Benzene Interview with Transcript

TRANSCRIPT:

Kacy:  There has been a rise of leukemia lawsuits as a result of exposure to the industrial chemical benzene. Over the past several years, the lawyers at the Higgins firm have been involved in several types of these benzene lawsuits.  Attorney Jim Higgins recently stopped by to tell us more about it including who is most at risk.  Jim great to have you back.

Jim:  Thank you.

Kacy:  We are talking about these benzene lawsuits.  Explain to us a little bit about the basis of these lawsuits.

Jim:  Sure, so we have been handling some cases involving a chemical called benzene.  Benzene is a chemical that’s been around for a long time and it is used in a lot of factories; fuel, rubber, factories, adhesive companies and things like that. What we have is when there is long-term exposure to benzene it appears that it it causes and our experts say they it can cause certain kinds of leukemia and so we have pursued law suits against some of the manufacturers that use these products when we don’t think they have proper warnings about benzene causing leukemia.  That you need take certain precautions around the chemical. You know, we have factory workers and people that worked in different fields for decades and believe it’s this long term exposure to benzene which has resulted in leukemia, certain specific types of leukemia like acute myeloid leukemia, is one that that we’ve seen a good bit expert information.  A lot of time they just don’t even know about the risk of getting leukemia from being around it.

Kacy: Which workers are at most risks? Is it just factory workers?

Jim:  Well you know it is a lot different ones.  It is mechanics, people work around fuel a lot. We have had people that work in shoe factories, rubber factories, and paint. I mean it is a chemical that used a lot of different places but one thing you said at the first of this is correct. That is that a lot of people just don’t even know it is dangerous and that’s one thing that’s really tough.  We have this limited amount of time to pursue an injury lawsuit in Tennessee and people that get a leukemia diagnosis and its devastating, so the last thing that they’re thinking is that I need to call a lawyer. They need to go get their medical care.  But a lot of times it not like an injury from a car wreck or something that’s from an acute trauma and it builds over time so they don’t have any idea what was the cause of the cancer that it may be caused by benzene exposure.  Of course, sometimes people just get leukemia but what I always tell folks if you have been affected and if you’ve been around benzene for years and if you have a leukemia diagnosis, they should look into it and they should give us a call. They may have a claim or they may not but if they do then you may can gets some financial help with medical bills, lost earnings some help for your family you know and you can focus on getting the  medical care that you need.

Kacy: Absolutely. Still before we go should when should they contact your office?  As soon as they get a diagnosis or should it be even before that if they’re working around benzene.

Jim:  I mean people will always get nervous when they work around chemicals. There’s usually no need to call us because we are all around them.   However, if you have worked around a benzene,  and  got a leukemia diagnosis than I would suggest you call our office right away.

Kacy:  Helping a lot of people Jim.  Thanks so much.
The Higgins Firm is serving Tennessee.  Give them a call at 800.705.2121