Mesothelioma Claims
A mesothelioma lawsuit can assist victims to receive compensation for their treatment and other costs. Statutes of limitations in the state, also known as statutes of limitations restrict the time that a victim must make a claim.
Personal injury or wrongful death are the most frequent kinds of lawsuits. The jury awards monetary damages, which can include economic and non-economic damages.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a rare disease and it may take several years for patients to receive a diagnosis. Patients typically visit their primary physician with symptoms and an medical history. Doctors will do a physical exam and ask about the possibility of exposure to asbestos.
If doctors suspect mesothelioma, they often request imaging tests. This may include chest X-rays (CT scans) as well as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography. These tests offer a precise view of the body. They can show the accumulation of fluid around the abdomen or lungs, which is a common mesothelioma symptom.
These tests can also be used to determine the kind of mesothelioma. The mesothelioma type that is pleural is caused by cancer cells in the lung lining known as the pleura. The peritoneal form is caused by cancerous cells that reside in the abdominal cavity. In a surgical biopsies doctors will remove a small amount of tissue from a tumor or affected area and examine it under a microscope in order to check for signs of mesothelioma. Doctors will also use a cytology test to check for the presence of cancerous cells in liquid samples taken from the lungs or stomach.
A blood test, called the MESOMARK Assay, will determine the amount soluble mesothelin related peptide (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 in diagnosing mesothelioma at its earliest stages. However, richmond mesothelioma attorney are not a substitute for a mesothelioma biopsy, which is the only definitive way to determine whether cancer is present within the body. Doctors can perform a non-surgical biopsy to extract fluid from the pleura and the stomach using a needle. They then look it up for mesothelioma cancer cells.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma can occur anywhere on the body in which asbestos-induced cancerous cells have developed. The most common sites are the lungs. Patients with pleural mysothelioma suffer from pain in the chest area and have difficulty swallowing as well as hoarseness. People who have peritoneal or pericardial mesothelioma often suffer from discomfort in their abdomen as well as weight loss and fatigue. The signs of mesothelioma can be difficult to diagnose, as they are similar to other diseases. It may take years after exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma grow.
X-rays and CT scans may reveal changes in the lungs, for example, the pleura becoming thicker or the accumulation of fluid (pleural effusion). MRI and PET scans are also used to identify mesothelioma. Blood tests can be used to determine the presence of certain substances that may be indicative of mesothelioma.
A doctor can drain the fluid or tissue that has accumulated to check for cancer cells. A doctor may also perform an operation, known as thoracoscopic aspiration. It removes a small amount fluid from the lungs or thoracic cavities. This test is a less-invasive alternative to a biopsy, and is performed in a doctor's office.
If a doctor suspects mesothelioma, the doctor will most likely recommend radiation, chemotherapy and surgery to stop the cancer cells from spreading. Radiation can be administered in a clinic or hospital. The radiation is typically administered as an outpatient. Palliative treatment is often used to alleviate pain and other symptoms. Palliative treatment can include painkillers and regular drainage of fluids or a tube placed in the chest to assist in breathing. It may also include radiation to stop the tumor from growing.
Treatment
Treatment can ease symptoms and prolong life for those suffering from mesothelioma. Treatment options vary depending on the mesothelioma's type and stage. The treatment plan can differ depending on the amount of asbestos exposure the patient is exposed to.
Mesothelioma symptoms are comparable to those of many illnesses such as the flu or pneumonia. This makes it hard for doctors to recognize mesothelioma early. Often, patients will suffer for a long time before being diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Doctors will conduct a physical exam and ask about previous asbestos exposure. They will then conduct blood tests and imaging scanners to determine the size and the location of the cancer within the body.
The most common form of mesothelioma is a lung cancer. 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 more likely to develop this illness.
A buildup of fluid could cause chest pain or breathing problems. Surgery can eliminate the excess fluid and improve a patient's quality of life.
Doctors may also opt for pleurodesis procedure to prevent the formation of further fluids in the lungs. In this procedure it is the procedure of inserting a tube into the pleura to drain fluid and then medicine is injected to prevent further buildups. Patients can also opt to place a shunt, which is a device that circulates fluid from one area of the body to another for absorption.
Other treatments include radiation and chemotherapy. Chemotherapy kills cancer cells directly. The treatment targets tumors and shrinks them with high-energy rays. People who aren't suitable for surgery may undergo targeted therapy, which involves targeting the cancer-causing genes in the cancer cells.
Prognosis
The prognosis of mesothelioma can be affected by a variety of factors, including the type and stage of cancer, its location and general health status 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. Patients who are part of a clinical trial may be able to access new treatments that are still being studied.
The mesothelioma symptoms are comparable to many other conditions. This causes a lot of misdiagnosis. Patients may have abdominal pain, breathing difficulties and other symptoms before they are diagnosed. Because these symptoms are so initially mild they can be easily confused by people who associate them with other conditions. As a result, it's crucial to have any symptoms evaluated by a doctor as quickly as possible.
Mesothelioma can affect the tissue lining the chest cavity (pleural mesothelioma), the peritoneum (peritoneal mesothelioma) or, in very rare cases, the membrane that surrounds the testicles (pericardial mesothelioma). The majority of mesothelioma diagnosis are pleural mesothelioma, with 85 percent of them being found in patients over 75 years.
The survival rates for mesothelioma may differ between men and women. Men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos than women, because they are more likely to work in industries where asbestos is prevalent. Females exposed to mesothelioma have twice the chance of surviving the past five years than male patients. This is probably due to the ways female hormones interact with mesothelioma tumor cells. A person's age also impacts their outlook since older patients are more likely to have a harder time recovering from the disease. It's also worth noting that some mesothelioma patients survive for years or even a decade or more beyond their initial prognoses.
Compensation
Mesothelioma Compensation assists patients in paying their medical expenses in addition to lost wages and other expenses associated with the asbestos-related illness. Mesothelioma settlements are usually awarded by the amalgamation of asbestos trust funds, lawsuits and settlements. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can help you determine what compensation is available to you in your case.
A person diagnosed with mesothelioma may bring a lawsuit against the company that makes asbestos-related products to which they were exposed during their 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's family who died from mesothelioma is able to file a wrongful-dea lawsuit to seek compensation from those responsible for the victim's asbestos exposure.
Many patients with mesothelioma end up in debt as it can take years to go from exposure to diagnosis. Mesothelioma settlements can help victims of the disease pay off their debts, and provide for their families' future.
Mesothelioma lawsuits and settlements can also be used to compensate victims for their suffering and pain. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can assist victims and their families get the money they deserve.
A skilled mesothelioma law firm can handle every aspect of a victim's mesothelioma claim and make the process as easy as is possible for their client. Our attorneys at Sokolove Law have helped families and victims members obtain more than $4.7 billion in mesothelioma lawsuits. Contact us now to get started on a free mesothelioma case review. Our lawyers serve clients nationwide. We are able to meet you at your home or in the hospital. Our law firm will only be paid if we get you compensation.