Mesothelioma Claims
A mesothelioma suit can aid victims in receiving compensation for their treatment and other costs. State laws, also known as statutes of limitations limit how long a victim must bring a lawsuit.
Most lawsuits are in the form of personal injury or wrongful death claims. The jury awards money damages, which include economic and noneconomic damage.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a rare disease and it can take many years before patients be diagnosed. Typically, patients will visit their primary physician with symptoms and a medical history. Doctors will do an examination of the body and inquire about any possible 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 give a complete analysis of the body. They can reveal the accumulation of fluid around the abdomen or lungs which is a common mesothelioma-related symptom.
These tests also help determine the type of mesothelioma. The mesothelioma that is pleural is when cancerous cells in the lung the lining (pleura) cause the disease. The peritoneal type is caused by cancerous cells in the abdominal cavity. In the procedure of a surgical biopsy, doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from the affected area and examine it under a microscope for signs of mesothelioma. Doctors can also conduct a cytology test 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 mesothelin-soluble peptide (SMRP) in the patient's body. This biomarker has high levels and can indicate mesothelioma.
This is why biomarkers can be beneficial for doctors who are trying to detect mesothelioma in its earliest stages. However, it's not a substitute for mesothelioma biopsies which is the sole reliable method to determine whether cancer is present in the body. Doctors can perform non-surgical biopsies to drain fluid from the stomach or pleura by using a needle, and then analyze it for mesothelioma-related cells.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma can occur anywhere in the body where asbestos-induced cancerous cells have developed. The most frequent locations are the abdomen, lungs, and heart. People who have pleural mesothelioma experience pain in the chest region, difficulty swallowing and hoarseness. People with mesothelioma pericardial or peritoneal often experience discomfort in their abdomen, as well as fatigue and weight loss. Mesothelioma symptoms can be difficult to identify because the signs are similar to the symptoms of a variety of common illnesses. Mesothelioma may develop after years of asbestos exposure.
X-rays and CT scans can reveal changes in the lungs, including the pleura getting thicker or the accumulation of fluid (pleural effusion). MRI and PET scans may also be used to search for mesothelioma. Blood tests can be used to determine the presence of certain substances within the body, which indicate the presence of mesothelioma.
A doctor can drain a sample of the fluid or tissue that has accumulated to check for cancer cells. Doctors can also perform an operation known as thoracoscopic aspiration. It removes a small amount of fluid from the thoracic cavity or lungs. This test is a more non-invasive form of biopsies procedure and is performed in a doctor's clinic.
If a doctor has diagnosed mesothelioma he or she will likely suggest chemotherapy, radiation and surgery to stop cancer cells from spreading. The surgery and chemotherapy are generally done in an outpatient setting, and the radiation can be administered in a hospital or clinic. Palliative treatments are often used to treat discomfort and other symptoms. Palliative treatment can include painkillers, regular drainage of fluids or a tube that is placed in the chest to help in breathing. It could also involve radiation to prevent the tumor from advancing.
Treatment
Treatment can ease symptoms and prolong life for patients with mesothelioma. Treatment options differ based on the mesothelioma's type and stage. The treatment plan may also differ depending on the amount of asbestos exposure a patient is exposed to.
The symptoms of mesothelioma are the same as many other diseases, such as the flu or pneumonia. This makes it difficult for doctors to identify mesothelioma early. Often, patients will be afflicted with symptoms for several months before being diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Doctors will conduct a physical examination and inquire about any prior asbestos exposure. They will then conduct scans of the blood and imaging to determine the severity of the cancer and where it is located within the body.
The most prevalent mesothelioma type affects the lungs. 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.
A buildup of fluid could cause chest pain or breathing problems. Surgery can remove excess fluid, improving the quality of life for patients.
Doctors can also use pleurodesis, a procedure that helps prevent the formation of further fluids in the lung. In the course of the procedure, a tube will be inserted into the pleura order to drain the fluid. Then pontiac mesothelioma attorneys will be injected to prevent further accumulation. Patients may also choose to use a shunt which is a device that is used to transfer fluid from one region of the body to the next for absorption.
Other treatments include radiation and chemotherapy. Chemotherapy kills cancer cells in a direct manner. Radiation therapy shrinks tumors by using high-energy rays. People who aren't suitable for surgery can undergo targeted therapy, which targets the cancer-causing genes in the cancer cells.
Prognosis
The prognosis of mesothelioma is based on a variety of factors, including the type and location of the cancer, the stage at diagnosis and general patient health. The prognosis for mesothelioma can improve by seeking treatment from an experienced specialist in mesothelioma treatment and adhere to their treatment regimen. Patients with mesothelioma who take part in clinical trials might have access to novel treatments that are still being investigated.
The mesothelioma symptoms are similar to many other conditions. This causes many mistakes in diagnosis. Patients may suffer from abdominal pain, breathing difficulties and other symptoms prior to being diagnosed. These symptoms are mild at first and can be confused with other ailments. This is why it's crucial to have any symptoms checked out by a physician as soon as possible.
Mesothelioma can affect the tissue lining the chest cavity (pleural mesothelioma), the peritoneum (peritoneal mesothelioma) or, in rare instances the membrane that covers the testicles (pericardial mesothelioma). The majority of mesothelioma diagnosis are pleural mesothelioma. 85 per cent of them being diagnosed in patients who are older than 75 years.
Women and men may have different rates of survival for mesothelioma. Men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos than women since they work in industries where asbestos is present. However women who have been exposed to mesothelioma are two times more likely to live past five years than male patients. This is probably due to the interaction between female hormones and mesothelioma cancer cells. The age of a person also affects their prognosis because older patients have a harder time recovering from the illness. It is important to remember that mesothelioma patients can endure for a long time, or even a decade after their initial prognosis.
Compensation
Mesothelioma compensation assists victims to 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. An experienced mesothelioma attorney will help determine which forms of compensation are applicable to your situation.
A person diagnosed mesothelioma could bring a lawsuit against the company that makes asbestos-related products to which they were exposed while at work. They may seek financial compensation. Mesothelioma lawsuits can be filed on behalf of the victim's loved one or family member, or by an appointed representative by the court. The estate of a victim who died from mesothelioma is able to file a wrongful-dea lawsuit to recover compensation against the parties responsible for the victim's asbestos exposure.
Since it can take a long time from the moment of exposure to diagnosis many patients diagnosed with mesothelioma are burdened with financial obligations resulting from treatment. Mesothelioma compensation can help these sufferers pay off their debts and pay for the future of their families.
Mesothelioma settlements and lawsuits can also compensate the victims for their suffering and pain. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can assist victims and their families get the money they deserve.
A reputable mesothelioma law firm will handle every aspect of a victim's mesothelioma claim and make the process as stress-free as is possible for their client. At Sokolove Law our lawyers have secured more than $4.7 billion in mesothelioma-related settlements for patients and their families. Contact us now to get started on a free mesothelioma case review. Our lawyers serve clients nationwide. We are able to meet with you in your home or in a hospital. Our law firm will only be paid if we receive compensation.