Mesothelioma Claims
A mesothelioma lawsuit could aid victims in receiving compensation for their treatment and other costs. State laws, also known as statutes or limitations, restrict the time a victim can file a lawsuit.
Lawsuits typically take the form of personal injury or wrongful death claims. Juries award damages in the form of money that include both economic and non-economic damages.
Diagnosis
It can take a long time to diagnose mesothelioma, which is a rare condition. Most patients visit their primary care physician with symptoms and medical history. Doctors will conduct physical examinations and inquire about any possible exposure to asbestos.
Imaging tests are typically requested by doctors when they suspect mesothelioma. This includes chest X-rays (CT scans) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography. These tests give a complete look at the body. These tests could reveal the presence of fluid in the abdomen or lungs that is a mesothelioma-related symptoms.
These tests can also help determine the type of mesothelioma. The mesothelioma type that is pleural is caused by cancerous cells in the lung lining known as the pleura. The peritoneal type is caused by cancerous cells in the abdominal cavity. In a biopsies performed surgically, doctors will remove a sample of tissue from an area of tumor or affected and examine it under a microscope to look for signs of mesothelioma. Doctors will also use the cytology test to look for the presence of cancerous cells in the fluid samples taken from the stomach or lungs.
A blood test, dubbed the MESOMARK Assay, can measure the amount of mesothelin soluble to peptide (SMRP), in the body of the patient. The presence of this biomarker can indicate mesothelioma.
These biomarkers are therefore helpful for doctors trying to identify mesothelioma at its earliest stages. However, it is not a substitute for mesothelioma-related biopsy which is the sole reliable method to determine whether cancer is present in the body. Doctors can perform non-surgical biopsies to drain fluid from the stomach or pleura with a needle, and analyze it for mesothelioma-related cells.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma can occur anywhere in the body where asbestos has caused cancerous cells to develop. The most frequent locations are the abdomen, lungs, and the heart. People who have pleural mesothelioma experience pain in the chest area and have difficulty swallowing as well as hoarseness. People with peritoneal and pericardial cancer are often afflicted with abdominal pain, fatigue and weight loss. The symptoms of mesothelioma may be difficult to diagnose, as they are similar to other illnesses. Mesothelioma may develop after years of asbestos exposure.
CT scans and Xrays can detect changes in the lungs such as fluid buildup or thickening of the pleura (pleural effusion). savannah mesothelioma attorney and PET scans are also utilized to identify mesothelioma. Blood tests can check for high levels of certain substances in the body that indicate mesothelioma's presence.
A doctor can drain an amount of fluid or tissue that builds up to check for cancer cells. The doctor may also perform the procedure known as thoracoscopic needle aspiration, which is a procedure that removes a small amount of fluid from around the lungs and thoracic cavity. This test is a more non-invasive alternative to biopsies, and can be done in a medical clinic.
If the doctor finds mesothelioma in the body, he or she might suggest surgery, radiation or chemotherapy to kill cancerous cells and prevent the spread. Radiation therapy can be performed in a clinic or hospital. The radiation is usually given as an outpatient. Palliative treatments are often used to manage pain and other symptoms. Palliative treatment may include painkillers as well as regular drainage of fluids or a tube that is placed inside the chest to aid in breathing. It may also include radiation to stop the tumor from advancing.
Treatment
For patients diagnosed with mesothelioma treatment can reduce symptoms and extend the duration of. There are many options available, depending on the type and stage of mesothelioma. The treatment plan can differ based on the amount of asbestos exposure a patient is exposed to.
Mesothelioma symptoms resemble those of many diseases like the flu and pneumonia. This makes it difficult for doctors to identify the disease early. In many cases, patients experience symptoms for several months before being diagnosed with mesothelioma.
To diagnose the illness doctors will conduct an examination of the body and inquire about any exposure to asbestos in the past. They will then conduct imaging scans and blood tests to determine the severity of the cancer and the location in the body.
The most frequent mesothelioma form affects the lungs. Most likely to develop the disease are those who have worked as welders electrician, plumber, or in the auto industry.
Pleural mesothelioma may cause an accumulation of fluid, causing chest pain and difficulty breathing. Surgery can remove the excess fluid and improve a person's quality of life.
Pleurodesis is yet another procedure doctors can employ to stop future fluid accumulation in the lung. In the course of the procedure, a tube will be inserted into the pleura order to drain fluid. Then medicine will be injected to prevent further buildup. Patients may also choose to receive a shunt which is a device used to move fluid from one part of the body to the next to absorb.
Chemotherapy and radiation are also options. Chemotherapy targets cancerous cells by directly killing them. Radiation therapy shrinks tumors using high-energy radiation. People who aren't suitable for surgery can opt for targeted therapy, which involves targeting the cancer-causing genes in the cancer cells.
Prognosis
The prognosis for mesothelioma is affected by a variety of factors, including the stage and type of cancer, the site and general health condition of the patient. Patients with mesothelioma can improve their prognosis by seeking treatment by a specialist in mesothelioma and follow their treatment plan. Patients with mesothelioma who are taking part in clinical trials could have access to novel treatments that are still being studied.
The mesothelioma symptoms are similar to those of other conditions. This causes an abundance of misdiagnosis. Patients may experience breathing issues as well as abdominal pains and other symptoms for several months before being diagnosed. These symptoms may be initialy mild and may be confused with other ailments. Therefore, it is important to get any symptoms evaluated by a doctor as quickly as you can.
Mesothelioma can affect the tissue lining the chest cavity (pleural mesothelioma) or the peritoneum (peritoneal mesothelioma) or, in rare cases the membrane that covers the testicles (pericardial mesothelioma). Pleural mesothelioma is the most common cause of mesothelioma cases, with 85 percent of diagnosed in patients who are more than 75 years old.
The survival rates for mesothelioma differ between men and women. Men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos than women, since they work in areas that have asbestos in them. Mesothelioma patients with females have a twice higher chance of surviving the past five years than male patients. This is probably due to the ways female hormones interact with mesothelioma tumor cells. Age also affects their outlook since older patients are more likely to have a harder time recuperating from the illness. It's also important to note that some mesothelioma patients live years or even a decade over 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 given by combining asbestos trust funds, lawsuits, and settlements. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can assist you in determining what compensation is available in your case.
Mesothelioma patients can bring a personal injury lawsuit to receive financial compensation from producers of asbestos-related products they were exposed to during their work. Mesothelioma lawsuits can be filed on behalf of a victim's loved ones or family member, or by an appointed representative by the court. If a victim died from mesothelioma, awrongful death lawsuit can be filed by the estate of the deceased to seek compensation from the parties responsible for their loved one's asbestos exposure.
Many patients with mesothelioma end up in debt as it can take years to go from exposure to diagnosis. Mesothelioma compensation may help victims pay off their debts and also provide for the future of their families.
Mesothelioma settlements and lawsuits can also compensate victims for their pain and suffering. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can help victims and their families receive the compensation they deserve.
A mesothelioma lawyer can manage all aspects of a victim’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 compensation. Contact us today to get started with a free mesothelioma review. Our lawyers serve clients nationwide. We can meet with you in your home or in a hospital. Our law firm is only paid if we get you compensation.