Mesothelioma Claims
A mesothelioma case can allow victims to receive compensation for treatment and other expenses. Statutes of limitations in the state, also known as statutes of limitations limit how long a victim is required to make a claim.
Personal injury or wrongful deaths are the most frequent types of lawsuits. Juries award monetary damages that include economic and noneconomic damages.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a rare disease and it may take several years before patients receive a diagnosis. In the majority of cases, patients go to their primary care doctor with symptoms and a medical history. Doctors will do physical examinations and inquire about any possible exposure to asbestos.
When doctors suspect mesothelioma they usually order imaging tests. This includes chest X-rays (CT scans) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography. These tests offer a precise view of the body. They can show a build-up of fluid around the lungs or abdomen, which is a common mesothelioma symptom.
These tests can also be used to determine the type of mesothelioma. The mesothelioma pleural type occurs when cancer cells in lung the lining (pleura) cause the disease. The peritoneal type is caused by cancerous cells in the abdominal cavity. In a surgical biopsies, doctors will remove a sample of tissue from the affected area or tumor and examine it under a microscope in order to check for indications of mesothelioma. Doctors can also conduct an examination known as the cytology test to detect cancerous cells in fluid samples taken from the stomach or lungs.
A blood test referred to as the MESOMARK test can determine the amount of soluble mesothelin related peptide (SMRP) in the body of the patient. This biomarker is high levels can indicate mesothelioma.
In turn, biomarkers can be beneficial in diagnosing mesothelioma at its earliest stages. However, they are not an alternative to mesothelioma-related biopsy, which is the only method to know whether cancer is present in the body. Doctors can conduct non-surgical biopsies to drain fluid from the stomach or pleura by using a needle, and then analyze it for mesothelioma cells.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma can be found anywhere in the body where asbestos has caused cancerous cells to develop. The most common locations are the lung. Patients with pleural mesothelioma feel pain in their chest region and have difficulty swallowing as well as hoarseness. People suffering from pericardial and peritoneal cancer are often afflicted with abdominal pain, fatigue, and weight loss. Mesothelioma symptoms can be difficult to recognize because the symptoms mimic those of many common illnesses. Mesothelioma can manifest years after exposure to asbestos.
X-rays and CT scans may reveal changes in the lungs, including the pleura getting thicker or fluid accumulation (pleural effusion). MRI and PET scans are also used to identify mesothelioma. Blood tests can be utilized to check for elevated levels of certain substances which could indicate mesothelioma.
A doctor can drain the fluid or tissue that is accumulating to check for cancerous cells. The doctor can also carry out the procedure known as thoracoscopic needle aspiration, which is a procedure that removes a small amount of fluid from the lungs or thoracic cavity. This test is a non-invasive alternative to biopsies, and can be done in a medical clinic.
If a doctor has diagnosed mesothelioma it is likely that they will suggest chemotherapy, radiation and surgery to stop cancer cells from spreading. The treatment and surgery are usually performed in an outpatient environment, and the radiation is administered in a clinic or hospital. Palliative treatments are often used to treat pain and other symptoms. It may include painkillers as well as regular draining of fluid or tubes that are placed inside the chest to help with breathing, and radiation to keep the tumor from growing.
Treatment
For patients diagnosed with mesothelioma treatment can help alleviate symptoms and prolong the life. Treatment options vary depending on the type of mesothelioma and its stage. The treatment plan will also depend on the level of asbestos exposure a patient has.
The symptoms of mesothelioma resemble other illnesses such as the flu or pneumonia. This makes it difficult for doctors to diagnose the disease at an early stage. Often, patients will suffer for a long time before being diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Doctors will conduct a physical examination and inquire about any prior asbestos exposure. They will then conduct imaging scans and blood tests to determine the extent of the cancer and the location in the body.
The most common mesothelioma type affects the lungs. The most likely patients for developing the disease are people who have worked as welders, plumber or electrician or in the automotive industry.
A buildup of fluid could lead to chest pain and breathing problems. Surgery can remove excess fluid, which can improve the quality of life for patients.
Doctors can also utilize pleurodesis, a procedure that helps stop the buildup of fluid in the lungs. In this procedure, a tube is inserted into the pleura to drain fluid, and then the medicine is injected into the pleura to prevent the buildup of further fluids. Patients can also opt to have a shunt placed on their body. It is a device used to move fluid from one part of the body to another to absorb.
Other treatments include chemotherapy and radiation. Chemotherapy kills cancerous cells directly. Radiation therapy shrinks tumors using high-energy radiation. Patients who aren't candidates for surgery can undergo targeted therapy, which involves targeting the cancer-causing genes inside of the cancerous cells.
Prognosis
The prognosis of mesothelioma is affected by several factors, including the type and stage of cancer, the location and the general health status of the patient. Patients with mesothelioma may improve their prognosis by seeking treatment from a specialist in mesothelioma, and adhere to their treatment plan. Patients with mesothelioma who are taking part in clinical trials might also have access to new treatments that are being studied.
Mesothelioma symptoms are similar those of many other conditions which is why they are often incorrectly diagnosed. Waco mesothelioma attorney YouTube may experience breathing issues, abdominal pain and other symptoms for some time before they are diagnosed. Because these symptoms are initially mild, people can easily confuse them with other illnesses. It's therefore important to have any symptoms checked by a doctor as quickly as possible.
Mesothelioma can affect the chest cavity's lining (pleural mesothelioma), the peritoneum (peritoneal mesothelioma) or, in very rare cases the membrane that covers the testicles (pericardial mesothelioma). Pleural mesothelioma accounts for most mesothelioma cases, with 85 percent of all diagnosed in patients who are more than 75 years old.
The survival rates for mesothelioma may vary between women and men. This is due to the fact that men are more likely than women to work in fields that expose them. Mesothelioma patients with females have twice the chance of surviving the past five years than male patients. This is probably due to the way female hormones interact with mesothelioma tumor cells. Age also affects their chances of survival since older patients tend to suffer more difficulty recovering from the illness. It's also important to note that some mesothelioma patients live years or even a decade or more past their initial prognoses.
Compensation
Mesothelioma Compensation assists patients in paying their medical expenses in addition to lost wages and other expenses related to this asbestos-related disease. The majority of mesothelioma compensation is granted through an amalgamation of asbestos trust funds, lawsuits and settlements. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer will assist you in determining the amount of compensation that is available to you in your case.
Mesothelioma patients can bring a personal injury lawsuit to receive financial compensation from manufacturers of asbestos-related products they were exposed to during their work. Mesothelioma lawsuits can be filed on behalf of the victim's loved one or family member, or by a court-appointed representative. If a victim died from mesothelioma, awrongful death lawsuit may be filed by the estate of the victim to collect compensation from those responsible for their loved one's asbestos exposure.
Many patients with mesothelioma end up in debt due to the fact that it can take years to go from exposure to diagnosis. Mesothelioma settlements can help patients of the disease pay off their debts, and ensure their families' futures.
Mesothelioma lawsuits and settlements may also provide compensation to victims for their suffering and pain. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can assist victims and their families get the compensation they deserve.
A reputable mesothelioma law firm will handle every aspect of a patient's mesothelioma case to make the process as easy as is possible for their client. At Sokolove Law, our attorneys have secured over $4.7 billion in mesothelioma-related settlements for patients and their families. Contact us today to begin with a free mesothelioma review. Our lawyers serve clients nationwide. We are able to meet you at home or in a hospital. Our law firm is only paid if we secure compensation for you.