Mesothelioma Claims
A mesothelioma lawsuit can aid victims in receiving compensation for their treatment and other costs. State laws, also referred to as statutes or limitations, restrict the time a victim can bring a lawsuit.
Personal injury or wrongful deaths are the most popular types of lawsuits. The jury awards money damages, which can include economic and non-economic damages.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a rare disease and it may take several years for patients to receive a diagnosis. Patients typically visit their primary physician with complaints and a medical history. Doctors will conduct a physical exam and ask about the possibility of exposure to asbestos.
Imaging tests are usually requested by doctors when they suspect mesothelioma. This includes chest X-rays (CT scans) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography. These tests provide a detailed examination of the body. They may show an accumulation of fluid around the lungs or abdomen, which is a typical mesothelioma sign.
These tests can be used to determine the type mesothelioma. The mesothelioma that is pleural is when cancerous cells in the lung the lining (pleura) cause the disease. The peritoneal form is caused by cancerous cells in the abdominal cavity. In the course of a surgical biopsy, physicians will remove a small sample of tissue from the affected area to examine under a microscope to look for signs of mesothelioma. Doctors can also perform an examination known as the cytology test to detect cancerous cells in samples of fluid taken from the stomach or lungs.
A blood test referred to as the MESOMARK test can determine the amount of soluble mesothelin-related peptide (SMRP) in the patient's body. This biomarker has high levels and could indicate mesothelioma.
In turn, these biomarkers could be useful in diagnosing mesothelioma at its earliest stages. It is not a substitute for mesothelioma biopsies which is the only way to determine whether cancer has been found within the body. Doctors can perform a non-surgical biopsy to extract fluid from the pleura and the stomach with a needle and look it up for mesothelioma cancer cells.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma may occur anyplace on the body where cancerous asbestos-induced cells have formed. The most frequent locations are the lungs, abdomen and the heart. People who have pleural mesothelioma suffer from pain in the chest region and have difficulty swallowing as well as hoarseness. People who have mesothelioma of the pericardial or peritoneal region feel discomfort in their abdomen, as well as weight loss and fatigue. Mesothelioma symptoms can be difficult to recognize because the signs mimic those of other common diseases. It may take years after exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma to develop.
X-rays and CT scans may reveal changes in the lungs, including the pleura becoming thicker or fluid accumulation (pleural effusion). MRI and PET scans can also be used to search for mesothelioma. Blood tests can check for the presence of certain substances in the body that indicate the presence of mesothelioma.
A doctor can remove the tissue or fluid to look for cancerous cells. Doctors can also perform an operation called the thoracoscopic aspiration. This procedure removes a small amount of fluid from the thoracic cavity or lungs. This test is a less-invasive alternative to a biopsy, and is performed in the office of a doctor.
If a doctor suspects mesothelioma, it is likely that they will suggest chemotherapy, radiation and surgery to stop cancer cells from spreading. The chemotherapy and surgery typically take place in an outpatient setting and radiation may be given in a clinic or hospital. Palliative treatments are often used to treat discomfort and other symptoms. It could include painkillers and regular draining of fluid or tubes that are placed inside the chest to aid in breathing and radiation to stop the tumor from becoming larger.
Treatment
For people diagnosed with mesothelioma, treatment can alleviate symptoms and prolong the life. There are a variety of treatments available, based on the stage and type of mesothelioma. The treatment plan may also differ depending on the amount of asbestos exposure a patient is exposed to.
The symptoms of mesothelioma are the same as many other illnesses, like pneumonia or the flu. This makes it hard for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma in the early stages. Often, patients will experience symptoms for several months before being diagnosed with mesothelioma.
To determine the cause of the illness doctors will conduct an examination of the body and inquire about past exposure to asbestos. They then will conduct scans of the blood and imaging to determine the size and extent of the cancer's presence 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 most likely to develop this illness.
A buildup of fluid may cause chest pain or breathing difficulties. Surgery can help remove excess fluid, enhancing the quality of life for patients.
Doctors can also utilize pleurodesis, a procedure that helps stop the buildup of fluid in the lungs. In this procedure it is the procedure of inserting a tube into the pleura to drain fluid and then medicine is injected to prevent further buildups. Patients can also opt to have a shunt installed in the body, which is a device that circulates fluid from one area of the body to another for absorption.
Other treatments include radiation and chemotherapy. Chemotherapy kills cancer cells directly. Radiation therapy targets tumors, and shrinks them with high-energy rays. Patients who aren't candidates for surgery can undergo targeted therapy, which involves targeting the cancer-causing genes inside of the cancerous cells.
Prognosis
The prognosis for mesothelioma depends on a variety of factors, including the type and location of cancer as well as the stage at which it was diagnosed and general health of the patient. Patients with mesothelioma can improve their chances of survival if they seek treatment from a specialist in mesothelioma, and follow their treatment regimen. Patients with mesothelioma who take part in clinical trials could also be able to access new treatments that are still being studied.
Mesothelioma symptoms can be compared to the symptoms of a variety of other diseases and, therefore, they are frequently incorrectly diagnosed. Patients may have abdominal pain, breathing issues and other symptoms before being diagnosed. These symptoms may be initially mild and can be confused with other illnesses. Therefore, it's important to get any symptoms evaluated by a doctor as soon as you can.
The lining of the chest (pleural mesothelioma), peritoneum, or in rare instances, the membrane surrounding the testicles may be affected by mesothelioma. The majority of mesothelioma diagnosis are pleural mesothelioma. 85 percent of them being diagnosed in patients who are older than 75 years.
The survival rates for mesothelioma may differ between women and men. Men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos than women because they are more likely to work in areas where asbestos is present. Women who are exposed to mesothelioma have twice the likelihood of surviving for the next five years than male patients. This is likely due to the interaction between female hormones and mesothelioma cancer cells. A person's age also impacts their chances of survival since older patients are more likely to have a harder time recovering from the disease. It's important to know that some mesothelioma patients live for years, or even a decade beyond their initial prognosis.
Compensation
Mesothelioma compensation helps victims pay for medical expenses, lost wages and other expenses associated with this asbestos-related illness. Most often, this mesothelioma compensation is awarded through an amalgamation of asbestos trust funds, lawsuits, and settlements. An experienced mesothelioma attorney can assist you in determining what forms of compensation may be available to you in your particular case.
mesothelioma attorney dallas diagnosed with mesothelioma can file a personal injury lawsuit for 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 a court appointed representative on behalf of the victim. If a victim died from mesothelioma, awrongful death lawsuit may be filed by the estate of the victim's deceased loved ones to collect compensation from those responsible for their loved one's asbestos exposure.
Many patients with mesothelioma end up in debt as it can take years to go from exposure to diagnosis. Mesothelioma compensation may help sufferers pay off their debts and also provide for the future of their families.
Mesothelioma settlements and lawsuits may also be used to compensate victims for their pain and suffering. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can assist victims and their families receive the compensation they deserve.
A skilled mesothelioma law firm can handle every aspect of a mesothelioma lawsuit for a victim, making the process as easy as possible for their client. At Sokolove Law, our attorneys have secured more than $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 you at home or in the hospital. Our law firm only gets paid when we receive compensation for you.