Mesothelioma Claims
A mesothelioma lawsuit can help victims receive compensation for their treatment as well as other expenses. State laws called statutes of limitations limit the time that a victim must file a lawsuit.
Most lawsuits are in the form of personal injury or wrongful death claims. Juries award monetary damages that include both economic and non-economic damages.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a rare disease and it can take a number of years for patients to be diagnosed. In the majority of cases, patients visit their primary physician with symptoms and a medical history. Doctors will perform an examination of the body and ask about asbestos exposure.
When doctors suspect mesothelioma they often request imaging tests. This includes chest X-rays (CT scans) as well as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography. These tests provide a detailed look at the body. These tests could reveal a buildup of fluid in the abdomen or lungs as a mesothelioma related sign.
These tests can be used to determine the type of mesothelioma. The mesothelioma type that is pleural is caused by cancerous cells that line the lung called the pleura. The peritoneal type is caused by cancerous cells that reside in the abdominal cavity. In a biopsies performed surgically, doctors will remove a small amount of tissue from an area of tumor or affected and examine it under a microscope to look for indications of mesothelioma. Doctors will also use an cytology test in order to check for the presence of cancerous cells in fluid samples taken from the stomach or lungs.
A blood test, dubbed the MESOMARK Assay, can measure the amount of mesothelin soluble peptide (SMRP) within the body of the patient. High levels of this biomarker may be a sign of mesothelioma cells.
These biomarkers are therefore helpful for doctors trying to diagnose mesothelioma at its earliest stages. It's not a substitute for mesothelioma biopsies which is the only method to determine whether cancer has been found in the body. Doctors can conduct non-surgical biopsies that remove fluid from the stomach or pleura using a needle, and analyze it for mesothelioma cells.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma can be found anywhere in the body where asbestos has caused cancerous cells to form. The most frequent sites are the lungs, abdomen and heart. Pleural mesothelioma causes pain in the chest as well as difficulty swallowing and hoarseness. People with peritoneal and pericardial cancer often experience abdominal pain, fatigue, and weight loss. Mesothelioma symptoms are difficult to identify because the signs mimic the symptoms of a variety of common illnesses. Mesothelioma can manifest years after asbestos exposure.
X-rays and CT scans can show changes in the lungs, for example, thickening of the pleura or fluid buildup (pleural effusion). MRI and PET scans may be used to search for mesothelioma. Blood tests can be utilized to determine the presence of certain substances that may indicate mesothelioma.
A doctor can take a sample of the fluid or tissue that is accumulating to determine if it contains cancer cells. A doctor may 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 version of a biopsy and can be done in the doctor's office.
If the doctor finds mesothelioma, he or she might recommend surgery, radiation and chemotherapy to kill cancerous cells and stop them from spreading. The chemotherapy and surgery are generally done in an outpatient setting and the radiation can be administered in a hospital or clinic. Palliative treatments are often used to control pain and other symptoms. It may include painkillers and regular drainage of fluids, tubes that are placed inside the chest to aid in breathing and radiation to stop the tumor from growing.
Treatment
For patients diagnosed with mesothelioma treatment can help ease symptoms and extend life. Treatment options vary based on the mesothelioma type and stage. The treatment plan will vary depending on how much asbestos exposure the patient has.
The symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to many other illnesses, such as the flu or pneumonia. This makes it difficult for doctors to identify mesothelioma before it becomes apparent. In many cases, patients experience symptoms for several months before being diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Vallejo mesothelioma attorneys will conduct a physical exam and inquire about prior asbestos exposure. They will then conduct blood tests and imaging scans to determine the extent of the cancer and its location within the body.
The most common mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lungs. People who have been exposed to asbestos as a construction worker, welder, plumber, electrician or autoworker are most likely to develop this illness.
A buildup of fluid can lead to chest pain and breathing problems. Surgery can remove excess fluid, enhancing a person's life.
Pleurodesis is yet another procedure doctors can employ to stop future accumulation of fluid in the lungs. During this procedure it is the procedure of inserting a tube into the pleura to drain fluid, and then medicine is injected to prevent the buildup of further fluids. Patients may also choose to have a shunt, which is a device that is used to move fluid from one area of the body to another for absorption.
Radiation and chemotherapy are also options. Chemotherapy targets cancerous cells by directly killing them. Radiation therapy targets tumors and shrinks them with high-energy rays. Those who do not qualify for surgery may opt for targeted therapy. This is done by targeting the cancer-causing gene inside the cancerous cells.
Prognosis
The prognosis of mesothelioma is affected by a variety of factors, including the type and stage of cancer, its location and general health status of the patient. Patients suffering from mesothelioma could improve their chances of survival when they seek treatment from a specialist in mesothelioma and follow their treatment plan. In addition, patients with mesothelioma who are part of an clinical trial could be eligible for new treatments that are still being studied.
Mesothelioma symptoms are similar the symptoms of other conditions which is why they are often misdiagnosed. Patients may experience abdominal pain, breathing issues and other symptoms before being diagnosed. These symptoms may be initially mild and can be misinterpreted as other ailments. This is why it's crucial to have any symptoms examined by a physician as soon as you can.
The chest's lining (pleural mesothelioma) also known as the peritoneum or in rare instances, the testicles' membrane may be affected by mesothelioma. The majority of mesothelioma diagnoses are pleural mesothelioma. 85 percent of them being found in patients over 75 years old.
The survival rates for mesothelioma vary between women and men. Men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos than women since they work in areas where asbestos is prevalent. However females who have been exposed to mesothelioma are twice as likely to live beyond five years as male patients. This is likely due 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 have a harder time recuperating from the illness. It is important to remember that mesothelioma patients can endure for a long time, or even a decade or more beyond their initial prognosis.
Compensation
Mesothelioma compensation is a way to help victims pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and other expenses associated with this asbestos-related illness. Often, this mesothelioma settlement is made through a combination of asbestos trust funds, lawsuits and settlements. An experienced mesothelioma attorney can help you determine what types of compensation might be applicable to your situation.
A person diagnosed with mesothelioma may file a lawsuit against the manufacturer of asbestos-related products to which they were exposed at work. They may seek financial compensation. Mesothelioma lawsuits can be filed by someone close to the victim or a family member or an appointed representative of the court on behalf of the victim. If a victim has passed away of mesothelioma, a wrongful death lawsuit can be filed by the estate of the deceased to collect compensation from those who are responsible for their loved ones' asbestos exposure.
Many patients with mesothelioma are in debt because it can take years to go from exposure to diagnosis. Mesothelioma settlements can help patients of the disease pay off their debts and provide for their families' future.
Mesothelioma lawsuits and settlements may also be used to compensate victims for their suffering and pain. A knowledgeable mesothelioma lawyer will help victims and their families get the compensation they deserve.
A mesothelioma attorney can manage every aspect of a victim's mesothelioma claim, making it as stress-free as they can. Our attorneys at Sokolove Law have helped victims and their family members receive over $4.7 billion in mesothelioma lawsuits. Contact us today to arrange free consultation on your mesothelioma lawsuit. Our lawyers serve clients nationwide. We can meet you at home or in the hospital. Our law firm is only paid if we receive compensation.