Railroad Settlement and Esophageal Cancer
Railroad workers are frequently exposed to cancer-causing substances in their workplace. Some workers develop mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other diseases as a consequence of their exposure to chemicals.
In a case filed in the United States District Court, Northern District of Alabama, our attorneys were able to secure summary judgment for a large railroad carrier. Plaintiff claimed that his cancer resulted by exposure to diesel exhaust, asbestos and creosote.
Risk Factors
The kind of cancer that develops within an individual's esophagus can be determined by various factors. Certain risk factors are able to be altered, but others like the age of the person and their family history are not able to be changed. The most common type of esophageal carcinoma starts in the flat cells, called squamous cells, which make up the majority of the lining on the esophagus. It is more prevalent in males and black individuals, but this trend is declining across the world.
The esophagus has glandular cells that produce mucus to aid in the movement of food items from the mouth to the stomach. The cells are concentrated in the lower esophagus near the stomach. Adenocarcinomas are by far the most common type of esophageal tumours that can be found in these cells. The majority of these tumors can be found in black and male people, but they're also on the decline in the United States.
The risk of developing cancer of the esophagus increases in proportion to the amount of time spent smoking tobacco and drinking alcohol. Drinking heavily over a long period of time increases the probability of developing squamous-cell carcinoma and a wide range of drinks are associated with this cancer throughout the world such as tea brewed in Northern China, Brandie whiskey in the US and Europe and beer in Southern Africa, and distilled drinks in Latin America.
Railroad workers are regularly exposed to toxic substances that increase their risk of contracting esophageal cancer, such as solvents employed in cleaning equipment and herbicides applied along rail tracks in order to prevent the growth of weeds as well as lead paints on railway bridges and facilities such as exhaust fumes from diesel engines, and silica from industrial material. The benzene in creosote, which is a toxic chemical that is used to treat railroad ties, can also cause cancer.
Diagnosis
Early diagnosis can improve your chances of survival. The earlier the cancer is diagnosed the more likely it is to be treated. Early signs include difficulty swallowing as well as weight loss, coughing, hoarseness and chest pain.
Imaging tests can be used by a doctor to diagnose esophageal cancer. This could include an upper-gastrointestinal examination using a barium swallow. railroad back injury settlements involves swallowing an innocuous chalky liquid that will be a coating on the inside of the esophagus, making it visible on X-rays. union pacific settlements can also order blood work to check for anemia or to assess how the liver is functioning.
Railroad workers diagnosed with esophageal tumors may be entitled to compensation by the railroad companies that exposed them to toxic substances while at work. A qualified railroad esophageal cancer attorney can evaluate the circumstances of a client and describe the rights they have to claim financial compensation accordance with the Federal Employers Liability Act.
An experienced FELA lawyer can begin gathering evidence to prove the cancer of the esophageal tract in railroad workers was the result of their exposure to asbestos, diesel exhaust fumes and other chemicals. An attorney can also assist in determining the proper amount of compensation for economic as well as non-economic damages.
Treatment
Railroad workers are exposed numerous dangerous substances, including asbestos, diesel exhaust, and creosote. These substances can cause irritation to the throat's lining which can lead to esophageal carcinoma. railroad back injury settlements are at a greater risk of developing illnesses such as mesothelioma and lung cancer.
The esophagus, also known as the esophagus, is muscular tube that connects the mouth with the stomach. It also transports liquids and food that is swallowed to the digestive tract. Esophageal carcinoma is a form of cancer that develops in the cells that line the lining of the stomach, or mucosa.
Esophageal cancer can be treated in many ways. Surgery is typically combined with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy.
Doctors may opt for either endoscopic submucosal disection (ESD) or endoscopic mucosal removal (EMR) for cancers at stage I. Both procedures are minimally-invasive, and do not require the removal of the esophagus. When they are performed, doctors use an endoscope to remove cancerous tissues and examining them for signs of cancer.
Doctors can utilize chemo or a combination of chemo and radiation for stage II cancers. Chemotherapy drugs kill cancer cells. Radiation uses high-energy, X-rays instead of a similar concept to destroy cancerous cells inside the esophagus. In railroad injury settlement amounts , they can receive chemo treatment without radiation if the tumor is located in the upper portion of the esophagus close to the stomach.
Prognosis
The patient who has esophageal cancer that hasn't spread (metastasized) is generally believed to have a positive prognosis. This is particularly true if the cancer is detected in its earliest stages and treated promptly.
The prognosis for a person will depend on the kind of cancer, as well as the stage at when they were diagnosed. For instance, someone suffering from squamous-cell cancer that has not metastasized, is expected to have a better survival rate than a person who has adenocarcinoma but it hasn't developed.
In some instances the doctor may be able to completely eliminate the tumor through surgery. Resection is the word used to describe this. It is most prevalent in adenocarcinomas and squamous-cell carcinomas which have not spread.
Federal Employers Liability Act may provide financial compensation to railroad employees who have been diagnosed with cancer or any other chronic illness which are related to their employment. If you suspect that your condition is linked to exposure at work, contact an attorney representing railroad workers as soon as you can. You have three years under FELA to make an claim. If you didn't know your cancer was connected to your job at the time of your diagnosis, the time limit could be extended. An attorney who is experienced with FELA claims can evaluate your situation and determine whether you should accept a first settlement offer.