Railroad Settlement For Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer
Railroad workers have been exposed to a variety of carcinogens that pose danger, such as asbestos and diesel exhaust. This has resulted in many developing serious health conditions like mesothelioma and lung cancer.
FELA provides current, former railroad workers the power to sue their employers if harmful substances cause disease or death. Simmons Hanly Conroy's attorneys have years of experience filing FELA lawsuits for railroad workers who are injured across the country.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, occurs in the mesothelium. It is an outer layer of protection that covers internal organs. union pacific settlements to asbestos is the primary cause of the disease. Exposure to asbestos can lead to different types of mesothelioma including testicular, peritoneal or pleural mesothelioma, and the pericardial. Colon cancer lawsuit settlements who have a history asbestos exposure are more likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma.
The symptoms of mesothelioma might be similar to those of other diseases, which makes mesothelioma hard to recognize. Imaging scans, blood tests, and a biopsy are all necessary to diagnose mesothelioma.
Imaging scans used to diagnose mesothelioma include CT (computerized tomography) and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). These scans can help doctors identify the tumor or any other abnormalities inside the body. They can also determine if the tumor has spread to the chest wall, diaphragm, abdominal cavity, or heart.
A biopsy is a procedure which involves taking a small sample of abdominal or pleural tissue to test under a microscope. A biopsy can be done in two ways: a VATS - a type of keyhole surgery; or CT-guided core biopsy that is done under local anesthesia with an instrument guided by an CT scan. Surgical procedures used to treat pleural mesothelioma vary depending 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 can be used to relieve pain and kill cancer cells that remain after chemotherapy and surgery.
How Do I Know if I Have Mesothelioma?
The symptoms of mesothelioma can differ based on the type of cancer and the stage at which it is diagnosed. The first step in determining the diagnosis is a physical examination and imaging scans. A doctor can then perform a tissue sample to determine if the patient is suffering from mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is a cancer that primarily affects the lining in the lung. It can also affect the lining of the abdomen (peritoneal) or the testicles, the heart, and pericardium (pericardial). The majority of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma have mesothelioma of the pleura, which occurs when asbestos fibers with sharp edges irritate and inflame the pleura. This irritation and inflammation leads to the growth of tumors.
Once a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed, doctors will conduct tests to determine how far the disease has spread. This will enable them to determine the best treatment option for the patient.
railroad back injury settlements is treated with surgery. This could involve a procedure called extrapleural pneumonectomy. railroad back injury settlements is where the entire lung, pleura and a portion of the diaphragm are removed. Some patients may have an operation that is less invasive known as pleurectomy and pulmonary decortication. This removes the pleura but not the affected lung. Chemotherapy and radiation are also options. Trimodality therapy is often used to treat mesothelioma. This is a mix of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and major surgery. The outcomes of mesothelioma treatments depend on the nature and stage of the disease, as well as a person's general medical and physical health and age.
How can I tell If My Mesothelioma is Related to My Railroad Work Experience?
Rail workers are susceptible to many ailments as a result of asbestos exposure. Compensation is available to those suffering from asbestos-related diseases, like mesothelioma. Railroad workers and their families that have been impacted by asbestos need to speak with an experienced mesothelioma lawyer to determine if they qualify for a FELA lawsuit.
Asbestos was widely used in railroad construction due its affordability, durability and fire resistance. It was later discovered that it was a cancerous and deadly substance, and many railroad workers have developed asbestos-related illnesses. A mesothelioma lawyer with experience can explain FELA and other types of compensation available for asbestos victims.
Railroad workers are also exposed to different workplace toxins like diesel exhaust fumes. Solvents and silica dust. These toxins can cause respiratory ailments like silicosis which is a serious lung disease that affects the lungs.
According to a study conducted recently the work of rail yards is associated with higher rates of mesothelioma as well as other respiratory illnesses than other industries. This is likely due to increased exposure to toxic substances such as asbestos and diesel exhaust fumes as well as radiation from enriched uranium as well as plutonium. The study also indicates that older railroad workers have a higher chance of developing mesothelioma as compared to younger workers. This is likely because older workers were exposed to diesel and steam locomotives, whereas younger workers were exposed to the fumes from these engines.
How Do I Determine the Value of My Case?
An experienced attorney can help injured railroad workers receive compensation when they suffer from cancer or other ailments triggered by exposure to work-related hazards. The law referred to as Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) allows railroad workers to sue their employers for a wide range of injuries and illnesses, including lung cancer and mesothelioma.
Often, the employer will often offer to settle the matter rather than risk a judgment by jurors. A skilled railroad lawyer could review a settlement offer and determine if it is fair and adequate.
A knowledgeable attorney can examine a claim to find any evidence of asbestos and solvents, diesel exhaust, or silica sand exposure in the workplace. Different types of cancer and other diseases have been linked to these substances, therefore an experienced mesothelioma lawyer will help a patient establish that their condition was caused by exposure to work.
The defense could try to draw on the victim's past experience with smoking cigarettes to establish that the disease was not caused by workplace exposures but this isn't always successful in court. In a recent case, Conrail lost an appeal against a $2.3 million verdict after a jury found that Conrail did not prove that the plaintiff's tobacco-related illness was not at all due to exposure to asbestos at the railroad.