Mesothelioma Claims
A mesothelioma lawsuit can help victims receive compensation for their treatment and other expenses. Statutes of limitations in the state, also known as statutes of limitations restrict the time a patient is required to make a claim.
Most lawsuits are in the form of personal injury or wrongful death claims. The jury awards financial damages, which may include economic and non-economic damages.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a rare illness and it may take several years for patients to receive a diagnosis. Patients typically visit their primary doctor with symptoms and a medical history. Doctors will do physical examinations and inquire about exposure to asbestos.
Imaging tests are often ordered by doctors when they suspect mesothelioma. This includes chest X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These tests provide a detailed examination of the body. They may show a build-up of fluid around the abdomen or lungs which is a common mesothelioma-related symptom.
These tests can also be used to determine the type of mesothelioma. The pleural form of mesothelioma occurs when cancer cells in lung the lining (pleura) cause the disease. The peritoneal type is caused by cancerous cells found in the abdominal cavity. In a surgical biopsies doctors will take a sample of tissue from an area of tumor or affected and examine it under a microscope to check for symptoms of mesothelioma. Doctors can also conduct a cytology test to check for the presence of cancerous cells in liquid samples taken from the stomach or lungs.
A blood test known as the MESOMARK assay can measure the amount of mesothelin-soluble peptide (SMRP) in the patient's body. This biomarker has high levels and can indicate mesothelioma.
These biomarkers are thus beneficial to doctors who are trying to diagnose mesothelioma at its earliest stages. It's not a substitute to a mesothelioma biopsies, which is the only way to definitively determine the presence of cancer in the body. Doctors can conduct a non-surgical biopsy to collect fluid from the pleura and the stomach using a needle. They then examine it for mesothelioma-related cells.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma can be found anywhere in the body where asbestos has caused cancerous cells to develop. The most common locations are the lungs, abdomen and the heart. Pleural mesothelioma is a cause of chest pain as well as difficulty swallowing and hoarseness. People with mesothelioma pericardial or peritoneal often feel discomfort in their abdomen and weight loss and fatigue. Mesothelioma symptoms are difficult to identify because the signs mimic those of other common diseases. Mesothelioma can develop years after asbestos exposure.
CT scans and X-rays 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 used to determine the presence of certain substances in the body that could indicate mesothelioma is present.
A doctor can take a sample of the fluid or tissue that has accumulated to check for cancerous cells. The doctor may also perform the procedure known as thoracoscopic needle aspiration, which is a procedure that removes a small amount of fluid from the lungs and thoracic cavity. This test is a less invasive version of a biopsy and can be performed in the doctor's office.
If the doctor finds mesothelioma in the body, he or she may suggest surgery, radiation and chemotherapy to kill cancerous cells and stop their spread. The chemotherapy and surgery are usually performed in an outpatient environment, and the radiation is given in a clinic or hospital. Palliative treatments are often used to alleviate pain and other symptoms. It can include painkillers, regular draining of fluids or tubes placed in the chest to aid in breathing, and radiation to keep the tumor from expanding.
Treatment
Treatment can help ease symptoms and prolong the life of people with mesothelioma. Treatment options vary depending on the type of mesothelioma and its stage. The treatment plan will also differ based on the amount of asbestos exposure a patient has.
Mesothelioma symptoms are similar to the symptoms of a variety of illnesses such as the flu or pneumonia. This makes it difficult for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma in the early stages. Often, patients will suffer for a long time before being diagnosed with mesothelioma.
To diagnose the disease doctors will conduct an examination and ask about any exposure to asbestos in the past. They will follow up with blood tests and imaging scans to determine the severity of the cancer and where it is located in the body.
The most commonly diagnosed mesothelioma type is pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lung. People who have been exposed to asbestos in the course of their work as a construction worker, welder electrician, plumber or autoworker are most likely to contract this disease.
Pleural mesothelioma may cause the accumulation of fluid causing chest pain and difficulty breathing. Surgery can help eliminate the excess fluid and improve a patient's quality of life.
Pleurodesis is a different procedure doctors can use to prevent further accumulation of fluid in the lung. During the procedure, a tube will be inserted into the pleura in order to drain fluid. Then, medication will be injected to stop further buildup. Patients can also opt to place a shunt on their body. It is a device that moves fluid from one area of the body to another to absorb.
Other treatments include chemotherapy and radiation. Chemotherapy kills cancerous cells directly. Radiation therapy targets tumors and shrinks them by using high-energy radiation. Those who do not qualify for surgery may opt for targeted therapy. This is done by attacking the cancer-causing gene within the cancer cells.
Prognosis
The prognosis of mesothelioma is based on a variety of factors including the type and location of cancer as well as the stage at which it was diagnosed and general health of the patient. Kansas City mesothelioma lawsuits youtube.com with mesothelioma can improve their odds of survival when they seek treatment from a specialist in mesothelioma, and follow their treatment regimen. Patients with mesothelioma who are taking part in clinical trials might also be able to access new treatments that are still being researched.
Mesothelioma symptoms can be compared to the symptoms of a variety of other diseases, so they are often not diagnosed. Patients may experience breathing difficulties or abdominal pain, among other symptoms for some time before they are diagnosed. These symptoms are mild at first and can be misinterpreted as other ailments. Therefore, it's important to get any symptoms evaluated by a doctor as quickly as possible.
The lining of the chest (pleural mesothelioma) or peritoneum, or in rare instances, the testicles' membrane can be affected by mesothelioma. The majority of mesothelioma diagnoses are pleural mesothelioma, with 85 percent of them being in patients older than 75 years old.
The survival rates for mesothelioma differ between women and men. This is due to the fact that males are more likely than women to work in fields that expose them. Women who are exposed to mesothelioma have a twice higher chance of surviving for the next five years than male patients. This is likely due to the hormonal interactions between female hormones and mesothelioma tumor cells. A person's age also impacts their prognosis because older patients tend to suffer more difficulty recovering from the disease. 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 their medical expenses, lost wages, and other expenses associated with the asbestos-related disease. The majority of mesothelioma compensation is awarded through an amalgamation of asbestos trust funds, lawsuits and settlements. An experienced mesothelioma attorney can help determine which forms of compensation may be available for your case.
A person diagnosed with mesothelioma may sue 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. If a victim has passed away of mesothelioma or another cancer, a wrongful death lawsuit may be filed by the estate of the victim to seek compensation from the parties who are responsible for their loved ones' asbestos exposure.
Many patients with mesothelioma end up in debt because it can take years from exposure to diagnosis. Mesothelioma compensation can help these sufferers pay off their debts and pay for the future of their families.
Mesothelioma lawsuits and settlements may also compensate victims for their pain and suffering. A mesothelioma attorney can assist families and victims get the compensation they deserve.
A reputable mesothelioma law firm can handle every aspect of a mesothelioma lawsuit for a victim, making the process as easy as possible for their client. At Sokolove Law our lawyers have secured more than $4.7 billion in mesothelioma settlements to help victims and their families. Contact us now to get started with a free mesothelioma review. Our lawyers serve clients nationwide. We are able to meet you at home or in a hospital. Our law firm only gets paid if we get you compensation.