Railroad Settlement and Esophageal Cancer

Railroad workers are frequently exposed to cancer-causing chemicals at their work environments. Some workers develop mesothelioma or lung cancer as well as other ailments as a result of their exposure to chemicals.

In a case that was filed in the United States District Court, Northern District of Alabama, our attorneys successfully obtained an order of summary judgment for a major railroad company. Plaintiff claimed that his cancer arose from exposure to diesel exhaust, asbestos and creosote.

Risk Factors

The type of cancer that develops in a person's esophagus is determined by various factors. Some of these risk factors can be modified however others, such as age and family history cannot. The most frequent type of esophageal cancer develops in the flat cells that comprise the majority of the lining of the esophagus, referred to as squamous cells. This cancer is more prevalent among men and black people but the trend is decreasing worldwide.

The esophagus is also home to glandular cells that release mucus to help with the passage of food into the stomach. These cells are located in the lower esophagus, close to the stomach. The most commonly encountered type of esophageal tumors in these cells are adenocarcinomas. They are more prevalent in males and black people, however the trend is decreasing in the United States.

The risk of developing esophageal cancer increases when a person smokes tobacco or drinks alcohol. A long period of drinking alcohol for a prolonged time increases the risk of developing squamous cancer. 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 toxic substances that increase the risk of esophageal carcinoma. This includes solvents used to clean equipment, herbicides that are applied on rail tracks in order to deter the growth of plants, lead paints used on railway bridges diesel exhaust fumes, and silica found in industrial materials. The benzene in creosote, a toxic chemical used to treat railroad ties, may also be a contributing factor to this cancer.

Diagnosis

A timely diagnosis will increase the likelihood of surviving. This is because esophageal cancer is more curable when it is in the earlier stages and is not spreading to other organs. Early symptoms include difficulty in swallowing, weight loss in coughing, hoarseness, hoarseness and chest pain.

Imaging tests can be utilized by a physician to identify esophageal carcinoma. These tests could include an upper-gastrointestinal examination using a drink of barium. This test involves swallowing a harmless chalky liquid to coat the inner surface of the esophagus. It also makes it visible on X-rays. The physician may also order blood tests to determine if there is anemia and to see how the liver's function is.

Railroad workers diagnosed with esophageal carcinoma may be entitled to compensation from the railroad companies that exposed the workers to toxic substances at work. A trained railroad esophageal cancer attorney can assess the situation of an individual and clarify their rights to claim financial compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act.

An experienced FELA attorney can begin in order to gather evidence that a railroad worker's cancer of the esophagus was caused by their job-related exposure to asbestos, diesel exhaust fumes, [Redirect-302] and other chemicals. An attorney can also assist in determining the proper amount of compensation for both economic and non-economic damages.

Treatment

Railroad workers are exposed to various dangerous substances, including diesel exhaust, [Redirect-302] asbestos and creosote. These substances can cause irritation of the throat's lining and cause esophageal cancer. Railroad workers are also at higher risk of developing other diseases aml caused by railroad how to get a settlement (Learn Even more) by their work, such as mesothelioma and lung cancer.

The esophagus can be described as the hollow muscular tube which connects the mouth to the stomach. It is also used to transport liquids and food that is swallowed to the digestive tract. Esophageal carcinoma is a form of cancer that develops in the cells that line the lining of the stomach, or mucosa.

Several treatment options are available for cancer of the esophageal tract. Surgery is usually paired with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy.

Doctors can choose to use either endoscopic submucosal disection (ESD) or endoscopic mucosal removal (EMR) for cancers in stage I. Both procedures are minimally invasive and don't require the removal of the esophagus. In these procedures, doctors utilize an endoscope for the removal of cancerous tissues, and for analyzing the indicators of cancer.

For stage II cancers doctors can choose to use chemotherapy or a combination of chemo and radiation. Chemotherapy drugs attack cancerous cells and destroy them. Radiation works on the same principle using X-rays that are 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 of the stomach, some patients may be treated with chemo instead of radiation.

Prognosis

A person with esophageal cancer that hasn't spread (metastasized) is generally considered to have a good prognosis. This is especially true if the cancer is discovered in its earliest stages and treated promptly.

The likelihood of a person's survival is contingent on the type of cancer and the stage at the time they were diagnosed. A patient with squamous cell cancer that isn't spreading is likely to have a better chance of survival as compared to a person with adenocarcinoma.

In some instances the doctor might be able remove the tumor completely through surgery. Resection is the term used to describe this. This is most common in squamous-cell carcinomas and Adenocarcinomas which have not spread.

Railroad employees who have been diagnosed with cancer or another chronic illness associated to their work may be entitled to financial compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act. If you suspect that your illness is related to exposure at work, contact an experienced lawyer for settlements in the case of railroad cancer immediately. You have three years under FELA to submit a claim. If you didn't know that your cancer was related to your job at the time of your diagnosis, the time frame for filing a claim could be extended. A lawyer familiar with FELA claims could review your situation and determine whether you should accept an initial settlement offer.