Mesothelioma Claims
A mesothelioma lawsuit can assist victims to receive compensation for their treatment and other costs. State laws called statutes of limitations limit the time that a victim is required to bring a lawsuit.
Personal injury or wrongful deaths are the most frequent kinds of lawsuits. Juries award monetary damages that include both economic and non-economic damages.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a rare condition and it can take a number of years for patients to be diagnosed. Patients typically visit their primary physician with complaints and a medical history. Doctors will do an examination of the body and inquire about any possible exposure to asbestos.
Imaging tests are often requested by doctors when they suspect mesothelioma. 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 a buildup of fluid in the abdomen or lungs that is a mesothelioma-related symptom.
These tests also help determine the type of mesothelioma. The mesothelioma pleural type is when cancerous cells in the lung lining (pleura) cause the disease. The peritoneal type is caused by cancerous cells within the abdominal cavity. In the course of a surgical biopsy, physicians will remove a small sample of tissue from the tumor or affected area and examine it under a microscope to look for signs of mesothelioma. Doctors can also perform a test called the cytology test to detect cancerous cells in fluid samples taken from the stomach or lungs.
A blood test, called the MESOMARK Assay, will determine the amount of mesothelin soluble protein (SMRP), in the body of the patient. A high level of this biomarker can indicate the presence of mesothelioma cell lines.
These biomarkers are thus beneficial to doctors who are trying to identify mesothelioma at its beginning stages. However, they are not a substitute for a mesothelioma biopsy, which is the only definitive way to determine whether cancer is present in the body. Doctors can perform a non-surgical procedure to take fluid from the pleura or stomach using a needle. They then examine it for mesothelioma-related cells.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma may occur anywhere in the body where asbestos-induced cancerous cells have formed. The most common sites are the lungs. Pleural mesothelioma is a cause of pain in the chest as well as difficulty swallowing and hoarseness. People with peritoneal and pericardial cancer typically experience abdominal pain, fatigue, and weight loss. Mesothelioma symptoms are difficult to recognize because the symptoms mimic the symptoms of a variety of common illnesses. It could take a long time after exposure to asbestos before mesothelioma can grow.
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 check for high levels of certain substances in the body that indicate mesothelioma's presence.
A doctor can drain the fluid or tissue to test for cancer cells. Doctors can also perform an operation, known as thoracoscopic aspiration, which removes a small amount fluid from the thoracic cavity or lungs. This test is a less-invasive version of a biopsy and can be done in a doctor's office.
If the doctor finds mesothelioma in the body, he or she might recommend surgery, radiation and chemotherapy to kill cancer cells and stop their spread. Radiation can be administered in a hospital or clinic. The radiation is typically given outpatient. The use of palliative therapy is commonly to alleviate pain and other symptoms. It can include painkillers, regular draining of fluid or tubes placed in the chest to help with breathing and radiation to prevent the tumor from growing.
Treatment
For people diagnosed with mesothelioma, treatment can ease symptoms and extend life. Treatment options differ based on the mesothelioma type and stage. The treatment plan will differ based on the amount of asbestos exposure a patient has.
Mesothelioma symptoms resemble those of many illnesses such as the flu or pneumonia. This makes it difficult for doctors to diagnose the disease at an early stage. Patients may be suffering from symptoms for months before being diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Doctors will conduct a physical examination and inquire about any prior asbestos exposure. They will follow up with blood tests and imaging scans to determine the extent of the cancer and where it is located within the body.
The most common form of mesothelioma affects the lungs. Most likely to develop the disease are people who have worked as a welding technician electrician, plumber, or in the auto industry.
A buildup of fluid can cause chest pain and breathing problems. Surgery can eliminate the excess fluid and improve the quality of life.
Pleurodesis is a different procedure doctors can utilize to prevent future fluid accumulation in the lung. In this procedure it is the procedure of inserting a tube into the pleura to drain fluid, and then medicine is injected to prevent further buildups. Patients can also opt to use a shunt which is a device to move fluid from one part of the body to the next to absorb.
The treatment of chemotherapy and radiation are both options. Chemotherapy kills cancer cells directly. Radiation therapy shrinks tumors using high-energy rays. Patients who aren't eligible for surgery may undergo targeted therapy. This involves attacking the cancer-causing gene within the cancer cells.
Prognosis
The mesothelioma prognosis is contingent on a variety of factors including the type and location of cancer and the stage of diagnosis and general patient health. Patients suffering from mesothelioma could improve their odds of survival if they seek treatment from a specialist for mesothelioma, and follow their treatment plan. In columbia mesothelioma law firm , patients with mesothelioma who are part of clinical trials may have access to new treatments still under study.
Mesothelioma symptoms can be compared to those of many other conditions which is why they are often incorrectly diagnosed. Patients may experience breathing issues or abdominal pain, among other symptoms for several months before being diagnosed. These symptoms may be initially mild and can be easily confused with other illnesses. Therefore, it is important to get any symptoms evaluated by a doctor as soon as possible.
Mesothelioma can affect the lining of the chest cavity (pleural mesothelioma) and the peritoneum (peritoneal mesothelioma) or, in very rare cases the membrane that surrounds the testicles (pericardial mesothelioma). The majority of mesothelioma diagnoses are pleural mesothelioma. 85 per cent of them being diagnosed in patients who are older than 75 years.
The survival rates for mesothelioma differ between women and men. This is because men are more likely than women to work in fields which expose them to asbestos. However, females who have been exposed to mesothelioma are two times more likely to live past five years as male patients. This is likely due to the interaction between female hormones and mesothelioma cancer cells. Age also affects their prognosis because older patients have a more difficult time recovering from the disease. It is important to remember that some patients with mesothelioma endure for a long time, or even a decade after their initial prognosis.
Compensation
Mesothelioma Compensation assists victims in covering their medical expenses in addition to lost wages and other expenses related to this asbestos-related disease. Most often, this mesothelioma settlement is made through an amalgamation of asbestos trust funds, lawsuits, and settlements. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer will help you determine what compensation is available in your particular case.
Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma may bring a personal injury lawsuit for financial compensation from manufacturers of asbestos-related products they were exposed to while at work. Mesothelioma suits can be filed by a loved one, a family member, or an appointed representative of the court on behalf of the victim. If a victim has passed away of mesothelioma, a wrongful death lawsuit can be filed by the estate of the deceased to collect compensation from those responsible for their loved one's asbestos exposure.
Since it can take a long time from the moment of exposure to diagnosis, many people diagnosed with mesothelioma are burdened with financial burdens resulting from their treatment. Mesothelioma compensation can help sufferers pay off their debts and provide for the future of their families.
Mesothelioma settlements and lawsuits may also be used to compensate victims for their pain and suffering. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can assist victims and their families get the money they deserve.
A mesothelioma lawyer who is skilled can handle all aspects of a patient's mesothelioma case and make the process as stress-free as they can for their client. At Sokolove Law, our attorneys have secured over $4.7 billion in mesothelioma settlements to help victims and their families. Contact us today to arrange a free review of your mesothelioma lawsuit. Our lawyers serve clients nationwide. We are able to meet you at your home or in the hospital. Our law firm is paid only when we are able to secure compensation for you.