Railroad Settlement For Mesothelioma and Lung CancerRailroad workers are exposed to a myriad of carcinogens, which include asbestos and diesel exhaust. Many railroad workers have been diagnosed with serious health issues, such as mesothelioma or lung cancer.FELA allows railroad workers, both current and former, to sue their employers when toxic substances cause death or illness. Simmons Hanly Conroy's attorneys have years of experience in submitting FELA lawsuits on behalf of railroad workers injured across the nation.What is Mesothelioma?Mesothelioma, which is a rare type of cancer, develops in the mesothelium. This is an outer layer of protection that covers internal organs. Exposure to asbestos is the main cause of the disease. Exposure to asbestos can cause different types of mesothelioma, including pericardial, peritoneal mesothelioma that is pleural or testicular. Mesothelioma is typically diagnosed in patients who have an extensive history of asbestos exposure.The symptoms of mesothelioma can be similar to those of other illnesses, which makes mesothelioma hard to identify. However a combination of blood tests as well as imaging scans and biopsy results can give an accurate diagnosis.Imaging scans used to diagnose mesothelioma can be found in CT (computerized tomography) and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). These scans help doctors locate the tumor or other abnormalities within the body. They can also determine whether the tumor has spread to the chest wall, diaphragm, abdominal cavity or the heart.A biopsy is a surgical procedure in which a small portion of tissue from the pleura or abdomen is taken and examined using a microscope. A biopsy can be done in two ways: VATS, a type of keyhole surgery, or a CT-guided biopsy, which is done under local anesthesia using a needle guided by the help of a CT scan. The surgical procedures to treat mesothelioma pleural vary according to the stage of the cancer. Treatment options include a pleurectomy and extrapleural pneumonectomy. It is a surgical removal of the affected pleura or chemotherapy. Radiation therapy can be used to reduce discomfort and kill cancerous cells that remain after surgery and chemotherapy.How can I tell whether I have mesothelioma or not? Pancreatic cancer settlement of mesothelioma vary based on the type of cancer and the stage at which it is diagnosed. A physical exam and imaging tests are the first step in diagnosing mesothelioma. Then a doctor can perform a tissue biopsy to determine whether or not the patient has mesothelioma.Mesothelioma mostly affects the lining of the lung (pleural mesothelioma) but it can also affect the lining of the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma) or the testicles and heart (pericardial mesothelioma). The majority of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma suffer from pleural mesothelioma. It occurs when asbestos fibers cause inflammation and irritation in the pleura. The inflammation and irritation could cause tumors.Once a mesothelioma diagnosis is made, doctors will do tests to see how far the disease has spread. This will allow them to decide the best treatment options for the patient.Pleural mesothelioma usually is treated through surgery. Extrapleural pneumonectomy is one of the procedures that can be used to eliminate the entire lung and pleura and also a small portion of diaphragm. Some patients might undergo a more limited operation known as pleurectomy and pulmonary decortication, which eliminates the pleura, but not the affected lung. Other treatments include radiation and chemotherapy. Sometimes, mesothelioma treatment is trimodality therapy. It is the combination of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and major surgery. The results of mesothelioma treatment depend on the stage and type of the disease, the patient's general medical and health history and age.How Do I Determine What Is My Mesothelioma Is Related to My Railroad Work?Rail workers can be affected by numerous ailments due to asbestos exposure. Compensation may be available to those suffering from asbestos-related illnesses, such as mesothelioma. Railroad employees and their families who have been affected by asbestos should speak with an experienced mesothelioma lawyer to determine eligibility for an FELA suit.Asbestos is widely used in railroad construction as it is cost-effective, durable and fire resistant. It was later discovered that it was an extremely cancerous substance and many railroad workers developed asbestos-related diseases. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can explain FELA and other forms of compensation that are available to asbestos victims.Railroad employees are also exposed other toxins in the workplace, such as diesel exhaust fumes. Lymphoma lawsuit settlement and silica dust. These contaminants can cause respiratory conditions such as silicosis which is a serious lung disease that affects the lung.According to Lymphoma lawsuit settlement conducted recently railroad yard work is linked to higher rates of mesothelioma, as well as other respiratory diseases than other industries. This could be due to the higher exposure to harmful substances such as diesel exhaust fumes, asbestos and radiation from enriched plutonium and the uranium. The study also shows that railroad workers who are older are more likely to suffer from mesothelioma, compared to younger workers. This is probably because older workers were more exposed to diesel and steam engines, whereas younger workers were exposed to their emissions.How do I determine the Value of My Case?In the event that railroad employees suffer from cancer or other diseases that are caused by work-related exposures An experienced lawyer can help the person injured to seek compensation. The law referred to as the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) allows railroad workers to sue their employers for a range of illnesses and injuries including mesothelioma and lung cancer.Most of the time, the employer will offer to settle the case instead of risking a judgment by jurors. A railroad lawyer who has expertise can assess a settlement to determine if it is fair and appropriate.A competent attorney could examine a claim to find any potential evidence of asbestos or solvents, diesel exhaust, or silica sand contamination at work. Different kinds of cancers and illnesses have been linked to these substances, therefore an experienced mesothelioma lawyer will help a client find proof that their illness was caused by exposure to workplace chemicals.In the court, the defense can make use of the victim's smoking history to prove that the illness wasn't caused by workplace exposures. However this doesn't always work. Conrail lost an appeal in the recent case of a $2.3million verdict due to a jury that decided that the company had failed to prove that the plaintiff's smoking related illness was not partly caused by asbestos exposure at the railroad.