Mesothelioma Claims
A mesothelioma lawsuit can aid victims in receiving compensation for their treatment as well as other costs. State laws, called statutes or limitations, limit the amount of time a patient can make a claim.
Personal injury or wrongful death are the most popular kinds of lawsuits. Juries award monetary damages which include both economic and non-economic damages.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a rare condition and it may take several years before patients be diagnosed. Most patients go to their primary care physician with symptoms and medical history. Doctors will conduct a physical examination and ask about asbestos exposure.
Imaging tests are typically ordered by doctors when they suspect mesothelioma. This may include chest X-rays (CT scans) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography. These tests give a complete examination of the body. These tests could reveal a buildup of fluid in the abdomen or lungs as a mesothelioma related sign.
These tests can also be used to determine the type mesothelioma. The mesothelioma type that is pleural is caused by cancerous cells that line the lung called the pleura. The peritoneal form is caused by cancer cells that reside in the abdominal cavity. In the course of a surgical biopsy, physicians will remove a small amount of tissue from the tumor or affected area to examine under a microscope for indications of mesothelioma. Doctors may also use an examination known as a cytology to identify cancerous cells from samples of fluid taken from the lungs or stomach.
A blood test known as the MESOMARK test can measure the amount of soluble mesothelin-related peptide (SMRP) in the patient's body. A high level of this biomarker can indicate the presence of mesothelioma cells.
In turn, biomarkers can be beneficial in diagnosing mesothelioma in its earliest stages. It is not a replacement for mesothelioma biopsy, which is the only way to determine if cancer has been detected in the body. Doctors can perform non-surgical biopsies to remove fluid from the stomach or pleura by using a needle, and then analyze it for mesothelioma-related cells.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma can occur anywhere on the body where asbestos-induced cancerous cells have developed. The most common locations are the lungs, abdomen and the heart. Pleural mesothelioma can cause pain in the chest as well as difficulty swallowing and hoarseness. People with mesothelioma of the pericardial or peritoneal region feel discomfort in their abdomen as well as weight loss and fatigue. Mesothelioma symptoms are difficult to diagnose because the signs are similar to those of other common diseases. It can take years after exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma to grow.
CT scans and X-rays may detect changes in the lungs, such as thickening or fluid buildup of the pleura (pleural effusion). MRI and PET scans can be used to search for mesothelioma. Blood tests can be used to determine the presence of certain substances that could be indicative of mesothelioma.
A doctor can drain the fluid or the tissue to look for cancerous cells. The doctor can also perform a procedure called thoracoscopic needle aspiration to remove some of the fluid from the lungs and thoracic cavity. This test is a less invasive alternative to a biopsy, and can be performed in a doctor's office.
If a doctor diagnoses mesothelioma the doctor will most likely suggest chemotherapy, radiation and surgery to stop the cancer cells from spreading. The surgery and chemotherapy typically take place in an outpatient setting, and the radiation is delivered in a clinic or hospital. The use of palliative therapies is often to treat discomfort and other symptoms. It can include painkillers, regular draining of fluid or tubes placed in the chest to aid in breathing and radiation to prevent the tumor from growing.
Treatment
Treatment can reduce symptoms and prolong life for people with mesothelioma. There are many options that are available, based on the stage and type of mesothelioma. The treatment plan will depend on the level of asbestos exposure the patient has.
The symptoms of mesothelioma are the same as many other illnesses, like pneumonia or the flu. This makes it hard for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma before it becomes apparent. Patients may experience symptoms for months before they are diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Doctors will conduct a physical examination and ask about previous asbestos exposure. They will follow up with blood tests and imaging scans to determine the extent of the cancer and its location in the body.
The most common mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma. It affects the lungs. People who have been exposed to asbestos as workers in the construction industry, welding plumber, electrician, or autoworker are most likely to develop this disease.
Pleural mesothelioma can cause an accumulation of fluid, which can cause chest pain and trouble breathing. Surgery can remove the excess fluid and improve the quality of life.
Pleurodesis is yet another procedure doctors can utilize to prevent future fluid accumulation in the lung. During this procedure it is the procedure of inserting a tube into the pleura to drain fluid, and then medication is injected to prevent the buildup of further fluids. Patients may also choose to have a shunt, which is a device that is used to transfer fluid from one part of the body to another for absorption.
Other treatments include radiation and chemotherapy. Chemotherapy attacks the cancer cells by directly killing them. Radiation therapy shrinks tumors by using high-energy radiation. Patients who are not eligible for surgery may undergo targeted therapy. Beaumont mesothelioma lawyers involves attacking the cancer-causing gene within the cancerous cells.
Prognosis
The prognosis of mesothelioma can be affected by several factors such as the stage and type of cancer, its location and general health condition of the patient. Patients suffering from mesothelioma could improve their odds of survival when they seek treatment from a specialist in mesothelioma, and follow their treatment plan. Patients with mesothelioma who take part in clinical trials could also be able to access new treatments that are currently being researched.
The mesothelioma symptoms are similar to other diseases. This leads to many mistakes in diagnosis. Patients may have abdominal pain, breathing problems and other symptoms before they are diagnosed. Because these symptoms are so mild at first they can be easily confused by people who associate them with other ailments. Therefore, it is important to have any symptoms evaluated by a physician as soon as you can.
The chest's lining (pleural mesothelioma) or peritoneum, or in rare cases the testicles' lining can be affected by mesothelioma. The majority of mesothelioma diagnosis are pleural mesothelioma, with 85 percent of them being found in patients over 75 years old.
The survival rates for mesothelioma differ between men and women. Men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos than women as they tend to work in areas that have asbestos in them. Women who are exposed to mesothelioma have a twice higher chance of surviving the past five years than male patients. This could be due to the way female hormones interact with mesothelioma tumor cells. The prognosis of a person is also influenced by their age, as older patients have a more difficult recovery from disease. It's also worth noting that some mesothelioma patients survive for years or even a decade past their initial prognoses.
Compensation
Mesothelioma Compensation assists patients in paying their medical expenses in addition to lost wages and other expenses associated with the asbestos-related illness. Often, this mesothelioma settlement is made through the combination of asbestos trust funds, lawsuits and settlements. An experienced mesothelioma attorney can help you determine what types of compensation might be available to you in your particular case.
A person diagnosed with mesothelioma can file a lawsuit against the manufacturer of asbestos-related products to which they were exposed at work. They may seek financial compensation. Mesothelioma lawsuits can be filed by family members, a family member, or a court appointed representative on behalf of the victim. The estate of a victim's loved ones who died from mesothelioma can file a wrongful-death lawsuit to recover compensation from those responsible for the victim's asbestos exposure.
Many patients with mesothelioma are in debt as it can take years from exposure to diagnosis. Mesothelioma settlements can help those suffering of the disease pay off their debts and also provide for their families' futures.
Mesothelioma lawsuits and settlements may also be used to compensate victims for their pain and suffering. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can help victims and their families receive the compensation they deserve.
A mesothelioma lawyer is able to handle every aspect of a patient's mesothelioma case to make it as pain-free as they can. At Sokolove Law our lawyers have secured more than $4.7 billion in mesothelioma settlements to help victims and their families. Contact us today to begin with a free mesothelioma review. Our lawyers serve clients nationwide. We are able to meet you at your home or at the hospital. Our law firm only gets paid if we receive compensation.