Mesothelioma Claims

A mesothelioma lawsuit can help victims receive compensation for their treatment as well as other expenses. State laws, also referred to as statutes or limitations, limit the time that a person can bring a lawsuit.

Most lawsuits are in the form of personal injury or wrongful death claims. The jury awards money damages, which include economic and non-economic damages.

Diagnosis

It can take a long time to recognize mesothelioma. This is a rare disease. Most patients visit their primary care doctor with complaints and medical history. Doctors will conduct an examination of the body 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 provide a detailed examination of the body. These tests may reveal the presence of fluid in the lungs or abdomen, which is a mesothelioma-related symptoms.

These tests can also be used to determine the type mesothelioma. The pleural type of mesothelioma is caused by cancerous cells in the lung lining known as the pleura. The peritoneal type is caused by cancer cells found in the abdominal cavity. In a surgical biopsies doctors will remove a sample of tissue from an area of tumor or affected and examine it under a microscope in order to check for signs of mesothelioma. Doctors will also use an cytology test in order to check for the presence of cancerous cells in fluid samples taken from the lungs or stomach.

A blood test, known as the MESOMARK Assay, can measure the amount of mesothelin soluble peptide (SMRP) within the body of the patient. The presence of high levels of this biomarker may be a sign of mesothelioma cell lines.

As a result, these biomarkers could be useful in diagnosing mesothelioma in its earliest stages. It's not a substitute to a mesothelioma biopsies, which is the only way to determine if cancer has been detected within the body. Doctors can perform non-surgical biopsies to drain fluid from the stomach or pleura by using a needle, and then analyze it for mesothelioma-related cells.

Signs and symptoms

Mesothelioma can occur anywhere in the body where cancerous asbestos-induced cells have formed. The most common locations are the abdomen, lungs, and the heart. Pleural mesothelioma causes pain in the chest, difficulty swallowing, and hoarseness. People who have peritoneal or pericardial mesothelioma often experience pain in their abdominal region and fatigue and weight loss. The signs of mesothelioma can be difficult to diagnose because they are similar to the symptoms of other common diseases. It can take years after exposure to asbestos before mesothelioma can grow.

X-rays and CT scans can show changes in the lungs, including the pleura getting thicker or fluid accumulation (pleural effusion). MRI and PET scans may be used to search for mesothelioma. Blood tests can be utilized to detect elevated levels of certain substances that may be indicative of mesothelioma.

A doctor can remove the tissue or fluid to test attorneys for mesothelioma cancer cells. The doctor can also perform the procedure known as thoracoscopic needle aspiration to remove a small amount of fluid from the lungs and thoracic cavity. This test is a less-invasive version of a biopsy that is performed in a doctor's office.

If a doctor suspects mesothelioma, they may recommend surgery, radiation and chemotherapy to kill cancerous cells and stop the spread. The chemotherapy and surgery are generally done in an outpatient setting and the radiation can be administered in a clinic or a hospital. Palliative treatments are typically used to manage the symptoms of pain and other. Palliative treatment can include painkillers as well as regular drainage of fluids or a tube that is placed in the chest to assist in breathing. It could also involve radiation to prevent the tumor from advancing.

Treatment

Treatment can help ease symptoms and prolong life for those suffering from mesothelioma. Treatment options differ based on the mesothelioma's type and stage. The treatment plan will also differ based on the amount of asbestos exposure a patient has.

Mesothelioma symptoms resemble those of many illnesses, including the flu or pneumonia. This makes it difficult for doctors to diagnose the disease in the early stages. Most patients experience symptoms for several months before being diagnosed with mesothelioma.

To determine the cause of the illness doctors will conduct an examination of the body and inquire about past exposure to asbestos. They then will conduct scans of the blood and imaging to determine the severity and extent of the cancer's presence in the body.

The most commonly diagnosed mesothelioma type is pleural mesothelioma. This affects the lung. People who have been exposed to asbestos in the course of their work as an industrial worker, welder, plumber, electrician or autoworker are most likely to develop this illness.

A buildup of fluid can cause chest pain or breathing problems. Surgery can remove excess fluid, improving a person's life.

Pleurodesis is another procedure that doctors can use to prevent further accumulation of fluid in the lung. In the course of the procedure, a tube will be inserted into the pleura order to drain the fluid. Then medicine is injected to stop further buildup. Patients can also opt to use a shunt which is a device to move fluid from one area of the body to another to absorb.

Other treatments include radiation and chemotherapy. Chemotherapy kills cancer cells directly. The treatment targets tumors and shrinks them with high-energy rays. Those who are not candidates for surgery may undergo targeted therapy, which targets the cancer-causing genes in the cancerous cells.

Prognosis

The prognosis of mesothelioma can be affected by a variety of factors that include the stage and type of cancer, the site and general health status of the patient. Patients with mesothelioma may improve their prognosis when they seek treatment by a specialist in mesothelioma, and follow their treatment plan. In addition, patients with mesothelioma who are part of an clinical trial could be eligible for new treatments that are currently under investigation.

Mesothelioma symptoms are similar the symptoms of other conditions, so they are often misdiagnosed. Patients may have abdominal pain, breathing difficulties and other symptoms before being diagnosed. These symptoms may be mild at first and can be easily confused with other illnesses. It's therefore important to have any symptoms checked by a doctor as quickly as possible.

Mesothelioma can affect the lining of the chest cavity (pleural mesothelioma) and the peritoneum (peritoneal mesothelioma) or, in rare cases the membrane that covers the testicles (pericardial mesothelioma). The majority of mesothelioma diagnosis are pleural mesothelioma, with 85 per cent of them being diagnosed in patients who are older than 75 years.

Men and women have different survival rates for mesothelioma. Men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos than women, as they tend to work in industries where asbestos is present. Women who are exposed to mesothelioma have twice the chance of surviving the past five years than male patients. This is probably due to the interaction between female hormones and mesothelioma cancer cells. The age of a person also affects their chances of survival since older patients have a more difficult time recovering from the illness. It's important to know that mesothelioma patients can endure for a long time, or even a decade after their initial prognosis.

Compensation

Mesothelioma compensation assists victims to pay for medical expenses, lost wages and other expenses related to the asbestos-related disease. Often, this mesothelioma compensation is granted through the combination of asbestos trust funds, lawsuits, and settlements. An experienced mesothelioma attorney can help you determine what types of compensation might be available to you in your particular case.

A person diagnosed mesothelioma could sue the manufacturer of asbestos-related products to which they were exposed during their work. They may seek financial compensation. Mesothelioma suits can be filed by someone close to the victim, a family member, or a court appointed representative on behalf of the victim. The estate of a victim who has died from mesothelioma can file a wrongful-death lawsuit to recover compensation from those who are responsible for the victim's asbestos exposure.

Because it can take decades from the moment of exposure to diagnosis many patients diagnosed with mesothelioma carry significant financial debts from treatment. Mesothelioma settlements can help patients of the disease pay off their debts, and provide for their families' future.

Mesothelioma settlements and lawsuits may also be used to compensate victims for their suffering and pain. An attorney for mesothelioma can assist families and victims receive the compensation they deserve.

A reputable mesothelioma law firm can handle all aspects of a victim's mesothelioma claim and make the process as painless as possible for their client. At Sokolove Law our lawyers have secured over $4.7 billion in mesothelioma settlements to help victims and their families. Contact us today to get started on a free mesothelioma case review. Our lawyers serve clients nationwide. We can meet with you at your home or hospital. Our law firm will only be paid if we receive compensation.