Railroad Settlement and Esophageal Cancer
Rail workers are frequently exposed to cancer-causing substances in their workplace. Some workers develop mesothelioma, lung cancer and other illnesses as a result of their exposures.
Our attorneys obtained summary judgment in a case that was 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 diesel exhaust, creosote and asbestos.
Risk Factors
Different factors can determine the type of cancer found in an esophagus. Certain risk factors can be changed while others, like age and family history can't be changed. The most commonly encountered form of esophageal carcinoma begins in the flat cells called squamous cells, that compose the majority of the lining that covers the esophagus. This type of cancer is more prevalent for blacks and men but the trend is declining globally.
The esophagus is home to glandular cells which secrete mucus to aid in the movement of food items from the mouth into the stomach. These cells are concentrated near the stomach in the lower part of the esophagus. The most common type of esophageal tumors in these cells are adenocarcinomas. They are more prevalent in males and black individuals, but the trend is declining in the United States.
The risk of developing esophageal cancer increases with the amount of time spent smoking tobacco or drinking alcohol. Heavy drinking for a long time increases the risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma. 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 exposed chemicals that increase the risk of developing esophageal cancer. This includes solvents used to clean equipment, herbicides that are applied to rail tracks to discourage the growth of plants, lead paints used on railway bridges diesel exhaust fumes, and silica that is found in industrial materials. This cancer can also be caused by the poisonous chemical creosote, which is used to treat railroad tie.
Diagnosis
An early diagnosis can increase the chances of survival. Multiple myeloma settlements is due to the fact that esophageal cancer is more treatable when it is in the earlier stages and has not spread to other organs. Early symptoms include difficulty swallowing, loss of appetite and weight loss, coughing or hoarseness as well as chest pain and a feeling that food is stuck in the throat (dysphagia).
railroad back injury settlements may be able to detect esophageal tumors using imaging tests. These can include an upper gastrointestinal study using a barium swallow. This test involves swallowing a harmless chalky liquid to coat the inner surface of the esophagus. This makes it visible on X-rays. The doctor might also request blood tests to look for anemia or to check how the liver functions.
Railroad workers diagnosed with esophageal tumors may be entitled to compensation from the railroad companies who exposed them to toxic substances at work. A trained railroad esophageal carcinoma attorney can evaluate a person's situation and provide the rights to claim financial compensation accordance with the Federal Employers Liability Act.
union pacific settlements could begin gathering evidence to prove that the railway worker's esophageal cancer was the result of their exposure to diesel exhaust fumes, asbestos and other chemicals. A lawyer can also assist determine the appropriate compensation for economic and other losses.
Treatment
Railroad workers are exposed a variety of dangerous substances like creosote and diesel exhaust, asbestos and creosote. These substances can irritate the lining of the throat and can cause cancer of the esophagus. Railroad workers are also at greater risk of developing other illnesses due to their job including mesothelioma and lung cancer.
The esophagus, also known as the hollow muscular tube connects the mouth to the stomach. It carries liquids and food items swallowed and then to the digestive tract. Esophageal cancer is a form of cancer that develops in the cells that compose the membrane of the esophagus or mucosa.
Esophageal cancer can be treated in different ways. Surgery is often combined chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy.
Doctors can choose to use either endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) or endoscopic mucosal removal (EMR) for cancers in stage I. Both procedures are minimally-invasive and do not require the removal of the esophagus. In these procedures, doctors utilize an endoscope to remove cancerous tissues and examining for indicators of cancer.
For stage II cancers doctors may use chemo or the combination of chemo and radiation. Chemotherapy drugs kill cancerous cells. Radiation utilizes X-rays with high energy instead of a similar concept to destroy cancerous cells in the esophagus. If the tumor is in the upper part near the stomach, some patients may be treated with chemotherapy instead of radiation.
Prognosis
A person with esophageal cancer that has not spread (metastasized) is generally thought to have a favorable prognosis. This is particularly true if cancer is discovered at an early stage, and treated promptly.
However, a person's prognosis depends on the type of cancer they have and the stage of cancer at the moment they are diagnosed. railroad injury settlement amounts with squamous-cell cancer that hasn't spread is expected to have a better chance of survival as compared to a person with adenocarcinoma.
In certain instances doctors might be able to remove the tumor using surgery. Resection is the term used to describe this. This is most common in adenocarcinomas and squamous-cell carcinomas that have not mutated.
Railroad workers who have been diagnosed with cancer or another chronic illness that is connected with their work could be entitled to financial compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act. If you suspect that your condition is due to exposure at work, you should contact an experienced attorney for railroad cancer settlement as soon as possible. You have three years under FELA to file a claim. If, however, you didn't know that your illness or cancer was connected to your job at the time of diagnosis, the statute of limitations may be extended. A lawyer who is knowledgeable about FELA cases can review your case and determine whether you should accept a settlement offer.