Mesothelioma Claims
A mesothelioma lawsuit could assist victims to receive compensation for their treatment and other expenses. State laws, also known as statutes of limitations restrict how long a victim has to make a claim.
The most common form of lawsuits is of personal injury or wrongful death claims. The jury awards money damages, which can include economic and non-economic damages.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a rare disease and it can take a number of years for patients to be diagnosed. Patients typically visit their primary physician with complaints and an medical history. Doctors will do physical examinations and inquire about the possibility of exposure to asbestos.
If doctors suspect mesothelioma, they usually order imaging tests. These include chest X-rays computed tomography (CT) scans, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These tests provide a clear view of the body. They can show an accumulation of fluid around the lungs or abdomen, which is a typical mesothelioma sign.
These tests can also be used to determine the type 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 cancerous cells within the abdominal cavity. In a surgical biopsy, doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from the tumor or affected area and examine it under a microscope for signs of mesothelioma. Doctors can also conduct a test called a cytology to identify cancerous cells in samples of fluid taken from the stomach or lungs.
A blood test, known as the MESOMARK Assay, can determine the amount soluble mesothelin related to peptide (SMRP) within the body of the patient. This biomarker has high levels and could indicate mesothelioma.
These biomarkers can be helpful for doctors trying to diagnose mesothelioma at its beginning stages. It is not a substitute to a mesothelioma biopsies, which is the only way to definitively determine if cancer has been detected in the body. Doctors can conduct a non-surgical biopsy to take fluid from the pleura or stomach using a needle. They then examine it for mesothelioma-related cells.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma may occur anywhere in the body in which asbestos-induced cancerous cells have developed. The most frequent locations are the abdomen, lungs, and the heart. Pleural mesothelioma is a cause of pain in the chest as well as difficulty swallowing and hoarseness. Patients with pericardial and peritoneal cancer typically experience abdominal pain, fatigue and weight loss. Mesothelioma symptoms are difficult to identify because the symptoms mimic those of other common diseases. Mesothelioma can develop years after exposure to asbestos.
X-rays and CT scans may reveal changes in the lungs, for example, the pleura becoming thicker or fluid accumulation (pleural effusion). MRI and PET scans are also used to detect mesothelioma. Blood tests can be utilized to check for elevated levels of certain substances that may be indicative of mesothelioma.
A doctor can drain the fluid or the tissue to check for cancerous cells. A doctor can also perform an operation known as thoracoscopic aspiration. It removes a small amount fluid from the thoracic cavity or lungs. This test is a less-invasive version of a biopsy and can be performed in the office of a doctor.
If mesothelioma attorney fees suspects mesothelioma, he or she may recommend surgery, radiation and chemotherapy to kill the cancerous cells and prevent the spread. The surgery and chemotherapy typically take place in an outpatient environment, and the radiation can be given in a clinic or a hospital. The use of palliative therapy is commonly to manage pain and other symptoms. The treatment options include painkillers as well as regular drainage of fluids or a tube placed inside the chest to aid in breathing. It may also include radiation to prevent the tumor from advancing.
Treatment
For patients diagnosed with mesothelioma treatment can ease symptoms and extend life. There are a variety of treatments available, based on the stage and type of mesothelioma. The treatment plan will also depend on the level of asbestos exposure the patient has.
Mesothelioma symptoms resemble those of many diseases such as the flu or pneumonia. This makes it hard for doctors to identify mesothelioma early. Patients may experience symptoms for months before being diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Doctors will conduct a physical examination and inquire about prior asbestos exposure. They will follow up with scans of the blood and imaging to determine the severity of the cancer and where it is located in the body.
The most common mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma. It affects the lung. People who have been exposed to asbestos in the course of their work as a construction worker, welder, plumber, electrician or autoworker are most likely to develop this disease.
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 the quality of life.
Doctors may also opt for pleurodesis procedure to prevent the formation of further fluids in the lung. During the procedure, a tube will be inserted into the pleura order to drain the fluid. Then, medicine is injected to stop further buildup. Patients can also opt to receive a shunt which is a device used to move fluid from one region of the body to another for absorption.
Other treatments include radiation and chemotherapy. Chemotherapy attacks the cancer cells directly, killing them. Radiation therapy shrinks tumors using high-energy rays. 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 several factors including the type and location of the cancer, the stage at diagnosis and the general health of the patient. The prognosis for mesothelioma can improve if patients seek treatment from an experienced specialist in mesothelioma therapy and adhere to their treatment plan. Patients with mesothelioma who take part in clinical trials could also have access to new treatments that are being investigated.
The symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to other diseases. This can lead to an abundance of misdiagnosis. Patients may experience breathing problems or abdominal pain, among other symptoms for a few months before they are diagnosed. Because these symptoms are simple at first it is easy to confuse them with other conditions. Therefore, it's crucial to have any symptoms checked out by a doctor as soon as possible.
Mesothelioma can affect the chest cavity's lining (pleural mesothelioma) or the peritoneum (peritoneal mesothelioma) or, in rare cases, the membrane that surrounds the testicles (pericardial mesothelioma). The majority of mesothelioma diagnoses are pleural mesothelioma. 85 percent of them being in patients older than 75 years old.
Women and men can have different survival rates for mesothelioma. Men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos than women, because they are more likely to work in industries that have asbestos in them. Mesothelioma patients with females have twice the likelihood of surviving the past five years than male patients. This is likely due to the hormonal interactions between female hormones and mesothelioma tumor cells. The age of a person also affects their outlook since older patients tend to have a harder time recovering from the disease. It's important to note that some mesothelioma patients endure for a long time, or even a decade beyond their initial prognosis.
Compensation
Mesothelioma compensation assists victims to pay for their medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs associated with the asbestos-related disease. This mesothelioma settlement is often given by amalgamating asbestos trust funds, lawsuits and settlements. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer will assist you in determining what compensation is available in your particular case.
A person who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma can sue the company that makes asbestos-related products to which they were exposed during their work. They can seek financial compensation. Mesothelioma lawsuits can be filed by someone close to the victim or a family member or a court appointed representative on behalf of the victim. If a victim died from mesothelioma, awrongful death lawsuit may be filed by the estate of the victim to seek compensation from the parties accountable for their loved ones' asbestos exposure.
Many patients with mesothelioma end up in debt due to the fact that it can take years from exposure to diagnosis. Mesothelioma compensation can help these sufferers pay off their debts and provide for the future of their families.
Mesothelioma lawsuits and settlements may also provide compensation to victims for their pain and suffering. An attorney for mesothelioma can help victims and families receive the compensation that they are entitled to.
A mesothelioma lawyer who is skilled can handle every aspect of a victim's mesothelioma claim to make the process as easy as they can for their client. Our lawyers at Sokolove Law have helped victims and their family members obtain more than $4.7 billion in mesothelioma lawsuits. Contact us today to begin with a free mesothelioma review. Our lawyers serve clients nationwide. We can meet with you at your home or hospital. Our law firm is only paid if we get you compensation.