Mesothelioma Claims
A mesothelioma claim can allow victims to receive compensation for treatment and other costs. Statutes of limitations in the state, also known as statutes of limitations restrict how long a victim is required to make a claim.
Most lawsuits are in the form of personal injury or wrongful death claims. Juries award monetary damages which include both economic and non-economic damages.
Diagnosis
It could take years to diagnose mesothelioma, which is a rare disease. Most patients go to their primary care doctor with symptoms and a medical history. Doctors will perform a physical examination and ask about asbestos exposure.
If doctors suspect mesothelioma, they usually order imaging tests. These include chest X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These tests provide a detailed analysis of the body. These tests could reveal the presence of fluid in the lungs or abdomen as a mesothelioma related symptoms.
These tests can be used to determine the type mesothelioma. The mesothelioma that is pleural occurs when cancer cells in lung lining (pleura) cause the disease. The peritoneal type is caused by cancerous cells within 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 to look for symptoms of mesothelioma. Doctors can also conduct a test called a cytology to identify cancerous cells from samples of fluid taken from the stomach or lungs.
A blood test, called the MESOMARK Assay, can measure the amount of soluble mesothelin-related peptide (SMRP), in the body of the patient. High levels of this biomarker could indicate the presence mesothelioma cells.
These biomarkers are therefore helpful to doctors who are trying to diagnose mesothelioma at its earliest stages. It is not a replacement for mesothelioma biopsy, which is the only method to determine if cancer has been detected within the body. Doctors can perform a non-surgical biopsy to take fluid from the pleura or stomach using a needle, and examine it for mesothelioma-related cells.
carrollton mesothelioma attorneys can be found anywhere in the body where asbestos has caused cancerous cells to form. The most common sites are the lungs. Patients with pleural mesothelioma suffer from pain in the chest region as well as hoarseness, difficulty swallowing and a swollen throat. People with peritoneal and pericardial cancer often experience abdominal pain, fatigue and weight loss. Mesothelioma symptoms can be difficult to identify because the signs are similar to those of many common illnesses. It may take years after exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma grow.
X-rays and CT scans can reveal changes in the lungs, including thickening of the pleura or fluid accumulation (pleural effusion). MRI and PET scans are also utilized to detect mesothelioma. Blood tests can be utilized to detect elevated levels of certain substances that may indicate mesothelioma.
A doctor can drain the fluid or tissue to check for cancerous cells. The doctor may also perform an operation known as the thoracoscopic needle aspiration procedure to remove a small amount of fluid from the lungs and thoracic cavity. This test is a non-invasive alternative to biopsies and can be performed in a doctor's clinic.
If a doctor diagnoses mesothelioma the doctor will most likely suggest chemotherapy, radiation and surgery to stop cancer cells from spreading. The surgery and chemotherapy typically take place in an outpatient environment, and the radiation is delivered in a hospital or clinic. Palliative treatments are often used to control discomfort and other symptoms. It could include painkillers and regular draining of fluids or a tube put in the chest to assist with breathing, and radiation to keep the tumor from becoming larger.
Treatment
For those diagnosed with mesothelioma or other cancers, treatment can help alleviate symptoms and prolong the life. Treatment options vary depending on the mesothelioma type and stage. The treatment plan will vary depending on how much asbestos exposure the patient has.
Mesothelioma symptoms are similar to those of many illnesses such as the flu or pneumonia. This makes it difficult for doctors to recognize the disease early. Patients may be suffering from symptoms for months before they are diagnosed with mesothelioma.
To determine the cause of the illness, doctors will perform an examination of the body and inquire about previous exposure to asbestos. They will follow up with scans of the blood and imaging to determine the severity of the cancer and where it is located in the body.
The most frequent mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma, which 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 illness.
A buildup of fluid can cause chest pain and breathing problems. Surgery can remove excess fluid, enhancing the quality of life for patients.
Doctors can also utilize pleurodesis, a procedure that helps prevent the formation of further fluids in the lungs. In this procedure, a tube is inserted into the pleura to drain the fluid and then medication is injected to prevent future buildups. Patients can also opt to place a shunt on their body. It is a device that moves fluid from one region of the body to another to absorb.
Other treatments include chemotherapy and radiation. Chemotherapy fights cancer cells directly, killing them. Radiation therapy shrinks tumors by using high-energy rays. Patients who aren't eligible for surgery may undergo targeted therapy. This is done by attacking the cancer-causing gene within the cancerous cells.
Prognosis
The mesothelioma prognosis is contingent on several factors including the type and location of the 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 prognosis when they seek treatment by a specialist in mesothelioma, and follow their treatment regimen. Patients who participate in an clinical trial could have access to new treatments still under study.
Mesothelioma symptoms are similar those of many other conditions, so they are often not diagnosed. Patients may experience breathing issues, abdominal pain and other symptoms for a few months before they are diagnosed. These symptoms are mild at first and can be easily confused with other ailments. As a result, it's crucial to have any symptoms checked out by a doctor as quickly 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 accounts for most mesothelioma cases, with 85 percent of all diagnosed cases occurring in patients who are over 75 years old.
The survival rates for mesothelioma may differ between men and women. Men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos than women since they work in industries that have asbestos in them. However females who have been exposed to mesothelioma are twice more likely to live past five years as male patients. This is likely due to the interaction between female hormones and mesothelioma cancer cells. A person's age also impacts their chances of survival since older patients are more likely to have a more difficult time recovering from the disease. It's also worth noting that some mesothelioma patients live years or even a decade or more past their initial prognoses.
Compensation
Mesothelioma compensation assists victims to pay for medical expenses, lost wages and other expenses related to the asbestos-related disease. This mesothelioma settlement is often given by amalgamating asbestos trust funds, lawsuits, and settlements. A mesothelioma lawyer with experience can assist you in determining what compensation is available in your case.
A person diagnosed with mesothelioma can sue the manufacturer of asbestos-related products to which they were exposed during their work. They may seek financial compensation. Mesothelioma lawsuits can be filed by someone close to the victim or a family member or a court appointed representative on behalf of the victim. If a victim has passed away from mesothelioma, awrongful death lawsuit can be filed by the estate of the deceased to recover compensation from those accountable for their loved ones' asbestos exposure.
Because it can take decades from the moment of exposure to diagnosis Many people diagnosed with mesothelioma carry significant financial obligations resulting from treatment. Mesothelioma settlements can help those suffering 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. A knowledgeable mesothelioma lawyer will assist victims and their families receive the compensation they deserve.
A mesothelioma lawyer who is skilled can handle every aspect of a victim's mesothelioma claim, making the process as stress-free as possible for their client. Our attorneys at Sokolove Law have helped families and victims members collect more than $4.7 billion for mesothelioma claims. Contact us now to get started on a no-cost mesothelioma case review. Our lawyers serve clients nationwide. We can visit you at your home or in the hospital. Our law firm is only paid when we receive compensation for you.