Mesothelioma Claims
A mesothelioma lawsuit could aid victims in receiving compensation for their treatment as well as other costs. State laws, also referred to as statutes or limitations, restrict the time a victim can file a lawsuit.
Lawsuits typically take the form of personal injury or wrongful death claims. Juries award monetary damages which include both economic and non-economic damages.
Diagnosis
It could take years to diagnose mesothelioma, which is a rare condition. In the majority of cases, patients visit their primary care physician with symptoms and medical history. Doctors will conduct an examination of the body and inquire about asbestos exposure.
If doctors suspect mesothelioma, they usually order imaging tests. These include chest X-rays computed tomography (CT) scans, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These tests offer a thorough look at the body. They may show an accumulation of fluid around the abdomen or lungs which is a common mesothelioma symptom.
These tests can also be used to determine the type of mesothelioma. The pleural form of mesothelioma is when cancerous cells in the lung the lining (pleura) cause the disease. The peritoneal form is caused by cancerous cells within the abdominal cavity. In a surgical biopsies doctors will remove a small amount of tissue from a tumor or affected area and examine it under a microscope to check for symptoms of mesothelioma. Doctors can also conduct an examination known as a cytology to identify cancerous cells from fluid samples taken from the lungs or stomach.
A blood test, dubbed the MESOMARK Assay, will determine the amount soluble mesothelin related to peptide (SMRP) in the body of the patient. High levels of this biomarker can indicate the presence mesothelioma cells.
As a result, these biomarkers can be helpful for doctors trying to diagnose mesothelioma in its earliest stages. It is not a replacement for mesothelioma biopsy, which is the only method to determine the presence of cancer within the body. Doctors can conduct non-surgical biopsies to drain fluid from the stomach or pleura using a needle, and analyze it for mesothelioma-related cells.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma can occur anywhere in the body where asbestos has caused cancerous cells to develop. The most common locations are the lungs. People who have pleural mesothelioma feel pain in their chest area and have difficulty swallowing as well as hoarseness. People with peritoneal or pericardial mesothelioma often feel discomfort in their abdomen, as well as weight loss and fatigue. The symptoms of mesothelioma can be difficult to diagnose because they are similar to those of other common diseases. Mesothelioma can manifest years after exposure to asbestos.
X-rays and CT scans can reveal changes in the lungs, for example, thickening of the pleura or fluid accumulation (pleural effusion). MRI and PET scans are also used to detect mesothelioma. Blood tests can be utilized to check for elevated levels of certain substances that may be indicative of mesothelioma.
A doctor can drain the fluid or the tissue to look for cancerous cells. A doctor can also perform an operation, known as the thoracoscopic aspiration. This procedure removes a small amount of fluid from the thoracic cavity or lungs. This test is a non-invasive form of biopsies, and can be done in a clinic of a doctor.
If a doctor diagnoses mesothelioma it is likely that they will 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 typically given as an outpatient. idaho mesothelioma attorney are often used to manage pain and other symptoms. It may include painkillers as well as regular draining of fluids or a tube put in the chest to help with breathing, and radiation to keep the tumor from becoming larger.
Treatment
For people diagnosed with mesothelioma treatment can help alleviate symptoms and prolong the life. 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 resemble many other illnesses, such as the flu or pneumonia. This makes it difficult for doctors to recognize the disease in the early stages. Patients may be suffering from symptoms for months before being diagnosed with mesothelioma.
To determine the cause of the illness doctors will conduct a physical exam and ask about past exposure to asbestos. They will follow up with imaging scans and blood tests to determine the extent of the cancer and its location in the body.
The most frequent form of mesothelioma affects the lungs. The most likely to develop 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 excess fluid, which can improve the quality of life of a patient.
Pleurodesis is yet another procedure doctors can use to prevent future accumulation of fluid in the lung. During this procedure, a tube is inserted into the pleura to drain the fluid and then medicine is injected to prevent the buildup of further fluids. Patients may also choose to place a shunt, which is a device that circulates fluid from one part of the body to another to absorb.
Other treatments include radiation and chemotherapy. Chemotherapy kills cancerous cells directly. Radiation therapy shrinks tumors by using high-energy radiation. People who aren't suitable for surgery can opt for targeted therapy, which involves targeting the cancer-causing genes in the cancerous cells.
Prognosis
The prognosis for mesothelioma depends on a variety of factors, including the type and location of the cancer, the stage at diagnosis and general health of the patient. Patients suffering from mesothelioma could improve their chances of survival by seeking treatment from a specialist in mesothelioma and follow their treatment regimen. Patients with mesothelioma who take part in clinical trials might also be able to access new treatments that are currently being studied.
Mesothelioma symptoms can be compared to those of many other conditions which is why they are often incorrectly diagnosed. Patients may have abdominal pain, breathing problems and other symptoms before being diagnosed. Because these symptoms are so mild at first they can be easily confused by people who associate them with other illnesses. As a result, it is important to have any symptoms evaluated by a doctor as soon as you can.
Mesothelioma can affect the chest cavity's lining (pleural mesothelioma), 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, with 85 percent being found in patients over 75 years old.
The survival rates for mesothelioma may differ between men and women. This is because men are more likely than women to work in areas that expose them to asbestos. Mesothelioma patients with females have a twice higher chance of surviving past five years than male patients. This is likely due to the interaction between female hormones and mesothelioma cancer cells. The age of a person also affects their chances of survival since older patients have a harder time recovering from the disease. It's also worth noting that some mesothelioma patients survive for years or even a decade or more beyond their initial prognoses.
Compensation
Mesothelioma compensation helps victims pay for their medical expenses, lost wages and other expenses associated with the asbestos-related disease. Most often, this mesothelioma settlement is made through an amalgamation of asbestos trust funds, lawsuits, and settlements. An experienced mesothelioma attorney will help you determine what types of compensation may be available to you in your particular case.
A person who has been diagnosed mesothelioma could file a lawsuit against the manufacturer of asbestos-related products to which they were exposed while at work. They can seek financial compensation. Mesothelioma lawsuits can be filed by a loved one or a family member or an appointed representative of the court on behalf of the victim. If a victim has passed away from mesothelioma, awrongful death lawsuit can be filed by the estate of the deceased to collect compensation from those accountable for their loved ones' 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 debts from treatment. Mesothelioma settlements can help victims of the disease pay off their debts, and ensure their families' futures.
Mesothelioma settlements and lawsuits can also be used to compensate victims for their suffering and pain. 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 to make the process as painless as possible for their client. At Sokolove Law, our attorneys have secured more than $4.7 billion in mesothelioma settlements to help victims and their families. Contact us today to begin on a free mesothelioma case review. Our lawyers serve clients nationwide. We can visit you at your home or hospital. Our law firm is paid only when we are able to secure compensation for you.