Mesothelioma Claims
A mesothelioma case can allow victims to receive compensation for treatment and other costs. State laws, called statutes or limitations, limit the amount of time a patient can make a claim.
The most common form of lawsuits is of personal injury or wrongful death claims. The jury awards money damages, which include economic and non-economic damages.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a rare illness and it can take many 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 a physical exam and ask about exposure to asbestos.
When doctors suspect mesothelioma, they will often order imaging tests. This may 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 abdomen or lungs which is a common mesothelioma-related symptom.
These tests also help to determine the type of mesothelioma. The mesothelioma that is pleural is caused by cancer cells that line the lung known as the pleura. The peritoneal form is caused by cancer cells found in the abdominal cavity. In the procedure of a surgical biopsy, doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from the tumor or affected area to examine under a microscope to look for signs of mesothelioma. Doctors may also use a test called a cytology to detect cancerous cells from fluid samples taken from the stomach or lungs.
A blood test, called the MESOMARK Assay, will determine the amount of soluble mesothelin-related protein (SMRP) in the body of the patient. High levels of this biomarker could be a sign of mesothelioma cells.
These biomarkers are therefore helpful to doctors who are trying to detect mesothelioma in its earliest stages. However, it is not an alternative to mesothelioma biopsies which is the only method to know whether cancer is present in the body. Doctors can conduct a non-surgical biopsy to collect fluid from the pleura and the stomach using a needle. They then analyze it for mesothelioma cells.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma can occur anywhere in the body where asbestos has caused cancerous cells to develop. The most frequent sites are the abdomen, lungs, and heart. People who have pleural mesothelioma experience pain in the chest region, difficulty swallowing and hoarseness. People who have mesothelioma of the pericardial or peritoneal region suffer from pain in their abdominal region and weight loss and fatigue. The symptoms of mesothelioma may be difficult to recognize because they are similar to other illnesses. It may take years after exposure to asbestos before mesothelioma can grow.
CT scans and X-rays can reveal changes in the lungs such as fluid buildup or thickening of pleura (pleural effusion). MRI and PET scans can also be used to look for mesothelioma. Blood tests can check for the presence of certain substances in the body, which indicate mesothelioma is present.
A doctor can drain an amount of fluid or tissue that has accumulated to determine if it contains cancer cells. The doctor may also perform the procedure known as thoracoscopic needle aspiration, which is a procedure that removes some of the fluid from the lungs or the thoracic cavity. This test is a more non-invasive alternative to biopsies, and can be done in a medical clinic.
If a doctor diagnoses mesothelioma he or she will likely recommend radiation, chemotherapy and surgery to stop cancer cells from spreading. The radiation can be administered in a clinic or hospital. Salem mesothelioma lawsuits is typically delivered as an outpatient. Palliative treatment is often used to alleviate pain and other symptoms. Palliative treatment can include painkillers, regular drainage of fluids or a tube that is placed in the chest to assist in breathing. It may also include radiation to prevent the tumor from growing.
Treatment
For people diagnosed with mesothelioma treatment can help reduce symptoms and extend the duration of. There are many options available, depending on the stage and type of mesothelioma. The treatment plan will depend on the level of asbestos exposure a patient has.
Mesothelioma symptoms are comparable to those of many illnesses such as the flu or pneumonia. This makes it difficult for doctors to diagnose the disease in the early stages. Often, patients will suffer for a long time before being diagnosed with mesothelioma.
To diagnose the illness doctors will conduct an examination and ask about previous exposure to asbestos. They will then conduct blood tests and imaging scans to determine the extent of the cancer and the location within the body.
The most common form of mesothelioma affects the lungs. People who have been exposed to asbestos in the course of their work as workers in the construction industry, welding, plumber, electrician or autoworker are more likely to develop this disease.
A buildup of fluid could cause chest pain and breathing difficulties. Surgery can eliminate excess fluid, enhancing the quality of life of a patient.
Pleurodesis is a different procedure doctors can use to prevent future fluid accumulation 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 will be injected to stop further accumulation. Patients can also opt to have a shunt, which is a device that is used to move fluid from one region of the body to another for absorption.
Chemotherapy and radiation are also options. Chemotherapy kills cancer cells in a direct manner. Radiation therapy targets tumors and shrinks them by using high-energy radiation. Patients who aren't candidates for surgery may undergo targeted therapy, which involves targeting the cancer-causing genes inside of the cancerous cells.
Prognosis
The prognosis of mesothelioma is based on several factors including the nature and location of the cancer and the stage of diagnosis and general health of the patient. A mesothelioma prognosis can improve if patients seek treatment from a seasoned specialist in mesothelioma treatment and adhere to their treatment regimen. Patients who participate in clinical trials may have access to new treatments that are still being studied.
The mesothelioma symptoms are similar to those of other conditions. This causes an abundance of mistakes in diagnosis. Patients may suffer from abdominal pain, breathing problems and other symptoms before being diagnosed. These symptoms may be initialy mild and may be easily confused with other ailments. This is why it is important to have any symptoms examined by a physician as soon as you can.
The lining of the chest (pleural mesothelioma), peritoneum, or in rare cases the membrane surrounding the testicles can be affected by mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma is the most common cause of mesothelioma-related cases, accounting for 85 percent of diagnosed cases occurring in patients who are over 75 years old.
Men and women may have different rates of survival for mesothelioma. This is because men are more likely than women to work in areas that expose them. Women who are exposed to mesothelioma have twice the chance of surviving past five years than male patients. This is likely due to the interaction between female hormones and mesothelioma cancer cells. The prognosis of a person is also affected by their age, as older patients have a harder recovery from illness. It's important to note that some mesothelioma patients endure for a long time, or even a decade beyond their initial prognosis.
Compensation
Mesothelioma Compensation helps victims cover their medical expenses in addition to lost wages and other expenses related to this asbestos-related disease. The mesothelioma settlements are typically given by amalgamating asbestos trust funds, lawsuits, and settlements. An experienced mesothelioma attorney will help you determine what types of compensation may be applicable to your situation.
Mesothelioma patients can file a personal injury lawsuit for financial compensation from the producers of asbestos-related products they were exposed to while at work. Mesothelioma suits can be filed by a loved one or a family member or an appointed representative of the court on behalf of the victim. If a victim died of mesothelioma or another cancer, a wrongful death lawsuit may be filed by the estate of the victim to recover compensation from those accountable for their loved ones' asbestos exposure.
Many patients with mesothelioma end up in debt due to the fact that it can take years from exposure to diagnosis. Mesothelioma settlements can help those suffering of the disease pay off their debts, and ensure their families' futures.
Mesothelioma settlements and lawsuits can also be used to compensate victims for their suffering and pain. A mesothelioma attorney can assist families and victims receive the compensation they deserve.
A mesothelioma lawyer is able to manage all aspects of a victim’s mesothelioma case, 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 to arrange a free review of your mesothelioma case. Our lawyers serve clients nationwide. We can visit you at your home or hospital. Our law firm is paid only when we receive compensation for you.