The answer may very well relate to one of the significant industries operating in and around New Mexico.
New Mexico is the second largest producer of crude oil in the United States. Texas is the only U.S. State that produces more crude oil. New Mexico produces up to 14% of the total U.S. crude oil. While that industry-base may generate tax revenue and jobs, unfortunately it also kicks off a lot of benzene, a toxin known to cause leukemia. Benzene is a naturally occurring component of crude oil. Our medical experts contend that there is no safe level of benzene exposures. Without the proper protective equipment, benzene can be inhaled, absorbed through the skin, and even ingested. Exposure to benzene, over a period of time, increases your risk for various forms of leukemia and lymphoma, including acute myeloid leukemia, multiple myeloma, myelodysplastic syndrome, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Many of New Mexico’s Citizens are at Risk for Leukemia
Thousands of workers in New Mexico are employed in this $27 billion oil industry. New Mexico’s oilfield workers can experience benzene exposures when they extract the crude oil, transport the oil, and/or refine it. If employers are not taking local and federal regulations seriously, the potential health hazards could be severe. Increased or prolonged exposures to benzene will increase one’s risk for leukemia. Employers, property owners where the exposures occurred and manufacturers of benzene-containing products are often named as defendants in oilfield leukemia cases. Time and time again, these defendants have failed to warn and otherwise safeguard New Mexico oilfield workers from exposures to benzene.
Other New Mexico Workers at Risk for Leukemia from Benzene
- Pressman/Printers
- Mechanics
- Gasoline Truck Drivers
- Chemical Workers
- Gas Station Attendants
- Pipefitters
Toxic exposures due to occupational hazards are largely regulated by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA). Despite the oil industry fighting to show that its practices, products and employee exposures do not cause cancer, scientific communities and federal agencies continue to lower the limit on permissible benzene exposure levels.
Can I File My Benzene Case in New Mexico – or Do These Cases Proceed Elsewhere?
In some certain cases, New Mexico is a good jurisdiction for benzene litigation. New Mexico requires a “but for” test in order to prove that a disease was caused by benzene exposure. In Wilcox v. Homestake Mining Co., the district court affirmed that a “but for” test is necessary in establishing causation in toxic tort cases. This means that you must show that without the actions of the other party (the entity that contributed to your benzene exposures), your injury would not have happened. This requirement is the first of many hurdles faced in New Mexico benzene litigation. These matters are expensive to litigate and require knowledgeable attorneys who can build the right team of qualified experts needed to get your case to verdict.
We May Be Able To Help
Benzene related claims are difficult undertakings. The petroleum industry has teams of law firms at its disposal. If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with leukemia, and suspect that the diagnosis could be related to benzene exposures, call 1-800-BENZENE today. All attorney consultations are free.
