the event that your case does not settle and is not dismissed, it will proceed to a jury trial. However, it should be noted that courtroom trials are rare in civil cases.

What Could I Get from a Benzene Cancer Lawsuit?

A family member filing a benzene lawsuit on behalf of a deceased individual may also seek compensation for funeral expenses.

Is this a Class Action Lawsuit?

No, attorneys working with ClassAction.org are not handling benzene lawsuits as a class action, as they believe that the harm potentially caused by benzene exposure is severe enough that individual lawsuits are warranted.

Class action lawsuits typically seek compensation for a large group of people who suffered similar and comparatively smaller damages or losses, such as paying for a misleadingly advertised product. For these types of cases, the cost of pursuing separate lawsuits for each affected person would outweigh any potential recovery.

Learn more about why some cases, such as benzene cancer lawsuits, are not handled as class actions here.

How Much Does a Benzene Exposure Lawsuit Cost?

The lawyers working with ClassAction.org are handling benzene cancer lawsuits on a contingency fee basis, meaning they will only be paid if they win your case. Their payment, should they succeed, will be a percentage of your benzene exposure settlement or jury award.

How Much Compensation Could I Get from a Benzene Cancer Lawsuit?

Many factors can affect the outcome of your lawsuit and potential recovery, including the severity of your illness, the length of exposure to benzene, and the defendants’ liability (such as whether an employer or manufacturer complied with benzene regulations).

While there are no guarantees, some workers have been awarded millions of dollars in benzene cancer settlements or verdicts, including a former mechanic who was awarded $725.5 million by a Pennsylvania jury in a lawsuit claiming benzene exposure caused his acute myeloid leukemia.

Is There a Deadline for Filing a Benzene Lawsuit?

The time limit for filing your benzene cancer lawsuit is called the statute of limitations and can vary based on where your case is filed and other factors. Many times, the statute of limitations is two years after diagnosis or exposure, but it can range anywhere from one to six years. An experienced attorney can help ensure that your case is filed before the deadline.

Benzene Health Effects: Toxicity and Hazards

The health risks of exposure to benzene have been known for at least a century. Case reports from the early 1900s document fatalities caused by acute (i.e., short-term) exposure to benzene, which resulted in asphyxiation, respiratory arrest, slowing of the central nervous system and suspected cardiac collapse.

At very high levels, inhalation or ingestion of benzene can cause death. Direct contact with benzene may also cause irritation or injury to the eyes, skin or lungs.

According to the American Cancer Society, lab studies have shown that benzene is known to cause chromosomal changes to bone marrow cells, which are consistent with changes often found in leukemia cells.

Benzene and Cancer: Link with Leukemia, MDS and Others

Acute Myeloid Leukemia

There is sufficient evidence linking benzene exposure to acute myeloid leukemia, a fast-growing type of blood cancer. Acute myeloid leukemia often begins in the bone marrow in cells that would normally develop into white blood cells, but it can quickly move into the blood and other parts of the body, including the lymph nodes, liver, spleen, central nervous system and testicles (in males).

Acute myeloid leukemia, which is also known as acute myelocytic leukemia, acute myelogenous leukemia, acute granulocytic leukemia or acute non-lymphocytic leukemia, is one of the most common types of leukemia in adults and usually needs to be treated quickly given its fast progression.

Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS)

The IARC has determined that benzene exposure can cause myelodysplastic syndromes, a group of conditions that occur when the blood-forming cells in the bone marrow become abnormal.

Myelodysplastic syndromes, also known as myelodysplastic neoplasms, are considered a type of cancer and can result in low numbers of normal red blood cells, white blood cells and/or platelets. MDS may progress into acute myeloid leukemia in approximately 30 to 40% of cases.

Other Types of Cancer

According to the IARC, benzene exposure is also linked to the following types of cancer:

Are There Regulations for Benzene Exposure?

Yes. Regulations at both the state and federal levels have been established to help protect workers and the public from harm caused by benzene exposure.

For instance, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) limits exposure for workers to one part of benzene per million parts of air (1 ppm) over an eight-hour period and 5 ppm over any 15-minute period. Employers are also required to provide respirators and medical monitoring for certain workers who are exposed to benzene.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates benzene emissions in waste generated by certain factories and refineries, as well as the levels of benzene allowed in gasoline and drinking water.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) requires a hazard warning on the label of any product containing 5% or more by weight of benzene.

Employers, manufacturers and other companies that fail to comply with benzene regulations could be held liable for resulting harm to employees and their families.

Cancer from Exposure to Benzene? Take Action

After you get in touch, a legal representative may reach out to you directly to ask you some questions and explain more. It doesn’t cost anything to fill out the form or speak with someone, and you’re not obligated to take legal action after learning more about your options.

Before commenting, please review our comment policy.