Mesothelioma Claims
A mesothelioma lawsuit can aid victims in receiving compensation for their treatment as well as other expenses. State laws, called statutes or limitations, restrict the amount of time a patient can bring a lawsuit.
Personal injury or wrongful death are the most frequent types of lawsuits. Juries award monetary damages which include non-economic and economic damages.
Diagnosis
It could take years to identify mesothelioma. It is a rare disease. Patients typically visit their primary doctor with complaints and an medical history. Doctors will do a physical exam and ask about the possibility of exposure to asbestos.
When doctors suspect mesothelioma, they often request imaging tests. This may include chest X-rays (CT scans), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography. These tests offer a thorough analysis of the body. They can reveal the accumulation of fluid around the abdomen or lungs, which is a typical mesothelioma sign.
These tests also help determine the type of mesothelioma. The mesothelioma pleural type is when cancerous cells in the lung lining (pleura) cause the disease. The peritoneal type is caused by cancerous cells found in the abdominal cavity. In a biopsies performed surgically, doctors will remove a sample of tissue from the affected area or tumor and examine it under a microscope to look for indications of mesothelioma. Doctors will also use the cytology test to look for the presence of cancerous cells in the fluid samples taken from the stomach or lungs.
A blood test, known as the MESOMARK Assay, will determine the amount soluble mesothelin related peptide (SMRP) in the body of the patient. The presence of this biomarker can be a sign of mesothelioma.
In turn, these biomarkers could be useful for doctors trying to diagnose mesothelioma at its earliest stages. However, it's not an alternative to mesothelioma-related biopsy which is the only method to know whether cancer is present in the body. Doctors can conduct non-surgical biopsies to remove fluid from the stomach or pleura with needles, and then analyze it for cells of mesothelioma.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma can be found anywhere in the body where asbestos has caused cancerous cells to develop. The most common locations are the lungs, abdomen and heart. Patients with pleural mysothelioma suffer from pain in the chest region as well as hoarseness, difficulty swallowing and a swollen throat. People who have mesothelioma pericardial or peritoneal often experience discomfort in their abdomen, as well as fatigue and weight loss. Mesothelioma symptoms can be difficult to recognize because the symptoms mimic those of other common diseases. Mesothelioma can develop years after exposure to asbestos.
X-rays and CT scans can reveal changes in the lungs, including the pleura becoming thicker or fluid accumulation (pleural effusion). MRI and PET scans may also be used to search for mesothelioma. Blood tests can be utilized to determine the presence of certain substances which could be indicative of mesothelioma.
A doctor can drain the fluid or tissue that is accumulating to check for cancer cells. The doctor can also carry out an operation known as thoracoscopic needle aspiration, which is a procedure that removes some of the fluid from the lungs or thoracic cavity. This test is a non-invasive form of biopsies procedure and is performed in a clinic of a doctor.
If a doctor has diagnosed mesothelioma he or she will likely recommend radiation, chemotherapy and surgery to stop cancer cells from spreading. The treatment and surgery are generally done in an outpatient setting and the radiation can be administered in a clinic or hospital. Palliative treatments are often used to alleviate pain and other symptoms. The treatment options include painkillers, regular drainage of fluids, or a tube inserted in the chest to assist in breathing. It may also include radiation to prevent the tumor from growing.
Treatment
Treatment can ease symptoms and prolong the life of people with mesothelioma. Treatment options vary depending on the mesothelioma type and stage. The treatment plan may also differ based on the amount of asbestos exposure that the patient is exposed to.
Mesothelioma symptoms resemble those of many diseases like the flu and pneumonia. This makes it difficult for doctors to identify mesothelioma in the early stages. Patients may be suffering from symptoms for months before they are diagnosed with mesothelioma.
To determine the cause of the illness doctors will conduct a physical exam and ask about any exposure to asbestos in the past. They will then conduct imaging scans and blood tests to determine the severity of the cancer and where it is located within the body.
The most prevalent form of mesothelioma affects the lungs. The most likely to develop the disease are those who have worked as a welder, plumber or electrician, or in the auto industry.
A buildup of fluid may lead to chest pain and breathing difficulties. Surgery can remove the excess fluid and improve a person's quality of life.
Pleurodesis is a different procedure doctors can utilize to prevent future accumulation of fluid in the lungs. In this procedure, a tube is inserted into the pleura to drain fluid and then the medicine is injected into the pleura to prevent future buildups. Patients can also opt to receive a shunt which is a device used to transfer fluid from one area of the body to the next to absorb.
Other treatments include radiation and chemotherapy. Chemotherapy fights cancer cells by directly killing them. Radiation therapy targets tumors and shrinks them by using high-energy radiation. Those who are not candidates for surgery can opt for targeted therapy, which targets the cancer-causing genes inside of the cancerous cells.
Prognosis
The prognosis of mesothelioma is based on a variety of factors including the nature and location of the cancer as well as the stage at which it was diagnosed and general health of the patient. The prognosis for mesothelioma can improve if patients seek treatment from a seasoned specialist in mesothelioma therapy and adhere to their treatment plan. Patients who have mesothelioma that take part in clinical trials may also have access to new treatments that are currently being investigated.
The symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to many other conditions. mesothelioma lawsuit settlement leads to many mistakes in diagnosis. Patients may experience breathing issues or abdominal pain, among other symptoms for several months before being diagnosed. These symptoms are initialy mild and may be confused with other ailments. As a result, it is important to have any symptoms examined by a doctor as soon as possible.
The chest's lining (pleural mesothelioma), peritoneum, or in rare cases, the testicles' membrane may be affected by mesothelioma. mesothelioma law firm is the most common cause of mesothelioma cases. It accounts for 85 percent of all diagnosed cases occurring in patients who are over 75 years old.
Both genders have different survival rates for mesothelioma. Men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos than women since they work in areas where asbestos is present. Females exposed to mesothelioma have twice the chance of surviving past five years than male patients. This is likely due to the hormonal interactions between female hormones and mesothelioma tumor cells. A person's age also impacts their outlook since older patients have a more difficult time recuperating from the illness. It is important to remember that some mesothelioma patients endure for a long time, or even a decade beyond their initial prognosis.
Compensation
Mesothelioma compensation is a way to help victims pay for medical expenses, lost wages and other costs associated with the asbestos-related disease. Often, this mesothelioma compensation is awarded through the combination of asbestos trust funds, lawsuits, and settlements. A mesothelioma lawyer with experience can help you determine what compensation is available to you in your case.
A person diagnosed with mesothelioma can bring a lawsuit against the company that makes asbestos-related products to which they were exposed while at work. They can seek financial compensation. Mesothelioma lawsuits can be filed on behalf of the victim's loved one, family member or an appointed representative by the court. The estate of a victim's loved ones who has died from mesothelioma can file a wrongful-death lawsuit to seek compensation from those responsible for the victim's asbestos exposure.
Since it can take a long time from the moment of exposure to diagnosis, many people diagnosed with mesothelioma carry significant financial burdens resulting from their treatment. Mesothelioma compensation may help sufferers pay off their debts and pay for the future of their families.
Mesothelioma settlements and lawsuits can also compensate victims for their suffering and pain. A mesothelioma attorney can assist families and victims receive the compensation they deserve.
A mesothelioma lawyer who is skilled will handle every aspect of a victim's mesothelioma claim to make the process as stress-free as is possible for their client. Our lawyers at Sokolove Law have helped families and victims members receive over $4.7 billion in mesothelioma lawsuits. Contact us today to begin on a free mesothelioma case review. Our lawyers serve clients nationwide. We can meet with you in your home or hospital. Our law firm is paid only when we are able to secure compensation for you.