Railroad Settlement and Esophageal Cancer
Rail workers are often exposed to cancer-causing substances in their workplace. Certain workers develop mesothelioma or lung cancer as well as other illnesses as a result of their exposure to chemicals.
Our lawyers obtained summary judgment in a matter that was heard before the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama on behalf of a major railroad company. Plaintiff claimed that his cancer was caused through exposure to diesel exhaust, asbestos and creosote.
Risk Factors
The kind of cancer that develops in an individual's esophagus can be determined through several factors. These risk factors might be adjustable however others such as age or family history cannot. The most frequent type of esophageal carcinoma starts in the flat cells called squamous cells, which make up the majority of the lining that covers the esophagus. It is more common in males and black people, however the trend is decreasing across the globe.
The esophagus also contains glandular cells that secrete mucus to aid in the passage of food into the stomach. These cells are situated near the stomach in the lower part of the esophagus. The most common type of esophageal tumors in these cells are adenocarcinomas. They're more common in men and black individuals, but the trend is declining in the United States.
The risk of developing esophageal cancer increases by the amount of time spent smoking tobacco or drinking alcohol. A long time increases the chance of developing squamous cell cancer and a variety of beverages are linked to this cancer throughout the world, including brewed tea in Northern China, Brandie whiskey in the US and Europe and beer in Southern Africa, and distilled drinks in Latin America.
Railroad workers are often exposed to toxins that can increase the risk of developing esophageal carcinoma, for instance solvents employed in cleaning equipment as well as herbicides applied along rail tracks in order to prevent the growth of weeds such as lead paint on railway bridges and facilities and diesel engine exhaust fumes, and silica from industrial material. The benzene in creosote, the toxic chemical used to treat railroad ties, can also contribute to this cancer.
Diagnosis
Early diagnosis can increase the chances of surviving. The earlier cancer is diagnosed the more likely it will be to be treated. The first signs are difficulty swallowing, 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 may detect esophageal tumors using imaging tests. They can include an upper gastrointestinal test with a swallow of barium. The test involves swallowing a harmless chalky liquid that is intended to cover the surface of the esophagus. It also makes it visible on X-rays. The doctor can also order blood tests to determine if there is anemia or to determine how well the liver functions.
Railroad workers who are diagnosed with esophageal cancer may be entitled to compensation from the railroad companies who exposed them to toxic substances at work. A trained railroad esophageal cancer attorney could review the situation of an individual and clarify their rights to claim financial compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act.
A seasoned FELA attorney could start working in order to gather evidence that a railroad worker's cancer of the esophagus was caused by the exposure they received from asbestos as well as diesel exhaust fumes and other chemicals. A lawyer can also assist in determining the right amount of compensation for economic as well as non-economic losses.
Treatment
Railroad workers are exposed to a variety of harmful substances, including diesel exhaust, creosote, asbestos, and creosote. These substances can cause esophageal cancer by irritating the lining of your throat. Railroad workers also have a higher risk of developing illnesses related to their work like mesothelioma or lung cancer.
The esophagus can be described as the hollow muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach and carries liquids and food particles that are swallowed into the digestive tract. Esophageal cancer is a form of cancer that develops in the cells that form the tissue of the esophagus or mucosa.
Colon cancer lawsuit settlements is treated in a variety of ways. Surgery is typically combined chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy.
For stage I cancers, 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. During these procedures doctors utilize an endoscope for the removal of cancerous tissue and to look for signs of cancer.
Doctors can choose to use chemo or a combination chemo-radiation for stage II cancers. Chemotherapy drugs target cancerous cells and destroy them. Radiation operates on the same basis however, it uses X-rays with high energy to destroy cancer cells in the esophagus as well as in the surrounding tissues. If the tumor is located in the upper part near the stomach, some patients may be treated with chemo instead radiation.
Prognosis
People who have esophageal carcinoma that is not spreading are generally considered to be in good health. This is particularly true if the cancer is caught in its earliest stages and treated promptly.
However, the prognosis of a patient depends on the type of cancer they are suffering from and their stage of cancer at the moment they are diagnosed. A person with squamous-cell cancer that hasn't gotten any bigger is expected to have higher survival rates than someone with adenocarcinoma.
In certain instances, a physician may be able remove the tumor using surgery. This is referred to as Resection. It is the most frequent procedure in adenocarcinomas and squamous cells that have not mutated.
Federal Employers Liability Act may provide financial compensation to railroad workers who have been diagnosed with cancer, or any other chronic illness that are linked to their job. If you believe your illness is caused by exposure at work, speak with an expert railroad settlement lawyer promptly. You have three years under FELA to file an claim. If you didn't realize that your cancer was linked to your job when you were diagnosed, the statute of limitation could be extended. A lawyer who is familiar with FELA claims could assess your situation and decide if you should accept a first settlement offer.