Mesothelioma Claims
A mesothelioma claim can assist victims in obtaining compensation for treatment costs and other expenses. State laws, also known as statutes or limitations, limit the time a victim can make a claim.
Most lawsuits are in the form of personal injury or wrongful death claims. Juries award monetary damages which include non-economic and economic damages.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a rare illness and it may take several years before patients be diagnosed. In the majority of cases, patients go to their primary care physician with symptoms and a medical history. Doctors will do physical examinations and inquire about any possible exposure to asbestos.
When doctors suspect mesothelioma, they will often order imaging tests. These include chest X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These tests give a complete examination of the body. They may show an accumulation of fluid around the lungs or abdomen, which is a typical mesothelioma sign.
These tests can also be used to determine the type mesothelioma. The mesothelioma that is pleural is caused by cancer cells that line the lung called the pleura. The peritoneal form is caused by cancer cells that reside in 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 in order to check for indications of mesothelioma. Doctors can also conduct the cytology test to look for the presence of cancerous cells in liquid samples taken from the lungs or stomach.
A blood test known as the MESOMARK test can determine the amount of mesothelin-soluble peptide (SMRP) in the body of the patient. This biomarker has high levels and can indicate mesothelioma.
As a result, these biomarkers could be useful for doctors who are trying to detect mesothelioma in its earliest stages. It's not a substitute for mesothelioma biopsies which is the only way to definitively determine the presence of cancer within the body. Doctors can conduct non-surgical biopsies to drain fluid from the stomach or pleura by using needles, and then analyze it for mesothelioma cells.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma may occur anyplace on the body where asbestos-induced cancerous cells have formed. The most frequent sites are the lungs. People who have pleural mesothelioma experience pain in the chest region and have difficulty swallowing as well as hoarseness. People suffering from pericardial and peritoneal cancer typically experience abdominal pain, fatigue and weight loss. The symptoms of mesothelioma can be difficult to recognize, as they are similar to those of other common illnesses. Mesothelioma can manifest years after exposure to asbestos.
X-rays and CT scans can reveal changes in the lungs, including the pleura becoming thicker or the accumulation of fluid (pleural effusion). MRI and PET scans are also utilized to identify mesothelioma. Blood tests can be used to determine the presence of certain substances that may be indicative of mesothelioma.
A doctor can take a sample of the fluid or tissue that is accumulating to test it for cancer cells. The doctor can also perform an operation known as thoracoscopic needle aspiration, which is a procedure that removes some of the fluid from the lungs or thoracic cavity. This test is a less painful version of a biopsy and can be done in the office of a doctor.
If a doctor discovers mesothelioma in the body, he or she might suggest surgery, radiation and chemotherapy to kill the cancerous cells and prevent them from spreading. The treatment and surgery are usually performed in an outpatient setting and radiation may be administered in a hospital or clinic. Palliative treatments are often used to manage pain and other symptoms. It can include painkillers as well as regular draining of fluid or tubes that are placed inside the chest to assist with breathing, and radiation to keep the tumor from becoming larger.
Treatment
Treatment can reduce symptoms and prolong the life of patients with mesothelioma. There are many treatments that are available, based on the stage and type of mesothelioma. The treatment plan can differ depending on the amount of asbestos exposure that the patient has.
Mesothelioma symptoms are comparable to those of many diseases such as the flu or pneumonia. This makes it difficult for doctors to recognize the disease in the early stages. Patients may experience symptoms for months before they are diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Doctors will conduct a physical exam and inquire about prior asbestos exposure. They will follow up with scans of the blood and imaging to determine the extent of the cancer and its location within the body.
The most common mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lung. The most likely to develop the disease are people who have worked as welders, plumber or electrician or in the automotive industry.
A buildup of fluid could cause chest pain or breathing difficulties. Surgery can eliminate excess fluid, enhancing a person's life.
Pleurodesis is yet another procedure doctors can use to prevent future fluid accumulation in the lung. During this procedure, a tube is inserted into the pleura to drain fluid and then medication is injected to prevent future buildups. Patients can also opt to place a shunt, which is a device that circulates fluid from one part of the body to another to absorb.
The treatment of chemotherapy and radiation are both options. Chemotherapy kills cancer cells in a direct manner. Radiation therapy targets tumors, and reduces them using high-energy rays. Those who do not qualify for surgery may opt for targeted therapy. This is done by targeting the cancer-causing gene inside the cancer cells.
Prognosis
The mesothelioma prognosis is contingent on several factors including the type and location of the cancer and the stage of diagnosis and general health of the patient. Patients with mesothelioma may improve their odds of survival by seeking treatment from a specialist in mesothelioma and follow their treatment regimen. In addition, patients with mesothelioma who participate in an clinical trial could have access to new treatments that are still being studied.
The mesothelioma symptoms are comparable to other diseases. This leads to a lot of misdiagnosis. Patients may have abdominal pain, breathing difficulties 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 illnesses. This is why it's crucial to have any symptoms checked out by a doctor as quickly as you can.
The chest's lining (pleural mesothelioma), peritoneum, or in rare cases, the membrane surrounding the testicles may be affected by mesothelioma. The majority of mesothelioma diagnoses are pleural mesothelioma, with 85 percent being in patients older than 75 years old.
Women and men have different survival rates for mesothelioma. Men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos than women, as they tend to work in areas where asbestos is prevalent. However females who have been exposed to mesothelioma are two times as likely to survive past five years as male patients. This is likely due to the hormonal interactions between female hormones and mesothelioma tumor cells. The prognosis for a patient is also influenced by their age, as older patients have a more difficult to recover from illness. It's also worth noting that some mesothelioma patients live for years or even a decade or more past their initial prognoses.
Compensation
Mesothelioma compensation is a way to help victims pay for their medical expenses, lost wages, and other expenses associated with the asbestos-related disease. Mesothelioma settlements are usually given by the amalgamation of asbestos trust funds, lawsuits, and settlements. Corona mesothelioma attorney experienced mesothelioma lawyer will assist you in determining what compensation is available to you in your case.
People diagnosed with mesothelioma can bring a personal injury lawsuit for financial compensation from asbestos-related manufacturers they were exposed to at work. Mesothelioma suits can be filed by someone close to the victim, a family member, or an appointed representative of the court on behalf of the victim. If a victim has passed away of mesothelioma, a wrongful death lawsuit can be filed by the estate of the victim to recover compensation from those accountable for their loved ones' asbestos exposure.
Many people with mesothelioma are in debt because 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 settlements and lawsuits can also be used to compensate victims for their suffering and pain. A mesothelioma lawyer with experience can assist victims and their families receive the compensation they deserve.
A mesothelioma lawyer can handle all aspects of a victim’s claim for mesothelioma to make it as pain-free as they can. Our attorneys at Sokolove Law have helped families and victims members receive over $4.7 billion in mesothelioma lawsuits. Contact us today to get started on a no-cost mesothelioma case review. Our lawyers serve clients nationwide. We are able to meet you at your home or at the hospital. Our law firm will only be paid if we are able to get you compensation.