Mesothelioma Claims
A mesothelioma lawsuit can assist victims in obtaining compensation for treatment costs and other expenses. State laws, called statutes or limitations, limit the time a victim can file a lawsuit.
Most lawsuits are in the form of personal injury or wrongful death claims. Juries award damages in the form of money that include non-economic and economic damages.
Diagnosis
It can take years to recognize mesothelioma. This is a rare disease. Patients usually visit their primary physician with symptoms and an medical history. Doctors will conduct an examination of the body and inquire about any possible exposure to asbestos.
Imaging tests are often requested by doctors when they suspect mesothelioma. These include chest X-rays computed tomography (CT) scans, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These tests offer a precise view of the body. These tests may reveal an accumulation of fluid in the lungs or abdomen that is a mesothelioma-related symptom.
These tests also help to determine the type of mesothelioma. The mesothelioma type that is pleural is caused by cancerous cells that line the lung called the pleura. The peritoneal type is caused by cancerous cells within the abdominal cavity. In the course of a surgical biopsy, physicians will remove a small piece of tissue from the tumor or affected area to look under a microscope for indications of mesothelioma. Doctors may also use an examination known as a cytology to identify cancerous cells in samples of fluid taken from the stomach or lungs.
A blood test referred to as the MESOMARK test can determine the amount of mesothelin-soluble peptide (SMRP) in the patient's body. A high level of this biomarker may indicate the presence mesothelioma cells.
These biomarkers are therefore helpful for doctors trying to detect mesothelioma in its earliest stages. It is not a replacement for mesothelioma biopsies which is the only way to determine if cancer has been detected within the body. Doctors can conduct non-surgical biopsies to remove fluid from the stomach or pleura with a needle, and then analyze it for cells of mesothelioma.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma can be found anywhere in the body where asbestos-induced cancerous cells have formed. The most common locations are the lungs. People who have pleural mesothelioma suffer from pain in the chest region and have difficulty swallowing as well as hoarseness. Patients with pericardial and peritoneal cancer often experience abdominal pain, fatigue, and weight loss. Mesothelioma symptoms can be difficult to diagnose because the signs mimic those of many common illnesses. Mesothelioma can manifest years after exposure to asbestos.
CT scans and X-rays can detect changes in the lungs such as fluid buildup or thickening of the pleura (pleural effusion). MRI and PET scans are also utilized to identify mesothelioma. Blood tests can be used to determine high levels of certain substances in the body that could indicate mesothelioma is present.
A doctor can drain the fluid or the tissue to look for cancerous cells. A doctor may also perform an operation called thoracoscopic aspiration, which removes a small amount of fluid from the lungs or thoracic cavities. This test is a less-invasive version of a biopsy that can be done in the office of a doctor.
If a doctor discovers mesothelioma, they may recommend surgery, radiation and chemotherapy to kill the cancerous cells and prevent them from spreading. Radiation can be administered in a clinic or hospital. The radiation is typically delivered as an as an outpatient. Palliative treatment is often used to help manage pain and other symptoms. It could include painkillers, 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
For those diagnosed with mesothelioma, treatment can ease symptoms and extend life. Treatment options vary based on the mesothelioma type and stage. The treatment plan could differ depending on the amount of asbestos exposure that the patient is exposed to.
Mesothelioma symptoms are comparable to those of many diseases like the flu and pneumonia. This makes it difficult for doctors to identify mesothelioma in the early stages. Patients may experience symptoms for months before being diagnosed with mesothelioma.
To diagnose the disease, doctors will perform an examination of the body and inquire about any exposure to asbestos in the past. They will then perform scans of the blood and imaging to determine the size and the location of the cancer within the body.
The most common mesothelioma form affects the lungs. People who have been exposed to asbestos in the course of their work as an industrial worker, welder plumber, electrician, or autoworker are most likely to develop this disease.
Pleural mesothelioma can cause an accumulation of fluid, which can cause chest pain and trouble breathing. Surgery can help eliminate the excess fluid and improve a patient's 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 pleura in order to drain fluid. Then, medicine will be injected to stop further buildup. Patients may also choose to have a shunt installed, which is a device that circulates fluid from one region of the body to another in order to absorb.
Other treatments include radiation and chemotherapy. Chemotherapy kills cancer cells directly. Radiation therapy targets tumors and shrinks them with high-energy rays. People who aren't suitable for surgery can opt for targeted therapy, which targets the cancer-causing genes inside of the cancer cells.
Prognosis
The prognosis of mesothelioma can be dependent on a variety of factors, including the stage and type of cancer, its location and general health condition of the patient. Patients suffering from mesothelioma could improve their chances of survival by seeking treatment from a specialist for mesothelioma, and adhere to their treatment regimen. In addition, patients with mesothelioma who participate in an clinical trial could be eligible for new treatments that are currently under investigation.
Mesothelioma symptoms are similar the symptoms of other conditions, so they are often incorrectly diagnosed. Patients may experience breathing problems, abdominal pain and other symptoms for several months before being diagnosed. These symptoms are initialy mild and may be easily confused with other ailments. This is why it's important to get any symptoms checked out by a doctor as quickly as possible.
Mesothelioma can affect the chest cavity's lining (pleural mesothelioma) and the peritoneum (peritoneal mesothelioma) or, in rare instances the membrane that covers the testicles (pericardial mesothelioma). The majority of mesothelioma diagnosis are pleural mesothelioma, with 85 percent being diagnosed in patients who are older than 75 years old.
Both genders have different survival rates for mesothelioma. This is due to the fact that men are more likely than women to work in fields which expose them to asbestos. Women who are exposed to mesothelioma have a twice higher chance of surviving past five years than male patients. This is likely due the interaction between female hormones and mesothelioma cancer cells. Age also affects their chances of survival since older patients have a harder time recovering from the disease. It's important to know that mesothelioma patients can live for years, or even a decade or more beyond their initial prognosis.
Compensation
Mesothelioma compensation helps victims pay for their medical expenses, lost wages and other expenses related to this asbestos-related illness. This mesothelioma settlement is often given by combining asbestos trust funds, lawsuits, and settlements. A mesothelioma lawyer with experience can assist you in determining the amount of compensation that is available to you in your case.
People diagnosed with mesothelioma can file a personal injury lawsuit to receive financial compensation from manufacturers of asbestos-related products they were exposed to at work. Mesothelioma lawsuits can be filed on behalf of the victim by their loved one or family member, or an appointed representative by the court. The estate of a victim's family who died of mesothelioma may file a wrongful death lawsuit to recover compensation from those who are responsible for the victim's asbestos exposure.
Many patients with mesothelioma end up in debt as it can take years from exposure to diagnosis. Mesothelioma settlements can help victims of the disease pay off their debts and also provide for their families' future.
Mesothelioma settlements and lawsuits can also be used to compensate victims for their pain and suffering. A knowledgeable mesothelioma lawyer will help victims and their families get the compensation they deserve.
A mesothelioma lawyer can manage every aspect of a victim's claim for mesothelioma to make it as pain-free as they can. At Sokolove Law our lawyers have secured more than $4.7 billion in mesothelioma settlements for victims and their families. Contact Accident Injury Lawyers to arrange free consultation on your mesothelioma case. Our lawyers serve clients nationwide. We can visit you at your home or in a hospital. Our law firm will only be paid if we receive compensation.