Railroad Settlement and Esophageal Cancer
Railroad workers are often exposed to cancer-causing chemicals at their work environment. Some workers develop mesothelioma, lung cancer and other diseases as a result of their exposure to chemicals.
Our lawyers obtained a summary judgment in a case before the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama on behalf of a major railroad company. Plaintiff claimed that his cancer resulted by exposure to asbestos, diesel exhaust and creosote.
Risk Factors
Different factors can determine the type of cancer in an esophagus. These risk factors could be adjustable however others such as the family history or age cannot be changed. The most commonly encountered form of cancer in the esophagus begins in the flat cells that make up most of the lining of the esophagus. They are referred to as squamous cells. It's more common in men and blacks, but the trend is decreasing across the globe.
The esophagus also contains glandular cells which secrete mucus to help with the passage of food into the stomach. railroad injury settlement amounts are concentrated in the lower esophagus close to the stomach. railroad back injury settlements of esophageal tumors that occur in these cells are adenocarcinomas. They are more prevalent among men and blacks, however the trend is declining in the United States.
The risk of developing cancer of the esophagus increases by the amount of time they spend smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol. Drinking heavily over a long period of time increases the chance of developing squamous cell cancer and a wide range of drinks are associated with this condition across the globe which includes tea that is 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 exposed contaminants that increase the risk of developing esophageal cancer. This includes solvents used to clean equipment, herbicides applied to rail tracks to discourage the growth of plant growth, lead paints applied to railway bridges diesel exhaust fumes, and silica found in industrial materials. The cancer could be caused by the toxic chemical creosote used to treat railroad tie.
Diagnosis
An early diagnosis can increase the chance of survival. This is because esophageal cancer is more curable if it's in its early stages and is not spreading to other organs. The first signs are difficulty swallowing, a loss of appetite and weight loss, coughing or hoarseness, chest pain, and a feeling that food is stuck in the throat (dysphagia).
A physician may detect esophageal tumors using imaging tests. Colon cancer lawsuit settlements may include an upper gastrointestinal test with a swallow of barium. The test involves swallowing a harmless liquid to coat the esophagus' surface and make it visible on an X-ray. The physician may also order blood tests to check for anemia as well as to assess how the liver is performing.
Railroad workers diagnosed with esophageal cancer could be entitled to compensation from the railroad companies that exposed the workers to toxic substances at work. A qualified railroad esophageal carcinoma attorney could review the situation of an individual and explain their rights to pursue financial compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act.
An experienced FELA attorney can begin to gather evidence that a railroad worker's cancer of the esophagus was caused by their job-related exposure to asbestos, diesel exhaust fumes and other chemicals. An attorney can also help determine the appropriate amount of compensation for economic and other losses.
Treatment
Railroad workers are exposed a number harmful substances including creosote, diesel exhaust asbestos, and creosote. These substances can cause irritation to the throat's lining, causing esophageal cancer. Railroad employees are at a higher risk of developing illnesses like mesothelioma and cancer of the lung.
The esophagus, also known as the esophagus, is muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach and carries liquids and food that is swallowed to the digestive tract. Esophageal cancer occurs in the cells that compose the lining of the esophagus, or mucosa.
Several treatment options are available for cancer of the esophageal tract. Surgery is typically combined with chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
Doctors can opt for either endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) or endoscopic mucosal removal (EMR) for stage I cancers. Both procedures are minimally-invasive and do not require the removal of the esophagus. In these procedures, doctors utilize an endoscope to remove precancerous tissues, and for analyzing the symptoms of cancer.
Doctors can utilize chemo or a combination chemo-radiation for stage II cancers. Chemotherapy drugs attack cancerous cells and destroy them. Radiation utilizes X-rays with high energy instead of a similar method to kill cancerous cells in the esophagus. If the tumor is located in the upper part of the stomach, some patients could be treated with chemotherapy instead of radiation.
Prognosis
Patients with esophageal cancer that is not spreading is generally thought to be healthy. This is especially true if cancer is detected in its early stages, and treated promptly.
However, a person's prognosis is contingent on the type of cancer they have and the stage of cancer at the moment they are diagnosed. Multiple myeloma settlements suffering from squamous-cell carcinoma that isn't spreading is likely to have a higher chance of survival than a patient with adenocarcinoma.
In certain cases, a physician might be able to remove the tumor by performing surgery. Resection is the term used to describe this. This is especially common in squamous cells and Adenocarcinomas which have not spread.
Railroad workers who have been diagnosed with cancer or another chronic illness connected to their work may be eligible for financial compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act. If you think your illness is due to exposure at work, you should consult a lawyer for railroad cancer settlement immediately. Under FELA the law, you have three years to make an claim. If, however, you did not realize that your illness or cancer was linked to your job at the time of diagnosis, the time of limitations could be extended. A lawyer experienced in FELA claims could evaluate your situation and determine if you should accept a first settlement offer.