Mesothelioma Claims
A mesothelioma lawsuit can allow victims to receive compensation for treatment costs and other expenses. State laws, called statutes or limitations, limit the time a victim can file a lawsuit.
The most common form of lawsuits is of personal injury or wrongful death claims. The jury awards money damages, which can include economic and non-economic damages.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a rare condition and it can take a number of years for patients to receive a diagnosis. Patients typically visit their primary physician with a medical history. Doctors will perform a physical examination and ask about asbestos exposure.
Imaging tests are typically ordered by doctors when they suspect mesothelioma. This includes chest X-rays (CT scans), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography. These tests give a complete analysis of the body. They can reveal a build-up of fluid around the abdomen or lungs which is a common mesothelioma-related symptom.
These tests can also be used to determine the type mesothelioma. The pleural form of mesothelioma occurs when cancerous cells within the lung lining (pleura) cause the disease. The peritoneal form is caused by cancerous cells found in the abdominal cavity. In a surgical biopsy, doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from the tumor or affected area and examine it under a microscope for indications of mesothelioma. Doctors will also use an cytology test in order to check for the presence of cancerous cells in liquid samples taken from the stomach or lungs.
A blood test, dubbed the MESOMARK Assay, can determine the amount soluble mesothelin related to peptide (SMRP) within the body of the patient. This biomarker has high levels and can be a sign of mesothelioma.
These biomarkers are therefore helpful for doctors trying to detect mesothelioma in its earliest stages. However, it is not a substitute for mesothelioma-related biopsy which is the only definitive way to determine whether cancer is present in the body. Doctors can perform a non-surgical procedure to collect fluid from the pleura and the stomach using a needle. They then look it up for mesothelioma cancer cells.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma may occur anyplace on the body where cancerous asbestos-induced cells have developed. The most common locations are the lungs. Pleural mesothelioma can cause pain in the chest as well as difficulty swallowing and hoarseness. People with peritoneal or pericardial mesothelioma often feel discomfort in their abdomen and weight loss and fatigue. The signs of mesothelioma can be difficult to diagnose due to their similarity to other diseases. Mesothelioma can develop years after asbestos exposure.
CT scans and X-rays can detect changes in the lungs, such as thickening or fluid buildup of the pleura (pleural effusion). MRI and PET scans may also be used to search for mesothelioma. Virginia Beach mesothelioma attorneys can be used to determine the presence of certain substances within the body, which indicate mesothelioma's presence.
A doctor can drain the fluid or the tissue to test for cancer cells. The doctor can also perform the procedure known as thoracoscopic needle aspiration, which is a procedure that removes a small amount of fluid from around the lungs and thoracic cavity. This test is a less invasive version of a biopsy that is performed in the doctor's office.
If a doctor discovers mesothelioma in the body, he or she may recommend surgery, radiation and chemotherapy to kill cancerous cells and stop the spread. The radiation can be administered in a clinic or hospital. The radiation is typically administered as an as an outpatient. Palliative treatments are often used to manage pain and other symptoms. It can include painkillers and regular draining of fluids or tubes placed in the chest to help with breathing, and radiation to keep the tumor from growing.
Treatment
For people diagnosed with mesothelioma treatment can help ease symptoms and extend life. Treatment options vary depending on the mesothelioma type and stage. The treatment plan may also vary based on the level of asbestos exposure a patient is exposed to.
The symptoms of mesothelioma are the same as other illnesses like the flu or pneumonia. This makes it hard for doctors to identify mesothelioma before it becomes apparent. Patients may experience symptoms for months before being diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Doctors will conduct a physical exam and inquire about prior asbestos exposure. They will follow up with scans of the blood and imaging to determine the extent of the cancer and its location within the body.
The most frequent form of mesothelioma affects the lungs. Most likely to develop the disease are people who have worked as a welder, plumber or electrician or in the auto industry.
A buildup of fluid may cause chest pain or breathing difficulties. Surgery can remove the excess fluid and improve the quality of life.
Doctors can also use pleurodesis, a procedure that helps stop the buildup of fluid in the lung. During the procedure, a tube is to be inserted into the pleura order to drain the fluid. Then, medicine is injected to stop further buildup. Patients can also opt to have a shunt placed in the body, which is a device that circulates fluid from one area of the body to another to absorb.
Other treatments include radiation and chemotherapy. Chemotherapy kills cancer cells in a direct manner. Radiation therapy shrinks tumors using high-energy radiation. Those who are not candidates for surgery can undergo targeted therapy, which involves targeting the cancer-causing genes in the cancer cells.
Prognosis
The prognosis for mesothelioma is dependent on a variety of factors such as the type and stage of cancer, the site and general health condition of the patient. Patients suffering from mesothelioma could improve their odds of survival if they seek treatment from a specialist for mesothelioma, and follow their treatment regimen. Patients who are part of an clinical trial could have access to new treatments that are still being studied.
The symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to those of other conditions. This leads to many misdiagnosis. Patients may experience breathing issues or abdominal pain, among other symptoms for several months before being diagnosed. Because these symptoms are mild at first, people can easily confuse them with other ailments. This is why it's crucial to have any symptoms examined by a doctor as quickly as possible.
The lining of the chest (pleural mesothelioma) or peritoneum, or in rare cases the testicles' lining may be affected by mesothelioma. The majority of mesothelioma diagnosis are pleural mesothelioma. 85 per cent of them being diagnosed in patients who are older than 75 years.
The survival rates for mesothelioma differ between men and women. This is due to the fact that males are more likely than women to work in industries that expose them. However women who have been exposed to mesothelioma are two times more likely to live past five years than male patients. This is likely due the interaction between female hormones and mesothelioma cancer cells. The age of a person also affects their outlook since older patients tend to suffer more difficulty recovering from the disease. It's also worth noting that some mesothelioma patients survive for years or even a decade or more past their initial prognoses.
Compensation
Mesothelioma Compensation assists patients in paying their medical expenses, lost wages, and other expenses related to this asbestos-related disease. Often, this mesothelioma compensation is granted through an amalgamation of asbestos trust funds, lawsuits and settlements. A mesothelioma lawyer with experience can assist you in determining the amount of compensation that is available to you in your case.
A person who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma may file a lawsuit against the manufacturer of asbestos-related products to which they were exposed while at work. They can seek financial compensation. Mesothelioma lawsuits can be filed on behalf of a victim's loved one or family member, or an appointed representative by the court. If a victim has died of mesothelioma or another cancer, a wrongful death lawsuit can be filed by the estate of the deceased to seek compensation from the parties who are responsible for their loved ones' asbestos exposure.
Many people with mesothelioma are in debt as it can take years to go from exposure to diagnosis. Mesothelioma compensation can help these sufferers pay off their debts and pay for the future of their families.
Mesothelioma settlements and lawsuits may also be used to compensate victims for their suffering and pain. An attorney for mesothelioma can assist families and victims get the compensation they deserve.
A mesothelioma lawyer can manage every aspect of a victim's claim for mesothelioma to make it as pain-free as they can. At Sokolove Law, our attorneys have secured more than $4.7 billion in mesothelioma settlements for victims and their families. Contact us today to begin on a free mesothelioma case review. Our lawyers serve clients nationwide. We are able to visit you at your home or hospital. Our law firm is paid only when we receive compensation for you.