Mesothelioma Claims
A mesothelioma lawsuit can allow victims to receive compensation for treatment and other expenses. State laws, also referred to as statutes or limitations, restrict the time that a person can bring a lawsuit.
Personal injury or wrongful death are the most popular types of lawsuits. The jury awards monetary damages, which may include economic and noneconomic damage.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a rare condition and it may take several years before patients receive a diagnosis. In the majority of cases, patients go to their primary care physician with symptoms and medical history. Doctors will conduct a physical exam and ask about the possibility of exposure to asbestos.
When doctors suspect mesothelioma they often request imaging tests. This includes chest X-rays (CT scans), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography. These tests give a complete analysis of the body. These tests can reveal an accumulation of fluid in the lungs or abdomen, which is a mesothelioma-related sign.
These tests can also help determine the type of mesothelioma. The pleural type of mesothelioma is caused by cancer 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 remove a sample of tissue from an area of tumor or affected and examine it under a microscope to check for signs of mesothelioma. Doctors can also conduct the cytology test to look for the presence of cancerous cells in fluid samples taken from the stomach or lungs.
A blood test referred to as the MESOMARK test can measure the amount of mesothelin-soluble peptide (SMRP) in the patient's body. The presence of this biomarker can be a sign of mesothelioma.
These biomarkers are therefore helpful to doctors trying to detect mesothelioma in its earliest stages. It's not a substitute for mesothelioma biopsies which is the only way to definitively determine if cancer has been detected within the body. Doctors can conduct non-surgical biopsies to drain fluid from the stomach or pleura with a needle, and then analyze it for cells of mesothelioma.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma can be found anywhere on the body in which asbestos-induced cancerous cells have formed. The most frequent locations are the abdomen, lungs and the heart. Patients with pleural mesothelioma feel pain in their chest region and have difficulty swallowing as well as hoarseness. Patients with pericardial and peritoneal cancer often experience abdominal pain, fatigue, and weight loss. Mesothelioma symptoms can be difficult to identify because the symptoms mimic those of other common diseases. It could take a long time after exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma grow.
CT scans and Xrays can detect changes in the lungs, such as the accumulation of fluid or thickening of pleura (pleural effusion). MRI and PET scans are also utilized to identify 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 tissue to check for cancerous cells. The doctor can also carry out the procedure known as thoracoscopic needle aspiration to remove a small amount of fluid from the lungs and thoracic cavity. This test is a less invasive alternative to a biopsy, and can be done in the doctor's office.
If a doctor suspects mesothelioma, he or she might recommend surgery, radiation and chemotherapy to kill cancer cells and stop the spread. Radiation can be administered in a clinic or hospital. The radiation is typically administered as an as an outpatient. The use of palliative therapies is often to treat the symptoms of pain and other. The treatment options include painkillers as well as regular drainage of fluids or a tube placed inside the chest to aid in breathing. It could also involve radiation to prevent the tumor from advancing.
Treatment
Treatment can reduce symptoms and prolong life for people with mesothelioma. There are many options available, depending on the type and stage of mesothelioma. The treatment plan will also differ based on the amount of asbestos exposure a patient has.
The symptoms of mesothelioma are the same as many other illnesses, like the flu or pneumonia. This makes it hard for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma early. In many cases, patients suffer for a long time before being diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Doctors will conduct a physical exam and ask about previous asbestos exposure. They then will conduct scans and blood tests to determine the size and location of the cancer in the body.
The most common mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma. This affects the lungs. 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 disease.
A buildup of fluid could cause chest pain or breathing problems. Surgery can eliminate excess fluid, which can improve a person's life.
Doctors can also use a procedure called pleurodesis to prevent future fluid buildup in the lungs. In this procedure the tube is inserted into the pleura to drain the fluid and then the medicine is injected into the pleura to prevent future buildups. Patients can also opt to use a shunt which is a device used to move fluid from one region of the body to the other for absorption.
Other treatments include chemotherapy and radiation. Chemotherapy kills cancerous cells directly. The treatment targets tumors and reduces them using high-energy rays. People who aren't suitable for surgery may undergo targeted therapy, which targets the cancer-causing genes inside of the cancerous cells.
Prognosis
The prognosis for mesothelioma is dependent on a variety of factors such as the stage and type of cancer, its location and the general health status of the patient. The prognosis for mesothelioma can improve if patients seek treatment from an experienced specialist in the field of mesothelioma and adhere to their treatment plan. Additionally, mesothelioma patients who are part of an clinical trial could be eligible for new treatments still under study.
The mesothelioma symptoms are similar to other diseases. This leads to many misdiagnosis. Patients may suffer from abdominal pain, breathing problems and other symptoms before being diagnosed. Because these symptoms are so mild at first they can be easily confused by people who associate them with other ailments. It's therefore important to have any symptoms examined by a physician as soon as you can.
Mesothelioma can affect the lining of the chest cavity (pleural mesothelioma) or the peritoneum (peritoneal mesothelioma) or, in rare instances the membrane that surrounds the testicles (pericardial mesothelioma). Pleural mesothelioma is the most common cause of mesothelioma cases. It accounts for 85 percent of all diagnoses made in patients over 75 years old.
Women and men may have different rates of survival for mesothelioma. Men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos than women, since they work in industries where asbestos is present. Mesothelioma patients with females have twice the likelihood of surviving past five years than male patients. This is likely due to the interaction between female hormones and mesothelioma cancer cells. Age also affects their prognosis because older patients tend to have a more difficult time recuperating from the illness. It's also worth noting that some mesothelioma patients live for years or even a decade or more past their initial prognoses.
Compensation
Mesothelioma Compensation helps victims cover their medical costs as well as lost wages and other expenses associated with the asbestos-related illness. The majority of mesothelioma compensation is granted through a combination of asbestos trust funds, lawsuits and settlements. houston mesothelioma attorney with experience can help you determine what types of compensation are available for your case.
A person who has been diagnosed mesothelioma could sue the manufacturer of asbestos-related products to which they were exposed during their work. They may seek financial compensation. Mesothelioma suits can be filed by a loved one, a family member, or a court appointed representative on behalf of the victim. If a victim has passed away of mesothelioma or another cancer, a wrongful death lawsuit can be filed by the estate of the victim's deceased loved ones to seek compensation from the parties accountable for their loved ones' asbestos exposure.
Many patients with mesothelioma are in debt as it can take years from the time of exposure to diagnosis. Mesothelioma compensation can help sufferers pay off their debts and also provide for the future of their family members.
Mesothelioma settlements and lawsuits can also compensate the victims for their pain and suffering. A mesothelioma lawyer can help victims and families receive the compensation they deserve.
A skilled mesothelioma law firm can handle every aspect of a victim's mesothelioma claim, making the process as stress-free as is possible for their client. At Sokolove Law, our attorneys have secured more than $4.7 billion in mesothelioma settlements for victims and their families. Contact us today to arrange free consultation on your mesothelioma lawsuit. Our lawyers serve clients nationwide. We can meet with you at your home or in a hospital. Our law firm is only paid if we are able to get you compensation.