Mesothelioma Claims
A mesothelioma lawsuit can aid victims in receiving compensation for treatment and other costs. State laws, also known as statutes or limitations, limit the amount of time a patient can bring a lawsuit.
Most lawsuits are in the form of personal injury or wrongful death claims. The jury awards financial damages, which can include economic and non-economic damages.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a rare condition and it can take a number of years for patients to receive a diagnosis. Patients will usually go to their primary doctor with complaints and a medical history. Doctors will do an examination of the body and inquire about the possibility of exposure to asbestos.
When doctors suspect mesothelioma they often request imaging tests. These include chest X-rays computed tomography (CT) scans, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These tests offer a thorough analysis of the body. These tests could reveal an accumulation of fluid in the abdomen or lungs that is 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 in the lung lining known as the pleura. The peritoneal form is caused by cancerous cells within the abdominal cavity. In a biopsies performed surgically, doctors will remove a small amount of tissue from an area of tumor or affected and examine it under a microscope in order to check for signs of mesothelioma. Doctors can also conduct an cytology test in order to check for the presence of cancerous cells in fluid samples taken from the lungs or stomach.
A blood test, dubbed the MESOMARK Assay, can measure the amount soluble mesothelin related peptide (SMRP), in the body of the patient. The presence of high levels of this biomarker may indicate the presence of mesothelioma cells.
This is why these biomarkers could be useful for doctors who are trying to detect mesothelioma in its earliest stages. It is not a replacement to a mesothelioma biopsies, which is the only way to definitively determine if cancer has been detected in the body. Doctors can perform a non-surgical procedure to collect fluid from the pleura and the stomach using a needle, and analyze it for mesothelioma cells.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma can occur anywhere on the body where asbestos-induced cancerous cells have developed. The most common locations are the abdomen, lungs, and heart. Pleural mesothelioma can cause chest pain as well as difficulty swallowing and hoarseness. Patients with peritoneal or pericardial mesothelioma often feel pain in their abdominal region, as well as fatigue and weight loss. Mesothelioma symptoms are difficult to identify because the signs mimic the symptoms of a variety of common illnesses. Mesothelioma can develop years after exposure to asbestos.
CT scans and X-rays can detect changes in the lungs, such as the accumulation of fluid or thickening of the pleura (pleural effusion). MRI and PET scans can also be used to detect mesothelioma. Blood tests can be used to check for elevated levels of certain substances that may indicate mesothelioma.
A doctor can take a sample of the fluid or tissue that builds up to test it for cancer cells. Doctors can also perform an operation called thoracoscopic aspiration, which removes a small amount fluid from the lungs or thoracic cavities. This test is a non-invasive form of biopsies, and can be done in a medical clinic.
If a doctor suspects mesothelioma, he or she may suggest surgery, radiation or chemotherapy to kill cancer cells and stop them from spreading. The surgery and chemotherapy are usually performed in an outpatient setting, and the radiation can be given in a hospital or clinic. The use of palliative therapy is commonly to help manage pain and other symptoms. Palliative treatment can include painkillers, regular drainage of fluids or a tube placed in the chest to assist with breathing. It could also involve radiation to stop the tumor from advancing.
Treatment
Treatment can reduce symptoms and prolong life for those suffering from mesothelioma. Treatment options vary based on the mesothelioma type and stage. The treatment plan will differ based on the amount of asbestos exposure the patient has.
The symptoms of mesothelioma are the same as many other diseases, like the flu or pneumonia. This makes it hard for doctors to recognize mesothelioma before it becomes apparent. Patients may be suffering from symptoms for months before being diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Doctors will conduct a physical examination and ask about previous asbestos exposure. They will then perform scans and blood tests to determine the extent and extent of the cancer's presence in the body.
The most common mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma. This affects the lung. Kent mesothelioma attorney for developing the disease are people who have worked as a welding technician or electrician, or in the auto industry.
Pleural mesothelioma may cause a buildup of fluid, creating chest pain and difficulty breathing. Surgery can remove the excess fluid and improve a person's quality of life.
Pleurodesis is a different procedure doctors can use to prevent future accumulation of fluid in the lungs. During this procedure, a tube is inserted into the pleura to drain fluid and then medicine is injected to prevent future buildups. Patients can also opt to have a shunt installed on their body. It is a device that moves fluid from one part of the body to another to absorb.
Radiation and chemotherapy are also options. Chemotherapy attacks the cancer cells by directly killing them. Radiation therapy targets tumors and shrinks them with high-energy rays. Those who do not qualify for surgery may undergo targeted therapy. This is done by attacking the cancer-causing gene within the cancerous cells.
Prognosis
The prognosis of mesothelioma is dependent on a variety of factors that include the type and stage of cancer, its location and general health status of the patient. Patients with mesothelioma can improve their odds of survival by seeking treatment from a specialist for mesothelioma and follow their treatment plan. Patients with mesothelioma who are taking part in clinical trials may also have access to new treatments that are currently being studied.
Mesothelioma symptoms can be compared to the symptoms of other conditions, so they are often incorrectly diagnosed. Patients may experience breathing difficulties or abdominal pain, among other symptoms for several months before they are diagnosed. Because these symptoms are simple at first it is easy to confuse them with other conditions. As a result, it's crucial to have any symptoms evaluated by a physician as soon as you can.
The lining of the chest (pleural mesothelioma) also known as the peritoneum or in rare cases the membrane surrounding the testicles may be affected by mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma is the most common cause of mesothelioma-related cases, accounting for 85 percent of diagnosed cases occurring in patients who are over 75 years old.
The survival rates for mesothelioma may vary between women and men. This is due to the fact that men are more likely than women to work in fields that expose them. However women who have been exposed to mesothelioma are two times as likely to live beyond five years than male patients. This is likely due to the ways female hormones interact with mesothelioma tumor cells. A person's age also impacts their outlook since older patients tend to have a more difficult time recovering from the illness. It's also worth noting that some mesothelioma patients survive for years or even a decade past their initial prognoses.
Compensation
Mesothelioma compensation helps victims pay for their medical expenses, lost wages and other expenses associated with this asbestos-related illness. This mesothelioma settlement is often given by amalgamating asbestos trust funds, lawsuits and settlements. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can assist you in determining what compensation is available to you in your case.
Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma may make a personal injury claim to receive financial compensation from manufacturers of asbestos-related products they were exposed to while at work. Mesothelioma lawsuits can be filed on behalf of the victim by their loved one, family member or a court-appointed representative. If a victim has passed away of mesothelioma, a wrongful death lawsuit may be filed by the estate of the deceased to recover compensation from those who are responsible for their loved ones' asbestos exposure.
Because it can take years from diagnosis to exposure Many people diagnosed with mesothelioma have significant financial debts from treatment. Mesothelioma compensation can help victims pay off their debts and provide for the future of their families.
Mesothelioma lawsuits and settlements may also provide compensation to victims for their suffering and pain. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can assist victims and their families receive the compensation they deserve.
A mesothelioma lawyer is able to manage every aspect 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 for a free review of your mesothelioma claim. Our lawyers serve clients nationwide. We can meet you at home or at the hospital. Our law firm is only paid if we secure compensation for you.