Mesothelioma Claims
A mesothelioma case can allow victims to receive compensation for treatment and other expenses. State laws called statutes of limitations limit the time that a victim must file a lawsuit.
Personal injury or wrongful death are the most common kinds of lawsuits. Juries award monetary damages which include non-economic and economic damages.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a rare condition and it can take a number of years before patients receive a diagnosis. In the majority of cases, patients go to their primary physician with complaints and medical history. Doctors will do an examination of the body and inquire about the possibility of exposure to asbestos.
When doctors suspect mesothelioma they often request imaging tests. This may include chest X-rays (CT scans) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography. These tests give a complete look at the body. These tests may reveal an accumulation of fluid in the lungs or abdomen, which is a mesothelioma-related symptom.
These tests can also be used to determine the type of mesothelioma. The mesothelioma pleural type occurs when cancerous cells within the lung the lining (pleura) cause the disease. The peritoneal type is caused by cancerous cells found in the abdominal cavity. In the procedure of a surgical biopsy, doctors will remove a small amount of tissue from the affected area and examine it under a microscope for indications of mesothelioma. Doctors can also conduct the test known as a cytology to detect cancerous cells from fluid samples taken from the lungs or stomach.
A blood test, called the MESOMARK Assay, will determine the amount soluble mesothelin related peptide (SMRP) in the body of the patient. High levels of this biomarker could be a sign mesothelioma cells.
These biomarkers can be helpful to doctors who are trying to identify mesothelioma at its beginning stages. It is not a replacement for mesothelioma biopsies which is the only way to determine if cancer has been detected in the body. Doctors can perform a non-surgical procedure to take fluid from the pleura and the stomach using a needle, and look it up for mesothelioma cancer cells.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma can be found anywhere on the body where cancerous asbestos-induced cells have formed. The most frequent sites are the lungs. Pleural mesothelioma is a cause of chest pain, difficulty swallowing, and hoarseness. People who have mesothelioma of the pericardial or peritoneal region feel pain in their abdominal region and weight loss and fatigue. Mesothelioma symptoms are difficult to identify because the signs mimic the symptoms of a variety of common illnesses. Mesothelioma can develop years after exposure to asbestos.
X-rays and CT scans can show changes in the lungs, for example, the pleura getting thicker or fluid accumulation (pleural effusion). MRI and PET scans can also be used to identify mesothelioma. Blood tests can detect the presence of certain substances in the body, which indicate the presence of mesothelioma.
A doctor can drain an amount of fluid or tissue that is accumulating to check for cancer cells. The doctor can also perform the procedure known as the thoracoscopic needle aspiration procedure to remove some of the fluid from around the lungs or the thoracic cavity. This test is a more non-invasive version of a biopsies, and can be done in a doctor's clinic.
If a doctor has diagnosed mesothelioma he or she will likely recommend radiation, chemotherapy and surgery to stop the cancer cells from spreading. The surgery and chemotherapy are usually performed in an outpatient setting and the radiation is delivered in a clinic or a hospital. Palliative treatments are often used to manage pain and other symptoms. The treatment options include painkillers and regular drainage of fluids or a tube placed inside the chest to aid in breathing. It could also involve radiation to stop the tumor from growing.
Treatment
Treatment can help ease symptoms and extend the life of patients with mesothelioma. There are a variety of treatments 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.
Mesothelioma symptoms resemble those of many illnesses like the flu and pneumonia. This makes it hard for doctors to identify mesothelioma before it becomes apparent. Most patients suffer for a long time before being diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Doctors will conduct a physical exam and inquire about prior asbestos exposure. They then will conduct blood tests and imaging scanners to determine the severity and location of the cancer in the body.
The most commonly diagnosed mesothelioma type is pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lungs. The most likely patients for developing the disease are people who have worked as welders, plumber or electrician, or in the auto industry.
Pleural mesothelioma may cause a buildup of fluid, causing chest pain and difficulty breathing. Surgery can remove the excess fluid and improve a person's quality of life.
Pleurodesis is a different procedure doctors can use to prevent future accumulation of fluid in the lung. In the course of the procedure, a tube will be inserted into the pleura order to drain the fluid. Then, medication will be injected to stop further accumulation. Patients can also opt to have a shunt installed in the body, which is a device that moves fluid from one area of the body to another in order to absorb.
Other treatments include chemotherapy and radiation. Chemotherapy attacks the cancer cells by directly killing them. Radiation therapy targets tumors and shrinks them with high-energy rays. Patients who are not eligible for surgery can undergo targeted therapy. This is done by targeting the cancer-causing gene in the cancer cells.
Prognosis
The prognosis for mesothelioma is affected by several factors such as the stage and type of cancer, the location and general health status of the patient. The mesothelioma prognosis could improve by seeking treatment from a specialist who is experienced in mesothelioma treatment and adhere to their treatment regimen. Patients with mesothelioma who take part in clinical trials may also be able to access new treatments that are still being studied.
amarillo mesothelioma attorneys are similar to the symptoms of a variety of other diseases and, therefore, they are frequently incorrectly diagnosed. Patients may experience breathing difficulties, abdominal pain and other symptoms for some time before being diagnosed. These symptoms are mild at first and can be easily confused with other illnesses. As a result, it's important to get any symptoms checked out by a doctor as soon as you can.
Mesothelioma can affect the lining of the chest cavity (pleural mesothelioma) or the peritoneum (peritoneal mesothelioma) or, in very rare cases, 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 can have different survival rates for mesothelioma. Men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos than women because they are more likely to work in industries where asbestos is present. However females who have been exposed to mesothelioma have twice more likely to live past five years than male patients. This is likely due the interaction between female hormones and mesothelioma cancer cells. A person's age also impacts their outlook since older patients have a more difficult time recuperating from the illness. It's important to know that some mesothelioma patients have a long life span, even a decade or more beyond their initial prognosis.
Compensation
Mesothelioma compensation assists victims to pay for their medical expenses, lost wages and other expenses related to this asbestos-related illness. Mesothelioma settlements are usually granted by combining asbestos trust funds, lawsuits and settlements. An experienced mesothelioma attorney will assist you in determining what forms of compensation might be applicable to your situation.
A person who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma may sue the manufacturer of asbestos-related products to which they were exposed during their work. They may seek financial compensation. Mesothelioma lawsuits can be filed by a loved one, a family member, or an appointed representative of the court on behalf of the victim. If a victim has died of mesothelioma, a wrongful death lawsuit may be filed by the estate of the victim to collect compensation from those responsible for their loved one's asbestos exposure.
Many patients with mesothelioma are in debt as it can take years from exposure to diagnosis. Mesothelioma compensation may help patients pay off their debts and provide for the future of their family members.
Mesothelioma settlements and lawsuits can also be used to compensate victims for their pain and suffering. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can help victims and their families get the compensation they deserve.
A mesothelioma lawyer who is skilled can handle every aspect of a mesothelioma lawsuit for a victim to make the process as painless as is possible for their client. Our lawyers at Sokolove Law have helped families and victims members collect 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 is only paid if we secure compensation for you.