Mesothelioma Claims
A mesothelioma suit can aid victims in receiving compensation for treatment and other costs. State laws, called statutes or limitations, restrict the time a victim can make a claim.
The most common form of lawsuits is 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 years to diagnose mesothelioma, which is a rare condition. Patients usually visit their primary physician with complaints and an medical history. Doctors will do an examination of the body and inquire about exposure to asbestos.
Imaging tests are typically ordered by doctors when they suspect mesothelioma. This can include chest X-rays (CT scans), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography. These tests give a detailed view of the body. They may show the accumulation of fluid around the lungs or abdomen, which is a common mesothelioma symptom.
These tests also help to determine the type of mesothelioma. The mesothelioma that is pleural is caused by cancerous cells in the lung lining, called the pleura. The peritoneal type is caused by cancerous cells in the abdominal cavity. In a surgical biopsy, doctors will remove a small amount of tissue from the affected area to look under a microscope for indications of mesothelioma. Doctors can also conduct the test known as the cytology test to detect cancerous cells in samples of fluid taken from the stomach or lungs.
A blood test, called the MESOMARK Assay, will determine the amount of mesothelin soluble protein (SMRP) in the body of the patient. High levels of this biomarker can indicate the presence of mesothelioma cell lines.
As a result, these biomarkers could be useful for doctors who are trying to detect mesothelioma at its earliest stages. It is not a replacement to a mesothelioma biopsies, which is the only method to determine whether cancer has been found in the body. Doctors can perform a non-surgical procedure to take fluid from the pleura or the stomach using a needle. They then examine it for mesothelioma-related cells.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma may occur in any part of the body where asbestos has created cancerous cells. The most common locations are the abdomen, lungs, and the heart. Pleural mesothelioma is a cause of pain in the chest, difficulty swallowing, and hoarseness. Patients with pericardial and peritoneal cancer are often afflicted with abdominal pain, fatigue and weight loss. The signs of mesothelioma can be difficult to diagnose, as they are similar to other diseases. Mesothelioma can manifest years after exposure to asbestos.
CT scans and Xrays 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 be used to determine the presence of certain substances that could indicate mesothelioma.
A doctor can remove an amount of fluid or tissue that has accumulated to check for cancer cells. The doctor can also carry out the procedure known as the thoracoscopic needle aspiration procedure to remove some of the fluid from around the lungs or thoracic cavity. This test is a non-invasive form of biopsies, and can be done in a doctor's clinic.
If a doctor suspects mesothelioma, it is likely that they will recommend radiation, chemotherapy and surgery to stop the cancer cells from spreading. The chemotherapy and surgery are usually performed in an outpatient setting, and the radiation is given in a clinic or hospital. Palliative treatments are typically used to control discomfort and other symptoms. It can include painkillers, regular draining of fluids or tubes placed in the chest to help with breathing, and radiation to keep the tumor from expanding.
Treatment
For patients diagnosed with mesothelioma, treatment can alleviate symptoms and prolong the life. Treatment options differ based on the mesothelioma type and stage. The treatment plan can differ based on the amount of asbestos exposure the patient is exposed to.
Mesothelioma symptoms are similar to the symptoms of a variety of illnesses, including the flu or pneumonia. This makes it difficult for doctors to identify the disease at an early stage. Most patients be afflicted with symptoms for several months before being diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Doctors will conduct a physical exam and ask about previous asbestos exposure. They will then perform scans of the blood and imaging to determine the size and extent of the cancer's presence in the body.
The most commonly diagnosed mesothelioma type is pleural mesothelioma. It affects the lung. People who have been exposed to asbestos as an industrial worker, welder electrician, plumber or autoworker are most likely to develop this illness.
Pleural mesothelioma may cause the accumulation of fluid which can cause chest pain and trouble breathing. Surgery can eliminate the excess fluid and improve a person's quality of life.
Pleurodesis is a different procedure doctors can employ to stop future accumulation of fluid in the lung. In this procedure the tube is inserted into the pleura to drain fluid, and then medicine is injected to prevent further buildups. Patients may also choose to have a shunt, which is a device to move fluid from one region of the body to the next to absorb.
Radiation and chemotherapy are also options. Chemotherapy kills cancerous cells directly. Radiation therapy targets tumors, and shrinks them by using high-energy radiation. Patients who aren't eligible for surgery may opt for targeted therapy. East Orange mesothelioma attorneys is done by targeting the cancer-causing gene inside the cancerous cells.
Prognosis
The prognosis of mesothelioma can be affected by a variety of factors such as the stage and type of cancer, the site and general health status of the patient. A mesothelioma prognosis can improve by seeking treatment from a seasoned specialist in mesothelioma treatment and follow their treatment regimen. Patients who are part of clinical trials may have access to new treatments that are currently under investigation.
The mesothelioma symptoms are comparable to many other conditions. This leads to an abundance of incorrect diagnosis. Patients may experience breathing problems, abdominal pain and other symptoms for a few months before being 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 lining of the chest (pleural mesothelioma), peritoneum, or in rare cases, the testicles' lining may be affected by mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma accounts for most mesothelioma cases. It accounts for 85 percent of diagnosed in patients who are more than 75 years old.
Both genders can have different survival rates for mesothelioma. Men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos than women, as they tend to work in areas where asbestos is present. Women who are exposed to mesothelioma have a twice higher chance of surviving the past five years than male patients. This is likely due to the ways female hormones interact with mesothelioma tumor cells. The prognosis for a patient is also influenced by their age, since older patients have a harder recovery from illness. It's also important to note that some mesothelioma patients survive for years or even a decade or more over their initial prognoses.
Compensation
Mesothelioma compensation assists victims to pay for medical expenses, lost wages and other expenses related to this asbestos-related illness. Mesothelioma settlements are usually awarded by combining asbestos trust funds, lawsuits and settlements. A mesothelioma lawyer with experience can help determine which forms of compensation are available for your case.
A person who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma can file a lawsuit against the company that makes asbestos-related products to which they were exposed at work. They may seek financial compensation. Mesothelioma lawsuits can be filed on behalf of a victim's loved one, family member or a court-appointed representative. The estate of a victim who died from mesothelioma can file a wrongful-death lawsuit to recover compensation against the parties responsible for the victim's asbestos exposure.
Many patients with mesothelioma are in debt because it can take years from exposure to diagnosis. Mesothelioma settlements can help victims of the disease pay off their debts and ensure their families' future.
Mesothelioma settlements and lawsuits may also compensate the victims for their suffering and pain. A mesothelioma attorney can help victims and families receive the compensation they are entitled to.
A mesothelioma lawyer who is skilled can handle all aspects of a victim's mesothelioma claim and make the process as painless as they can for their client. At Sokolove Law our lawyers have secured over $4.7 billion in mesothelioma-related settlements for patients and their families. Contact us today for a free review of your mesothelioma claim. Our lawyers serve clients nationwide. We can meet you at home or in the hospital. Our law firm only gets paid if we secure compensation for you.