Mesothelioma Claims
A mesothelioma lawsuit can assist victims in obtaining compensation for treatment costs and other expenses. State laws, also known as statutes or limitations, restrict the amount of time a patient can file a lawsuit.
Personal injury or wrongful deaths are the most common types of lawsuits. The jury awards money damages, which can include economic and non-economic damages.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a rare condition and it can take many years for patients to receive a diagnosis. Typically, patients will visit their primary physician with complaints and medical history. Accident Injury Lawyers will do an examination of the body and inquire about the possibility of exposure to asbestos.
When doctors suspect mesothelioma, they often request imaging tests. This can include chest X-rays (CT scans), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography. These tests offer a precise view of the body. These tests can reveal a buildup of fluid in the lungs or abdomen, which is a mesothelioma-related sign.
These tests also help determine the type of mesothelioma. The mesothelioma that is pleural occurs when cancerous cells within the lung the lining (pleura) cause the disease. The peritoneal form is caused by cancer cells 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 check for indications of mesothelioma. Doctors will also use an cytology test in order to check for the presence of cancerous cells in fluid samples taken from the lungs or stomach.
A blood test referred to as the MESOMARK test can measure the amount of soluble mesothelin related peptide (SMRP) in the body of the patient. This biomarker is high levels can indicate mesothelioma.
These biomarkers can be helpful to doctors who are trying to diagnose mesothelioma at its beginning stages. It is not a substitute to a mesothelioma biopsies, which is the only method to determine the presence of cancer in the body. Doctors can perform a non-surgical procedure to collect fluid from the pleura and the stomach using a needle, and examine it for mesothelioma-related cells.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma can occur anywhere in the body where asbestos has created cancerous cells. The most frequent sites are the lungs. Patients with pleural mesothelioma suffer from pain in the chest area, difficulty swallowing and hoarseness. People suffering from pericardial and peritoneal cancer typically experience abdominal pain, fatigue, and weight loss. The symptoms of mesothelioma can be difficult to recognize due to their similarity to other diseases. It may take years after exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma to develop.
CT scans and X-rays may reveal changes in the lungs, such as the accumulation of fluid or thickening of pleura (pleural effusion). MRI and PET scans can also be used to search for mesothelioma. Blood tests can be used to check for elevated levels of certain substances which could indicate mesothelioma.
A doctor can take the fluid or tissue that is accumulating to check for cancer cells. The doctor may also perform an operation known as the thoracoscopic needle aspiration procedure to remove a small amount of fluid from around the lungs and thoracic cavity. This test is a non-invasive form of biopsies, and can be done in a medical clinic.
If a doctor discovers mesothelioma, they may suggest surgery, radiation and chemotherapy to kill cancer cells and stop the spread. Radiation can be administered in a clinic or hospital. The radiation is typically administered as an as an outpatient. Palliative treatments are often used to control discomfort and other symptoms. It could include painkillers as well as regular draining of fluids or tubes that are placed inside the chest to aid in breathing and radiation to stop the tumor from growing.
Treatment
For people diagnosed with mesothelioma treatment can help reduce symptoms and extend the duration of. There are many treatments that are available, based on the type and stage of mesothelioma. The treatment plan will vary depending on how much asbestos exposure the patient has.
The symptoms of mesothelioma are the same as many other illnesses, like pneumonia or the flu. This makes it hard for doctors to recognize mesothelioma early. Patients may be suffering from symptoms for months before being diagnosed with mesothelioma.
To determine the cause of the illness, doctors will perform a physical exam and ask about any exposure to asbestos in the past. They will then perform scans and blood tests to determine the extent and the location of the cancer within the body.
The most common mesothelioma form affects the lungs. Most likely to develop the disease are those who have worked as welders or electrician or in the auto industry.
Pleural mesothelioma can trigger the accumulation of fluid which can cause chest pain and trouble breathing. Surgery can help eliminate the excess fluid and improve a person's quality of life.
Doctors can also utilize pleurodesis, a procedure that helps stop the buildup of fluid in the lungs. In the course of the procedure, a tube is to be inserted into the pleura in order to drain fluid. Then, medication will be injected to prevent further buildup. Patients can also opt to have a shunt installed, which is a device that moves fluid from one region of the body to another to absorb.
Other treatments include chemotherapy and radiation. Chemotherapy kills cancer cells in a direct manner. Radiation therapy targets tumors and shrinks them with high-energy rays. People who aren't suitable for surgery can opt for targeted therapy, which targets the cancer-causing genes within the cancerous cells.
Prognosis
The prognosis of mesothelioma can be affected by several factors, including the stage and type of cancer, its location and the general health status of the patient. Patients with mesothelioma may improve their prognosis when they seek treatment by a specialist in mesothelioma, and follow their treatment regimen. Additionally, mesothelioma patients who are part of an clinical trial could be eligible for new treatments that are currently under investigation.
The symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to other diseases. This can lead to many mistakes in diagnosis. Patients may experience breathing difficulties, abdominal pain and other symptoms for several months before they are diagnosed. Because these symptoms are so initially mild they can be easily confused by people who associate them with other ailments. It is therefore essential to have any symptoms evaluated by a doctor as soon as possible.
The chest's lining (pleural mesothelioma) also known as the peritoneum or in rare cases, the membrane surrounding the testicles can be affected by mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma is the most common cause of mesothelioma cases. It accounts for 85 percent of all diagnosed in patients who are more than 75 years old.
Both genders can have different survival rates for mesothelioma. Men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos than women since they work in areas that have asbestos in them. Mesothelioma patients with females have a twice higher chance of surviving past five years than male patients. This is probably due to the way female hormones interact with mesothelioma tumor cells. The prognosis for a patient is also affected by their age, as older patients have a more difficult to recover from illness. It's also worth noting that some mesothelioma patients live years or even a decade past their initial prognoses.
Compensation
Mesothelioma compensation helps victims pay for medical expenses, lost wages and other expenses related to this asbestos-related illness. Most often, this mesothelioma compensation is granted through an amalgamation of asbestos trust funds, lawsuits and settlements. A mesothelioma lawyer with experience can assist you in determining what forms of compensation are available for your case.
Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma may file a personal injury lawsuit to receive financial compensation from asbestos-related manufacturers they were exposed to during their work. 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 family who died of mesothelioma is able to file a wrongful-dea lawsuit to seek compensation from those who are responsible for the victim's asbestos exposure.
Because it can take decades from exposure to diagnosis, many people diagnosed with mesothelioma have significant financial debts from treatment. Mesothelioma settlements can help victims of the disease pay off their debts and ensure their families' future.
Mesothelioma lawsuits and settlements may also compensate victims for their suffering and pain. A mesothelioma attorney can assist families and victims receive the compensation that they deserve.
A mesothelioma lawyer is able to handle all aspects of a victim’s mesothelioma case and make it as easy as they can. At Sokolove Law our lawyers have secured more than $4.7 billion in mesothelioma settlements for victims and their families. Contact us today to get started on a no-cost mesothelioma case review. Our lawyers serve clients nationwide. We can visit you at home or in a hospital. Our law firm will only be paid if we receive compensation.