LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Legal Newsline) - The Union Pacific Railroad is facing a wrongful death and negligence suit in Arkansas regarding the death of former employee Robert Bennett by squamous cell carcinoma, which was allegedly caused by exposure to asbestos and other substances during his employment.
The suit was filed March 1 by attorney Paul Byrd on behalf of Mike Bennett, administrator of Robert Bennett’s estate, in Pulaski County Circuit Court.
Robert Bennett is alleged in the suit to have worked for Union Pacific from 1957 to 1961, and during that time to have been exposed to a variety of toxic substances, including asbestos, as a part of the work he did for the railroad.
In June 2017, Bennett was first diagnosed with moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, an occupationally related disease lung cancer, the suit alleges. The suit also alleges that he suffered extensively prior to his death in March 2018.
In addition to being unaware of the hazards of the substances he was exposed to during his employment, the suit alleges that Bennett was never notified by Union Pacific of the hazards following his retirement in 1961. The suit also alleges Union Pacific failed to supply adequate safety equipment.
Mike Bennett is seeking monetary relief in excess of the minimal jurisdictional limits plus interest, as well as court costs and wrongful death damages.