Railroad Settlement For Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer
Rail workers are exposed to many carcinogens such as asbestos and diesel exhaust. This has resulted in many developing serious health conditions including lung cancer and mesothelioma.
FELA allows current, past railroad workers the right to file lawsuits against employers when toxic substances cause illness or death. Simmons Hanly Conroy has attorneys who are experienced in filing FELA claims for injured railroad workers across the nation.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, develops in the mesothelium. It is an ossified layer that protects internal organs. Exposure to asbestos is the cause of the disease. Exposure can cause different types of mesothelioma: testicular, peritoneal, pleural mesothelioma and pericardial. railroad injury settlement amounts is typically diagnosed in patients who have an extensive history of exposure to asbestos.
Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are similar to those of other diseases. However the combination of blood tests, imaging scans and biopsy results can give a diagnosis.
CT (computerized Tomography) and MRI are imaging scans that can be used to diagnose mesothelioma. These scans help doctors locate the cancerous tumor and other irregularities within the body. They can also tell whether the tumor has developed into the chest wall, diaphragm, abdominal cavity or the heart.
A biopsy is a procedure that involves taking a tiny sample of pleural or abdominal tissue for testing under microscope. A biopsy can take place in two ways that include VATS, which is a type keyhole surgery or CT-guided core biopsy. The latter is done under local anesthesia by using an instrument and a CT scan. The surgical procedures used in treating mesothelioma of the pleura vary based on the stage of cancer. Treatment options include a pleurectomy and extrapleural pneumonectomy. It is a surgical removal of the affected pleura, or chemotherapy. Radiation therapy is commonly used to ease pain or kill remaining cancerous cells following surgery or chemotherapy.
How do I know if I Have Mesothelioma?
The symptoms of mesothelioma may differ based on the type of cancer and the stage at which it is diagnosed. A physical exam and imaging tests are the first step to diagnose mesothelioma. Then, a doctor will perform a tissue biopsy in order to determine if the patient is suffering from mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is a cancer that is primarily affecting the lining of the lung. It can also affect the lining in the abdomen (peritoneal) or the heart, testicles and pericardium (pericardial). Most patients diagnosed with mesothelioma have pleural mesothelioma, which occurs when asbestos fibers that are sharp irritate and cause inflammation of the pleura. This irritation and inflammation leads to the formation of tumors.
Doctors will test the patient to determine the extent to which the cancer has spread. This will help them determine the most effective treatment options for the patient.
Pleural mesothelioma usually is treated surgically. Extrapleural pneumonectomy is one of the procedures that can be used to remove the entire lung and pleura, as well as a portion of diaphragm. Certain patients may undergo a limited procedure called pleurectomy with lung decortication. This only removes the pleura and not the lungs affected. Other treatments include chemotherapy and radiation. Sometimes, mesothelioma treatment is trimodality therapy. This is the combination of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and major surgery. The outcome of mesothelioma therapies is contingent on the type, stage and the history of the cancer.
How Do I Know if My Mesothelioma Is Related to My Railroad Work?
Rail workers can be affected by many ailments as a result of asbestos exposure. Those suffering from an asbestos-related disease like mesothelioma could be eligible to receive compensation. Railroad workers and their families who have been affected by asbestos should consult an experienced mesothelioma lawyer to determine if they are eligible for a FELA lawsuit.
Asbestos is commonly used in railroad construction because it is cheap and abrasion-resistant. It was later discovered that it was a deadly cancerous material and many railroad workers suffered asbestos-related illnesses. A knowledgeable mesothelioma lawyer will explain FELA and other forms of compensation that are available to asbestos victims.
Railroad workers also are exposed to other workplace toxins, including diesel exhaust fumes. Solvents and silica dust. These contaminants can lead to respiratory conditions such as silicosis which is a serious lung disease that affects the lungs.
According to a study conducted recently, work in railroad yards is associated with higher rates of mesothelioma compared to other industries. This is likely due the higher exposure to harmful substances such as asbestos, diesel exhaust fumes and radiation from enriched plutonium as well as the uranium. The study also indicates that older railroad workers are at a greater risk of dying from mesothelioma when compared to younger workers. union pacific settlements is due to the fact that older workers were exposed to early diesel and steam locomotives, whereas younger employees were exposed to the emissions of these engines.
How do I determine the value of my case?
In the event that railroad employees suffer from cancer or other ailments related to on-the-job exposures, an experienced attorney could assist the person suffering from injury to seek compensation. The law known as the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) allows railroad employees to sue their employers for a range of illnesses and injuries, including mesothelioma and lung cancer.
Oft, the employer will settle the case to reduce the possibility of a jury decision. A skilled railroad lawyer could review a settlement offer and determine whether it is fair, reasonable and acceptable.
A skilled attorney may also examine a claim to discover any evidence of asbestos and diesel fumes or silica exposure at work. Multiple myeloma settlements have been linked to many different types of cancers and illnesses. A mesothelioma lawyer can help a client establish that the illness was caused by exposure to workplace chemicals.
In court, the defense may draw on the smoker's history to prove that their disease was not the result of exposure to asbestos at work. However this doesn't always work. Conrail lost a recent appeal of a $2.3million verdict due to a jury that determined that the company failed to prove that the plaintiff's smoking related illness was not caused by asbestos exposure at the railroad.