Mesothelioma Claims
A mesothelioma lawsuit could assist victims to receive compensation for treatment and other expenses. State laws, called statutes or limitations, restrict the time a victim can bring a lawsuit.
Personal injury or wrongful death are the most popular types of lawsuits. The jury awards financial damages, which may include economic and noneconomic damage.
Diagnosis
It can take years to identify mesothelioma. It is a rare disease. Most patients visit their primary care doctor with complaints and 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 includes chest X-rays (CT scans), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography. These tests give a detailed view of the body. They may show an accumulation of fluid around the lungs or abdomen, which is a common mesothelioma symptom.
These tests can also be used to determine the type of mesothelioma. The mesothelioma type that is pleural is caused by cancerous cells that line the lung, called the pleura. The peritoneal type is caused by cancerous cells that reside in the abdominal cavity. In a surgical biopsies doctors will take a sample of tissue from the affected area or tumor and examine it under a microscope to look for symptoms of mesothelioma. Doctors can also conduct the test known as a cytology to identify cancerous cells in fluid samples taken from the stomach or lungs.
A blood test called the MESOMARK assay can measure the amount of soluble mesothelin related peptide (SMRP) in the patient's body. High levels of this biomarker could indicate the presence of mesothelioma cell lines.
These biomarkers can be helpful for doctors trying to detect mesothelioma in its early stages. It's not a substitute for mesothelioma biopsy, which is the only method to determine if cancer has been detected within the body. Doctors can conduct non-surgical biopsies to remove fluid from the stomach or pleura by using a needle, and analyze it for mesothelioma-related cells.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma can be found anywhere in the body where asbestos has created cancerous cells. The most common sites are the lungs. Pleural mesothelioma is a cause of chest pain, difficulty swallowing, and hoarseness. People with peritoneal or pericardial mesothelioma often feel pain in their abdominal region and fatigue and weight loss. Mesothelioma symptoms can be difficult to diagnose because the signs mimic the symptoms of a variety of common illnesses. Mesothelioma can develop years after exposure to asbestos.
X-rays and CT scans may reveal changes in the lungs, such as the pleura getting thicker or fluid buildup (pleural effusion). MRI and PET scans are also utilized to detect mesothelioma. Blood tests can be utilized to check for elevated levels of certain substances that could be indicative of mesothelioma.
A doctor can drain the fluid or tissue to check for cancerous cells. The doctor may also perform the procedure known as the thoracoscopic needle aspiration procedure to remove some of the fluid from the lungs or the thoracic cavity. This test is a less painful alternative to a biopsy, and can be performed in the doctor's office.
If a doctor has diagnosed mesothelioma the doctor will most likely suggest chemotherapy, radiation and surgery to stop the cancer cells from spreading. The radiation can be administered in a clinic or hospital. The radiation is typically delivered as an outpatient. Palliative treatments are often used to manage discomfort and other symptoms. The treatment options include painkillers, regular drainage of fluids, or a tube inserted inside the chest to aid in breathing. It could also involve radiation to stop the tumor from advancing.
Treatment
Treatment can reduce 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 will also depend on the level of asbestos exposure the patient has.
Mesothelioma symptoms resemble the symptoms of a variety of illnesses such as the flu or pneumonia. This makes it difficult for doctors to recognize mesothelioma early. Most patients experience symptoms for several months before being diagnosed with mesothelioma.
To determine the cause of the illness doctors will conduct a physical exam and ask about any exposure to asbestos in the past. They will then perform scans of the blood and imaging to determine the extent and the location of the cancer within the body.
The most common form of mesothelioma affects the lungs. Most likely to develop the disease are those who have worked as a welder or electrician or in the automotive industry.
A buildup of fluid may cause chest pain and breathing difficulties. Surgery can eliminate excess fluid, enhancing the quality of life for patients.
Pleurodesis is a different procedure doctors can employ to stop future fluid accumulation in the lungs. In Victorville mesothelioma lawsuits 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 may also choose to receive a shunt which is a device that is used to transfer fluid from one region of the body to the other to absorb.
Chemotherapy and radiation are also options. Chemotherapy kills cancer cells in a direct manner. Radiation therapy targets tumors and reduces them using high-energy rays. Patients who are not eligible for surgery may opt for targeted therapy. This involves targeting the cancer-causing gene inside the cancerous cells.
Prognosis
The prognosis for mesothelioma is affected by a variety of factors, including the type and stage of cancer, the location and the general health status of the patient. Patients suffering from mesothelioma could improve their chances of survival if they seek treatment from a specialist in mesothelioma and follow their treatment regimen. Patients with mesothelioma who are taking part in clinical trials may also be able to access new treatments that are currently being researched.
The mesothelioma symptoms are comparable to many other conditions. This leads to an abundance of incorrect diagnosis. Patients may suffer from abdominal pain, breathing problems and other symptoms prior to being diagnosed. Because these symptoms are so simple at first, people can easily confuse them with other illnesses. As a result, it's crucial to have any symptoms examined by a doctor as soon as possible.
Mesothelioma can affect the tissue lining the chest cavity (pleural mesothelioma) or the peritoneum (peritoneal mesothelioma) or, in rare instances, the membrane that surrounds the testicles (pericardial mesothelioma). Pleural mesothelioma accounts for most mesothelioma-related cases, accounting for 85 percent of diagnosed cases occurring in patients who are over 75 years old.
Men and women have different survival rates for mesothelioma. This is due to the fact that males are more likely than women to work in industries which expose them to asbestos. However women who have been exposed to mesothelioma have twice as likely to live beyond five years than male patients. This is probably due to the interaction between female hormones and mesothelioma cancer cells. The prognosis of an individual is also influenced by their age, as older patients have a more difficult to recover from illnesses. It is important to remember that mesothelioma patients can live for years, or even a decade beyond their initial prognosis.
Compensation
Mesothelioma compensation assists victims to pay for medical expenses, lost wages and other costs associated with the asbestos-related disease. This mesothelioma settlement is often awarded by the amalgamation of asbestos trust funds, lawsuits, and settlements. A mesothelioma lawyer with experience can assist you in determining what forms of compensation are available to you in your particular case.
A person who has been diagnosed mesothelioma could sue 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's loved one, family member or a court-appointed representative. If a victim has passed away of mesothelioma, a wrongful death lawsuit may be filed by the estate of the victim's deceased loved ones to collect compensation from those accountable for their loved ones' asbestos exposure.
Many people with mesothelioma are in debt due to the fact that 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' futures.
Mesothelioma settlements and lawsuits can also compensate victims for their pain and suffering. A mesothelioma attorney can help victims and families get the compensation they deserve.
A reputable mesothelioma law firm can handle every aspect of a patient's mesothelioma case and make the process as stress-free as possible for their client. Our attorneys at Sokolove Law have helped families and victims members receive over $4.7 billion in mesothelioma lawsuits. Contact us today for a free review of your mesothelioma case. Our lawyers serve clients nationwide. We can meet you at home or in a hospital. Our law firm is paid only when we receive compensation for you.