Mesothelioma Claims
A mesothelioma suit can aid victims in receiving compensation for their treatment and other expenses. Statutes of limitations in the state, also known as statutes of limitations limit the time a patient is required to file a lawsuit.
Lawsuits typically take the form of personal injury or wrongful death claims. The jury awards monetary damages, which can include economic and non-economic damages.
Diagnosis
It can take years to diagnose mesothelioma, which is a rare illness. Patients typically visit their primary doctor with a medical history. Doctors will conduct an examination of the body and inquire about asbestos exposure.
When doctors suspect mesothelioma, they often request imaging tests. These include chest X-rays computed tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These tests give a complete look at the body. They can show the accumulation of fluid around the lungs or abdomen, which is a common mesothelioma-related symptom.
These tests can be used to determine the type of mesothelioma. The mesothelioma that is pleural is caused by cancerous cells that line the lung known as the pleura. The peritoneal form is caused by cancerous cells that reside in the abdominal cavity. In a biopsies performed surgically, doctors will remove a small amount of tissue from a tumor or affected area and examine it under a microscope in order to check for signs of mesothelioma. Doctors may also use a test called a cytology to detect cancerous cells from fluid samples taken from the lungs or stomach.
A blood test, known as the MESOMARK Assay, will determine the amount of mesothelin soluble peptide (SMRP) within the body of the patient. The presence of high levels of this biomarker can be a sign of mesothelioma cell lines.
In turn, biomarkers can be beneficial in diagnosing mesothelioma early in its development. It is not a replacement to a mesothelioma biopsies, which is the only method to determine whether cancer has been found within the body. Doctors can perform a non-surgical biopsy to take fluid from the pleura or the stomach using a needle, and examine it for mesothelioma-related cells.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma may occur in any part of the body where asbestos has caused cancerous cells to develop. The most frequent locations are the abdomen, lungs, and the heart. Patients with pleural mysothelioma experience pain in the chest region as well as hoarseness, difficulty swallowing and a swollen throat. People with peritoneal and pericardial cancer are often afflicted with abdominal pain, fatigue and weight loss. Mesothelioma symptoms can be difficult to diagnose because the signs are similar to those of other common diseases. Mesothelioma can develop years after exposure to asbestos.
CT scans and Xrays can reveal changes in the lungs such as the accumulation of fluid or thickening of pleura (pleural effusion). MRI and PET scans can be used to search for mesothelioma. Blood tests can be utilized to check for elevated levels of certain substances that could be indicative of mesothelioma.
A doctor can take an amount of fluid or tissue that is accumulating to test it for cancer cells. A doctor may also perform an operation, known as the thoracoscopic aspiration. This procedure removes a small amount fluid from the thoracic cavity or lungs. This test is a non-invasive alternative to biopsies and can be performed in a doctor's clinic.
If a doctor has diagnosed mesothelioma it is likely that they will recommend radiation, chemotherapy and surgery to stop the cancer cells from spreading. The radiation can be administered in a clinic or hospital. The radiation is usually administered as an outpatient. The use of palliative therapies is often to manage pain and other symptoms. It could include painkillers and regular draining of fluid or tubes placed in the chest to aid in breathing and radiation to prevent the tumor from expanding.
Treatment
Treatment can ease symptoms and prolong the life of those suffering from mesothelioma. Treatment options differ based on the type of mesothelioma and its stage. The treatment plan could differ depending on the amount of asbestos exposure that the patient has.
The symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to many other illnesses, such as the flu or pneumonia. This makes it difficult for doctors to identify the disease in the early stages. Most patients be afflicted with symptoms for several months before being diagnosed with mesothelioma.
To diagnose the illness doctors will conduct a physical exam and ask about any exposure to asbestos in the past. They will then perform scans and blood tests to determine the size and the location of the cancer within the body.
The most commonly diagnosed mesothelioma type is pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lungs. The most likely patients for developing the disease are people who have worked as a welding technician electrician, plumber or in the auto industry.
Pleural mesothelioma can trigger the accumulation of fluid causing chest pain and difficulty breathing. rochester mesothelioma lawsuit can remove excess fluid, which can improve a person's life.
Doctors may also opt for pleurodesis procedure to prevent the formation of further fluids in the lungs. In this procedure, a tube is inserted into the pleura to drain fluid, and then medication is injected to prevent further buildups. Patients may also choose to use a shunt which is a device that is used to move fluid from one area of the body to the next to absorb.
Chemotherapy and radiation are also options. Chemotherapy fights cancer cells directly by killing them. Radiation therapy shrinks tumors using high-energy radiation. Those who do not qualify for surgery may opt for targeted therapy. This involves attacking the cancer-causing gene within the cancer cells.
Prognosis
The mesothelioma prognosis is contingent on a variety of factors, including the nature and location of the cancer and the stage of diagnosis and general health of the patient. Patients with mesothelioma can improve their chances of survival when they seek treatment from a specialist for mesothelioma and follow their treatment plan. Patients who are part of clinical trials may have access to new treatments still under study.
Mesothelioma symptoms can be compared to those of many other conditions and, therefore, they are frequently incorrectly diagnosed. Patients may experience abdominal pain, breathing problems and other symptoms prior to being diagnosed. These symptoms may be mild at first and can be misinterpreted as other ailments. Therefore, it is important to get any symptoms checked by a doctor as quickly as you can.
The lining of the chest (pleural mesothelioma) or peritoneum, or in rare cases, the testicles' membrane can be affected by mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma accounts for most mesothelioma-related cases, accounting for 85 percent of diagnosed in patients who are more than 75 years old.
The survival rates for mesothelioma may differ between women and men. This is because men are more likely than women to work in areas that expose them to asbestos. However females who have been exposed to mesothelioma are two times more likely to live past five years than male patients. This could be due to the ways female hormones interact with mesothelioma tumor cells. The prognosis of an individual is also influenced by their age, as older patients have a harder time recovering from illnesses. It's important to note that some mesothelioma patients endure for a long time, or even a decade or more beyond their initial prognosis.
Compensation
Mesothelioma Compensation helps victims cover their medical costs as well as lost wages and other expenses associated with this asbestos-related disease. The mesothelioma settlements are typically awarded by combining asbestos trust funds, lawsuits and settlements. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can assist you in determining what compensation is available in your case.
A person diagnosed with mesothelioma can file a lawsuit against the company that makes asbestos-related products to which they were exposed at work. They may be able to seek financial compensation. Mesothelioma lawsuits can be filed on behalf of a victim's loved ones, family member or a court-appointed representative. The estate of a victim's loved ones who died from mesothelioma can file a wrongful-death lawsuit to seek compensation from the parties responsible for the victim's asbestos exposure.
Many patients with mesothelioma end up in debt because it can take years from the time of exposure to diagnosis. Mesothelioma settlements can help patients of the disease pay off their debts, and also provide for their families' futures.
Mesothelioma settlements and lawsuits may also be used to compensate victims for their pain and suffering. An attorney for mesothelioma can assist families and victims receive the compensation they deserve.
A mesothelioma lawyer who is skilled can handle every aspect of a patient's mesothelioma case, making the process as stress-free as is possible 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 to arrange a free review of your mesothelioma claim. Our lawyers serve clients nationwide. We can meet with you at your home or in a hospital. Our law firm is paid only when we are able to secure compensation for you.