Non Hodgkins Lymphoma Cancer Lawsuit

Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma is a type of cancer that starts in cells called lymphocytes. These cells are part of the body’s immune system. Lymphocytes are in the lymph nodes and other lymphoid tissues (such as the spleen and bone marrow). The disease is sometimes known as Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, NHL, or just lymphoma.

The lymphatic system is part of the body’s immune system. It helps fight infections and other diseases while filtering out bacteria, viruses, and other unwanted substances. Three major sites of lymph tissue include:

• Lymph Nodes: These are bean-sized collections of lymphocytes and other immune system cells throughout the body, including inside the chest, abdomen and pelvis. Additionally, they connect to a system of lymphatic vessels.
• Spleen: The spleen is an organ under the lower ribs on the left side of the body. Additionally, the spleen makes lymphocytes and other immune system cells. It also stores healthy blood cells and filters out damaged blood cells, bacteria and cell waste.
• Bone marrow: The bone marrow is the spongy tissue inside certain bones. Furthermore, bone marrow creates new blood cells and lymphocytes.

As mentioned, causes of non-Hodgkins Lymphoma include benzene, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and Glyphosate (found in Roundup). Occupational exposures may result in chromosomal damage, oxidative stress, or immune dysfunction. As a result, studies have shown that farming and agricultural work have been consistently associated with an increased incidence and mortality rate of NHL. There are several other occupations associated with this type of cancer:

• Funeral directors and embalmers
• Medical professionals
• Teachers
• Painters and Construction workers
• Printers
• Transport Workers
• Secretaries
• Post Office Employees
• Electrical Workers
• Glass Formers
• Hair Dressers

Workplace exposure to toxic chemicals may lead to Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. These chemicals include:

• Benzene
• Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
• Roundup (Glyphosate)

If you believe your NHL was caused by exposure to toxic chemicals such as Roundup, Benzene or PCBs, contact our Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma Lawsuit lawyers ASAP. We will help you fight for the compensation you deserve.

Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma (NHL) can cause to several different signs and symptoms, depending on the type of lymphoma and where it is in the body. Sometimes, it might not cause any symptoms, until it grows in size. Common signs and symptoms include:

• Enlarged lymph nodes
• Fever
• Sweating
• Chills
• Weight loss
• Fatigue
• Swollen abdomen (belly)
• Feeling full after only a small amount of food
• Chest pain or pressure
• Shortness of breath
• Cough
• Unexplained weight loss
• Severe or frequent infections
• Easy bruising or bleeding
• Breast implants

Another symptom of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma is swollen lymph nodes. When this occurs, lymph nodes close to the body such as the sides of the neck, groin, underarms or above the collarbone may be seen or felt as lumps under the skin. However, they are usually not painful.

While swollen lymph nodes are a common symptom of lymphoma, there more often caused by infections. When an infection is present, they are called reactive nodes or hyperplastic nodes. Additionally, they may be tender to the touch.

Although benzene is a chemical with widespread use, the International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified benzene as a Group 1 carcinogen to humans. Benzene is highly volatile and exposure occurs mostly through inhalation. It forms in both natural processes, as well as human activities. Several decades of research links benzene to leukemia. However, benzene is also associated with non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.

Industries that make or use benzene risk exposing workers to potentially life-threatening diseases in years to come. These industries include:

Workers involved in the manufacturing process, including storing, mixing, loading or unloading, inspecting benzene, risk exposure to inhaling the chemical. The processes to produce tires and general rubber goods, such as gloves or shoes, expose workers to high levels of dust and fumes.

Benzene is also a component of crude oil. Often, workers must open hatches to inspect the contents of tanks which include, oil, waste-water or chemicals used in oil refineries. Workers risk benzene exposure through inhaling the chemical, as well as skin contact.

Benzene occurs naturally in crude petroleum, at levels up to 4 g/l. Activities like working in the petroleum industry put a human at risk for exposure to these high levels of these toxic chemicals.

Perhaps the most common way benzene exposure occurs, chemical plants typically manufacture some kind of aromatic element. For example, benzene is an important ingredient for common synthetics like nylon; which is then used in rubber, lubricants, and explosives. Employees who work in chemical plants are certainly at high risk of exposure to benzene.

While shoemaking is one of the oldest occupations, hazardous chemicals expose modern shoe factory employees through adhesives containing benzene and other toxic chemicals.

As stated before, benzene is a natural part of crude oil and, because gasoline is a petroleum product, it is also a source of benzene exposure. For example, some people enjoy the smell of gasoline, but they may not know that what they’re inhaling is the sweet-smelling toxic chemical benzene. While most of the country has self-service gas stations, New Jersey is the last state that does not permit drivers to pump their own gas. Gas station attendants risk exposure to benzene every time they pump gas.

Another occupation that risks benzene exposure is painters. Paint is not just used in the manufacturing process or refinery process—sometimes the product itself contains benzene. Anyone who paints for a living or works in a paint factory is at risk for benzene exposure.

Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is a very rare, treatable form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma cancer of the cells of the immune system and a known risk from breast implants. It occurs in breast tissue in about 3 in 100 million women. This rare form of cancer affects the cells of the immune system.

