Mesothelioma Claims
A mesothelioma lawsuit could aid victims in receiving compensation for their treatment and other costs. State laws, also referred to as statutes or limitations, restrict the time a victim can make a claim.
Lawsuits typically take the form of personal injury or wrongful death claims. The jury awards financial damages, which may include economic and non-economic damages.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a rare illness and it can take a number of years before patients receive a diagnosis. Patients usually visit their primary doctor with an medical history. Doctors will perform an examination of the body and inquire about asbestos exposure.
When doctors suspect mesothelioma they often request imaging tests. This can include chest X-rays (CT scans) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography. These tests give a detailed view of the body. They can show the accumulation of fluid around the abdomen or lungs, which is a common mesothelioma symptom.
These tests also help determine the type of mesothelioma. The pleural type of mesothelioma is caused by cancerous cells in the lung lining known as the pleura. The peritoneal form is caused by cancerous cells within the abdominal cavity. In the procedure of a surgical biopsy, doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from the affected area and examine it under a microscope to look for signs of mesothelioma. Doctors may also perform an cytology test in order to check for the presence of cancerous cells in liquid samples taken from the stomach or lungs.
A blood test, dubbed the MESOMARK Assay, can determine the amount of mesothelin soluble to peptide (SMRP), in the body of the patient. High levels of this biomarker can indicate the presence of mesothelioma cells.
These biomarkers are therefore helpful to doctors who are trying to diagnose mesothelioma at its beginning stages. However, it's not a substitute for mesothelioma biopsies which is the sole method to know whether cancer is present in the body. Doctors can perform a non-surgical biopsy to extract fluid from the pleura or stomach using a needle, and analyze it for mesothelioma cells.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma can occur anywhere in the body where asbestos has created cancerous cells. The most common locations are the lungs. Pleural mesothelioma can cause pain in the chest as well as difficulty swallowing and hoarseness. Patients with pericardial and peritoneal cancer are often afflicted with abdominal pain, fatigue and weight loss. Mesothelioma symptoms can be difficult to identify because the symptoms mimic those of many common illnesses. It could take a long time after exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma grow.
CT scans and X-rays may reveal changes in the lungs such as the accumulation of fluid or thickening of the pleura (pleural effusion). MRI and PET scans can also be used to look for mesothelioma. Blood tests can be used to detect elevated levels of certain substances that may indicate mesothelioma.
A doctor can drain the fluid or the tissue to check for cancerous cells. A doctor may also perform an operation known as thoracoscopic aspiration. It removes a small amount fluid from the thoracic cavity or lungs. This test is a less invasive alternative to a biopsy, and can be performed in the office of a doctor.
If a doctor has diagnosed mesothelioma he or she will likely suggest chemotherapy, radiation and surgery to stop cancer cells from spreading. Radiation therapy can be performed in a clinic or hospital. The radiation is usually given as an outpatient. The use of palliative therapies is often to treat discomfort and other symptoms. Palliative treatment can include painkillers as well as regular drainage of fluids or a tube that is placed inside the chest to aid in breathing. It could also include radiation to prevent the tumor from growing.
Treatment
For people diagnosed with mesothelioma, treatment can reduce symptoms and extend the duration of. Treatment options vary based on the type of mesothelioma and its stage. The treatment plan may also differ based on the amount of asbestos exposure a patient has.
The symptoms of mesothelioma resemble many other diseases, like the flu or pneumonia. This makes it hard for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma before it becomes apparent. Most patients suffer for a long time before being diagnosed with mesothelioma.
To determine the cause of the illness doctors will conduct an examination of the body and inquire about past exposure to asbestos. They will follow up with blood tests and imaging scans to determine the extent of the cancer and its location in the body.
The most commonly diagnosed mesothelioma type is pleural mesothelioma. It affects the lung. People who have been exposed to asbestos as workers in the construction industry, welding plumber, electrician, or autoworker are the most likely to develop this illness.
Pleural mesothelioma can trigger a buildup of fluid, causing chest pain and difficulty breathing. Surgery can help remove excess fluid, enhancing the quality of life for patients.
Pleurodesis is a different procedure doctors can utilize to prevent future fluid accumulation in the lungs. During the procedure, a tube is to be inserted into pleura in order to drain the fluid. Then, medication will be injected to prevent further accumulation. Patients can also opt to place a shunt in the body, which is a device used to move fluid from one area of the body to another for absorption.
The treatment of chemotherapy and radiation are both options. Chemotherapy attacks the cancer cells by directly killing them. Radiation therapy shrinks tumors using high-energy rays. Patients who aren't eligible for surgery can undergo targeted therapy. This involves targeting the cancer-causing gene in the cancerous cells.
Prognosis
The prognosis of mesothelioma is based on a variety of factors, including the type and location of cancer, the stage at diagnosis and general health of the patient. A mesothelioma prognosis can improve by seeking treatment from an experienced specialist in the field of mesothelioma and follow their treatment regimen. Patients with mesothelioma who are taking part in clinical trials may also be able to access new treatments that are still being investigated.
Mesothelioma symptoms are similar to the symptoms of a variety of other diseases and, therefore, they are frequently misdiagnosed. Patients may experience breathing issues, abdominal pain and other symptoms for several months before being diagnosed. AccidentInjuryLawyers are mild at first and can be confused with other ailments. Therefore, it is important to have any symptoms evaluated by a doctor as quickly as possible.
The lining of the chest (pleural mesothelioma) or peritoneum, or in rare cases the testicles' lining may be affected by mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma is the most common cause of mesothelioma-related cases, accounting for 85 percent of all diagnosed in patients who are more than 75 years old.
Both genders have different survival rates for mesothelioma. Men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos than women, since they work in industries where asbestos is prevalent. Women who are exposed to mesothelioma have a twice higher chance of surviving the past five years than male patients. This is likely due to the hormonal interactions between female hormones and mesothelioma tumor cells. A person's age also impacts their prognosis because older patients are more likely to have a harder time recuperating from the illness. It is important to remember that some mesothelioma patients have a long life span, even a decade after their initial prognosis.
Compensation
Mesothelioma compensation assists victims to pay for their medical expenses, lost wages, and other expenses related to this asbestos-related illness. The majority of mesothelioma compensation is granted through an amalgamation of asbestos trust funds, lawsuits and settlements. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can assist you in determining what compensation is available to you in your case.
A person who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma can bring a lawsuit against the manufacturer of asbestos-related products to which they were exposed during their work. They may be able to seek financial compensation. Mesothelioma lawsuits can be filed by someone close to the victim or a family member or an appointed representative of the court on behalf of the victim. If a victim has died of mesothelioma, a wrongful death lawsuit can be filed by the estate of the deceased to collect compensation from those accountable for their loved ones' asbestos exposure.
Because it can take years from diagnosis to exposure Many people diagnosed with mesothelioma carry significant financial obligations resulting from treatment. Mesothelioma compensation can help sufferers pay off their debts and also provide for the future of their families.
Mesothelioma lawsuits and settlements may also be used to compensate victims for their pain and suffering. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can assist victims and their families get the compensation they deserve.
A mesothelioma lawyer can handle every aspect of a victim's mesothelioma case to make it as pain-free as they can. At Sokolove Law our lawyers have secured more than $4.7 billion in mesothelioma settlements to help victims and their families. Contact us today to get started with a free mesothelioma review. Our lawyers serve clients nationwide. We can visit you at home or in a hospital. Our law firm will only be paid if we are able to get you compensation.