Mesothelioma Claims
A mesothelioma suit can aid victims in receiving compensation for their treatment as well as other costs. State laws, called statutes or limitations, restrict the time a victim can file a lawsuit.
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
Mesothelioma is a rare illness and it may take several years before patients receive a diagnosis. Patients usually visit their primary doctor with complaints and an medical history. Doctors will conduct physical examinations and inquire about the possibility of exposure to asbestos.
Imaging tests are typically ordered by doctors when they suspect mesothelioma. These include chest X-rays computed tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These tests provide a clear view of the body. They can reveal the accumulation of fluid around the lungs or abdomen, which is a typical mesothelioma sign.
These tests can be used to determine the type of mesothelioma. The mesothelioma that is pleural is caused by cancerous cells in the lung lining known as the pleura. The peritoneal form is caused by cancer cells found in the abdominal cavity. In the course of a surgical biopsy, physicians will remove a small amount of tissue from the tumor or affected area to examine under a microscope for indications of mesothelioma. Doctors may also perform a cytology test to check for the presence of cancerous cells in the fluid samples taken from the stomach or lungs.
A blood test, dubbed the MESOMARK Assay, can determine the amount of mesothelin soluble to peptide (SMRP) in the body of the patient. The presence of high levels of this biomarker may be a sign of mesothelioma cells.
In turn, biomarkers can be beneficial for doctors who are trying to detect mesothelioma in its earliest stages. However, they are not a substitute for mesothelioma biopsies, which is the only definitive way to determine whether cancer is present in the body. Doctors can conduct a non-surgical biopsy to collect fluid from the pleura or stomach using a needle. They then look it up for mesothelioma cancer cells.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma can be found anywhere in the body where asbestos has caused cancerous cells to develop. The most frequent sites are the abdomen, lungs and heart. Patients with pleural mesothelioma suffer from pain in the chest region, difficulty swallowing and hoarseness. 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 symptoms mimic those of other common diseases. Mesothelioma can manifest years after asbestos exposure.
CT scans and X-rays may reveal changes in the lungs, such as fluid buildup or thickening of pleura (pleural effusion). MRI and PET scans can be used to search for mesothelioma. Blood tests can be used to determine the presence of certain substances which could be indicative of mesothelioma.
A doctor can drain a sample of the fluid or tissue that is accumulating to determine if it contains cancerous cells. The doctor can also carry out the procedure known as the thoracoscopic needle aspiration procedure to remove a small amount of fluid from the lungs or the thoracic cavity. This test is a more non-invasive version of a biopsies and can be performed in a medical clinic.
If a doctor discovers mesothelioma, they might recommend surgery, radiation and chemotherapy to kill cancerous cells and prevent them from spreading. The surgery and chemotherapy typically take place in an outpatient setting, and radiation may be delivered in a hospital or clinic. The use of palliative therapies is often to manage discomfort and other symptoms. Arlington mesothelioma lawyer include painkillers as well as regular drainage of fluids or a tube that is placed in the chest to assist with breathing. It may also include radiation to prevent the tumor from advancing.
Treatment
Treatment can ease symptoms and prolong the life of those suffering from mesothelioma. There are many options available, depending on the stage and type of mesothelioma. The treatment plan will depend on the level of asbestos exposure the patient has.
Mesothelioma symptoms are similar to those of many diseases, including the flu or pneumonia. This makes it difficult for doctors to diagnose the disease at an early stage. In many cases, patients be afflicted with symptoms for several months before being diagnosed with mesothelioma.
To diagnose the disease, doctors will perform an examination and ask about any exposure to asbestos in the past. They will follow up with scans of the blood and imaging to determine the extent of the cancer and where it is located in the body.
The most prevalent form of mesothelioma affects the lungs. Most likely to develop the disease are those who have worked as a welding technician or electrician, or in the auto industry.
A buildup of fluid could cause chest pain or breathing difficulties. Surgery can help remove excess fluid, improving the quality of life for patients.
Doctors can also use pleurodesis, a procedure that helps prevent the formation of further fluids in the lung. In this procedure the tube is inserted into the pleura to drain the fluid and then medicine is injected to prevent the buildup of further fluids. Patients can also opt to have a shunt installed in the body, which is a device that circulates fluid from one part of the body to another to absorb.
Radiation and chemotherapy are also options. Chemotherapy kills cancerous cells directly. The treatment targets tumors and reduces them using high-energy rays. Patients who aren't eligible for surgery may opt for targeted therapy. This involves attacking the cancer-causing gene within the cancerous cells.
Prognosis
The prognosis of mesothelioma is based on a variety of factors, including the type and location of the cancer, the stage at diagnosis and the general health of the patient. Patients with mesothelioma may improve their chances of survival if they seek treatment by a specialist in mesothelioma, and adhere to their treatment regimen. Additionally, mesothelioma patients who are part of an clinical trial could be eligible for new treatments that are still being studied.
Mesothelioma symptoms are similar the symptoms of a variety of other diseases, so they are often incorrectly diagnosed. Patients may experience breathing difficulties as well as abdominal pains and other symptoms for several months before they are diagnosed. Because these symptoms are simple at first it is easy to confuse them with other ailments. Therefore, it is important to get any symptoms examined by a doctor as quickly as possible.
Mesothelioma can affect the tissue lining the chest cavity (pleural mesothelioma) or the peritoneum (peritoneal mesothelioma) or, in very rare instances the membrane that covers the testicles (pericardial mesothelioma). Pleural mesothelioma accounts for most mesothelioma cases, with 85 percent of diagnosed cases occurring in patients who are over 75 years old.
Women and men may have different rates of survival for mesothelioma. This is due to the fact that males are more likely than women to work in industries which expose them to asbestos. Females exposed to mesothelioma have twice the chance of surviving the past five years than male patients. This is likely due to the hormonal interactions between female hormones and mesothelioma tumor cells. The prognosis for a patient is also influenced by their age, since older patients have a more difficult recovery from illnesses. It's important to know that mesothelioma patients can have a long life span, even a decade or more beyond their initial prognosis.
Compensation
Mesothelioma Compensation assists victims in covering their medical costs in addition to lost wages and other expenses related to this asbestos-related disease. This mesothelioma settlement is often awarded by amalgamating asbestos trust funds, lawsuits and settlements. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can assist you in determining the amount of compensation that is available in your particular case.
Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma may file a personal injury lawsuit for financial compensation from the manufacturers of asbestos-related products they were exposed to during their work. Mesothelioma lawsuits can be filed on behalf of the victim's loved one or family member, or an appointed representative by the court. The estate of a victim's family who has died from mesothelioma may file a wrongful death lawsuit to seek compensation from those who are responsible for the victim's asbestos exposure.
Many patients with mesothelioma end up in debt due to the fact that it can take years from exposure to diagnosis. Mesothelioma compensation can help victims pay off their debts and pay for the future of their family members.
Mesothelioma lawsuits and settlements can also compensate victims for their suffering and pain. A mesothelioma lawyer with experience can assist victims and their families get the money they deserve.
A mesothelioma lawyer can handle every aspect of a patient's claim for mesothelioma, making it as stress-free as they can. Our lawyers at Sokolove Law have helped families and victims members collect more than $4.7 billion for mesothelioma claims. Contact us now to get started on a free mesothelioma case review. Our lawyers serve clients nationwide. We are able to meet with you in your home or hospital. Our law firm is only paid if we get you compensation.