Mesothelioma Claims
A mesothelioma claim can allow victims to receive compensation for treatment costs and other expenses. State laws called statutes of limitations restrict the time that a victim is required to make a claim.
Most lawsuits are in the form of personal injury or wrongful death claims. Juries award damages in the form of money that include economic and noneconomic damages.
Diagnosis
It can take a long time to identify mesothelioma. It is a rare illness. Most patients visit their primary care doctor with complaints and medical history. Doctors will do an examination of the body and inquire about exposure to asbestos.
If 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 detailed view of the body. These tests can reveal an accumulation of fluid in the abdomen or lungs as a mesothelioma related sign.
These tests can also be used to determine the type of mesothelioma. The mesothelioma that is pleural occurs when cancerous cells within the lung lining (pleura) cause the disease. The peritoneal form is caused by cancerous cells in 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 use an examination known as the cytology test to detect cancerous cells in fluid samples taken from the stomach or lungs.
A blood test referred to as the MESOMARK test can measure the amount of soluble mesothelin-related peptide (SMRP) in the patient's body. A high level of this biomarker could indicate the presence mesothelioma cells.
This is why these biomarkers can be helpful for doctors trying to diagnose mesothelioma at its earliest stages. It is not a replacement to a mesothelioma biopsies, which is the only way to definitively determine if cancer has been detected within the body. Doctors can perform a non-surgical biopsy to collect fluid from the pleura or stomach using a needle, and analyze it for mesothelioma cells.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma can occur anyplace on the body in which asbestos-induced cancerous cells have developed. The most frequent sites are the abdomen, lungs, and the heart. Pleural mesothelioma can cause chest pain as well as difficulty swallowing and hoarseness. Patients with pericardial and peritoneal cancer typically experience abdominal pain, fatigue, and weight loss. The signs of mesothelioma can be difficult to recognize, as they are similar to other illnesses. Mesothelioma may develop after years of asbestos exposure.
CT scans and X-rays can reveal changes in the lungs, such as fluid buildup or thickening of the pleura (pleural effusion). MRI and PET scans are also utilized to detect mesothelioma. Blood tests can check for high levels of certain substances in the body, which indicate mesothelioma's presence.
A doctor can drain an amount of fluid or tissue that builds up to test it for cancerous cells. A doctor may also perform an operation called thoracoscopic aspiration, which removes a small amount fluid from the lungs or thoracic cavities. This test is a less-invasive version of a biopsy and can be performed in the doctor's office.
If the doctor finds mesothelioma, he or she may suggest surgery, radiation or chemotherapy to kill cancerous cells and stop them from spreading. The chemotherapy and surgery are generally done in an outpatient setting and the radiation is administered in a clinic or hospital. Palliative treatments are typically used to manage pain and other symptoms. Palliative treatment can include painkillers as well as 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
Treatment can help ease symptoms and prolong the life of those suffering from mesothelioma. Treatment options vary depending on the mesothelioma type and stage. The treatment plan may also vary based on the level of asbestos exposure the patient is exposed to.
Mesothelioma symptoms are comparable to 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. Patients may experience symptoms for months before they are diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Doctors will conduct a physical exam and inquire about any prior asbestos exposure. They then will conduct scans and blood tests to determine the size and location of the cancer in the body.
The most commonly diagnosed mesothelioma type is pleural mesothelioma. It affects the lung. The most likely patients for developing the disease are those who have worked as a welding technician, plumber or electrician or in the auto industry.
A buildup of fluid may lead to chest pain and breathing difficulties. Surgery can remove the excess fluid and improve the quality of life.
Pleurodesis is yet another procedure doctors can utilize to prevent further accumulation of fluid in the lung. In this procedure the tube is inserted into the pleura to drain fluid, and then the medicine is injected into the pleura to prevent the buildup of further fluids. Patients may also choose to have a shunt installed, which is a device that circulates fluid from one part of the body to another to absorb.
The treatment of chemotherapy and radiation are both options. Chemotherapy fights cancer cells directly, killing them. Radiation therapy shrinks tumors by using high-energy radiation. Patients who aren't eligible for surgery may opt for targeted therapy. This is done by targeting the cancer-causing gene in the cancer cells.
Prognosis
The prognosis of mesothelioma is based on several factors including the type and location of the cancer, the stage at diagnosis and the general health of the patient. The mesothelioma prognosis could improve by seeking treatment from a specialist who is experienced in the field of mesothelioma and adhere to their treatment plan. Patients with mesothelioma who take part in clinical trials may have access to novel treatments that are currently being studied.
Mesothelioma symptoms are similar those of many other conditions, so they are often incorrectly diagnosed. Patients may suffer from abdominal pain, breathing difficulties and other symptoms prior to being diagnosed. These symptoms may be mild at first and can be misinterpreted as other illnesses. Therefore, it's crucial to have any symptoms checked out by a doctor as soon as possible.
Mesothelioma can affect the lining of the chest cavity (pleural mesothelioma), the peritoneum (peritoneal mesothelioma) or, in rare cases the membrane that covers the testicles (pericardial mesothelioma). Pleural mesothelioma accounts for most mesothelioma cases, with 85 percent of diagnosed cases occurring in patients who are over 75 years old.
Both genders have different survival rates for mesothelioma. Men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos than women, as they tend to work in industries where asbestos is prevalent. Mesothelioma patients with females have a twice higher chance of surviving past five years than male patients. This is likely due to the interaction between female hormones and mesothelioma cancer cells. The age of a person also affects their chances of survival since older patients are more likely to suffer more difficulty recovering from the illness. west virginia mesothelioma lawsuit '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 victims to pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs associated with this asbestos-related illness. The mesothelioma settlements are typically granted by the amalgamation of asbestos trust funds, lawsuits, and settlements. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer will assist you in determining what compensation is available to you in your case.
A person diagnosed mesothelioma could file a lawsuit against the manufacturer of asbestos-related products to which they were exposed while at work. They may be able to seek financial compensation. Mesothelioma lawsuits can be filed on behalf of a victim by their loved one or family member, or by a court-appointed representative. The estate of a victim who has died from mesothelioma can file a wrongful-death lawsuit to seek compensation from the parties responsible for the victim's asbestos exposure.
Many patients with mesothelioma are in debt due to the fact that it can take years from exposure to diagnosis. Mesothelioma compensation can help patients pay off their debts and pay for the future of their family members.
Mesothelioma lawsuits and settlements may also provide compensation to victims for their pain and suffering. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can assist victims and their families get the money they deserve.
A mesothelioma attorney can manage every aspect of a patient's claim for mesothelioma, making it as stress-free as they can. At Sokolove Law our lawyers have secured more than $4.7 billion in mesothelioma settlements for victims and their families. Contact us today for free consultation on your mesothelioma claim. Our lawyers serve clients nationwide. We are able to meet you at your home or in a hospital. Our law firm only gets paid if we are able to get you compensation.