Mesothelioma Claims
A mesothelioma lawsuit can aid victims in receiving compensation for treatment and other expenses. State laws, also known as statutes of limitations restrict the time that a victim must bring a lawsuit.
Lawsuits typically take the form of personal injury or wrongful death claims. The jury awards money damages, which can include economic and non-economic damages.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a rare illness and it can take a number of years for patients to receive a diagnosis. Patients typically visit their primary physician with complaints and a medical history. Doctors will conduct an examination of the body and inquire about the possibility of exposure to asbestos.
If doctors suspect mesothelioma, they often request imaging tests. This includes chest X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These tests give a detailed view of the body. They can show an accumulation of fluid around the lungs or abdomen, which is a common mesothelioma symptom.
These tests can be used to determine the kind of mesothelioma. The pleural form of mesothelioma is when cancerous cells in the lung the lining (pleura) cause the disease. The peritoneal type is caused by cancer cells that reside in the abdominal cavity. In the procedure of a surgical biopsy, doctors will remove a small sample of tissue from the affected area and examine it under a microscope for indications of mesothelioma. Doctors can also conduct an cytology test in order to check for the presence of cancerous cells in the fluid samples taken from the stomach or lungs.
A blood test, known as the MESOMARK Assay, will determine the amount of soluble mesothelin-related protein (SMRP) in the body of the patient. High levels of this biomarker may indicate the presence mesothelioma cells.
These biomarkers are therefore helpful to doctors trying to diagnose mesothelioma at its earliest stages. However, they are not an alternative to a mesothelioma biopsy which is the sole definitive way to determine whether cancer is present within the body. Doctors can conduct non-surgical biopsies to drain fluid from the stomach or pleura with needles, and then analyze it for mesothelioma cells.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma can occur anywhere in the body where asbestos has created cancerous cells. The most common sites are the lungs. Patients with pleural mysothelioma experience pain in the chest region, difficulty swallowing and hoarseness. People with peritoneal and pericardial cancer are often afflicted with abdominal pain, fatigue, and weight loss. Mesothelioma symptoms can be difficult to recognize because the signs are similar to the symptoms of a variety of common illnesses. It may take years after exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma grow.
CT scans and X-rays may detect changes in the lungs, such as fluid buildup or thickening of pleura (pleural effusion). MRI and PET scans can also be used to detect mesothelioma. Blood tests can be utilized to determine the presence of certain substances that may be indicative of mesothelioma.
A doctor can drain the fluid or the tissue to check for cancerous cells. The doctor can also perform the procedure known as the thoracoscopic needle aspiration procedure to remove some of the fluid from the lungs or thoracic cavity. This test is a less-invasive alternative to a biopsy, and can be performed in the office of a doctor.
If a doctor discovers mesothelioma, he or she may suggest surgery, radiation and chemotherapy to kill the cancerous cells and prevent the spread. The radiation can be administered in a hospital or clinic. The radiation is typically administered as an as an outpatient. Palliative treatments are often used to help manage pain and other symptoms. It could include painkillers, regular drainage of fluids, tubes that are placed inside the chest to aid in breathing and radiation to stop the tumor from expanding.
Treatment
For people diagnosed with mesothelioma, treatment can help reduce symptoms and extend the duration of. There are many treatments available, depending on the stage and type of mesothelioma. The treatment plan could differ based on the amount of asbestos exposure the patient has.
Mesothelioma symptoms are similar to those of many diseases such as the flu or pneumonia. This makes it difficult for doctors to recognize the disease in the early stages. Patients may experience symptoms for months before they are diagnosed with mesothelioma.
To determine the cause of the illness doctors will conduct a physical exam and ask about past exposure to asbestos. They will follow up with scans of the blood and imaging to determine the extent of the cancer and its location within the body.
The most prevalent mesothelioma form affects the lungs. Most likely to develop the disease are people who have worked as a welding technician or electrician, or in the auto industry.
Pleural mesothelioma can trigger an accumulation of fluid, causing chest pain and difficulty breathing. Surgery can eliminate excess fluid, enhancing the quality of life of a patient.
Pleurodesis is yet another procedure doctors can utilize to prevent further accumulation of fluid in the lung. During the procedure, a tube is to be inserted into the pleura in order to drain fluid. Then, medicine will be injected to stop further accumulation. Patients may also choose to have a shunt installed in the body, which is a device that moves fluid from one area of the body to another in order to absorb.
Other treatments include radiation and chemotherapy. Chemotherapy kills cancerous cells directly. Radiation therapy targets tumors, and reduces them using high-energy rays. Patients who are not eligible for surgery may undergo targeted therapy. This is done by attacking the cancer-causing gene within the cancer cells.
Prognosis
The prognosis of mesothelioma is affected by a variety of factors that include the stage and type of cancer, the site and general health condition of the patient. Patients with mesothelioma can improve their odds of survival by seeking treatment from a specialist in mesothelioma and follow their treatment regimen. In addition, patients with mesothelioma who are part of an clinical trial could be able to access new treatments that are still being studied.
Mesothelioma symptoms are similar to the symptoms of a variety of other diseases and, therefore, they are frequently incorrectly diagnosed. Patients may experience abdominal pain, breathing problems and other symptoms before being diagnosed. Because these symptoms are so initially mild it is easy to confuse them with other conditions. This is why it is important to have any symptoms examined by a doctor as soon as you can.
The lining of the chest (pleural mesothelioma) also known as the 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 in patients who are more than 75 years old.
Men and women can have different survival rates for mesothelioma. Men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos than women as they tend to work in areas that have asbestos in them. Mesothelioma patients with females have twice the chance of surviving for the next five years than male patients. This is likely due the interaction between female hormones and mesothelioma cancer cells. The prognosis of an individual is also affected by their age, since older patients have a more difficult to recover from illnesses. 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 pay for their medical expenses, lost wages and other expenses associated with the asbestos-related disease. The majority of mesothelioma settlement is made through a combination of asbestos trust funds, lawsuits and settlements. An experienced mesothelioma attorney will help determine which forms of compensation are available for your case.
A person who has been diagnosed mesothelioma could sue the manufacturer of asbestos-related products to which they were exposed during their work. They may be able to seek financial compensation. Mesothelioma lawsuits can be filed on behalf of the victim by their loved one, family member or a court-appointed representative. If a victim has died of mesothelioma or another cancer, a wrongful death lawsuit can be filed by the estate of the victim to recover compensation from those who are responsible for their loved ones' asbestos exposure.
Many patients with mesothelioma end up in debt due to the fact that it can take years from the time of exposure to diagnosis. Mesothelioma compensation may help patients pay off their debts and provide for the future of their families.
Mesothelioma lawsuits and settlements may also compensate victims for their pain and suffering. An attorney for mesothelioma can help victims and families receive the compensation they are entitled to.
Denver mesothelioma lawyer YouTube is able to handle every aspect of a patient's mesothelioma claim to make it as pain-free as they can. Our attorneys at Sokolove Law have helped victims and their family members receive over $4.7 billion in mesothelioma compensation. Contact us today for a free review of your mesothelioma lawsuit. 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.