Mesothelioma Claims
A mesothelioma suit can assist victims to receive compensation for treatment and other costs. State laws, also referred to as statutes or limitations, restrict the amount of time a patient can bring a lawsuit.
Personal injury or wrongful death are the most popular types of lawsuits. The jury awards monetary damages, which can include economic and noneconomic damage.
Diagnosis
It can take years to diagnose mesothelioma, which is a rare condition. Patients will usually go to their primary doctor with complaints and a medical history. Doctors will conduct a physical examination and ask about asbestos exposure.
Imaging tests are typically requested 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 show an accumulation of fluid around the abdomen or lungs which is a typical mesothelioma sign.
These tests can also help determine the type of mesothelioma. The pleural form of mesothelioma is when cancerous cells in the lung lining (pleura) cause the disease. The peritoneal type is caused by cancer cells found in the abdominal cavity. In the procedure of a surgical biopsy, doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from the affected area to examine under a microscope for indications of mesothelioma. Doctors will also use the cytology test to look for the presence of cancerous cells in the fluid samples taken from the lungs or stomach.
A blood test, known as the MESOMARK Assay, can determine the amount of mesothelin soluble protein (SMRP), in the body of the patient. The presence of high levels of this biomarker may be a sign of mesothelioma cell lines.
These biomarkers are therefore helpful to doctors trying to detect mesothelioma in its early stages. It's not a substitute for mesothelioma biopsy, which is the only way to determine whether cancer has been found in the body. Doctors can conduct a non-surgical biopsy to extract fluid from the pleura or stomach with a needle and analyze it for mesothelioma cells.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma can occur anywhere on the body where asbestos-induced cancerous cells have developed. The most common sites are the lungs. Pleural mesothelioma can cause chest pain as well as difficulty swallowing and hoarseness. waukesha mesothelioma lawyer with peritoneal and pericardial cancer often experience abdominal pain, fatigue and weight loss. The symptoms of mesothelioma may be difficult to diagnose because they are similar to those of other common diseases. It can take years after exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma grow.
X-rays and CT scans can show changes in the lungs, such as the pleura becoming thicker or the accumulation of fluid (pleural effusion). MRI and PET scans may also be used to search for mesothelioma. Blood tests can be used to check for elevated levels of certain substances which could indicate mesothelioma.
A doctor can remove the fluid or tissue that builds up to determine if it contains cancerous cells. The doctor can also carry out the procedure known as the thoracoscopic needle aspiration procedure to remove a small amount of fluid from around the lungs and thoracic cavity. This test is a more non-invasive alternative to biopsies, and can be done in a clinic of a doctor.
If the doctor finds mesothelioma in the body, he or she might suggest surgery, radiation or chemotherapy to kill the cancerous cells and prevent their spread. Radiation can be administered in a hospital or clinic. The radiation is usually delivered as an as an outpatient. The use of palliative therapy is commonly to help manage pain and other symptoms. Palliative treatment may include painkillers, regular drainage of fluids or a tube placed inside the chest to aid in breathing. It could also include radiation to prevent the tumor from advancing.
Treatment
For patients diagnosed with mesothelioma or other cancers, treatment can alleviate symptoms and prolong the life. Treatment options differ based on the mesothelioma's type and stage. The treatment plan could differ based on the amount of asbestos exposure that the patient is exposed to.
Mesothelioma symptoms resemble the symptoms of a variety of illnesses such as the flu or pneumonia. This makes it difficult for doctors to identify the disease at an early stage. Often, patients will experience symptoms for several months before being diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Doctors will conduct a physical examination and inquire about prior asbestos exposure. They will then conduct scans and blood tests to determine the extent and location of the cancer in the body.
The most prevalent mesothelioma form affects the lungs. People who have been exposed to asbestos as workers in the construction industry, welding plumber, electrician, or autoworker are the most likely to develop this disease.
A buildup of fluid may cause chest pain or breathing difficulties. Surgery can remove the excess fluid and improve a person's quality of life.
Doctors can also utilize a procedure called pleurodesis to stop the buildup of fluid in the lungs. In this procedure the tube is inserted into the pleura to drain 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 that is used to transfer fluid from one area of the body to another for absorption.
Radiation and chemotherapy are also options. Chemotherapy kills cancer cells in a direct manner. Radiation therapy targets tumors and shrinks them with high-energy rays. People who aren't suitable for surgery may undergo targeted therapy, which targets the cancer-causing genes within the cancer cells.
Prognosis
The prognosis of mesothelioma can be affected by several factors such as the stage and type of cancer, the location and general health status of the patient. Patients suffering from mesothelioma could improve their chances of survival when they seek treatment by a specialist in mesothelioma, and follow their treatment regimen. Additionally, mesothelioma patients who participate in an clinical trial could be eligible for new treatments that are still being studied.
Mesothelioma symptoms can be compared to those of many other conditions and, therefore, they are frequently misdiagnosed. Patients may have abdominal pain, breathing difficulties and other symptoms before being diagnosed. These symptoms are initialy mild and may be easily confused with other ailments. Therefore, it is important to get any symptoms evaluated by a doctor as soon as possible.
The lining of the chest (pleural mesothelioma), peritoneum, or in rare cases, the testicles' lining may 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.
The survival rates for mesothelioma vary between women and men. Men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos than women, because they are more likely to work in industries where asbestos is prevalent. However, females who have been exposed to mesothelioma have twice as likely to survive past five years as male patients. This is probably due to the interaction between female hormones and mesothelioma cancer cells. Age also affects their chances of survival since older patients have a harder time recovering from the disease. 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 assists patients in paying their medical costs as well as lost wages and other costs associated with the asbestos-related illness. Mesothelioma settlements are usually 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.
Mesothelioma patients can make a personal injury claim to receive financial compensation from asbestos-related manufacturers they were exposed to while at work. Mesothelioma lawsuits can be filed by someone close to the victim or a family member or a court appointed representative on behalf of the victim. The estate of a victim who died from mesothelioma may file a wrongful death lawsuit to recover compensation from the parties responsible for the victim's asbestos exposure.
Many people with mesothelioma are in debt as it can take years from the time of exposure to diagnosis. Mesothelioma settlements can help patients of the disease pay off their debts and ensure their families' future.
Mesothelioma settlements and lawsuits may also compensate the victims for their pain and suffering. An attorney for mesothelioma can help victims and families receive the compensation that they deserve.
A mesothelioma lawyer can handle every aspect of a victim's claim for mesothelioma and make it as easy as they can. Our attorneys at Sokolove Law have helped victims and their family members collect more than $4.7 billion for mesothelioma claims. Contact us now to get started on a no-cost mesothelioma case review. Our lawyers serve clients nationwide. We can meet with you in your home or in a hospital. Our law firm only gets paid if we receive compensation.