Mesothelioma Claims
A mesothelioma lawsuit can assist victims in obtaining compensation for treatment and other expenses. State laws, also known as statutes of limitations restrict the time a patient is required to file a lawsuit.
The most common form of lawsuits is of personal injury or wrongful death claims. Juries award monetary damages that include economic and noneconomic damages.
Diagnosis
It could take years to diagnose mesothelioma, which is a rare condition. In the majority of cases, patients go to their primary physician with symptoms and medical history. Doctors will conduct an examination of the body and ask about asbestos exposure.
When doctors suspect mesothelioma, they usually order imaging tests. This can include chest X-rays (CT scans) as well as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography. AccidentInjuryLawyers give a complete examination of the body. They can reveal the accumulation of fluid around the abdomen or lungs, which is a common mesothelioma-related symptom.
These tests can also be used to determine the kind of mesothelioma. The mesothelioma that is pleural is caused by cancer cells in the lung lining known as the pleura. The peritoneal form is caused by cancer cells found in the abdominal cavity. In a surgical biopsy, doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from the tumor or affected area to look under a microscope for indications of mesothelioma. Doctors can also conduct the test known as a cytology to detect cancerous cells from fluid samples taken from the stomach or lungs.
A blood test known as the MESOMARK test can determine the amount of soluble mesothelin-related peptide (SMRP) in the body of the patient. The presence of high levels of this biomarker can be a sign mesothelioma cells.
In turn, biomarkers can be beneficial for doctors trying to diagnose mesothelioma early in its development. It is not a replacement to a mesothelioma biopsies, which is the only method to determine whether cancer has been found within the body. Doctors can perform a non-surgical procedure to extract fluid from the pleura or the stomach using a needle, and analyze it for mesothelioma cells.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma can occur anywhere in the body where asbestos has caused cancerous cells to form. The most frequent sites are the abdomen, lungs and heart. Pleural mesothelioma can cause pain in the chest as well as difficulty swallowing and hoarseness. People with mesothelioma pericardial or peritoneal often suffer from pain in their abdominal region as well as fatigue and weight loss. Mesothelioma symptoms are difficult to identify because the symptoms mimic the symptoms of a variety of common illnesses. Mesothelioma may develop after years of exposure to asbestos.
CT scans and X-rays may reveal changes in the lungs such as fluid buildup or thickening of the pleura (pleural effusion). MRI and PET scans can also be used to look for mesothelioma. Blood tests can be used to determine high levels of certain substances within the body that indicate mesothelioma's presence.
A doctor can remove the tissue or fluid to look 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 a doctor's office.
If a doctor has diagnosed mesothelioma it is likely that they will suggest chemotherapy, radiation and surgery to stop cancer cells from spreading. Radiation therapy can be performed in a clinic or hospital. The radiation is usually given as an outpatient. The use of palliative therapy is commonly to alleviate pain and other symptoms. The treatment options include painkillers and regular drainage of fluids, or a tube inserted inside the chest to aid with breathing. It could also include radiation to stop the tumor from advancing.
Treatment
For patients diagnosed with mesothelioma, treatment can help reduce symptoms and extend the duration of. Treatment options differ based on the mesothelioma's type and stage. The treatment plan will vary depending on how much asbestos exposure the patient has.
The symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to many other illnesses, such as pneumonia or the flu. This makes it hard for doctors to identify mesothelioma before it becomes apparent. In many cases, patients be afflicted with symptoms for several months before being diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Doctors will conduct a physical examination and ask about previous asbestos exposure. They will then conduct scans of the blood and imaging to determine the extent of the cancer and the location in the body.
The most common 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.
Pleural mesothelioma may cause an accumulation of fluid, which can cause chest pain and trouble breathing. Surgery can eliminate excess fluid, which can improve a person's life.
Pleurodesis is yet another procedure doctors can employ to stop future accumulation of fluid in the lungs. During the procedure, a tube is to be inserted into pleura in order to drain the fluid. Then, medication will be injected to stop further accumulation. Patients can also opt to have a shunt installed on their body. It is a device that circulates fluid from one region of the body to another for absorption.
Other treatments include radiation and chemotherapy. Chemotherapy fights cancer cells directly by killing them. The treatment targets tumors and shrinks them with high-energy rays. Those who do not qualify for surgery can undergo targeted therapy. This involves targeting the cancer-causing gene in the cancer cells.
Prognosis
The prognosis for mesothelioma is affected by several factors such as the type and stage of cancer, its location and the general health status of the patient. The prognosis for mesothelioma can improve by seeking treatment from a seasoned specialist in mesothelioma therapy and adhere to their treatment plan. Additionally, mesothelioma patients who are part of clinical trials may be eligible for new treatments that are currently under investigation.
Mesothelioma symptoms can be compared to the symptoms of a variety of other diseases, so they are often incorrectly diagnosed. Patients may experience breathing difficulties, abdominal pain and other symptoms for some time before they are diagnosed. These symptoms are mild at first and can be confused with other illnesses. It is therefore essential to have any symptoms examined by a doctor as soon as is possible.
Mesothelioma can affect the chest cavity's lining (pleural mesothelioma) or the peritoneum (peritoneal mesothelioma) or, in very rare cases the membrane that covers the testicles (pericardial mesothelioma). Pleural mesothelioma makes up the majority of mesothelioma cases. It accounts for 85 percent of diagnoses made in patients over 75 years old.
Men and women can have different survival rates for mesothelioma. This is because men are more likely than women to work in fields that expose them. Mesothelioma patients with females have twice the chance of surviving the past five years than male patients. This is likely due to the ways female hormones interact with mesothelioma tumor cells. The prognosis of an individual is also influenced by their age, since older patients have a more difficult recovery from illnesses. It's also worth noting that some mesothelioma patients live years or even a decade beyond their initial prognoses.
Compensation
Mesothelioma Compensation assists victims in covering their medical expenses as well as lost wages and other costs associated with the asbestos-related illness. The mesothelioma settlements are typically granted by combining asbestos trust funds, lawsuits and settlements. An experienced mesothelioma attorney can help you determine what types of compensation might be available for your case.
Mesothelioma patients can file a personal injury lawsuit to receive financial compensation from producers of asbestos-related products they were exposed to at work. Mesothelioma lawsuits can be filed on behalf of the victim's loved ones, family member or an appointed representative by the court. The estate of a victim's loved ones who has died from mesothelioma may file a wrongful death lawsuit to recover compensation from those responsible for the victim's asbestos exposure.
Many patients with mesothelioma end up in debt because it can take years from the time of exposure to diagnosis. Mesothelioma settlements can help those suffering of the disease pay off their debts and provide for their families' future.
Mesothelioma lawsuits and settlements can also provide compensation to victims for their suffering and pain. An attorney for mesothelioma can help victims and families receive the compensation that they deserve.
A mesothelioma lawyer can manage all aspects of a victim’s mesothelioma case, making it as stress-free as they can. At Sokolove Law our lawyers have secured over $4.7 billion in mesothelioma settlements for victims and their families. Contact us today to arrange a free review of your mesothelioma lawsuit. Our lawyers serve clients nationwide. We can visit you at home or in the hospital. Our law firm is only paid when we receive compensation for you.