Mesothelioma Claims
A mesothelioma case can allow victims to receive compensation for treatment costs and other expenses. State laws called statutes of limitations limit how long a victim has to make a claim.
Personal injury or wrongful death are the most popular kinds of lawsuits. Juries award damages in the form of money that include economic and noneconomic damages.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a rare disease and it may take several years for patients to be diagnosed. Typically, patients will visit their primary care physician with complaints and medical history. Doctors will do an examination of the body and inquire about the possibility of 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 give a complete analysis of the body. They can reveal a build-up of fluid around the lungs or abdomen, which is a common mesothelioma-related symptom.
These tests can also help determine the type of mesothelioma. The mesothelioma that is pleural is caused by cancerous cells that line the lung, called the pleura. The peritoneal type is caused by cancerous cells found in the abdominal cavity. In a biopsies performed surgically, doctors will take a sample of tissue from an area of tumor or affected and examine it under a microscope to check for signs of mesothelioma. Doctors can also perform an examination known as a cytology to identify cancerous cells in fluid samples taken from the stomach or lungs.
A blood test, dubbed the MESOMARK Assay, can determine the amount soluble mesothelin related to peptide (SMRP), in the body of the patient. The presence of high levels of this biomarker can indicate the presence of mesothelioma cells.
In turn, these biomarkers can be helpful for doctors who are trying to detect mesothelioma in its earliest stages. However, it is not an alternative to mesothelioma biopsies which is the only method to know if cancer is present in the body. Doctors can perform non-surgical biopsies to remove fluid from the stomach or pleura using needles, and then analyze it for mesothelioma cells.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma may occur anywhere in the body where cancerous asbestos-induced cells have formed. The most frequent sites are the lungs. Pleural mesothelioma can cause pain in the chest, difficulty swallowing, and hoarseness. People with peritoneal or pericardial mesothelioma often experience discomfort in their abdomen, as well as weight loss and fatigue. Mesothelioma symptoms can be difficult to recognize because the signs are similar to those of many common illnesses. It could take a long time after exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma grow.
X-rays and CT scans may reveal changes in the lungs, such as the pleura getting thicker or the accumulation of fluid (pleural effusion). MRI and PET scans can also be used to look for mesothelioma. Blood tests can be used to check for elevated levels of certain substances that could be indicative of mesothelioma.
A doctor can drain the fluid or tissue to test for cancer cells. The doctor may also perform an operation known as the thoracoscopic needle aspiration procedure to remove a small amount of fluid from around the lungs or the thoracic cavity. This test is a less invasive version of a biopsy and is performed in a doctor's office.
If the doctor finds mesothelioma, he or she might suggest surgery, radiation or chemotherapy to kill cancerous cells and stop the spread. Radiation therapy can be performed in a hospital or clinic. The radiation is typically given outpatient. Palliative treatments are typically used to manage discomfort and other symptoms. Palliative treatment may include painkillers as well as regular drainage of fluids, or a tube inserted inside the chest to aid with breathing. It could also involve radiation to stop the tumor from growing.
Treatment
Treatment can ease symptoms and prolong the life of patients with mesothelioma. There are many treatments available, based on the type and stage of mesothelioma. The treatment plan could vary based on the level of asbestos exposure a patient has.
Mesothelioma symptoms are comparable to those of many illnesses, including the flu or pneumonia. This makes it difficult for doctors to recognize the disease in the early stages. Often, patients will experience symptoms for several months before being diagnosed with mesothelioma.
To diagnose the illness doctors will conduct an examination of the body and inquire 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 common form of mesothelioma is a lung cancer. The most likely patients for developing the disease are those who have worked as a welder or electrician or in the auto industry.
A buildup of fluid can lead to chest pain and breathing difficulties. Surgery can remove excess fluid, which can improve a person's life.
Doctors can also use a procedure called pleurodesis to prevent the formation of further fluids in the lungs. During this procedure it is the procedure of inserting a tube into the pleura to drain the fluid and then the medicine is injected into the pleura to prevent the buildup of further fluids. Patients can also opt to have a shunt, which is a device to transfer fluid from one region of the body to another to absorb.
Other treatments include radiation and chemotherapy. Chemotherapy attacks the cancer cells directly, killing them. The treatment targets tumors and reduces them using high-energy rays. Those who are not candidates for surgery can undergo targeted therapy, which involves targeting the cancer-causing genes within the cancer cells.
Prognosis
The prognosis for mesothelioma is affected by a variety of factors that include the type and stage of cancer, the location and general health condition of the patient. Patients with mesothelioma may improve their chances of survival when they seek treatment from a specialist in mesothelioma, and follow their treatment plan. Additionally, mesothelioma patients who are part of a clinical trial may be able to access new treatments still under study.
The mesothelioma symptoms are similar to other diseases. This causes an abundance of incorrect diagnosis. Patients may experience abdominal pain, breathing difficulties and other symptoms before they are diagnosed. Because these symptoms are initially mild they can be easily confused by people who associate them with other conditions. It's therefore important to have any symptoms examined by a doctor as soon as is possible.
The chest's lining (pleural mesothelioma) also known as the peritoneum or in rare cases, the testicles' membrane can be affected by mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma makes up the majority of mesothelioma-related cases, accounting for 85 percent of all diagnosed in patients who are more than 75 years old.
Women and men have different survival rates for mesothelioma. This is due to the fact that men are more likely than women to work in industries that expose them. However, females who have been exposed to mesothelioma have twice more likely to live past five years as 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 are more likely to suffer more difficulty recovering from the disease. It's also worth noting that some mesothelioma patients live for years or even a decade or more over their initial prognoses.
Compensation
Mesothelioma compensation helps victims pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs associated with the asbestos-related disease. The mesothelioma settlements are typically awarded by amalgamating asbestos trust funds, lawsuits, and settlements. mesothelioma attorney west virginia experienced mesothelioma attorney will help determine which forms of compensation are available for your case.
A person diagnosed with mesothelioma can file a lawsuit against the manufacturer of asbestos-related products to which they were exposed during their work. They may seek financial compensation. Mesothelioma lawsuits can be filed by someone close to the victim, a family member, or a court appointed representative on behalf of the victim. The estate of a victim's family who died of mesothelioma can file a wrongful-death lawsuit to seek compensation from those responsible for the victim'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 obligations resulting from treatment. Mesothelioma compensation may help victims pay off their debts and provide for the future of their families.
Mesothelioma lawsuits and settlements can also compensate victims for their suffering and pain. An attorney for mesothelioma can assist families and victims get the compensation they deserve.
A mesothelioma lawyer can manage every aspect of a victim's claim for mesothelioma and make it as easy as they can. At Sokolove Law our lawyers have secured over $4.7 billion in mesothelioma-related settlements for patients and their families. Contact us today to get started with a free mesothelioma review. Our lawyers serve clients nationwide. We are able to meet you at home or in the hospital. Our law firm is only paid when we are able to secure compensation for you.