Mesothelioma Claims
A mesothelioma case can help victims obtain compensation for treatment and other expenses. State laws, also known as statutes or limitations, restrict the time a victim can file a lawsuit.
Personal injury or wrongful deaths are the most frequent kinds of lawsuits. The jury awards financial damages, which may include economic and noneconomic damage.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a rare condition and it can take a number of years for patients to receive a diagnosis. Patients will usually go to their primary physician with complaints and an medical history. Doctors will do an examination of the body and inquire about any possible exposure to asbestos.
Imaging tests are usually requested 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 look at the body. They can reveal the accumulation of fluid around the abdomen or lungs which is a typical mesothelioma sign.
These tests can be used to determine the type mesothelioma. The pleural type of mesothelioma is caused by cancer cells that line the lung, called the pleura. The peritoneal form is caused by cancerous cells that reside in the abdominal cavity. In the procedure of a surgical biopsy, doctors will remove a small sample of tissue from the affected area to examine under a microscope for signs of mesothelioma. Doctors can also perform the test known as a cytology to detect cancerous cells from fluid samples taken from the lungs or stomach.
A blood test, known as the MESOMARK Assay, will determine the amount soluble mesothelin related protein (SMRP) in the body of the patient. This biomarker is high levels can be a sign of mesothelioma.
These biomarkers are thus beneficial to doctors trying to detect mesothelioma in its beginning stages. It is not a substitute to a mesothelioma biopsies, which is the only way to definitively determine if cancer has been detected within the body. Doctors can perform non-surgical biopsies to drain fluid from the stomach or pleura by using a needle, and then analyze it for mesothelioma-related cells.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma can occur anywhere in the body in which asbestos-induced cancerous cells have formed. The most frequent locations are the abdomen, lungs, and 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 feel pain in their abdominal region as well as weight loss and fatigue. The symptoms of mesothelioma can be difficult to recognize, as they are similar to other diseases. 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 becoming thicker or the accumulation of fluid (pleural effusion). MRI and PET scans may also be used to look for mesothelioma. Blood tests can check for high levels of certain substances within the body, which indicate the presence of mesothelioma.
A doctor can drain an amount of fluid or tissue that has accumulated to determine if it contains cancerous cells. A doctor may also perform an operation known as the thoracoscopic aspiration. This procedure removes a small amount of fluid from the thoracic cavity or lungs. This test is a less painful alternative to a biopsy, and is performed in the doctor's office.
If a doctor has diagnosed mesothelioma the doctor will most likely recommend radiation, chemotherapy and surgery to stop the cancer cells from spreading. The surgery and chemotherapy are usually performed in an outpatient environment, and the radiation is delivered in a clinic or a hospital. Palliative treatments are typically used to control discomfort and other symptoms. Palliative treatment can include painkillers as well as regular drainage of fluids or a tube that is placed in the chest to assist with breathing. It could also involve radiation to stop the tumor from advancing.
Treatment
Treatment can help ease symptoms and extend the life of people with mesothelioma. Treatment options vary based on the mesothelioma type and stage. The treatment plan could differ based on the amount of asbestos exposure the patient is exposed to.
Mesothelioma symptoms resemble those of many illnesses such as the flu or pneumonia. This makes it difficult for doctors to identify the disease early. In many cases, patients experience symptoms for several months before being diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Doctors will conduct a physical exam and inquire about prior asbestos exposure. They then will conduct blood tests and imaging scanners to determine the size and location of the cancer in the body.
The most frequent form of mesothelioma affects the lungs. People who have been exposed to asbestos as a construction worker, welder, plumber, electrician or autoworker are more likely to contract this disease.
Pleural mesothelioma can trigger a buildup of fluid, which can cause chest pain and trouble breathing. Surgery can help eliminate the excess fluid and improve the quality of life.
Pleurodesis is a different procedure doctors can utilize to prevent further accumulation of fluid in the lung. During the procedure, a tube is to be inserted into the pleura in order to drain the fluid. Then, medicine will be injected to prevent further accumulation. Patients can also opt to place a shunt on their body. Lancaster mesothelioma attorneys is a device that circulates fluid from one part of the body to another for absorption.
The treatment of chemotherapy and radiation are both options. Chemotherapy fights cancer cells directly by killing them. Radiation therapy shrinks tumors using high-energy rays. Patients who aren't candidates for surgery can opt for targeted therapy, which targets the cancer-causing genes in the cancerous cells.
Prognosis
The prognosis of mesothelioma can be affected by several factors, including the stage and type of cancer, the site and general health status of the patient. Patients suffering from mesothelioma could improve their prognosis when they seek treatment by 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 that are currently under investigation.
Mesothelioma symptoms are similar the symptoms of a variety of other diseases, so they are often misdiagnosed. Patients may experience breathing problems, abdominal pain and other symptoms for some time before being diagnosed. Because these symptoms are mild at first they can be easily confused by people who associate them with other illnesses. Therefore, it's crucial to have any symptoms evaluated by a doctor as quickly as possible.
The lining of the chest (pleural mesothelioma) also known as the peritoneum or in rare cases the testicles' lining may be affected by mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma makes up the majority of mesothelioma-related cases, accounting for 85 percent of diagnoses made in patients over 75 years old.
Men and women may have different rates of survival for mesothelioma. This is because men are more likely than women to work in fields that expose them to asbestos. Females exposed to mesothelioma have twice the chance of surviving the past five years than male patients. This is likely due the interaction between female hormones and mesothelioma cancer cells. The age of a person also affects their prognosis because older patients have a more difficult time recovering from the illness. It's important to know that some mesothelioma patients endure for a long time, or even a decade after their initial prognosis.
Compensation
Mesothelioma Compensation helps victims cover their medical expenses as well as lost wages and other expenses associated with the asbestos-related illness. Often, this mesothelioma compensation is granted through the combination of asbestos trust funds, lawsuits and settlements. An experienced mesothelioma attorney can help determine which forms of compensation might be available for your case.
Mesothelioma patients can file a personal injury lawsuit to receive financial compensation from producers of asbestos-related products they were exposed to at work. Mesothelioma suits can be filed by a loved one or a family member or an appointed representative of the court on behalf of the victim. The estate of a victim who died of mesothelioma can file a wrongful-death lawsuit to recover compensation from those responsible for the victim's asbestos exposure.
Many people with mesothelioma are in debt due to the fact that it can take years to go from exposure to diagnosis. Mesothelioma compensation may help sufferers pay off their debts and pay for the future of their families.
Mesothelioma settlements and lawsuits may also compensate the victims for their pain and suffering. A mesothelioma attorney can help victims and families receive the compensation they deserve.
A reputable mesothelioma law firm can handle all aspects of a patient's mesothelioma case and make the process as easy as is possible for their client. At Sokolove Law our lawyers have secured more than $4.7 billion in mesothelioma settlements for victims and their families. Contact us today for a free review of your mesothelioma lawsuit. Our lawyers serve clients nationwide. We are able to meet with you in your home or hospital. Our law firm is only paid when we are able to secure compensation for you.