There has been ongoing research by geneticists and oncologists into the role that genetics may play in the development of mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, and how this information can help in creating a personalized treatment plan for victims to help prolong their survival rates. One recent study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, has […]
New Study Finds Link Between Mesothelioma Risk and Genetics
Virginia FELA Attorney: Railroad Mesothelioma Cancer Lawsuits
A recent ruling by a federal judge could benefit many asbestos disease victims and their families who file mesothelioma cancer lawsuits, allowing the plaintiff’s attorneys to call four expert witnesses to help prove liability. The asbestos cancer lawsuit was filed by the wife of a man who developed the rare and lethal form of asbestos inducted mesothelioma cancer. In the […]
Railroad Worker Occupational Diseases/Cancers: Workplace Causes of Multiple Myeloma Blood Cancers
It is well known that people who work in the railroad industry tend to face a wide range of occupational hazards on a regular basis due to the nature of their work. Exposure to toxic chemicals, in particular, is one of the most dangerous hazards they face on the job, as a result of which they are at a significantly […]
Misdiagnosing Asbestosis as Chronic Heart Failure
Our Virginia personal injury law firm has written extensively about the extensive asbestos exposure railroad workers had for decades until the use of asbestos was replaced by other insulation materials. Asbestos was used in brakes, boilers, gaskets, pipes, and other materials and equipment, exposing workers to asbestos fibers on a daily basis. Although asbestos is no longer being used, the […]
How Often Is Asbestosis Misdiagnosed as Chronic Bronchitis?
It has been well documented – and proven in courtroom after courtroom – that breathing in asbestos fibers leads to the development of asbestosis. Asbestosis is long-term inflammation and scarring of the lungs that is caused by breathing in asbestos fibers. Prolonged exposure to these fibers can cause lung tissue scarring, shortness of breath, cough, wheezing, and chest tightness. Complications […]
Railroad Workers, Asbestos Exposure, and Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a very rare – but aggressive and incurable – type of cancer that develops in the mesothelium, and due to the railroad industry’s major use of asbestos insulation in various equipment and engines, it has stricken railroad workers hard for many decades. The mesothelium acts as a protective membrane that covers the lungs, abdomen, and heart. The most […]
What Is the Federal Employers’ Act (FELA)?
The Federal Employers’ Act (FELA) was enacted by Congress in 1908 to protect and compensate railroad workers injured on the job if the railroad is at least partially negligent in causing the injuries. FELA is not a workers’ compensation act. It is fault-based and requires a railroad worker to prove their injury was caused either completely or partially by the […]
New Study Suggests Safer Alternative Radiation Therapy for Mesothelioma
The results of a study examining the safety and efficacy of radiation treatments for patients who have been diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma (mesothelioma cancer in the pleural lining of the lungs) was recently published in the medical journal, Practical Radiation Oncology. The team of researchers concluded that proton therapy for pleural mesothelioma may be a safer alternative from standard radiotherapy […]
What Is Asbestos Induced Mesothelioma Cancer And How Is It Diagnosed?
Mesothelioma is an aggressive and incurable cancer that develops in the mesothelium – a layer of tissue that covers the internal organs. In a vast majority of cases, mesothelioma tends to affect the lungs. It can, in some cases, also affect the abdominal cavity, heart, or the testicles. Every year, over 3,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with […]
Overview of the Legal Elements That Must Be Met for an Asbestosis Claim Under the FELA
We recently received a favorable verdict in a case we handled for the estate of a Norfolk Southern carman who passed away from asbestosis and heart disease. After the verdict was returned several of his coworkers were concerned they may suffer from the disease and contacted our office with some questions regarding their risk of developing asbestosis. There is some […]