Railroad Settlement For Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer
Railroad workers have been exposed to countless dangerous carcinogens including asbestos and diesel exhaust. Many railroad workers have suffered from serious health conditions, including mesothelioma and lung cancer.
FELA provides current, former, and retired railroad workers the ability to sue employers when harmful substances cause disease or death. Simmons Hanly Conroy has attorneys who are experienced in submitting FELA claims for railroad workers across the country.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that occurs in the mesothelium - a layer of protective tissue around organs in the internal space. Exposure to asbestos is the cause of the disease. Exposure to asbestos can lead to different types of mesothelioma like pleural, peritoneal, testicular mesothelioma, and pericardial. Mesothelioma is usually diagnosed in patients with a long history of exposure to asbestos.
Mesothelioma can be difficult for doctors to diagnose because the symptoms are similar to other diseases. However a combination of blood tests as well as imaging scans and a biopsy can provide the diagnosis.
Colon cancer lawsuit settlements used for diagnosing mesothelioma can be found in CT (computerized tomography) and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). These scans help doctors find the location of the tumor, as well as any other irregularities within the body. These scans can also show whether the cancer has spread to the chest diaphragm, abdominal cavity or diaphragm.
A biopsy is a procedure in which a small piece of tissue from the abdomen or pleura is taken and examined under microscope. A biopsy can be carried out in two ways: VATS, a type keyhole surgery or CT-guided core biopsy. The latter is performed under local anesthesia using a needle and a CT scan. The surgical procedures used in treating mesothelioma in the pleural region differ based on the stage of the cancer. Treatment options include a pleurectomy, extrapleural pneumonectomy. It is a surgical removal of the affected pleura, or chemotherapy. Radiation therapy is a method to reduce the pain and kill cancerous cells that remain after surgery and chemotherapy.
How do I know If I Have Mesothelioma?
The symptoms of mesothelioma can vary based on the stage and type of cancer. A physical exam and imaging tests are the first step in identifying mesothelioma. Then a doctor can perform a tissue biopsy to determine whether or not the patient is suffering from mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is an illness that primarily affects the lining in the lung. It can also affect the lining in the abdomen (peritoneal) or the testicles, heart and pericardium (pericardial). Most patients diagnosed with mesothelioma are suffering from pleural mesothelioma, which occurs when asbestos fibers are sharp and cause irritation and inflame the pleura. railroad injury settlement amounts and irritation can lead to the formation of tumors.
When a mesothelioma diagnosis has been confirmed, doctors will conduct tests to see how far the disease has spread. This will allow them to determine the most effective treatment options for the patient.
Pleural mesothelioma usually is treated surgically. This can include the procedure known as extrapleural pulmonary pneumonectomy. In this procedure, the entire lung, part of the pleura, as well as a portion of the diaphragm are removed. Some patients may have the procedure of pleurectomy, which is limited with lung decortication. This removes only the pleura, but not the affected lungs. Radiation and chemotherapy are also options. Sometimes, mesothelioma is treated using trimodality therapy, which involves the combination of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and major surgery. The outcomes of mesothelioma treatment depend on the type and severity of the disease, as well as a person's general health and medical history as well as their age.
How do I know If My Mesothelioma Is Related to My Railroad Work?
Rail workers are susceptible to various ailments resulting from asbestos exposure. Compensation may be offered to those suffering from asbestos-related diseases, like mesothelioma. Railroad workers and their families that have been impacted by asbestos should consult an experienced mesothelioma lawyer to determine if they are eligible for an FELA lawsuit.
Asbestos is widely used in railroad construction due its affordability and durability as well as fire resistance. It was later discovered to be an extremely cancerous substance and many railroad workers were diagnosed with asbestos-related illnesses. A mesothelioma lawyer who is experienced can explain FELA and other forms of compensation for asbestos victims.
In addition, railroad workers can be exposed to other workplace toxins, such as solvents, diesel exhaust fumes and silica sand. These contaminants can lead to respiratory diseases like silicosis an extremely serious lung disease that affects the lung.
According to a research study conducted recently, work in railroad yards is associated with higher rates of mesothelioma than other sectors. This is likely due to increased exposure to toxic chemicals such as asbestos, diesel exhaust fumes and radiation from enriched uranium and plutonium. The study also reveals that older railroad workers have a higher chance of dying from mesothelioma, compared to younger workers. This is probably due to the fact that older workers were exposed to steam and early diesel locomotives, whereas younger employees were exposed to the emissions of these engines.
How do I determine the Value of My Case?
An experienced lawyer can assist injured railroad workers seek compensation in cases where they suffer from cancer or other illnesses caused by on-the-job exposures. The Federal Employers Liability (FELA) law permits railroad workers to sue their employer for many ailments and injuries, including mesothelioma or lung cancer.
Often, employers will offer to settle the matter rather than risk a judgement by a jury. A railroad lawyer with experience can evaluate a settlement to determine if it is fair, reasonable and acceptable.
A competent attorney could investigate a case to discover any potential evidence of asbestos, solvents, diesel exhaust or silica sand exposure in the workplace. Many kinds of cancers and illnesses have been associated with these substances, therefore an experienced mesothelioma lawyer will help a client find proof that their illness was caused by exposure to workplace chemicals.
Colon cancer lawsuit settlements may try to utilize the victim's previous history of cigarette smoking to prove that his or her disease was not caused by workplace exposures but this isn't always successful in the court. In a recent case Conrail lost an appeal of a $2.3 million verdict after the jury found that Conrail did not prove that the plaintiff's illness caused by tobacco was not caused by exposure to asbestos at the railroad.