Mesothelioma Claims
A mesothelioma lawsuit can aid victims in receiving compensation for their treatment as well as other expenses. State laws, also known as statutes or limitations, restrict the amount of time a patient can file a lawsuit.
Personal injury or wrongful death are the most popular types of lawsuits. Juries award damages in the form of money that include non-economic and economic damages.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a rare illness and it can take a number of years for patients to receive a diagnosis. Patients typically visit their primary physician with complaints and an medical history. Doctors will conduct a physical examination and ask about asbestos exposure.
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 detailed look at the body. They can reveal the accumulation of fluid around the abdomen or lungs which is a common mesothelioma-related symptom.
These tests can be used to determine the type mesothelioma. The pleural form of mesothelioma is when cancerous cells in the lung the lining (pleura) cause the disease. The peritoneal type is caused by cancer cells in the abdominal cavity. In a surgical biopsy, doctors will remove a small sample of tissue from the affected area to look under a microscope to look for signs of mesothelioma. Doctors can also perform the test known as the cytology test to detect cancerous cells from fluid samples taken from the lungs or stomach.
A blood test called the MESOMARK assay can measure the amount of soluble mesothelin-related peptide (SMRP) in the patient's body. The presence of this biomarker can indicate mesothelioma.
This is why these biomarkers can be helpful for doctors trying to diagnose mesothelioma at its earliest stages. However, it is not an alternative to a mesothelioma biopsy which is the only method to know whether cancer is present in the body. Doctors can conduct non-surgical biopsies to remove fluid from the stomach or pleura with a needle, and then analyze it for cells of mesothelioma.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma may occur anywhere on the body where asbestos-induced cancerous cells have formed. The most frequent sites are the lung. Patients with pleural mesothelioma feel pain in their chest area and have difficulty swallowing as well as hoarseness. Patients with mesothelioma of the pericardial or peritoneal region experience pain in their abdominal region, as well as weight loss and fatigue. The signs of mesothelioma can be difficult to recognize, as they are similar to those of other common diseases. Mesothelioma can develop years after asbestos exposure.
CT scans and X-rays may reveal changes in the lungs such as thickening or fluid buildup of the pleura (pleural effusion). MRI and PET scans are also utilized to detect mesothelioma. Blood tests can detect the presence of certain substances within the body that indicate mesothelioma's presence.
A doctor can drain the fluid or tissue to check for cancerous cells. Doctors can also perform an operation, known as the thoracoscopic aspiration. This procedure removes a small amount of fluid from the lungs or thoracic cavities. This test is a less invasive version of a biopsy that can be done in the doctor's office.
If the doctor finds mesothelioma in the body, he or she may suggest surgery, radiation and chemotherapy to kill the cancerous cells and stop the spread. Toledo mesothelioma lawyers and surgery typically take place in an outpatient setting and radiation may be given in a clinic or a hospital. The use of palliative therapy is commonly to help manage pain and other symptoms. The treatment options include painkillers, regular drainage of fluids or a tube that is placed in the chest to help in breathing. It could also include radiation to prevent the tumor from advancing.
Treatment
For people diagnosed with mesothelioma, treatment can ease symptoms and extend life. Treatment options differ based on the mesothelioma's type and stage. The treatment plan may also differ depending on the amount of asbestos exposure the patient has.
Mesothelioma symptoms are similar to those of many illnesses, including the flu or pneumonia. This makes it difficult for doctors to identify the disease at an early stage. Patients may experience symptoms for months before being diagnosed with mesothelioma.
To determine the cause of the illness doctors will conduct an examination and ask about previous exposure to asbestos. They will follow up with blood tests and imaging scans to determine the extent of the cancer and its location within the body.
The most commonly diagnosed mesothelioma type is pleural mesothelioma. It affects the lung. The most likely patients for developing the disease are people who have worked as a welding technician, plumber or electrician or in the auto industry.
Pleural mesothelioma can cause an accumulation of fluid, causing chest pain and difficulty breathing. Surgery can help remove excess fluid, improving the quality of life for patients.
Pleurodesis is yet another procedure doctors can employ to stop future accumulation of fluid in the lung. In this procedure it is the procedure of inserting a tube into the pleura to drain the fluid and then medicine is injected to prevent further buildups. Patients may also choose to have a shunt, which is a device used to transfer fluid from one region of the body to another to absorb.
Chemotherapy and radiation are also options. Chemotherapy kills cancer cells directly. Radiation therapy targets tumors and shrinks them by using high-energy radiation. Patients who aren't candidates for surgery can opt for targeted therapy, which involves targeting the cancer-causing genes within the cancerous cells.
Prognosis
The mesothelioma prognosis is contingent on a variety of factors, including the type and location of the cancer and the stage of diagnosis and the general health of the patient. Patients with mesothelioma can improve their prognosis by seeking treatment by a specialist in mesothelioma, and follow their treatment plan. Patients who participate in a clinical trial may be eligible for new treatments still under study.
Mesothelioma symptoms are similar to those of many other conditions, so they are often misdiagnosed. Patients may experience abdominal pain, breathing issues and other symptoms before being diagnosed. Because these symptoms are simple at first, people can easily confuse them with other ailments. It's therefore important to have any symptoms checked by a physician as soon as possible.
The lining of the chest (pleural mesothelioma) or peritoneum, or in rare cases the testicles' membrane may be affected by mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma accounts for most mesothelioma cases. It accounts for 85 percent of all diagnosed in patients who are more than 75 years old.
Women and men have different survival rates for mesothelioma. This is because men are more likely than women to work in industries which expose them to asbestos. However, females who have been exposed to mesothelioma are twice more likely to live past five years than male patients. This is likely due the interaction between female hormones and mesothelioma cancer cells. Age also affects their chances of survival since older patients tend to have a more difficult time recuperating from the illness. It's important to note that mesothelioma patients can have a long life span, even a decade beyond their initial prognosis.
Compensation
Mesothelioma compensation is a way to help victims pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs associated with the asbestos-related disease. Often, this mesothelioma compensation is granted through an amalgamation of asbestos trust funds, lawsuits and settlements. An experienced mesothelioma attorney will assist you in determining what forms of compensation are available to you in your particular case.
Mesothelioma patients can make a personal injury claim to receive financial compensation from producers of asbestos-related products they were exposed to during their work. Mesothelioma suits can be filed by someone close to the victim, a family member, or an appointed representative of the court on behalf of the victim. The estate of a victim who has died from mesothelioma is able to file a wrongful-dea lawsuit to recover compensation from those responsible for the victim's asbestos exposure.
Many patients with mesothelioma are in debt as it can take years to go from exposure to diagnosis. Mesothelioma settlements can help those suffering of the disease pay off their debts, and also provide for their families' futures.
Mesothelioma lawsuits and settlements can also provide compensation to victims for their suffering and pain. A knowledgeable mesothelioma lawyer will assist victims and their families receive the compensation they deserve.
A skilled mesothelioma law firm will handle every aspect of a mesothelioma lawsuit for a victim, making the process as stress-free as they can for their client. Our lawyers 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 home or at the hospital. Our law firm only gets paid if we secure compensation for you.