Mesothelioma Claims
A mesothelioma lawsuit can allow victims to receive compensation for treatment and other costs. State laws, also known as statutes of limitations limit the time a patient is required to file a lawsuit.
Personal injury or wrongful death are the most popular kinds of lawsuits. Juries award monetary damages that include non-economic and economic damages.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a rare condition and it can take a number of years before patients be diagnosed. Typically, patients will visit their primary care doctor with symptoms and medical history. Doctors will conduct physical examinations and inquire about any possible exposure to asbestos.
Imaging tests are typically requested by doctors when they suspect mesothelioma. These include chest X-rays computed tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These tests offer a thorough examination of the body. They may show the accumulation of fluid around the abdomen or lungs which is a typical mesothelioma sign.
These tests can be used to determine the type of mesothelioma. The mesothelioma that is pleural occurs when cancerous cells within the lung the lining (pleura) cause the disease. The peritoneal type is caused by cancerous cells in the abdominal cavity. In a surgical biopsies doctors will take a sample of tissue from an area of tumor or affected and examine it under a microscope in order to check for indications of mesothelioma. Doctors will also use the cytology test to look for the presence of cancerous cells in the fluid samples taken from the lungs or stomach.
A blood test, known as the MESOMARK Assay, can determine the amount of mesothelin soluble protein (SMRP), in the body of the patient. This biomarker has high levels and could indicate mesothelioma.
These biomarkers are therefore helpful for doctors trying to detect mesothelioma in its earliest stages. However, it is not an alternative to mesothelioma biopsies which is the sole definitive way to determine whether cancer is present in the body. Doctors can perform a non-surgical procedure to collect fluid from the pleura and the stomach with a needle and look it up for mesothelioma cancer cells.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma can be found anyplace on the body where cancerous asbestos-induced cells have formed. The most frequent locations are the abdomen, lungs and heart. Patients with pleural mesothelioma suffer from pain in the chest area, difficulty swallowing and hoarseness. Patients with mesothelioma pericardial or peritoneal often experience pain in their abdominal region, as well as fatigue and weight loss. The symptoms of mesothelioma can be difficult to recognize, as they are similar to those of other common illnesses. Mesothelioma can manifest years after asbestos exposure.
CT scans and Xrays can detect changes in the lungs such as the accumulation of fluid or thickening of pleura (pleural effusion). MRI and PET scans may also be used to search for mesothelioma. Blood tests can be utilized to detect elevated levels of certain substances that could be indicative of mesothelioma.
A doctor can take a sample of the fluid or tissue that builds up to determine if it contains cancerous cells. Doctors can also perform an operation known as the thoracoscopic aspiration. This procedure removes a small amount of fluid from the lungs or thoracic cavities. This test is a more non-invasive form of biopsies and can be performed in a doctor's clinic.
If a doctor suspects mesothelioma, the doctor will most likely recommend radiation, chemotherapy and surgery to stop the cancer cells from spreading. The chemotherapy and surgery are usually performed in an outpatient environment, and the radiation can be administered in a clinic or hospital. Palliative treatments are typically used to control discomfort and other symptoms. It can include painkillers and regular drainage of fluids, a tube put in the chest to assist with breathing and radiation to stop the tumor from growing.
Treatment
Treatment can ease symptoms and prolong life for people with mesothelioma. Treatment options vary based on the type of mesothelioma and its stage. The treatment plan will also vary depending on how much asbestos exposure a patient has.
The symptoms of mesothelioma are the same as many other diseases, like the flu or pneumonia. This makes it difficult for doctors to identify the disease at an early stage. Patients may experience symptoms for months before being diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Doctors will conduct a physical exam and inquire about any prior asbestos exposure. They will then conduct imaging scans and blood tests to determine the severity of the cancer and its location within the body.
The most commonly diagnosed mesothelioma type is pleural mesothelioma. mesothelioma attorney fees affects the lungs. The most likely to develop the disease are people who have worked as a welder electrician, plumber, or in the auto industry.
Pleural mesothelioma can trigger the accumulation of fluid causing chest pain and difficulty breathing. Surgery can help remove excess fluid, enhancing the quality of life of a patient.
Doctors can also utilize pleurodesis procedure to prevent the formation of further fluids in the lung. During the procedure, a tube is to be inserted into pleura in order to drain the fluid. Then, medication is injected to stop further accumulation. Patients may also choose to place a shunt, which is a device that circulates fluid from one part of the body to another in order to absorb.
Radiation and chemotherapy are also options. Chemotherapy kills cancer cells in a direct manner. Radiation therapy shrinks tumors by using high-energy rays. Those who are not candidates for surgery can undergo targeted therapy, which targets the cancer-causing genes in the cancer cells.
Prognosis
The prognosis of mesothelioma is based on several factors including the type and location of cancer and the stage of diagnosis and general patient health. Patients with mesothelioma can improve their odds of survival if they seek treatment from a specialist in mesothelioma, and adhere to their treatment plan. Patients who participate in clinical trials may be eligible for new treatments that are currently under investigation.
Mesothelioma symptoms are similar to those of many other conditions and, therefore, they are frequently misdiagnosed. Patients may have abdominal pain, breathing difficulties and other symptoms before they are diagnosed. Because these symptoms are so initially mild they can be easily confused by people who associate them with other illnesses. Therefore, it is important to have any symptoms evaluated by a doctor as quickly as you can.
The lining of the chest (pleural mesothelioma) or peritoneum, or in rare instances, the membrane surrounding the testicles can be affected by mesothelioma. The majority of mesothelioma diagnosis are pleural mesothelioma, with 85 percent being in patients older than 75 years old.
Survival rates for mesothelioma can vary between women and men. Men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos than women, because they are more likely to work in areas where asbestos is prevalent. However women who have been exposed to mesothelioma have twice as likely to survive past five years than male patients. This is probably due to the hormonal interactions between female hormones and mesothelioma tumor cells. Age also affects their chances of survival since older patients are more likely to have a more difficult time recovering from the disease. It's also important to note that some mesothelioma patients survive for years or even a decade or more past their initial prognoses.
Compensation
Mesothelioma compensation assists victims to pay for their medical expenses, lost wages and other costs associated with this asbestos-related illness. Most often, this mesothelioma compensation is granted through an amalgamation of asbestos trust funds, lawsuits and settlements. An experienced mesothelioma attorney can help determine which forms of compensation are available for your case.
Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma may make a personal injury claim for financial compensation from producers of asbestos-related products they were exposed to at work. Mesothelioma lawsuits can be filed by a loved one, a family member, or a court appointed representative on behalf of the victim. The estate of a victim who died of mesothelioma is able to file a wrongful-dea lawsuit to recover compensation from those who are responsible for the victim's asbestos exposure.
Because it can take decades from exposure to diagnosis, many people diagnosed with mesothelioma are burdened with financial obligations resulting from treatment. Mesothelioma compensation can help patients pay off their debts and provide for the future of their family members.
Mesothelioma lawsuits and settlements may also provide compensation to victims for their pain and suffering. An attorney for mesothelioma can help victims and families get the compensation they deserve.
A mesothelioma lawyer who is skilled can handle all aspects of a mesothelioma lawsuit for a victim to make the process as stress-free as they can for their client. Our lawyers at Sokolove Law have helped families and victims members receive over $4.7 billion for mesothelioma claims. Contact us now to get started on a no-cost mesothelioma case review. Our lawyers serve clients nationwide. We are able to meet with you at your home or hospital. Our law firm will only be paid if we are able to get you compensation.