Mesothelioma Claims
A mesothelioma case can allow victims to receive compensation for treatment costs and other expenses. State laws called statutes of limitations restrict how long a victim is required to bring a lawsuit.
Personal injury or wrongful death are the most popular kinds of lawsuits. The jury awards monetary damages, which can include economic and non-economic damages.
Diagnosis
It could take years to identify mesothelioma. It is a rare disease. Patients typically visit their primary physician with symptoms and an medical history. Doctors will conduct physical examinations and inquire about the possibility of exposure to asbestos.
When doctors suspect mesothelioma, they will often order imaging tests. This may include chest X-rays (CT scans), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography. These tests give a detailed view of the body. They can reveal a build-up of fluid around the lungs or abdomen, which is a common mesothelioma symptom.
These tests can also be used to determine the kind of mesothelioma. The pleural type of mesothelioma is caused by cancerous cells that line the lung, called the pleura. The peritoneal form is caused by cancerous cells in the abdominal cavity. In a biopsies performed surgically, doctors will take a sample of tissue from the affected area or tumor and examine it under a microscope to look for signs of mesothelioma. Doctors can also perform the test known as a cytology to detect cancerous cells in samples of fluid taken from the lungs or stomach.
A blood test referred to as the MESOMARK test can determine the amount of mesothelin-soluble peptide (SMRP) in the patient's body. The presence of high levels of this biomarker can be a sign of mesothelioma cells.
As a result, these biomarkers can be helpful for doctors trying to diagnose mesothelioma early in its development. However, they are not an alternative to mesothelioma-related biopsy, which is the only reliable method to determine if cancer is present in the body. Doctors can perform a non-surgical biopsy to extract fluid from the pleura or the stomach with a needle and examine it for mesothelioma-related cells.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma can occur anyplace on the body where asbestos-induced cancerous cells have developed. The most common locations are the abdomen, lungs, and the heart. People who have pleural mesothelioma feel pain in their chest region as well as hoarseness, difficulty swallowing and a swollen throat. People suffering from pericardial and peritoneal cancer are often afflicted with abdominal pain, fatigue and weight loss. Mesothelioma symptoms are difficult to identify because the signs mimic those of other common diseases. Mesothelioma can develop years after asbestos exposure.
X-rays and CT scans can show changes in the lungs, such as the pleura becoming thicker or fluid buildup (pleural effusion). MRI and PET scans can also be used to search for mesothelioma. Blood tests can be utilized to check for elevated levels of certain substances which could indicate mesothelioma.
A doctor can drain the fluid or the tissue to look for cancerous cells. The doctor can also carry out a procedure called the thoracoscopic needle aspiration procedure to remove some of the fluid from around the lungs or the thoracic cavity. This test is a more non-invasive version of a biopsies and can be performed in a clinic of a doctor.
If a doctor has diagnosed mesothelioma the doctor will most likely suggest chemotherapy, radiation and surgery to stop the cancer cells from spreading. The chemotherapy and surgery are generally done in an outpatient setting and radiation may be administered in a clinic or a hospital. The use of palliative therapy is commonly to alleviate pain and other symptoms. It may include painkillers and regular draining of fluids or tubes placed in the chest to aid in breathing and radiation to stop the tumor from expanding.
Treatment
Treatment can reduce symptoms and prolong the life of those suffering from mesothelioma. Treatment options vary depending on the mesothelioma type and stage. The treatment plan could differ based on the amount of asbestos exposure the patient is exposed to.
Mesothelioma symptoms are similar to the symptoms of a variety of illnesses like the flu and pneumonia. This makes it difficult for doctors to identify mesothelioma early. Patients may be suffering from symptoms for months before being diagnosed with mesothelioma.
To determine the cause of the illness, doctors will perform an examination and ask about past exposure to asbestos. They will follow up with scans of the blood and imaging to determine the extent of the cancer and its location in the body.
The most common mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lung. Most likely to develop the disease are those who have worked as a welder or electrician or in the automotive industry.
Pleural mesothelioma may cause an accumulation of fluid, creating chest pain and difficulty breathing. Surgery can eliminate excess fluid, improving a person's life.
Pleurodesis is yet another procedure doctors can employ to stop further accumulation of fluid in the lung. In the course of the procedure, a tube is to be inserted into the pleura order to drain fluid. Then, medication will be injected to prevent further accumulation. Patients may also choose to use a shunt which is a device to move fluid from one region of the body to another for absorption.
Other treatments include radiation and chemotherapy. Chemotherapy fights cancer cells by directly killing them. Radiation therapy targets tumors, and reduces them using high-energy rays. Those who do not qualify for surgery may undergo targeted therapy. This is done by targeting the cancer-causing gene inside the cancer cells.
Prognosis
The prognosis of mesothelioma is based on a variety of factors including the type and location of cancer and the stage of diagnosis and general patient health. Patients suffering from mesothelioma could improve their chances of survival when they seek treatment by a specialist in mesothelioma, and follow their treatment regimen. Additionally, mesothelioma patients who are part of an clinical trial could be eligible for new treatments that are currently under investigation.
Mesothelioma symptoms are similar to the symptoms of other conditions, so they are often misdiagnosed. Patients may experience breathing issues as well as abdominal pains and other symptoms for some time before being diagnosed. Because these symptoms are so initially mild it is easy to confuse them with other ailments. It is therefore essential to have any symptoms evaluated by a physician as soon as possible.
The lining of the chest (pleural mesothelioma) also known as the peritoneum or in rare cases the membrane surrounding the testicles may be affected by mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma makes up the majority of mesothelioma cases, with 85 percent of diagnosed cases occurring in patients who are over 75 years old.
Both genders may have different rates of survival for mesothelioma. Men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos than women since they work in industries that have asbestos in them. However, females who have been exposed to mesothelioma are two times more likely to live past five years as male patients. This is likely due to the interaction between female hormones and mesothelioma cancer cells. A person's age also impacts their outlook 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 after their initial prognosis.
Compensation
Mesothelioma Compensation assists victims in covering their medical costs in addition to lost wages and other costs 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 assist you in determining the amount of compensation that is available in your case.
You Tube who has been diagnosed mesothelioma could file a lawsuit against the manufacturer of asbestos-related products to which they were exposed during their work. They may seek financial compensation. Mesothelioma lawsuits can be filed by a loved one or a family member or a court appointed representative on behalf of the victim. The estate of a victim's loved ones who died from mesothelioma can file a wrongful-death lawsuit to recover compensation against the parties responsible for the victim's asbestos exposure.
Many patients with mesothelioma end up in debt due to the fact that it can take years to go from exposure to diagnosis. Mesothelioma compensation may help victims pay off their debts and pay for the future of their family members.
Mesothelioma settlements and lawsuits may also be used to compensate victims for their suffering and pain. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can assist victims and their families receive the compensation they deserve.
A mesothelioma lawyer is able to handle every aspect of a victim's mesothelioma case and make it as easy as they can. Our lawyers at Sokolove Law have helped victims and their family members obtain more than $4.7 billion in mesothelioma compensation. Contact us now to get started on a no-cost mesothelioma case review. Our lawyers serve clients nationwide. We are able to meet with you in your home or hospital. Our law firm only gets paid if we get you compensation.