In cases where ALCL is linked to breast implants, the cancer is not found on the breast itself, but usually in the capsule of scar tissue that forms around the implant and fluid near the implant. There are even some cases where the ALCL has spread throughout the body.

In addition to the industries listed above, some occupations use benzene in its liquid form to cut grease and dissolve rust. It is a highly flammable liquid with a sweet smell commonly used in maintenance and repair work at home, as well as commercial and industrial environments. Benzene has reached the bloodstream of workers in chemical and oil refineries and rubber production plants. Several products contain benzene:

• Cleaners
• Detergents
• Dyes
• Fats
• Glues
• Gums
• Inks
• Lubricants
• Motor fuels
• Nylon and synthetic fibers
• Paints
• Pesticides
• Plastic
• Rubber
• Solvents
• Waxes

Because benzene has such a widespread use, this is not an exhaustive list. Exposure occurs through inhalation, skin absorption and, sometimes, ingestion. Further, experts have been investigating and documenting the connections between benzene and serious illnesses for years. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has specific guidelines to reduce an employee’s exposure to benzene to prevent negative health effects. If you or a loved one is living with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma caused by workplace toxic chemical exposure, contact our firm today. We have a qualified cancer lawsuit lawyer ready to discuss your case. 

Lymphoma causes are still a question to researchers but we know that Lymphoma can develop when lymphocytes (white blood cells that fight infection) grow out of control. This is caused by genetic changes in the cells that mean they no longer ‘listen’ to signals that control their growth and death. Researchers are finding out more about the genetic changes in lymphoma, and this is leading to new treatments.

Lymphoma begins when a disease-fighting white blood cell called a lymphocyte develops a genetic mutation. The mutation tells the cell to multiply rapidly, causing many diseased lymphocytes that continue multiplying. Lymphoma causes are still under research.

Roundup’s active ingredient glyphosate is potentially linked to cancer as well as liver and kidney damage. Recent studies show that the severe damage to the liver and kidneys can disrupt the body’s endocrine system, which regulates hormones. This disruption increases the risks of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.

Roundup is a popular herbicide used for killing weeds and grass that has been on the market since the 1970s. The product’s main ingredient is glyphosate, a broad-spectrum herbicide that is the most widely used herbicide in the world. Concerns that the chemical causes NHL have persisted for years. Despite these concerns, each year approximately 250 million pounds of glyphosate are sprayed on crops, commercial nurseries, lawns, driveways, sidewalks, parks and golf courses.

In March 2015, 17 leading global cancer experts from the World Health Organization International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified glyphosate as a class 2A, a probable human carcinogen. The IARC concluded that there was strong evidence in cell mutation related to both pure glyphosate and formulas that use glyphosate. The IARC reviewed about 100 studies to conclude the carcinogenic effects of glyphosate exposure in the workplace.

On the other hand, in the United States, the product has little to no government warning. In fact, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which regulates pesticides, contradicted WHO’s report. In December 2017, the EPA in a draft risk assessment report said it found “no other meaningful risks to human health” when farmers or other workers use glyphosate according to its label instructions. The EPA’s current position on the ingredient is the opposite of what it believed in the 1980s. The organization believed the product might cause cancer in the three decades ago, but cited a lack of evidence linking the ingredient to cancer. However, there has been significant growth in evidence linking glyphosate to cancer. Farmers and others exposed to the herbicide, such as employees in garden centers, nurseries, and landscapers, including:

• Leukemia
• Bone cancer
• Multiple Myeloma
• B-cell Lymphoma
• Non-Hodgkins lymphoma

Once harvested, a certain amount of pesticides or pesticide chemical residues may remain on some crops. Because of this, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is to ensure that chemical residue on (or in) domestic and imported food does not exceed the limits established by the EPA. The EPA’s tolerance for glyphosate depends on the type of crop used. Finally, the EPA’s tolerance for glyphosate ranges from .1 to .310 parts per million. 

A doctor will implement a treatment plan once he or she determines a patient is suffering from Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Additionally, the treatment plan will depend largely on the type of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, its stage, how quickly the cancer is growing and the patient’s age. In some cases, the best course of action is no course of action at all, but rather to wait and watch the cancer closely. If immediate treatment is the best course of action, the patient might receive one of the following:

• Chemotherapy
• Radiation therapy
• Stem Cell transplant
• Biological drugs
• Radio Immunotherapy medications

If medical expenses are becoming more costly because of occupational exposure to a toxic chemical, contact The Carlson Law Firm. We can assist you on your journey to recovery. An experienced cancer lawsuit lawyer from our firm can file a lawsuit on your behalf. Further, we can help you recoup the cost of medical expenses and more to make dealing with cancer diagnosis easier.

Filing a claim for damages related to Hodgkin’s disease or other conditions can often be quite challenging. You may need to hire a qualified personal injury lawyer if you need help or representation in for a trial. Your attorney can help review the facts of your case and can help determine what steps you should take. A qualified lawyer in your area will be able to help you file a claim so you can obtain compensation for losses or injuries.

The Cancer lawsuit attorneys at The Carlson Law Firm are currently accepting Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know was injured by exposure to toxic chemicals, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation for you Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma Lawsuit.

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