Mesothelioma Claims
A mesothelioma lawsuit can allow victims to receive compensation for treatment and other costs. State laws, also referred to as statutes or limitations, limit the time that a person can make a claim.
Personal injury or wrongful death are the most popular types of lawsuits. The jury awards money damages, which may include economic and noneconomic damage.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a rare illness and it can take a number of years for patients to receive a diagnosis. Patients will usually go to their primary physician with a medical history. Doctors will conduct an examination of the body and inquire about the possibility of exposure to asbestos.
Imaging tests are typically requested by doctors when they suspect mesothelioma. These include chest X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These tests give a complete look at the body. They may show a build-up of fluid around the abdomen or lungs which is a typical mesothelioma sign.
These tests also help to determine the type of mesothelioma. The mesothelioma that is pleural is when cancerous cells in the lung lining (pleura) cause the disease. The peritoneal form is caused by cancerous cells that reside in the abdominal cavity. In a surgical biopsy, doctors will remove a small sample of tissue from the affected area to look under a microscope to look for signs of mesothelioma. Doctors can also conduct an examination known as a cytology to detect cancerous cells from fluid samples taken from the stomach or lungs.
A blood test, called the MESOMARK Assay, can measure the amount of mesothelin soluble protein (SMRP), in the body of the patient. A high level of this biomarker may indicate the presence mesothelioma cells.
This is why these biomarkers could be useful for doctors who are trying to detect mesothelioma in its earliest stages. However, they are not a substitute for a mesothelioma biopsy which is the sole definitive way to determine whether cancer is present in the body. Doctors can perform non-surgical biopsies to drain fluid from the stomach or pleura using a needle, and analyze it for mesothelioma cells.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma can be found anywhere on the body where cancerous asbestos-induced cells have developed. The most common sites are the lungs. Pleural mesothelioma causes chest pain, difficulty swallowing, and hoarseness. People with peritoneal and pericardial cancer typically experience abdominal pain, fatigue and weight loss. Mesothelioma symptoms are difficult to recognize because the symptoms mimic the symptoms of a variety of common illnesses. Mesothelioma may develop after years of exposure to asbestos.
X-rays and CT scans may reveal changes in the lungs, for example, the pleura becoming thicker or fluid accumulation (pleural effusion). MRI and PET scans can also be used to identify mesothelioma. Blood tests can be utilized to detect elevated levels of certain substances which could be indicative of mesothelioma.
A doctor can drain the fluid or the tissue to check for cancerous cells. Louisville mesothelioma lawsuit may also perform a procedure called thoracoscopic needle aspiration to remove some of the fluid from the lungs or thoracic cavity. This test is a less-invasive version of a biopsy and can be done in a doctor's office.
If a doctor suspects mesothelioma, he or she may suggest surgery, radiation or chemotherapy to kill the cancer cells and stop the spread. Radiation can be administered in a hospital or clinic. The radiation is usually delivered as an outpatient. Palliative treatments are typically used to control pain and other symptoms. It could include painkillers and regular drainage of fluids, tubes placed in the chest to aid in breathing, and radiation to keep the tumor from growing.
Treatment
For those diagnosed with mesothelioma, treatment can help alleviate symptoms and prolong the life. Treatment options vary based on the mesothelioma type and stage. The treatment plan could differ based on the amount of asbestos exposure that the patient has.
Mesothelioma symptoms are comparable to the symptoms of a variety of illnesses, including the flu or pneumonia. This makes it difficult for doctors to identify mesothelioma before it becomes apparent. Patients may be suffering from symptoms for months before they are diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Doctors will conduct a physical exam and inquire about prior asbestos exposure. They will then conduct scans of the blood and imaging to determine the severity and extent of the cancer's presence in the body.
The most prevalent mesothelioma form affects the lungs. The most likely to develop the disease are people who have worked as a welding technician electrician, plumber or in the auto industry.
A buildup of fluid may lead to chest pain and breathing problems. Surgery can help remove excess fluid, enhancing a person's life.
Pleurodesis is another procedure that doctors can utilize to prevent future accumulation of fluid in the lung. In the course of the procedure, a tube will be inserted into the pleura in order to drain the fluid. Then, medication is injected to stop further accumulation. Patients can also opt to have a shunt installed, which is a device used to move fluid from one area of the body to another in order to absorb.
Radiation and chemotherapy are also options. Chemotherapy kills cancer cells directly. Radiation therapy shrinks tumors by using high-energy radiation. Patients who aren't candidates for surgery can undergo targeted therapy, which involves targeting the cancer-causing genes within the cancer cells.
Prognosis
The prognosis for mesothelioma depends on a variety of factors, including the type and location of cancer as well as the stage at which it was diagnosed and the general health of the patient. Patients suffering from mesothelioma could improve their odds of survival by seeking treatment by a specialist in mesothelioma, and follow their treatment plan. Patients who participate in clinical trials may be able to access new treatments that are currently under investigation.
The mesothelioma symptoms are comparable to many other conditions. This causes a lot of incorrect diagnosis. Patients may experience breathing difficulties as well as abdominal pains and other symptoms for a few months before being diagnosed. These symptoms are mild at first and can be confused with other ailments. This is why it is important to have any symptoms evaluated by a physician as soon as possible.
The chest's lining (pleural mesothelioma) also known as the peritoneum or in rare cases the membrane surrounding the testicles can be affected by mesothelioma. The majority of mesothelioma diagnosis are pleural mesothelioma. 85 percent of them being diagnosed in patients who are older than 75 years old.
Men and women 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. Women who are exposed to mesothelioma have twice the likelihood of surviving past five years than male patients. This is probably due to the interaction between female hormones and mesothelioma cancer cells. The age of a person also affects their outlook since older patients have a harder time recovering from the illness. It's also worth noting that some mesothelioma patients live years or even a decade beyond their initial prognoses.
Compensation
Mesothelioma compensation assists victims to pay for medical expenses, lost wages and other expenses associated with this asbestos-related illness. Mesothelioma settlements are usually granted by the amalgamation of asbestos trust funds, lawsuits, and settlements. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can help you determine what compensation is available in your case.
Mesothelioma patients can bring a personal injury lawsuit for financial compensation from the producers of asbestos-related products they were exposed to at work. 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 died from mesothelioma is able to file a wrongful-dea lawsuit to recover compensation against those who are responsible for the victim's asbestos exposure.
Many people with mesothelioma are in debt due to the fact that it can take years from the time of exposure to diagnosis. Mesothelioma compensation can help these sufferers pay off their debts and pay for the future of their family members.
Mesothelioma settlements and lawsuits can also compensate the victims for their suffering and pain. A mesothelioma lawyer with experience can assist victims and their families get the money they deserve.
A mesothelioma lawyer is able to manage every aspect of a patient's claim for mesothelioma, making it as stress-free as they can. Our lawyers at Sokolove Law have helped victims and their family members collect more than $4.7 billion in mesothelioma lawsuits. Contact us today for a free review of your mesothelioma case. Our lawyers serve clients nationwide. We can meet with you in your home or in a hospital. Our law firm only gets paid if we secure compensation for you.