Mesothelioma Claims
A mesothelioma lawsuit can assist victims to receive compensation for treatment and other expenses. State laws, also known 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. Juries award damages in the form of money that include both economic and non-economic damages.
Diagnosis
It could take years to diagnose mesothelioma, which is a rare illness. Patients usually visit their primary physician with complaints and an medical history. Doctors will conduct a physical examination and ask about asbestos exposure.
Imaging tests are usually requested by doctors when they suspect mesothelioma. This includes chest X-rays (CT scans) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography. These tests provide a clear view of the body. These tests can reveal an accumulation of fluid in the lungs or abdomen, which is a mesothelioma-related symptom.
These tests can be used to determine the kind of mesothelioma. The mesothelioma that is pleural is caused by cancer cells in the lung lining called the pleura. The peritoneal type is caused by cancerous cells within the abdominal cavity. In the procedure of a surgical biopsy, doctors will remove a small amount of tissue from the affected area to look under a microscope to look for signs of mesothelioma. Doctors may also perform a cytology test to check for the presence of cancerous cells in fluid samples taken from the stomach or lungs.
A blood test, known as the MESOMARK Assay, can measure the amount of mesothelin soluble protein (SMRP) within the body of the patient. The presence of high levels of this biomarker could indicate the presence of mesothelioma cells.
In turn, biomarkers can be beneficial for doctors trying to diagnose mesothelioma in its earliest stages. However, it is not a substitute for mesothelioma-related biopsy, which is the only method to know whether cancer is present in the body. Doctors can perform non-surgical biopsies to drain fluid from the stomach or pleura with needles, and then analyze it for mesothelioma-related cells.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma can be found anyplace on the body in which 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, difficulty swallowing and hoarseness. Patients with mesothelioma of the pericardial or peritoneal region experience discomfort in their abdomen and weight loss and fatigue. Mesothelioma symptoms can be difficult to recognize because the symptoms mimic the symptoms of a variety of common illnesses. Mesothelioma can develop years after asbestos exposure.
CT scans and X-rays can detect changes in the lungs such as thickening or fluid buildup of pleura (pleural effusion). MRI and PET scans can also be used to search for mesothelioma. Blood tests can be used to detect elevated levels of certain substances which could indicate mesothelioma.
A doctor can drain the fluid or the tissue to look for cancerous cells. Doctors can 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 version of a biopsy that is performed in the doctor's office.
If a doctor has diagnosed mesothelioma it is likely that they will suggest chemotherapy, radiation and surgery to stop the cancer cells from spreading. Radiation therapy can be performed in a hospital or clinic. The radiation is usually delivered as an as an outpatient. The use of palliative therapy is commonly to help manage pain and other symptoms. Columbia mesothelioma attorney can include painkillers and regular drainage of fluids, or a tube inserted in the chest to assist with breathing. It could also involve radiation to stop the tumor from growing.
Treatment
Treatment can help ease symptoms and extend the life of those suffering from mesothelioma. Treatment options vary depending on the type of mesothelioma and its stage. The treatment plan can differ based on the amount of asbestos exposure the patient has.
The symptoms of mesothelioma are the same as many other diseases, like the flu or pneumonia. This makes it difficult for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma before it becomes apparent. Patients may be suffering from symptoms for months before being diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Doctors will conduct a physical examination and inquire about any prior asbestos exposure. They will then conduct blood tests and imaging scans to determine the extent of the cancer and its location within the body.
The most commonly diagnosed mesothelioma type is pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lung. People who have been exposed to asbestos in the course of their work as workers in the construction industry, welding plumber, electrician, or autoworker are most likely to develop this illness.
Pleural mesothelioma may cause an accumulation of fluid, which can cause chest pain and trouble breathing. Surgery can help eliminate the excess fluid and improve the quality of life.
Doctors can also use pleurodesis procedure to stop the buildup of fluid in the lung. In this procedure it is the procedure of inserting a tube into the pleura to drain fluid, and then medication is injected to prevent further buildups. Patients can also opt to use a shunt which is a device used to move fluid from one area of the body to another for absorption.
Other treatments include chemotherapy and radiation. Chemotherapy fights cancer cells directly, killing them. Radiation therapy targets tumors, and reduces them 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 for mesothelioma is affected by several factors, including the stage and type of cancer, its location and the general health status of the patient. Patients with mesothelioma may improve their chances of survival when they seek treatment by a specialist in mesothelioma and follow their treatment plan. In addition, patients with mesothelioma who participate in clinical trials may have access to new treatments that are currently under investigation.
Mesothelioma symptoms can be compared to those of many other conditions, so they are often not diagnosed. Patients may experience breathing difficulties or abdominal pain, among other symptoms for a few months before they are diagnosed. Because these symptoms are mild at first, people can easily confuse them with other ailments. It is therefore essential to have any symptoms evaluated by a doctor as quickly as possible.
Mesothelioma can affect the lining of the chest cavity (pleural mesothelioma) and the peritoneum (peritoneal mesothelioma) or, in rare instances the membrane that covers the testicles (pericardial mesothelioma). Pleural mesothelioma makes up the majority of mesothelioma-related cases, accounting for 85 percent of diagnosed cases occurring in patients who are over 75 years old.
Both genders may have different rates of survival for mesothelioma. This is due to the fact that males are more likely than women to work in areas that expose them. Females exposed to mesothelioma have twice the chance of surviving the past five years than male patients. This could be due to the ways female hormones interact with mesothelioma tumor cells. A person's age also impacts their outlook since older patients tend to suffer more difficulty recovering from the illness. It's also worth noting that some mesothelioma patients survive for years or even a decade past their initial prognoses.
Compensation
Mesothelioma Compensation helps victims cover their medical costs, lost wages, and other costs associated with the asbestos-related illness. Most often, this mesothelioma compensation is awarded through a combination of asbestos trust funds, lawsuits, and settlements. An experienced mesothelioma attorney can assist you in determining what forms of compensation might be available for your case.
Mesothelioma patients can bring a personal injury lawsuit to receive financial compensation from asbestos-related manufacturers they were exposed to while at work. Mesothelioma suits can be filed by family members, a family member, or an appointed representative of the court on behalf of the victim. If a victim has passed away of mesothelioma or another cancer, a wrongful death lawsuit can be filed by the estate of the victim to seek compensation from the parties responsible for their loved one's asbestos exposure.
Since it can take a long time from exposure to diagnosis, many people diagnosed with mesothelioma have significant financial burdens resulting from their treatment. Mesothelioma settlements can help victims of the disease pay off their debts and provide for their families' future.
Mesothelioma settlements and lawsuits can also compensate victims for their suffering and pain. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can help victims and their families receive the compensation they deserve.
A mesothelioma attorney can handle every aspect of a victim's claim for mesothelioma and make it as easy as they can. At Sokolove Law, our attorneys have secured over $4.7 billion in mesothelioma settlements to help victims and their families. Contact us today to arrange free consultation on your mesothelioma case. Our lawyers serve clients nationwide. We can meet with you in your home or in a hospital. Our law firm is only paid if we secure compensation for you.