Mesothelioma Claims
A mesothelioma lawsuit can assist victims to receive compensation for their treatment and other costs. State laws called statutes of limitations restrict how long a victim has to make a claim.
Most lawsuits are in the form of personal injury or wrongful death claims. The jury awards money damages, which include economic and non-economic damages.
Diagnosis
It can take years to identify mesothelioma. It is a rare disease. Patients usually visit their primary doctor with a medical history. Doctors will perform an examination of the body and inquire about asbestos exposure.
Imaging tests are often ordered by doctors when they suspect mesothelioma. This can include chest X-rays (CT scans) as well as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography. These tests offer a precise view of the body. They can reveal the accumulation of fluid around the abdomen or lungs, which is a common mesothelioma symptom.
These tests can be used to determine the kind 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 found in the abdominal cavity. In the procedure of a surgical biopsy, doctors will remove a small sample of tissue from the affected area and examine it under a microscope to look for signs of mesothelioma. Doctors can also conduct a test called the cytology test to detect cancerous cells from samples of fluid taken from the stomach or lungs.
A blood test referred to as the MESOMARK test can determine the amount of soluble mesothelin related peptide (SMRP) in the patient's body. The presence of this biomarker can be a sign of mesothelioma.
In turn, these biomarkers can be helpful for doctors trying to diagnose mesothelioma in its earliest stages. However, it's not an alternative to mesothelioma biopsies which is the sole method to know whether cancer is present in the body. Doctors can perform a non-surgical procedure to extract fluid from the pleura or the stomach with a needle and examine it for mesothelioma-related cells.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma can occur anywhere in the body in which asbestos-induced cancerous cells have developed. The most frequent sites are the abdomen, lungs and the heart. Patients with pleural mesothelioma suffer from pain in the chest area and have difficulty swallowing as well as hoarseness. Patients with mesothelioma pericardial or peritoneal often experience discomfort in their abdomen, as well as fatigue and weight loss. The signs of mesothelioma can be difficult to identify because they are similar to the symptoms of other common illnesses. Mesothelioma can manifest years after asbestos exposure.
CT scans and X-rays can detect changes in the lungs, such as thickening or fluid buildup of pleura (pleural effusion). MRI and PET scans are also used to detect mesothelioma. Blood tests can be utilized to detect elevated levels of certain substances that may be indicative of mesothelioma.
A doctor can remove the fluid or tissue that is accumulating to test it for cancer cells. A doctor may also perform an operation, known as thoracoscopic aspiration. It removes a small amount of fluid from the thoracic cavity or lungs. This test is a non-invasive version of a biopsies and can be performed in a clinic of a doctor.
If a doctor has diagnosed mesothelioma it is likely that they will suggest chemotherapy, radiation and surgery to stop the cancer cells from spreading. The treatment and surgery are usually performed in an outpatient setting, and radiation may be administered in a clinic or hospital. Palliative treatments are typically used to manage pain and other symptoms. Palliative treatment can include painkillers as well as regular drainage of fluids or a tube placed inside the chest to aid in breathing. It may also include radiation to stop the tumor from growing.
Treatment
Treatment can help ease symptoms and prolong the life of patients with mesothelioma. Treatment options differ based on the mesothelioma type and stage. The treatment plan could differ based on the amount of asbestos exposure that the patient has.
The symptoms of mesothelioma resemble many other illnesses, such as pneumonia or the flu. This makes it difficult for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma early. Patients may be suffering from symptoms for months before being diagnosed with mesothelioma.
To determine the cause of the illness, doctors will perform a physical exam and ask about any exposure to asbestos in the past. They will then conduct blood tests and imaging scans to determine the severity of the cancer and where it is located within the body.
The most commonly diagnosed mesothelioma type is pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lung. People who have been exposed to asbestos as an industrial worker, welder plumber, electrician, or autoworker are more likely to develop this illness.
Pleural mesothelioma can cause an accumulation of fluid, creating chest pain and difficulty breathing. Surgery can eliminate excess fluid, which can improve a person's life.
Pleurodesis is yet another procedure doctors can utilize to prevent future accumulation of fluid in the lungs. In this procedure, a tube is inserted into the pleura to drain fluid, and then medicine is injected to prevent future buildups. Patients can also opt to have a shunt installed on their body. It is a device that circulates fluid from one region of the body to another to absorb.
Other treatments include chemotherapy and radiation. Chemotherapy attacks the cancer cells directly by killing them. Radiation therapy targets tumors, and shrinks them with high-energy rays. People who aren't suitable for surgery can undergo targeted therapy, which targets the cancer-causing genes inside of the cancer cells.
Prognosis
The mesothelioma prognosis is contingent on several factors including the nature and location of the cancer as well as the stage at which it was diagnosed and general patient health. Patients with mesothelioma can improve their odds of survival by seeking treatment from a specialist for mesothelioma, and follow their treatment regimen. Patients who have mesothelioma that take part in clinical trials could have access to novel treatments that are still being researched.
Mesothelioma symptoms are similar to the symptoms of other conditions which is why they are often incorrectly diagnosed. Patients may experience abdominal pain, breathing difficulties and other symptoms prior to being diagnosed. These symptoms are initially mild and can be easily confused with other ailments. It's therefore important to have any symptoms examined by a doctor as quickly as you can.
The lining of the chest (pleural mesothelioma) or peritoneum, or in rare instances, the testicles' membrane may be affected by mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma is the most common cause of mesothelioma cases. You Tube accounts for 85 percent of all diagnosed in patients who are more than 75 years old.
The survival rates for mesothelioma may vary between women and men. This is due to the fact that men are more likely than women to work in areas that expose them. However women who have been exposed to mesothelioma are two times as likely to live beyond five years than male patients. This is likely due the interaction between female hormones and mesothelioma cancer cells. Age also affects 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 years or even a decade beyond their initial prognoses.
Compensation
Mesothelioma compensation helps victims pay for their medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs associated with this asbestos-related illness. Most often, this mesothelioma compensation is awarded through an amalgamation of asbestos trust funds, lawsuits, and settlements. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer will assist you in determining the amount of compensation that is available to you in your case.
Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma may make a personal injury claim for financial compensation from asbestos-related manufacturers they were exposed to during their work. Mesothelioma lawsuits can be filed on behalf of a victim by their loved one or family member, or by a court-appointed representative. If a victim died of mesothelioma, a wrongful death lawsuit can be filed by the estate of the deceased to seek compensation from the parties responsible for their loved one's asbestos exposure.
Because it can take years from diagnosis to exposure, many people diagnosed with mesothelioma have significant financial obligations resulting from treatment. Mesothelioma settlements can help victims of the disease pay off their debts and provide for their families' future.
Mesothelioma settlements and lawsuits may also be used to compensate victims for their suffering and pain. An attorney for mesothelioma can help victims and families receive the compensation they deserve.
A mesothelioma attorney can manage every aspect of a patient's mesothelioma claim and make it as easy as they can. At Sokolove Law, our attorneys have secured more than $4.7 billion in mesothelioma settlements for victims and their families. Contact us today for no-cost review of your mesothelioma case. Our lawyers serve clients nationwide. We are able to meet with you in your home or hospital. Our law firm is only paid if we get you compensation.