Railroad Settlement For Mesothelioma and Lung CancerRail workers are exposed carcinogens like asbestos and diesel exhaust. This has resulted in many developing serious health conditions like mesothelioma and lung cancer.FELA gives current, previous railroad workers the right to sue employers when toxic substances cause disease or death. Simmons Hanly Conroy has attorneys who are experienced in the filing of FELA claims for railroad workers across the nation.What is Mesothelioma?Mesothelioma, 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 may cause various types of mesothelioma such as pericardial and peritoneal mesothelioma pleural and testicular. Mesothelioma is usually diagnosed in patients with a long history of exposure to asbestos.Mesothelioma is a difficult diagnosis because the symptoms are similar to other diseases. Imaging scans, blood tests, and biopsy are all required to diagnose mesothelioma.Imaging scans 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 anomalies in the body. These scans can also reveal if the cancer has been able to spread to the chest diaphragm, abdomen cavity or diaphragm.A biopsy is a procedure by which a small amount of tissue from the abdomen or pleura is taken and examined using the microscope. A biopsy can be performed in two ways one of which is VATS, also known as a type keyhole surgery, or CT-guided core biopsies. The latter is done under local anesthesia by using the needle and CT scan. The surgical procedures used to treat mesothelioma-pleural vary based on the stage of the cancer. Treatment options include a pleurectomy or pleural pleural surgical removal of the affected tissue, or chemotherapy. Radiation can be used to reduce pain and kill cancer cells that remain after chemotherapy and surgery.How do I determine whether I have mesothelioma or not?The symptoms of mesothelioma can vary based on the type and stage of cancer. The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is a physical exam and imaging scans. Then, a doctor will perform a tissue biopsy in order to determine whether or not the patient has mesothelioma.Mesothelioma mainly affects the lining of the lung (pleural mesothelioma) however it may also affect the lining of the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma) or the testicles and the heart (pericardial mesothelioma). The majority of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma have pleural mesothelioma. It occurs when asbestos fibers cause inflammation and irritation in the pleura. The inflammation and irritation can lead to tumors.Doctors will conduct tests on the patient to determine how far the cancer has spread. This will allow them to determine the best treatment option for the patient.The majority of cases of pleural mesothelioma are able to be treated through surgery. This could include an operation known as extrapleural pneumonectomy, in which the entire lung, pleura, and a small portion of the diaphragm are removed. Some patients might undergo an operation that is less invasive called pleurectomy, also known as pulmonary decortication, which removes the pleura but not the affected lung. Other treatments include chemotherapy and radiation. Sometimes mesothelioma is treated with trimodality therapy, which is a combination of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and major surgery. The success of mesothelioma therapy depends on the type, stage and history of the disease.How Do I Determine if My Mesothelioma Is Related to my Railroad Work?Railroad workers may suffer from a variety of physical ailments because of exposure to toxic substances in the workplace which include asbestos. Multiple myeloma settlements is available to those suffering from asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma. Railroad workers and their families that are affected by asbestos need to speak with an experienced mesothelioma lawyer to determine if they qualify for an FELA lawsuit.Asbestos is widely used in railroad construction as it is cheap and abrasion-resistant. It was later discovered to be a cancerous and deadly substance, and many railroad workers were diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases. An attorney for mesothelioma can explain FELA as well as other options for compensation available to asbestos victims.In addition, railroad workers could be exposed to other workplace toxins, such as solvents, diesel exhaust fumes and silica sand. Multiple myeloma settlements can cause respiratory conditions, such as silicosis. This is a serious lung disorder that affects the lung.According to a study conducted recently, rail yard work is associated with higher rates of mesothelioma and other respiratory illnesses than other industries. This is probably due to the higher exposure to toxic substances such as asbestos, diesel exhaust fumes and radiation from enriched plutonium as well as uranium. The study also shows older railroad workers are at a greater chance of dying from mesothelioma when compared to younger workers. This is probably because older workers were exposed more to steam and early diesel engines, while younger workers were more exposed to their emissions.How Do I Determine the worth of my case?An experienced attorney can help injured railroad workers obtain compensation when they suffer from cancer or other illnesses caused by on-the-job exposures. The Federal Employers Liability (FELA) law permits railroad employees to sue their employers for various injuries and illnesses, including mesothelioma, lung cancer and others.Often, railroad injury settlement amounts will often offer to settle the case rather than risk a judgment by jurors. A knowledgeable railroad lawyer could analyze a settlement proposal to determine if it is fair and appropriate.A knowledgeable attorney can investigate a case to discover any evidence of asbestos or solvents, diesel exhaust, or silica sand exposure during work. These substances have been linked to kinds of cancers and illnesses. A mesothelioma lawyer could assist a client to prove that the condition was caused by exposure to workplace chemicals.The defense may attempt to draw on the victim's past experiences with smoking cigarettes to prove that his or her disease was not the result of workplace exposures however this is not always successful in court. In fact, in a recent case, Conrail lost an appeal of the $2.3 million verdict after jurors found that the company was not able to prove that the plaintiff's illness caused by tobacco was not at all caused by exposure to asbestos at the railroad.