Mesothelioma Claims
A mesothelioma lawsuit can assist victims to receive compensation for their treatment as well as other expenses. Statutes of limitations in the state, also known as statutes of limitations restrict the time that a victim has to file a lawsuit.
Personal injury or wrongful death are the most popular kinds of lawsuits. Juries award monetary damages that include non-economic and economic damages.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a rare condition and it can take a number of years for patients to be diagnosed. Patients typically visit their primary physician with complaints and an medical history. Doctors will conduct an examination of the body and inquire about exposure to asbestos.
When doctors suspect mesothelioma, they often request imaging tests. These include chest X-rays computed tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). 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 also help to determine the type of mesothelioma. The mesothelioma that is pleural is caused by cancerous cells that line the lung, called the pleura. The peritoneal type is caused by cancerous cells within the abdominal cavity. In the procedure of a surgical biopsy, doctors will remove a small sample 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 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 high levels of this biomarker can be a sign of mesothelioma cells.
In turn, biomarkers can be beneficial for doctors trying to diagnose mesothelioma in its earliest stages. However, they are not an alternative to mesothelioma-related biopsy, which is the only reliable method to determine if 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 mesothelioma cells.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma can be found anywhere on the body in which asbestos-induced cancerous cells have formed. The most common locations are the abdomen, lungs, and the heart. Patients with pleural mysothelioma feel pain in their chest region as well as hoarseness, difficulty swallowing and a swollen throat. Patients with mesothelioma pericardial or peritoneal often experience pain in their abdominal region, as well as weight loss and fatigue. The symptoms of mesothelioma can be difficult to diagnose because they are similar to the symptoms of other common illnesses. It can take years after exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma develop.
CT scans and X-rays may detect changes in the lungs, such as fluid buildup or thickening of pleura (pleural effusion). MRI and PET scans are also used to identify mesothelioma. Blood tests can check for the presence of certain substances within the body that could indicate the presence of mesothelioma.
A doctor can take an amount of fluid or tissue that has accumulated to determine if it contains cancerous cells. The doctor can also carry out the procedure known as thoracoscopic needle aspiration to remove some of the fluid from around the lungs or thoracic cavity. This test is a non-invasive version of a biopsies, and can be done in a medical clinic.
If a doctor diagnoses mesothelioma it is likely that they will 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 usually given outpatient. The use of palliative therapies is often to manage discomfort and other symptoms. Palliative treatment may 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 growing.
Treatment
For patients diagnosed with mesothelioma, treatment can help ease symptoms and extend life. Treatment options differ based on the mesothelioma's type and stage. The treatment plan will differ based 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 early. Patients may experience symptoms for months before being diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Doctors will conduct a physical exam and ask about previous asbestos exposure. They will then conduct scans of the blood and imaging to determine the severity of the cancer and the location in the body.
The most frequent mesothelioma type is a lung cancer. People who have been exposed to asbestos in the course of their work as an industrial worker, welder plumber, electrician, or autoworker are the most likely to contract this disease.
A buildup of fluid may cause chest pain or breathing problems. Surgery can help remove excess fluid, improving a person's life.
Doctors may also opt for pleurodesis procedure to stop the buildup of fluid in the lung. During this procedure, a tube is inserted into the pleura to drain fluid, and then medication is injected to prevent future buildups. Patients can also opt to have a shunt placed on their body. It is a device used to move fluid from one area of the body to another to absorb.
Other treatments include radiation and chemotherapy. Chemotherapy kills cancerous cells directly. Radiation therapy targets tumors and reduces them using high-energy rays. People who aren't suitable for surgery may undergo targeted therapy, which involves targeting the cancer-causing genes within the cancerous cells.
Prognosis
The prognosis for mesothelioma is affected by a variety of factors that include the type and stage of cancer, the location and the general health status of the patient. Patients with mesothelioma may improve their prognosis when they seek treatment by a specialist in mesothelioma, and adhere to their treatment plan. Additionally, mesothelioma patients who participate in an clinical trial could be able to access new treatments that are currently under investigation.
Mesothelioma symptoms are similar to the symptoms of other conditions which is why they are often incorrectly diagnosed. Patients may experience 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. schaumburg mesothelioma attorney 's therefore important to have any symptoms evaluated by a doctor as quickly as you can.
The lining of the chest (pleural mesothelioma) or peritoneum, or in rare cases the testicles' membrane can be affected by mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma makes up the majority of mesothelioma cases, with 85 percent of all diagnosed cases occurring in patients who are over 75 years old.
Women and men have different survival rates for mesothelioma. This is due to the fact that males are more likely than women to work in fields that expose them. However women who have been exposed to mesothelioma are two times more likely to live past five years than male patients. This is probably due to the ways female hormones interact with mesothelioma tumor cells. The prognosis of an individual is also affected by their age, as older patients have a more difficult recovery from illnesses. It's important to note that some patients with mesothelioma live for years, or even a decade or more beyond their initial prognosis.
Compensation
Mesothelioma Compensation assists victims in covering their medical expenses as well as lost wages and other costs associated with the asbestos-related illness. This mesothelioma settlement is often given by the amalgamation of asbestos trust funds, lawsuits and settlements. An experienced mesothelioma attorney will help determine which forms of compensation may be available to you in your particular case.
People diagnosed with mesothelioma can make a personal injury claim for financial compensation from producers of asbestos-related products they were exposed to at work. Mesothelioma lawsuits can be filed on behalf of the victim's loved one or family member, or by a court-appointed representative. If a victim died of mesothelioma or another cancer, a wrongful death lawsuit can be filed by the estate of the victim to collect compensation from those responsible for their loved one's asbestos exposure.
Because it can take decades from exposure to diagnosis Many people diagnosed with mesothelioma have significant financial burdens resulting from their treatment. Mesothelioma settlements can help patients of the disease pay off their debts and also provide for their families' futures.
Mesothelioma lawsuits and settlements may also be used to compensate victims for their suffering and pain. A knowledgeable mesothelioma lawyer will help victims and their families get the money they deserve.
A reputable mesothelioma law firm can handle all aspects of a mesothelioma lawsuit for a victim and make the process as stress-free as possible for their client. At Sokolove Law our lawyers have secured over $4.7 billion in mesothelioma settlements for victims and their families. Contact us today 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 in a hospital. Our law firm is only paid if we receive compensation.