Mesothelioma Claims
A mesothelioma claim can help victims obtain compensation for treatment and other costs. State laws, also referred to as statutes or limitations, restrict the time a victim can file a lawsuit.
Personal injury or wrongful deaths are the most frequent types of lawsuits. The jury awards monetary damages, which include economic and noneconomic damage.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a rare disease and it can take a number of years before patients receive a diagnosis. Patients usually visit their primary doctor with complaints and an medical history. Doctors will do an examination of the body and inquire about exposure to asbestos.
When doctors suspect mesothelioma, they will often order imaging tests. This may include chest X-rays (CT scans) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography. These tests provide a clear view of the body. These tests may reveal the presence of fluid in the abdomen or lungs as a mesothelioma related sign.
These tests can also be used to determine the type mesothelioma. The pleural type of mesothelioma is caused by cancer cells that line the lung known as the pleura. The peritoneal type is caused by cancerous cells in the abdominal cavity. In a biopsies performed surgically, doctors will take a sample of tissue from the affected area or tumor and examine it under a microscope to look for indications of mesothelioma. Doctors can also conduct a test called the cytology test to detect cancerous cells from samples of fluid taken from the lungs or stomach.
A blood test referred to as the MESOMARK test can determine the amount of soluble mesothelin related peptide (SMRP) in the patient's body. A high level of this biomarker may be a sign of mesothelioma cell lines.
In turn, biomarkers can be beneficial for doctors who are trying to detect mesothelioma early in its development. However, they are not a substitute for a mesothelioma biopsy which is the sole 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 by using needles, and then analyze it for mesothelioma-related cells.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma can be found anywhere in the body where asbestos has caused cancerous cells to form. The most frequent locations are the lungs, abdomen and the heart. People who have pleural mesothelioma experience pain in the chest area, difficulty swallowing and hoarseness. People with mesothelioma of the pericardial or peritoneal region suffer from discomfort in their abdomen and fatigue and weight loss. Mesothelioma symptoms can be difficult to identify because the symptoms mimic those of other common diseases. It may take years after exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma develop.
X-rays and CT scans may reveal changes in the lungs, including the pleura getting thicker or fluid buildup (pleural effusion). MRI and PET scans are also utilized to detect 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 has accumulated to determine if it contains cancer cells. The doctor may also perform an operation known as thoracoscopic needle aspiration to remove a small amount of fluid from around the lungs or thoracic cavity. This test is a more non-invasive alternative to biopsies, and can be done in a medical clinic.
If a doctor suspects mesothelioma, it is likely that they will suggest chemotherapy, radiation and surgery to stop the cancer cells from spreading. Radiation can be administered in a clinic or hospital. The radiation is typically given outpatient. The use of palliative therapies is often to treat pain and other symptoms. It could include painkillers as well as regular draining of fluids or tubes placed in the chest to aid in breathing and radiation to prevent the tumor from growing.
Treatment
For people diagnosed with mesothelioma, treatment can help alleviate symptoms and prolong the life. There are a variety of treatments that are available, based on the stage and type of mesothelioma. The treatment plan may also differ depending on the amount of asbestos exposure that the patient has.
The symptoms of mesothelioma resemble many other diseases, such as the flu or pneumonia. This makes it difficult for doctors to identify the disease early. Patients may be suffering from symptoms for months before being diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Doctors will conduct a physical exam and inquire about any prior asbestos exposure. They will then perform scans of the blood and imaging to determine the extent and location of the cancer in the body.
The most frequent mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lungs. People who have been exposed to asbestos in the course of their work as a construction worker, welder electrician, plumber or autoworker are more likely to develop this disease.
Pleural mesothelioma can trigger a buildup of fluid, which can cause chest pain and trouble breathing. Surgery can remove the excess fluid and improve a person's quality of life.
Doctors can also utilize pleurodesis procedure to prevent future fluid buildup in the lungs. During the procedure, a tube is to be inserted into the pleura order to drain the fluid. Then, medication is injected to stop further accumulation. Patients can also opt to have a shunt placed on their body. It is a device that circulates fluid from one region of the body to another for absorption.
The treatment of chemotherapy and radiation are both options. Chemotherapy kills cancerous cells directly. The treatment targets tumors and shrinks them by using high-energy radiation. Patients who are not eligible for surgery may opt for targeted therapy. This is done by targeting the cancer-causing gene inside the cancer cells.
Prognosis
The mesothelioma prognosis is contingent on several factors including the nature and location of the cancer as well as the stage at which it was diagnosed and general patient health. A mesothelioma prognosis can improve by seeking treatment from an experienced specialist in mesothelioma therapy and adhere to their treatment regimen. Additionally, mesothelioma patients who are part of a clinical trial may be eligible for new treatments that are still being studied.
The mesothelioma symptoms are comparable to those of other conditions. This leads to a lot of mistakes in diagnosis. Patients may experience breathing difficulties as well as abdominal pains and other symptoms for a few months before being diagnosed. These symptoms may be initially mild and can be confused with other illnesses. This is why it's important to get any symptoms examined by a doctor as soon as possible.
The chest's lining (pleural mesothelioma) or peritoneum, or in rare cases the testicles' lining can be affected by mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma accounts for most mesothelioma cases, with 85 percent of all diagnoses made in patients over 75 years old.
Both genders can have different survival rates for mesothelioma. This is due to the fact that males are more likely than women to work in industries 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 likely due the interaction between female hormones and mesothelioma cancer cells. The prognosis of an individual is also influenced by their age, as older patients have a more difficult to recover from illnesses. It is important to remember that some patients with mesothelioma have a long life span, even a decade or more beyond their initial prognosis.
Compensation
Mesothelioma Compensation assists victims in covering their medical expenses in addition to lost wages and other expenses associated with this asbestos-related disease. Mesothelioma settlements are usually awarded by amalgamating asbestos trust funds, lawsuits and settlements. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can assist you in determining the amount of compensation that is available in your case.
A person diagnosed with mesothelioma may sue the company that makes asbestos-related products to which they were exposed at work. They may be able to seek financial compensation. Mesothelioma lawsuits can be filed on behalf of a victim by their loved one or family member, or by a court-appointed representative. Napa mesothelioma attorneys of a victim's loved ones who has died from mesothelioma can file a wrongful-death lawsuit to recover compensation against 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 compensation can help these victims pay off their debts and pay for the future of their family members.
Mesothelioma settlements and lawsuits may also compensate the victims for their suffering and pain. A mesothelioma lawyer with experience can assist victims and their families receive the compensation they deserve.
A mesothelioma lawyer can handle every aspect of a patient's mesothelioma case to make it as pain-free as they can. Our attorneys at Sokolove Law have helped victims and their family members receive over $4.7 billion in mesothelioma compensation. Contact us today to begin on a free mesothelioma case review. Our lawyers serve clients nationwide. We can visit you at your home or in a hospital. Our law firm is only paid if we are able to get you compensation.