Mesothelioma Claims
A mesothelioma lawsuit could assist victims to receive compensation for treatment and other expenses. State laws called statutes of limitations restrict the time that a victim has to file a lawsuit.
Personal injury or wrongful deaths are the most frequent types of lawsuits. Juries award damages in the form of money that include both economic and non-economic damages.
Diagnosis
It can take years to diagnose mesothelioma, which is a rare disease. Patients typically visit their primary physician with symptoms and a medical history. Doctors will perform an examination of the body and ask about asbestos exposure.
Imaging tests are often requested by doctors when they suspect mesothelioma. This can include chest X-rays (CT scans), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography. These tests provide a detailed look at the body. These tests can reveal a buildup of fluid in the abdomen or lungs as a mesothelioma related sign.
These tests also help to determine the type of mesothelioma. The mesothelioma pleural type is when cancerous cells in the lung the lining (pleura) cause the disease. The peritoneal type is caused by cancerous cells 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 identify cancerous cells from fluid samples taken from the stomach or lungs.
A blood test called the MESOMARK test can measure the amount of mesothelin-soluble peptide (SMRP) in the body of the patient. The presence of high levels of this biomarker could indicate the presence mesothelioma cells.
In turn, these biomarkers could be useful for doctors who are trying to detect mesothelioma at its earliest stages. It is not a substitute for mesothelioma biopsy, which is the only method to determine the presence of cancer within the body. Doctors can perform a non-surgical procedure to take fluid from the pleura or stomach with a needle and look it up for mesothelioma cancer cells.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma may occur in any part of the body where asbestos has caused cancerous cells to form. The most frequent sites are the abdomen, lungs and heart. People who have pleural mesothelioma suffer from pain in the chest region as well as hoarseness, difficulty swallowing and a swollen throat. Patients with pericardial and peritoneal cancer often experience abdominal pain, fatigue, and weight loss. The signs of mesothelioma can be difficult to identify because they are similar to those of other common illnesses. It can take years after exposure to asbestos before mesothelioma can grow.
X-rays and CT scans can reveal changes in the lungs, for example, the pleura becoming thicker or the accumulation of fluid (pleural effusion). MRI and PET scans can be used to search for mesothelioma. Blood tests can be used to determine high levels of certain substances within the body that indicate mesothelioma's presence.
A doctor can drain the fluid or tissue that builds up to test it for cancerous cells. A doctor 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 more non-invasive form of biopsies, and can be done in a doctor's clinic.
If the doctor finds mesothelioma in the body, he or she might suggest surgery, radiation and chemotherapy to kill cancer cells and stop their spread. The radiation can be administered in a clinic or hospital. The radiation is usually administered as an as an outpatient. The use of palliative therapies is often to treat discomfort and other symptoms. It can include painkillers and regular drainage of fluids, tubes that are placed inside the chest to aid in breathing and radiation to prevent the tumor from expanding.
Treatment
Treatment can reduce symptoms and extend the life of people with mesothelioma. Treatment options differ based on the mesothelioma type and stage. The treatment plan can differ depending on the amount of asbestos exposure a patient is exposed to.
Mesothelioma symptoms are similar to those of many illnesses such as the flu or pneumonia. This makes it difficult for doctors to identify the disease early. Patients may be suffering from symptoms for months before they are diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Doctors will conduct a physical exam and inquire about any prior asbestos exposure. They will then conduct imaging scans and blood tests to determine the extent of the cancer and the location within the body.
The most commonly diagnosed mesothelioma type is pleural mesothelioma. It affects the lung. People who have been exposed to asbestos as an industrial worker, welder plumber, electrician, or autoworker are the most likely to contract this disease.
Pleural mesothelioma can trigger an accumulation of fluid, causing chest pain and difficulty breathing. Surgery can remove excess fluid, enhancing the quality of life of a patient.
Pleurodesis is another procedure that doctors can use to prevent further accumulation of fluid in the lungs. In Richardson mesothelioma lawsuit is the procedure of inserting a tube into the pleura to drain fluid and then medication is injected to prevent the buildup of further fluids. Patients can also opt to have a shunt installed, which is a device that moves fluid from one area of the body to another in order to absorb.
Other treatments include chemotherapy and radiation. Chemotherapy fights cancer cells by directly killing them. Radiation therapy shrinks tumors by using high-energy radiation. Patients who aren't candidates for surgery may undergo targeted therapy, which involves targeting the cancer-causing genes inside of 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 condition of the patient. A mesothelioma prognosis can improve when patients seek treatment from an experienced specialist in mesothelioma therapy and adhere to their treatment plan. Patients with mesothelioma who are taking part in clinical trials might have access to novel treatments that are currently being investigated.
Mesothelioma symptoms are similar the symptoms of other conditions and, therefore, they are frequently incorrectly diagnosed. Patients may experience breathing issues as well as abdominal pains and other symptoms for some time before they are diagnosed. Because these symptoms are initially mild, people can easily confuse them with other ailments. This is why it is important to have any symptoms evaluated by a physician as soon as you can.
Mesothelioma can affect the lining of the chest cavity (pleural mesothelioma), the peritoneum (peritoneal mesothelioma) or, in rare instances the membrane that surrounds the testicles (pericardial mesothelioma). The majority of mesothelioma diagnosis are pleural mesothelioma. 85 percent being in patients older than 75 years.
The survival rates for mesothelioma may differ between men and women. This is because men are more likely than women to work in fields that expose them. Mesothelioma patients with females have a twice higher chance of surviving the past five years than male patients. This is likely due to the ways female hormones interact with mesothelioma tumor cells. The age of a person also affects their outlook since older patients are more likely to have a more difficult time recovering from the illness. It's also important to note that some mesothelioma patients survive for years or even a decade or more beyond their initial prognoses.
Compensation
Mesothelioma compensation is a way to help victims 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. A mesothelioma lawyer with experience can help you determine what types of compensation are applicable to your situation.
A person diagnosed with mesothelioma may bring a lawsuit against the manufacturer of asbestos-related products to which they were exposed while at work. They can seek financial compensation. Mesothelioma lawsuits can be filed on behalf of a victim by their loved one or family member, or a court-appointed representative. The estate of a victim who died from mesothelioma may file a wrongful death lawsuit to seek compensation from those who are responsible for the victim's asbestos exposure.
Because it can take decades from exposure to diagnosis Many people diagnosed with mesothelioma carry significant financial debts from treatment. Mesothelioma compensation can help these victims pay off their debts and pay for the future of their family members.
Mesothelioma settlements and lawsuits can also compensate the victims for their suffering and pain. A mesothelioma lawyer can assist families and victims get the compensation they deserve.
A mesothelioma lawyer can handle every aspect of a patient's mesothelioma claim, making it as stress-free as they can. At Sokolove Law our lawyers have secured over $4.7 billion in mesothelioma-related settlements for patients and their families. Contact us today to arrange no-cost review of your mesothelioma claim. Our lawyers serve clients nationwide. We are able to visit you at your home or in a hospital. Our law firm is paid only when we are able to secure compensation for you.