Railroad Settlement For Mesothelioma and Lung CancerRailroad workers have been exposed to countless dangerous carcinogens including asbestos and diesel exhaust. This has resulted in many developing serious health conditions including lung cancer and mesothelioma.FELA allows railroad workers, former and current workers to sue their employers when toxic substances cause illness or even death. Simmons Hanly Conroy has attorneys that are skilled in filing FELA claims for injured railroad workers across the nation.What is Mesothelioma?Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer, occurs in the mesothelium. It is an ossified layer that protects internal organs. The disease is caused by exposure to asbestos. Exposure to asbestos can lead to different types of mesothelioma, including pericardial, peritoneal mesothelioma of the testicular and pleural. Mesothelioma is usually diagnosed in patients who have a long history of asbestos exposure.Mesothelioma can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are similar to those of other diseases. Blood tests, imaging scans and a biopsy are all necessary to diagnose mesothelioma.Imaging scans that are used to diagnose mesothelioma can be found in CT (computerized tomography) and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). These scans help doctors find the location of the tumor, as well as any other body-related abnormalities. These scans can also show if the cancer has developed to the chest area diaphragm, abdomen cavity or diaphragm.A biopsy is a procedure which involves taking a small sample of pleural or abdominal tissue to be examined under the microscope. A biopsy can be carried out in two ways: a VATS - a type of keyhole surgery; or a CT-guided core biopsy, which is done under local anesthesia, using the aid of a needle and a CT scan. The surgical procedures used to treat mesothelioma in the pleural region differ based on the stage of the cancer. Treatment options include a pleurectomy or extrapleural pneumonectomy. It is a surgical removal of the affected pleura, or chemotherapy. lung cancer settlements can be used to relieve the pain and kill cancerous cells that remain after surgery and chemotherapy.How do I know if I Have Mesothelioma?The symptoms of mesothelioma may vary based on the type of cancer and its stage. The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is a physical examination and imaging scans. Doctors can then conduct a biopsy of the tissue to determine if the patient has mesothelioma.Mesothelioma is primarily affecting the lining of the lung (pleural mesothelioma) but it can also affect the lining of the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma) or the testicles and the heart (pericardial mesothelioma). The majority of people diagnosed with mesothelioma suffer from mesothelioma in the pleural area. It occurs when asbestos fibers cause inflammation and irritation in the pleura. This irritation and inflammation leads to the growth of tumors.Doctors will conduct tests on the patient to determine the extent the cancer has spread. This will allow them to decide the most effective treatment options for the patient. Lymphoma lawsuit settlement of cases of pleural mesothelioma are able to be treated by surgery. This may include the procedure known as extrapleural pulmonary pneumonectomy. This is where the entire lung, lung pleura and a part of the diaphragm are removed. Certain patients may require an operation that is less invasive known as pleurectomy and pulmonary decortication. This eliminates the pleura, but not the affected lung. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy are other options. Sometimes mesothelioma is treated with trimodality therapy. CSX Transportation settlement is the combination of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and major surgery. The results of mesothelioma therapy depend on the type and stage of the disease, as well as a person's general medical and overall health, and his or her age.How Do I Know if My Mesothelioma Is Related to my Railroad Work?Railroad workers can suffer from a variety of physical ailments due to exposure to toxic substances in the workplace including asbestos. Compensation may be available to those who suffer from asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma. Railroad workers and their families who have been affected by asbestos need to speak with an experienced mesothelioma law firm to determine if they are eligible for a FELA lawsuit.Asbestos is extensively used in railroad construction because it is inexpensive and long-lasting, as well as fire-resistant. It was later discovered to be a deadly cancerous material and many railroad workers developed asbestos-related diseases. An attorney who specializes in mesothelioma will explain FELA as well as other options to compensate asbestos victims.Railroad workers also are exposed to other toxins in the workplace, such as diesel exhaust fumes. Silica dust and solvents. These contaminants can lead to respiratory illnesses like silicosis which is a serious lung condition that affects the lung.According to a study conducted recently, rail yard work is associated with higher rates of mesothelioma as well as other respiratory illnesses than other industries. This could be due to the increased exposure to harmful substances like diesel exhaust fumes, asbestos and radiation from enriched plutonium as well as Uranium. The study also shows that older railroad workers are more likely to die from mesothelioma, compared to younger workers. This is likely because older workers were exposed to steam and early diesel engines, while younger workers were exposed to their emissions.How do I determine the worth of my case?An experienced attorney can help injured railroad workers seek compensation when they suffer from cancer, or other diseases caused by on-the-job exposures. The law referred to as Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) allows railroad workers to sue their employers for a range of illnesses and injuries, including lung cancer and mesothelioma.Oft, employers agree to settle the case in order to avoid the possibility of a jury verdict. A skilled railroad lawyer could examine a settlement offer to determine whether it is fair and appropriate.A skilled attorney may also look into a case to discover evidence of asbestos, diesel fumes, solvents or silica exposure at work. These substances have been linked to a variety of kinds of cancers and illnesses. An attorney for mesothelioma could help a client establish that the illness resulted from exposures to workplaces.In court, the defense may make use of the victim's smoking history to show that their illness was not the result of workplace exposures. However it is rare for this to work. In a recent case, Conrail lost an appeal against a $2.3 million verdict after a jury found that the company had not proved that the plaintiff's illness caused by tobacco was not at all due to exposure to asbestos in the railroad.