Railroad Settlement and Esophageal Cancer
Railroad workers are often exposed to cancer-causing chemical substances in their work environment. Some workers develop mesothelioma, lung cancer and other diseases as a result exposures.
Our attorneys obtained summary judgment in a case filed before the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama on behalf of a major railroad company. Plaintiff alleged his cancer was caused by exposure to creosote, diesel exhaust, and asbestos.
Risk Factors
The kind of cancer that develops in the esophagus is determined by different factors. These risk factors could be changeable in some cases, but others like age or family history cannot. The most frequent type of esophageal carcinoma starts in the flat cells called squamous cells, which compose the majority of the lining that covers the esophagus. The cancer is more prevalent among blacks and men but the trend is decreasing worldwide.
The esophagus also houses glandular cells which secrete mucus to aid in the passage of food into the stomach. These cells are concentrated in the lower esophagus near the stomach. Adenocarcinomas are by far the most common type of esophageal tumours found in these cells. The majority of these tumors are seen in black and male people, however they're on the decline in the United States.
railroad injury settlement amounts of developing esophageal cancer increases by the amount of time they spend smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol. A long period of drinking alcohol for a prolonged time increases the risk of developing squamous-cell cancer. This includes brewed tea in Northern China and Brandie whisky in the US and Europe. Beer is also associated with the disease in Southern Africa and Latin America.
Railroad workers are regularly exposed to toxins that increase their risk of contracting esophageal cancer, such as solvents used in cleaning equipment, herbicides applied along rail tracks to discourage weed growth, lead paint on railway bridges and facilities such as exhaust fumes from diesel engines, and silica in industrial materials. The benzene present in creosote an extremely toxic chemical used to treat railroad ties, can also cause cancer.
Diagnosis
A timely diagnosis can improve the odds of surviving. This is because esophageal carcinoma is more treatable if it is in its early stages and has not spread to other organs. Early signs include difficulty swallowing, a loss of appetite and weight loss, coughing or hoarseness as well as chest pain and the feeling that food is stuck in the throat (dysphagia).
A physician can diagnose esophageal cancer through imaging tests. These may include an upper-gastrointestinal examination using a barium swallow. This test involves swallowing a harmless chalky liquid that is intended to cover the surface of the esophagus and make it visible on X-rays. The doctor may also order blood work to check for anemia, or to determine how the liver is functioning.
Railroad workers who are diagnosed with esophageal cancer could be entitled to compensation from the railroad companies that exposed the workers to toxic substances at work. A trained railroad esophageal cancer attorney can assess a person's situation and provide the rights to claim financial compensation accordance with the Federal Employers Liability Act.
A seasoned FELA lawyer can begin assembling evidence to prove the railroad worker's esophageal carcinoma was the result of their exposure to asbestos, diesel exhaust fumes and other chemicals. A lawyer can help determine the proper compensation for economic and other losses.
Treatment
Railroad workers are exposed to many hazardous substances, including asbestos, diesel exhaust and creosote. These substances can cause esophageal cancer by damaging the lining of your throat. Railroad workers are at a greater risk of developing diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer.
The esophagus or hollow muscular tube connects the mouth with the stomach. It carries liquids and food items swallowed to the digestive tract. Esophageal cancer can develop in the cells that make up the part of the lining of the esophagus or mucosa.
Esophageal cancer is treated in various ways. Surgery is often combined chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
For cancers of stage I, doctors can use endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) or endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). Both procedures are minimally invasive and do not require the removal of the esophagus. In these procedures, doctors use an endoscope to remove cancerous tissues, and for analyzing the indications of cancer.
For stage II cancers, doctors may use chemo or the combination of chemo and radiation. Chemotherapy drugs kill cancerous cells. Radiation is based on the same principle however, it uses X-rays with high energy to kill cancerous cells within the esophagus and surrounding tissues. In certain instances, a patient may receive chemo treatment without radiation if the tumor is in the upper portion of the esophagus near the stomach.
Prognosis
A patient with esophageal cancer that has not recurred (metastasized) is generally believed to have a good chance of survival. This is especially the case if the cancer is detected in its earliest stages and treated promptly.
The prognosis of an individual will depend on the type of cancer and the stage at which they were diagnosed. For instance, a person suffering from squamous-cell cancer that has not metastasized is likely to have a better survival rate than someone with adenocarcinoma, which has not metastasized.
In union pacific settlements may be able to remove the tumor completely using surgery. Resection is the word used to describe this. This is most common in squamous-cell carcinomas and adenocarcinomas which have not spread.
Railroad employees who have been diagnosed with cancer or another chronic illness that is associated with their job may be eligible for financial compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act. If railroad back injury settlements believe your illness is linked to exposure at work, you should consult an attorney for settlements in the case of railroad cancer whenever you can. You have three years under FELA to submit an claim. If you didn't know that your cancer was linked to your job when you were diagnosed, the time frame for filing a claim could be extended. A lawyer who is experienced in FELA cases can evaluate your case and determine if you should accept a settlement offer.