Mesothelioma Claims
A mesothelioma lawsuit could assist victims to receive compensation for treatment and other costs. State laws, called statutes or limitations, restrict the amount of time a patient can bring a lawsuit.
The most common form of lawsuits is of personal injury or wrongful death claims. The jury awards financial damages, which may include economic and noneconomic damage.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a rare disease and it can take many years for patients to receive a diagnosis. Most patients go to their primary physician with symptoms and a medical history. Doctors will conduct physical examinations and inquire about the possibility of exposure to asbestos.
When doctors suspect mesothelioma they will often order imaging tests. These include chest X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These tests provide a detailed analysis of the body. They can reveal a build-up of fluid around the abdomen or lungs, which is a common mesothelioma-related symptom.
These tests can be used to determine the type mesothelioma. The mesothelioma that is pleural occurs when cancerous cells within the lung lining (pleura) cause the disease. The peritoneal form is caused by cancerous cells in the abdominal cavity. In a surgical biopsies, doctors will take a sample of tissue from the affected area or tumor and examine it under a microscope in order to check for indications of mesothelioma. Doctors may also use an examination known as a cytology to identify 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. The presence of high levels of this biomarker can indicate the presence of mesothelioma cell lines.
These biomarkers can be helpful to doctors who are trying to diagnose mesothelioma at its beginning stages. However, they are not an alternative to mesothelioma-related biopsy which is the only reliable method to determine if cancer is present in the body. Doctors can conduct non-surgical biopsies to remove fluid from the stomach or pleura 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 common locations are the lung. Patients with pleural mysothelioma suffer from pain in the chest area and have difficulty swallowing as well as hoarseness. Patients with pericardial and peritoneal cancer often experience abdominal pain, fatigue, and weight loss. Mesothelioma symptoms are difficult to identify because the signs are similar to those of many common illnesses. Mesothelioma can manifest years after asbestos exposure.
X-rays and CT scans can show changes in the lungs, including the pleura getting thicker or fluid buildup (pleural effusion). MRI and PET scans are also used to detect mesothelioma. Blood tests can check for the presence of certain substances within the body that could indicate mesothelioma is present.
A doctor can remove an amount of fluid or tissue that has accumulated to check for cancer cells. The doctor can also carry out a procedure called the thoracoscopic needle aspiration procedure to remove some of the fluid from around the lungs and thoracic cavity. This test is a less-invasive version of a biopsy that can be done in the office of a doctor.
If a doctor has diagnosed mesothelioma the doctor will most likely recommend radiation, chemotherapy and surgery to stop the cancer cells from spreading. The radiation can be administered in a hospital or clinic. The radiation is usually administered as an as an outpatient. The use of palliative therapy is commonly to manage pain and other symptoms. Palliative treatment may include painkillers and regular drainage of fluids, or a tube inserted inside the chest to aid with breathing. YouTube may also include radiation to prevent the tumor from growing.
Treatment
For those diagnosed with mesothelioma or other cancers, treatment can ease symptoms and extend life. Treatment options differ based on the type of mesothelioma and its stage. The treatment plan will depend on the level of asbestos exposure a patient has.
The symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to many other illnesses, like pneumonia or the flu. This makes it difficult for doctors to diagnose the disease in the early stages. Patients may be suffering from symptoms for months before they are diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Doctors will conduct a physical exam and ask about previous asbestos exposure. They will then conduct blood tests and imaging scans to determine the extent of the cancer and its location 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 an industrial worker, welder electrician, plumber or autoworker are the most likely to develop this illness.
A buildup of fluid can cause chest pain or breathing difficulties. Surgery can help remove excess fluid, improving a person's life.
Doctors may also opt for pleurodesis procedure to prevent future fluid buildup in the lung. In this procedure it is the procedure of inserting a tube into the pleura to drain fluid and then medication is injected to prevent further buildups. Patients may also choose to have a shunt, which is a device to transfer fluid from one part of the body to the other for absorption.
Other treatments include radiation and chemotherapy. Chemotherapy kills cancer cells in a direct manner. Radiation therapy shrinks tumors using high-energy radiation. Patients who aren't candidates for surgery may undergo targeted therapy, which targets the cancer-causing genes inside of the cancer cells.
Prognosis
The prognosis of mesothelioma is affected by several factors such as the type and stage of cancer, the site and the general health status 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. Additionally, mesothelioma patients who are part of a clinical trial may have access to new treatments that are still being studied.
The mesothelioma symptoms are similar to other diseases. This can lead to many misdiagnosis. Patients may experience breathing problems, abdominal pain and other symptoms for several months before being diagnosed. Because these symptoms are simple at first they can be easily confused by people who associate them with other conditions. Therefore, it's crucial to have any symptoms examined by a doctor as soon as you can.
Mesothelioma can affect the chest cavity's lining (pleural mesothelioma) or the peritoneum (peritoneal mesothelioma) or, in very rare instances the membrane that covers the testicles (pericardial mesothelioma). Pleural mesothelioma makes up the majority of mesothelioma cases, with 85 percent of all diagnoses made in patients over 75 years old.
Women and men can have different survival rates for mesothelioma. This is due to the fact that males are more likely than women to work in fields that expose them to asbestos. However women who have been exposed to mesothelioma are twice as likely to survive past five years as male patients. This is probably due to the interaction between female hormones and mesothelioma cancer cells. The age of a person also affects their outlook since older patients tend to suffer more difficulty recovering from the disease. It's also worth noting that some mesothelioma patients survive for years or even a decade or more over their initial prognoses.
Compensation
Mesothelioma Compensation helps victims cover their medical expenses, lost wages, and other expenses associated with this asbestos-related disease. Most often, this mesothelioma compensation is granted through a combination of asbestos trust funds, lawsuits, and settlements. An experienced mesothelioma attorney will help determine which forms of compensation may be available for your case.
People diagnosed with mesothelioma can bring a personal injury lawsuit for financial compensation from the manufacturers of asbestos-related products they were exposed to during their work. Mesothelioma lawsuits can be filed on behalf of a victim by their loved one, family member or an appointed representative by the court. The estate of a victim's family who died of mesothelioma may file a wrongful death lawsuit to recover compensation against those responsible for the victim's asbestos exposure.
Many patients with mesothelioma are in debt as it can take years to go from exposure to diagnosis. Mesothelioma settlements can help patients of the disease pay off their debts and ensure their families' future.
Mesothelioma lawsuits and settlements may also be used to compensate victims for their pain and suffering. A mesothelioma attorney can help victims and families receive the compensation they are entitled to.
A reputable mesothelioma law firm can handle every aspect of a victim's mesothelioma claim, making the process as painless as they can for their client. Our lawyers at Sokolove Law have helped victims and their family members receive over $4.7 billion in mesothelioma lawsuits. Contact us now to get started with a free mesothelioma review. Our lawyers serve clients nationwide. We are able to meet with you in your home or hospital. Our law firm is only paid if we secure compensation for you.