Mesothelioma Claims
A mesothelioma claim can allow victims to receive compensation for treatment and other expenses. State laws, called statutes or limitations, restrict the time that a person can make a claim.
Most lawsuits are in the form of personal injury or wrongful death claims. Juries award monetary damages that include non-economic and economic damages.
Diagnosis
It can take a long time to diagnose mesothelioma, which is a rare disease. Patients typically visit their primary physician with an medical history. Doctors will do an examination of the body and inquire about any possible exposure to asbestos.
Imaging tests are usually ordered by doctors when they suspect mesothelioma. These include chest X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These tests provide a detailed analysis of the body. These tests may reveal the presence of fluid in the abdomen or lungs as a mesothelioma related sign.
These tests also help to determine the type of mesothelioma. The mesothelioma that is pleural is when cancerous cells in the lung the lining (pleura) cause the disease. The peritoneal form is caused by cancerous cells in the abdominal cavity. In a surgical biopsies, doctors will remove a small amount of tissue from the affected area or tumor and examine it under a microscope in order to check for indications of mesothelioma. Doctors may also perform an cytology test in order to check for the presence of cancerous cells in the fluid samples taken from the stomach or lungs.
A blood test known as the MESOMARK assay can measure the amount of soluble mesothelin related peptide (SMRP) in the body of the patient. This biomarker has high levels and could indicate mesothelioma.
In turn, these biomarkers can be helpful for doctors trying to diagnose mesothelioma in its earliest stages. However, it is not an alternative to mesothelioma biopsies, which is the only reliable method to determine whether cancer is present in the body. Doctors can perform non-surgical biopsies to drain fluid from the stomach or pleura using needles, and then analyze it for mesothelioma-related cells.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma can be found anywhere on the body where cancerous asbestos-induced cells have developed. The most frequent sites are the lung. Patients with pleural mysothelioma feel pain in their chest area, difficulty swallowing and hoarseness. People suffering from pericardial and peritoneal cancer typically experience abdominal pain, fatigue and weight loss. abilene mesothelioma attorneys can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms mimic the symptoms of a variety of common illnesses. Mesothelioma can develop years after asbestos exposure.
X-rays and CT scans can show changes in the lungs, for example, the pleura getting thicker or the accumulation of fluid (pleural effusion). MRI and PET scans can also be used to detect mesothelioma. Blood tests can be used to determine high levels of certain substances within the body, which indicate mesothelioma is present.
A doctor can drain an amount of fluid or tissue that has accumulated to check for cancerous cells. The doctor can also carry out a procedure called thoracoscopic needle aspiration, which is a procedure that removes some of the fluid from around the lungs and thoracic cavity. This test is a more non-invasive form of biopsies, and can be done in a clinic of a doctor.
If a doctor suspects mesothelioma, they might recommend surgery, radiation and chemotherapy to kill cancerous cells and stop them from spreading. The surgery and chemotherapy typically take place in an outpatient environment, and the radiation is administered in a clinic or hospital. The use of palliative therapies is often to treat discomfort and other symptoms. It may include painkillers, regular drainage of fluids, a tube put in the chest to help with breathing, and radiation to keep the tumor from becoming larger.
Treatment
For patients diagnosed with mesothelioma treatment can reduce symptoms and extend the duration of. Treatment options vary based on the mesothelioma type and stage. The treatment plan will vary depending on how much asbestos exposure the patient has.
Mesothelioma symptoms resemble the symptoms of a variety of illnesses, including the flu or pneumonia. This makes it difficult for doctors to identify mesothelioma before it becomes apparent. Most patients suffer for a long time before being diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Doctors will conduct a physical exam and inquire about prior asbestos exposure. They then will conduct scans of the blood and imaging to determine the extent and extent of the cancer's presence in the body.
The most commonly diagnosed mesothelioma type is pleural mesothelioma. It affects the lungs. People who have been exposed to asbestos in the course of their work as a construction worker, welder electrician, plumber or autoworker are most likely to develop this illness.
A buildup of fluid may cause chest pain or breathing problems. Surgery can help remove excess fluid, which can improve a person's life.
Doctors can also utilize pleurodesis, a procedure that helps prevent the formation of further fluids in the lungs. During 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 use a shunt which is a device to transfer fluid from one region of the body to the next for absorption.
Other treatments include chemotherapy and radiation. Chemotherapy kills cancerous cells directly. Radiation therapy shrinks tumors using high-energy radiation. People who aren't suitable for surgery can undergo targeted therapy, which involves targeting the cancer-causing genes inside of the cancer cells.
Prognosis
The prognosis for mesothelioma is affected by a variety of factors that include the stage and type of cancer, the site and the general health status of the patient. The prognosis for mesothelioma can improve by seeking treatment from an experienced specialist in mesothelioma therapy and follow their treatment regimen. Patients with mesothelioma who take part in clinical trials might also have access to new treatments that are still being researched.
The symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to those of other conditions. This leads to many mistakes in diagnosis. Patients may experience breathing difficulties or abdominal pain, among other symptoms for some time before they are diagnosed. These symptoms are initially mild and can be easily confused with other ailments. This is why it's important to get any symptoms evaluated by a doctor as quickly as possible.
Mesothelioma can affect the lining of the chest cavity (pleural mesothelioma), the peritoneum (peritoneal mesothelioma) or, in rare cases, the membrane that surrounds the testicles (pericardial mesothelioma). Pleural mesothelioma accounts for most mesothelioma cases, with 85 percent of diagnoses made in patients over 75 years old.
The survival rates for mesothelioma vary between women and men. This is due to the fact that men are more likely than women to work in fields that expose them to asbestos. Mesothelioma patients with females have twice the likelihood of surviving past five years than male patients. This is likely due to the interaction between female hormones and mesothelioma cancer cells. The prognosis of an individual is also influenced by their age, as older patients have a more difficult to recover from illnesses. It's also important to note that some mesothelioma patients live for years or even a decade over their initial prognoses.
Compensation
Mesothelioma Compensation helps victims cover their medical costs in addition to lost wages and other expenses associated with this asbestos-related disease. The majority of mesothelioma compensation is granted through a combination of asbestos trust funds, lawsuits and settlements. An experienced mesothelioma attorney can help determine which forms of compensation may be available for your case.
A person who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma may sue the manufacturer of asbestos-related products to which they were exposed while at work. They can seek financial compensation. Mesothelioma suits can be filed by family members or a family member or a court appointed representative on behalf of the victim. The estate of a victim who died from mesothelioma can file a wrongful-death lawsuit to seek compensation from those responsible for the victim's asbestos exposure.
Many patients with mesothelioma end up in debt due to the fact that it can take years to go from exposure to diagnosis. Mesothelioma compensation may help patients pay off their debts and provide for the future of their family members.
Mesothelioma settlements and lawsuits can also compensate victims for their pain and suffering. A mesothelioma lawyer with experience can help victims and their families get the money they deserve.
A reputable mesothelioma law firm can handle every aspect of a patient's mesothelioma case to make the process as stress-free as is possible for their client. Our attorneys at Sokolove Law have helped families and victims members obtain more than $4.7 billion in mesothelioma lawsuits. Contact us today to get started on a free mesothelioma case review. Our lawyers serve clients nationwide. We can meet with you at your home or hospital. Our law firm only gets paid when we receive compensation for you.