Mesothelioma Claims
A mesothelioma claim can allow victims to receive compensation for treatment and other expenses. Statutes of limitations in the state, also known as statutes of limitations limit how long a victim is required to file a lawsuit.
Personal injury or wrongful deaths are the most popular types of lawsuits. Juries award monetary damages that include both economic and non-economic damages.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a rare illness and it can take a number of years before patients receive a diagnosis. Typically, patients will visit their primary care doctor with complaints and medical history. Doctors will do physical examinations and inquire about exposure to asbestos.
Imaging tests are usually requested by doctors when they suspect mesothelioma. This can include chest X-rays (CT scans) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography. These tests give a complete examination of the body. These tests may reveal a buildup of fluid in the lungs or abdomen, which is a mesothelioma-related sign.
These tests can be used to determine the kind 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 cancerous cells in the abdominal cavity. In the procedure of a surgical biopsy, doctors will remove a small amount of tissue from the affected area to look under a microscope for signs of mesothelioma. Doctors can also conduct a cytology test to check for the presence of cancerous cells in the fluid samples taken from the lungs or stomach.
A blood test referred to as the MESOMARK test can determine the amount of soluble mesothelin related peptide (SMRP) in the patient's body. The presence of high levels of this biomarker can be a sign of mesothelioma cell lines.
In turn, these biomarkers could be useful for doctors who are trying to detect mesothelioma at its earliest stages. It is not a substitute for mesothelioma biopsy, which is the only method to determine whether cancer has been found within the body. Doctors can conduct non-surgical biopsies that remove fluid from the stomach or pleura by using needles, and then analyze it for mesothelioma-related cells.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma can occur anywhere in the body where asbestos has caused cancerous cells to develop. The most common locations are the lungs. Pleural mesothelioma causes chest pain, difficulty swallowing, and hoarseness. People with mesothelioma of the pericardial or peritoneal region experience discomfort in their abdomen as well as weight loss and fatigue. The symptoms of mesothelioma can be difficult to recognize, as they are similar to other diseases. It could take a long time after exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma grow.
X-rays and CT scans can reveal changes in the lungs, for example, the pleura getting thicker or fluid buildup (pleural effusion). MRI and PET scans may also be used to search for mesothelioma. Blood tests can be utilized to check for elevated levels of certain substances that could indicate mesothelioma.
A doctor can drain a sample of the fluid or tissue that builds up to determine if it contains cancer cells. The doctor can also carry out an operation 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 non-invasive version of a biopsies, and can be done in a doctor's clinic.
If a doctor diagnoses mesothelioma it is likely that they will recommend radiation, chemotherapy and surgery to stop the cancer cells from spreading. The surgery and chemotherapy are generally done in an outpatient environment, and radiation may be given in a clinic or hospital. The use of palliative therapy is commonly to manage pain and other symptoms. It could include painkillers as well as regular draining of fluid or tubes that are placed inside the chest to help with breathing, and radiation to keep the tumor from growing.
Treatment
Treatment can reduce symptoms and prolong life for those suffering from mesothelioma. Treatment options vary depending on the type of mesothelioma and its stage. The treatment plan will depend on the level of asbestos exposure a patient has.
Mesothelioma symptoms are comparable to those of many illnesses like the flu and pneumonia. This makes it hard for doctors to identify mesothelioma before it becomes apparent. Patients may experience symptoms for months before they are diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Doctors will conduct a physical exam and inquire about prior asbestos exposure. They will then conduct scans of the blood and imaging to determine the extent of the cancer and the location within the body.
The most common form of mesothelioma affects the lungs. The most likely patients for developing the disease are people who have worked as welders or electrician, or in the auto industry.
A buildup of fluid can cause chest pain and breathing problems. Surgery can eliminate excess fluid, enhancing a person's life.
Doctors may also opt for pleurodesis procedure to prevent the formation of further fluids in the lung. During this procedure it is the procedure of inserting a tube into the pleura to drain fluid and then the medicine is injected into the pleura to prevent future buildups. Patients may also choose to have a shunt placed, which is a device that circulates fluid from one area of the body to another in order to absorb.
Other treatments include chemotherapy and radiation. Chemotherapy targets cancerous cells directly by killing them. Radiation therapy targets tumors and shrinks them by using high-energy radiation. Patients who aren't eligible for surgery can undergo targeted therapy. This involves targeting the cancer-causing gene in the cancerous cells.
Prognosis
The prognosis for mesothelioma is dependent on a variety of factors that include the stage and type of cancer, its location and the general health status of the patient. Patients suffering from mesothelioma could improve their prognosis when they seek treatment by a specialist in mesothelioma and follow their treatment plan. Patients who have mesothelioma that take part in clinical trials might also have access to new treatments that are being studied.
The mesothelioma symptoms are comparable to many other conditions. This leads to an abundance of incorrect diagnosis. Patients may experience abdominal pain, breathing difficulties and other symptoms prior to being diagnosed. These symptoms are initially mild and can be misinterpreted as other ailments. It's therefore important to have any symptoms checked by a doctor as quickly as is possible.
The lining of the chest (pleural mesothelioma) or peritoneum, or in rare cases, the testicles' lining can be affected by mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma makes up the majority of mesothelioma-related cases, accounting for 85 percent of all diagnosed in patients who are more than 75 years old.
Both genders can have different survival rates for mesothelioma. Men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos than women, as they tend to work in areas where asbestos is present. Females exposed to mesothelioma have twice the chance of surviving past five years than male patients. This is probably due to the hormonal interactions between female hormones and mesothelioma tumor cells. The prognosis for a patient is also affected by their age, as older patients have a harder to recover from illnesses. It's important to know that mesothelioma patients can endure for a long time, or even a decade or more beyond their initial prognosis.
Compensation
Mesothelioma Compensation helps victims cover their medical costs, lost wages, and other expenses related to the asbestos-related illness. The mesothelioma settlements are typically granted by the amalgamation of asbestos trust funds, lawsuits, and settlements. An experienced mesothelioma attorney will help you determine what types of compensation might be available for your case.
Mesothelioma patients can file a personal injury lawsuit for financial compensation from asbestos-related manufacturers they were exposed to during their work. Mesothelioma lawsuits can be filed on behalf of the victim's loved one or family member, or a court-appointed representative. If a victim has passed away from mesothelioma, awrongful death lawsuit can be filed by the estate of the victim to seek compensation from the parties accountable for their loved ones' asbestos exposure.
Because it can take years from exposure to diagnosis many patients diagnosed with mesothelioma are burdened with financial debts from treatment. Mesothelioma compensation can help sufferers pay off their debts and pay for the future of their families.
mesothelioma compensation fund and settlements may also provide compensation to victims for their pain and suffering. A mesothelioma attorney can help victims and families get the compensation they are entitled to.
A skilled mesothelioma law firm can handle every aspect of a victim's mesothelioma claim, making the process as painless as possible for their client. At Sokolove Law our lawyers have secured more than $4.7 billion in mesothelioma settlements to help victims and their families. Contact us today to begin on a free mesothelioma case review. Our lawyers serve clients nationwide. We are able to visit you at your home or hospital. Our law firm is only paid when we are able to secure compensation for you.