Mesothelioma Claims

A mesothelioma lawsuit could help victims receive compensation for their treatment and other expenses. State laws called statutes of limitations restrict the time a patient has to file a lawsuit.

Most lawsuits are in the form of personal injury or wrongful death claims. The jury awards monetary damages, which may include economic and noneconomic damage.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a rare illness and it can take many years before patients receive a diagnosis. Patients usually visit their primary physician with complaints and a medical history. Doctors will conduct an examination of the body and inquire about asbestos exposure.

When doctors suspect mesothelioma they will often order imaging tests. This includes chest X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These tests provide a clear view of the body. These tests may reveal a buildup of fluid in the abdomen or lungs as a mesothelioma related sign.

These tests can also 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 type is caused by cancerous cells within the abdominal cavity. In the course of a surgical biopsy, physicians will remove a small sample of tissue from the tumor or affected area to look under a microscope to look for signs of mesothelioma. Doctors can also perform 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 mesothelin-soluble peptide (SMRP) in the patient's body. This biomarker is high levels can indicate mesothelioma.

These biomarkers are thus beneficial to doctors trying to detect mesothelioma in its beginning stages. It is not a replacement for mesothelioma biopsies which is the only way to definitively determine whether cancer has been found in the body. Doctors can conduct non-surgical biopsies to drain fluid from the stomach or pleura by using a needle, and then analyze it for cells of mesothelioma.

Signs and symptoms

Mesothelioma can occur anywhere on the body in which asbestos-induced cancerous cells have formed. The most common locations are the lungs, abdomen and heart. Pleural mesothelioma is a cause of pain in the chest, difficulty swallowing, and 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 identify due to their similarity to the symptoms of other common illnesses. Mesothelioma can manifest years after asbestos exposure.

CT scans and Xrays can detect changes in the lungs such as fluid buildup or thickening of pleura (pleural effusion). MRI and PET scans may be used to search for mesothelioma. Blood tests can be utilized to determine the presence of certain substances which could be indicative of mesothelioma.

A doctor can take an amount of fluid or tissue that is accumulating to determine if it contains cancer cells. A doctor may also perform an operation known as thoracoscopic aspiration, which removes a small amount of fluid from the thoracic cavity or lungs. This test is a more non-invasive alternative to biopsies, and can be done in a doctor's clinic.

If a doctor has diagnosed mesothelioma it is likely that they will recommend radiation, chemotherapy and surgery to stop cancer cells from spreading. Radiation therapy can be performed in a hospital or clinic. The radiation is usually delivered as an as an outpatient. Palliative treatments are typically used to manage pain and other symptoms. It can include painkillers as well as regular drainage of fluids, tubes placed in the chest to aid in breathing and radiation to prevent the tumor from expanding.

Treatment

For people diagnosed with mesothelioma or other cancers, treatment can help alleviate symptoms and prolong the life. There are many options available, based on the type and stage of mesothelioma. The treatment plan could differ depending on the amount of asbestos exposure the patient has.

Mesothelioma symptoms are similar to those of many illnesses like the flu and pneumonia. This makes it difficult for doctors to identify the disease early. In many cases, patients be afflicted with symptoms for several months before being diagnosed with mesothelioma.

Doctors will conduct a physical exam and inquire about any prior asbestos exposure. They then will conduct blood tests and imaging scanners to determine the size and location of the cancer in the body.

The most common mesothelioma type is a lung cancer. People who have been exposed to asbestos in the course of their work as a construction worker, welder electrician, plumber or autoworker are the most likely to develop this illness.

Pleural mesothelioma may cause an accumulation of fluid, causing chest pain and difficulty breathing. Surgery can eliminate the excess fluid and improve a patient's quality of life.

Pleurodesis is another procedure that doctors can employ to stop future accumulation of fluid in the lung. During this procedure, a tube is inserted into the pleura to drain the fluid and then the medicine is injected into the pleura to prevent future buildups. Patients can also opt to use a shunt which is a device used to move fluid from one area of the body to the other to absorb.

Other treatments include radiation and chemotherapy. Chemotherapy kills cancerous cells directly. Radiation therapy targets tumors, and shrinks them by using high-energy radiation. Patients who aren't eligible for surgery may undergo targeted therapy. This is done by targeting the cancer-causing gene in the cancer cells.

Prognosis

The mesothelioma prognosis is contingent on a variety of factors, including the nature and location of the cancer as well as the stage at which it was diagnosed and general patient health. Patients suffering from attorney illinois mesothelioma could improve their odds of survival if they seek treatment by a specialist in mesothelioma, and follow their treatment regimen. Patients who are part of clinical trials may be able to access new treatments still under study.

The mesothelioma symptoms are comparable to many other conditions. This leads to an abundance of misdiagnosis. Patients may have abdominal pain, breathing issues and other symptoms prior to being diagnosed. These symptoms are initially mild and can be misinterpreted as other ailments. It is therefore essential to have any symptoms evaluated by a doctor as quickly as is possible.

The lining of the chest (pleural mesothelioma) also known as the peritoneum or in rare cases the testicles' membrane may be affected by mesothelioma. The majority of mesothelioma diagnoses are pleural mesothelioma, with 85 per cent of them being in patients older than 75 years old.

Men and women may have different rates of survival for mesothelioma. Men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos than women, because they are more likely to work in industries where asbestos is present. However females who have been exposed to mesothelioma have 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 outlook since older patients are more likely to suffer more difficulty recovering from the illness. It's important to know that mesothelioma patients can 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 this asbestos-related illness. This mesothelioma settlement is often awarded by the amalgamation of asbestos trust funds, lawsuits, and settlements. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer will assist you in determining what compensation is available in your particular case.

A person who has been diagnosed mesothelioma could file a lawsuit against the company that makes asbestos-related products to which they were exposed while at work. They may seek financial compensation. Mesothelioma suits can be filed by a loved one, a family member, or a court appointed representative on behalf of the victim. The estate of a victim who died from mesothelioma may file a wrongful death Attorney Lawsuit mesothelioma to seek compensation from those responsible for the victim's asbestos exposure.

Many patients with mesothelioma end up in debt as it can take years to go from exposure to diagnosis. Mesothelioma compensation can help these sufferers pay off their debts and pay for the future of their families.

Mesothelioma settlements and lawsuits may also compensate the victims for their suffering and pain. A mesothelioma lawyer can help victims and families receive the compensation that they deserve.

A skilled mesothelioma law firm will handle every aspect of a mesothelioma lawsuit for a victim to make the process as easy as they can for their client. Our attorneys at Sokolove Law have helped families and victims members receive over $4.7 billion in mesothelioma lawsuits. Contact us today for free consultation on your mesothelioma lawsuit. Our lawyers serve clients nationwide. We are able to meet you at home or at the hospital. Our law firm is paid only when we are able to secure compensation for you.