Mesothelioma Claims
A mesothelioma lawsuit can help victims receive compensation for treatment and other costs. State laws, also known as statutes or limitations, restrict the time that a person can make a claim.
The most common form of lawsuits is of personal injury or wrongful death claims. The jury awards financial damages, which can include economic and noneconomic damage.
Diagnosis
It can take a long time to diagnose mesothelioma, which is a rare condition. Typically, patients will visit their primary physician with symptoms and a medical history. Doctors will conduct an examination of the body and ask about asbestos exposure.
Imaging tests are often ordered 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 analysis of the body. They may show a build-up of fluid around the abdomen or lungs which is a common mesothelioma-related symptom.
These tests also help to determine the type of mesothelioma. The mesothelioma that is pleural is caused by cancer cells in the lung lining called the pleura. Savannah mesothelioma attorneys YouTube is caused by cancerous cells in the abdominal cavity. In a surgical biopsies, doctors will remove a small amount of tissue from an area of tumor or affected and examine it under a microscope to check for symptoms of mesothelioma. Doctors may also perform a cytology test to check for the presence of cancerous cells in fluid samples taken from the stomach or lungs.
A blood test, called the MESOMARK Assay, can measure the amount of soluble mesothelin-related peptide (SMRP) within the body of the patient. This biomarker has high levels and can be a sign of mesothelioma.
In turn, biomarkers can be beneficial for doctors trying to diagnose mesothelioma early in its development. It is not a substitute for mesothelioma biopsy, which is the only method to determine if cancer has been detected in the body. Doctors can conduct non-surgical biopsies to remove fluid from the stomach or pleura by using a needle, and then analyze it for mesothelioma-related cells.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma can occur anywhere in the body where asbestos has caused cancerous cells to develop. The most common locations are the abdomen, lungs and the heart. Pleural mesothelioma is a cause of chest pain as well as difficulty swallowing and hoarseness. Patients with pericardial and peritoneal cancer are often afflicted with abdominal pain, fatigue and weight loss. Mesothelioma symptoms are difficult to identify because the signs mimic those of other common diseases. Mesothelioma can develop years after asbestos exposure.
X-rays and CT scans can reveal changes in the lungs, for example, thickening of the pleura or the accumulation of fluid (pleural effusion). MRI and PET scans are also used to detect mesothelioma. Blood tests can detect the presence of certain substances within the body that could indicate mesothelioma is present.
A doctor can take the fluid or tissue that is accumulating to determine if it contains cancerous cells. The doctor may also perform a procedure called the thoracoscopic needle aspiration procedure to remove some of the fluid from the lungs or the thoracic cavity. This test is a more non-invasive alternative to biopsies procedure and is performed in a doctor's clinic.
If a doctor discovers mesothelioma in the body, he or she may suggest surgery, radiation and chemotherapy to kill cancerous cells and prevent the spread. The treatment and surgery are usually performed in an outpatient environment, and the radiation is given in a clinic or hospital. Palliative treatments are often used to help manage pain and other symptoms. It can include painkillers and regular draining of fluid or a tube put in the chest to help with breathing and radiation to prevent the tumor from growing.
Treatment
Treatment can help ease symptoms and prolong life for those suffering from mesothelioma. Treatment options vary depending on the mesothelioma's type and stage. The treatment plan will vary depending on how much asbestos exposure the patient has.
Mesothelioma symptoms resemble those of many diseases, including the flu or pneumonia. This makes it difficult for doctors to identify the disease at an early stage. In many cases, patients suffer for a long time before being diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Doctors will conduct a physical exam and ask about previous asbestos exposure. They will follow up with scans of the blood and imaging to determine the extent of the cancer and the location within the body.
The most commonly diagnosed mesothelioma type is pleural mesothelioma. It affects the lungs. People who have been exposed to asbestos as workers in the construction industry, welding electrician, plumber or autoworker are more likely to develop this disease.
Pleural mesothelioma can cause a buildup of fluid, which can cause chest pain and trouble breathing. Surgery can help remove excess fluid, enhancing a person's life.
Pleurodesis is another procedure that doctors can use to prevent future fluid accumulation in the lung. In the course of the procedure, a tube will be inserted into the pleura order to drain the fluid. Then medicine is injected to stop further accumulation. Patients can also opt to place a shunt on their body. It is a device that circulates fluid from one region of the body to another in order to absorb.
Other treatments include chemotherapy and radiation. Chemotherapy kills cancerous cells directly. Radiation therapy shrinks tumors using high-energy rays. Those who do not qualify for surgery may opt for targeted therapy. This involves targeting the cancer-causing gene in the cancerous cells.
Prognosis
The prognosis of mesothelioma is affected by several factors that include the type and stage of cancer, the site and the general health status of the patient. Patients suffering from mesothelioma could improve their prognosis if they seek treatment from a specialist for mesothelioma and follow their treatment regimen. Additionally, mesothelioma patients who participate in clinical trials may have access to new treatments still under study.
Mesothelioma symptoms are similar those of many other conditions and, therefore, they are frequently not diagnosed. Patients may suffer from abdominal pain, breathing difficulties and other symptoms before they are diagnosed. Because these symptoms are so simple at first they can be easily confused by people who associate them with other illnesses. It is therefore essential to have any symptoms checked by a doctor as quickly as you can.
The chest's lining (pleural mesothelioma), peritoneum, or in rare cases the testicles' membrane can be affected by mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma makes up the majority of mesothelioma cases. It accounts for 85 percent of all diagnosed in patients who are more than 75 years old.
Survival rates for mesothelioma can vary between women and men. This is due to the fact that males are more likely than women to work in areas which expose them to asbestos. Mesothelioma patients with females have a twice higher chance of surviving for the next five years than male patients. This is probably due to the hormonal interactions between female hormones and mesothelioma tumor cells. The prognosis of an individual is also affected by their age, as older patients have a harder time recovering from disease. It's also important to note that some mesothelioma patients live years or even a decade or more beyond their initial prognoses.
Compensation
Mesothelioma Compensation assists patients in paying their medical costs as well as lost wages and other expenses associated with this asbestos-related disease. The mesothelioma settlements are typically given by the amalgamation of asbestos trust funds, lawsuits, and settlements. A mesothelioma lawyer with experience can assist you in determining what forms of compensation might be available for your case.
People diagnosed with mesothelioma can make a personal injury claim for financial compensation from the producers of asbestos-related products they were exposed to while at 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 has died of mesothelioma, a wrongful death lawsuit can be filed by the estate of the deceased to seek compensation from the parties accountable for their loved ones' asbestos exposure.
Many patients with mesothelioma are in debt due to the fact that it can take years from exposure to diagnosis. Mesothelioma settlements can help those suffering of the disease pay off their debts, and provide for their families' future.
Mesothelioma settlements and lawsuits can also be used to compensate victims for their pain and suffering. A mesothelioma lawyer with experience can assist victims and their families get the compensation they deserve.
A mesothelioma lawyer is able to manage every aspect of a victim's mesothelioma case to make it as pain-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 to arrange a free review of your mesothelioma case. Our lawyers serve clients nationwide. We are able to visit you at your home or hospital. Our law firm is only paid if we receive compensation.