Mesothelioma Claims
A mesothelioma lawsuit can allow victims to receive compensation for treatment and other costs. Statutes of limitations in the state, also known as statutes of limitations restrict the time a patient must make a claim.
Personal injury or wrongful death are the most popular kinds of lawsuits. Juries award monetary damages that include non-economic and economic damages.
Diagnosis
It could take years to diagnose mesothelioma, which is a rare condition. Patients will usually go to their primary doctor with an medical history. Doctors will perform an examination of the body and inquire about asbestos exposure.
When doctors suspect mesothelioma they will often order imaging tests. These include chest X-rays computed tomography (CT) scans, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These tests give a detailed view of the body. They can show a build-up of fluid around the abdomen or lungs which is a typical mesothelioma sign.
These tests can also help determine the type of mesothelioma. The mesothelioma pleural type occurs when cancerous cells within the lung the lining (pleura) cause the disease. The peritoneal type is caused by cancer cells in the abdominal cavity. In a biopsies performed surgically, doctors will remove a small amount of tissue from a tumor or affected area and examine it under a microscope in order to check for symptoms of mesothelioma. Doctors may also use a test called a cytology to detect cancerous cells from fluid samples taken from the stomach or lungs.
A blood test called the MESOMARK test can determine the amount of soluble mesothelin related peptide (SMRP) in the body of the patient. This biomarker has high levels and could indicate mesothelioma.
In turn, these biomarkers can be helpful for doctors who are trying to detect mesothelioma in its earliest stages. However, it's not a substitute for mesothelioma-related biopsy which is the only definitive way to determine whether cancer is present within the body. Doctors can perform non-surgical biopsies to drain fluid from the stomach or pleura using needles, and then analyze it for mesothelioma-related cells.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma can occur anywhere in the body where asbestos has caused cancerous cells to form. The most common locations are the lungs. People who have pleural mesothelioma experience pain in the chest area and have difficulty swallowing as well as hoarseness. Patients with mesothelioma of the pericardial or peritoneal region experience pain in their abdominal region, as well as fatigue and weight loss. Mesothelioma symptoms are difficult to diagnose because the symptoms mimic those of many common illnesses. It may take years after exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma to grow.
X-rays and CT scans can reveal changes in the lungs, for example, thickening of the pleura or fluid accumulation (pleural effusion). MRI and PET scans can also be used to detect mesothelioma. Blood tests can detect high levels of certain substances in the body that indicate the presence of mesothelioma.
A doctor can drain the fluid or tissue to test for cancer cells. The doctor can also perform a procedure called thoracoscopic needle aspiration to remove a small amount of fluid from around the lungs or the thoracic cavity. This test is a less-invasive version of a biopsy that can be performed in the office of a doctor.
If a doctor has diagnosed mesothelioma he or she will likely suggest chemotherapy, radiation and surgery to stop cancer cells from spreading. The radiation can be administered in a clinic or hospital. The radiation is typically administered as an outpatient. The use of palliative therapies is often to control discomfort and other symptoms. It can include painkillers as well as regular drainage of fluids, a tube put in the chest to help with breathing and radiation to prevent the tumor from expanding.
Treatment
For those diagnosed with mesothelioma, treatment can alleviate symptoms and prolong the life. Treatment options vary depending on the mesothelioma type and stage. The treatment plan may also differ depending on the amount of asbestos exposure that the patient is exposed to.
The symptoms of mesothelioma resemble many other diseases, such as pneumonia or the flu. This makes it hard for doctors to recognize mesothelioma early. In many cases, patients experience symptoms for several months before being diagnosed with mesothelioma.
To determine the cause of the illness doctors will conduct a physical exam and ask about any exposure to asbestos in the past. They will follow up with blood tests and imaging scans to determine the extent of the cancer and its location within the body.
The most common mesothelioma type affects the lungs. People who have been exposed to asbestos as workers in the construction industry, welding, plumber, electrician or autoworker are more likely to develop this disease.
Pleural mesothelioma can cause an accumulation of fluid, creating chest pain and difficulty breathing. Surgery can eliminate the excess fluid and improve a patient's quality of life.
michigan mesothelioma attorney may also opt for pleurodesis, a procedure that helps stop the buildup of fluid in the lungs. In this procedure the tube is inserted into the pleura to drain fluid and then medicine is injected to prevent further buildups. Patients may also choose to have a shunt, which is a device to transfer fluid from one region of the body to another for absorption.
Chemotherapy and radiation are also options. Chemotherapy fights cancer cells directly by killing them. Radiation therapy shrinks tumors using high-energy rays. Patients who are not eligible for surgery may opt for targeted therapy. This is done by targeting the cancer-causing gene inside the cancerous cells.
Prognosis
The prognosis for mesothelioma is dependent on a variety of factors such as the type and stage of cancer, the location and the general health status of the patient. Patients with mesothelioma can improve their chances of survival if they seek treatment from a specialist for mesothelioma, and follow their treatment plan. Patients who have mesothelioma that take part in clinical trials may have access to novel treatments that are still being investigated.
Mesothelioma symptoms are similar the symptoms of other conditions, so they are often misdiagnosed. Patients may suffer from abdominal pain, breathing issues and other symptoms before being diagnosed. These symptoms are initialy mild and may be misinterpreted as other illnesses. As a result, it's important to get any symptoms examined by a doctor as soon as possible.
Mesothelioma can affect the lining of the chest cavity (pleural mesothelioma), the peritoneum (peritoneal mesothelioma) or, in rare cases the membrane that surrounds the testicles (pericardial mesothelioma). The majority of mesothelioma diagnoses are pleural mesothelioma. 85 per cent of them being found in patients over 75 years old.
The survival rates for mesothelioma vary between women and men. This is because men are more likely than women to work in fields that expose them to asbestos. Females exposed to mesothelioma have a twice higher chance of surviving past five years than male patients. This is likely due the interaction between female hormones and mesothelioma cancer cells. The prognosis for a patient is also influenced by their age, since older patients have a more difficult to recover from illnesses. It is important to remember that some mesothelioma patients have a long life span, even a decade after their initial prognosis.
Compensation
Mesothelioma Compensation helps victims cover their medical costs in addition to lost wages and other expenses associated with this asbestos-related disease. Most often, this mesothelioma settlement is made through the combination of asbestos trust funds, lawsuits, and settlements. A mesothelioma lawyer with experience can help you determine what compensation is available in your particular case.
A person diagnosed mesothelioma could file a lawsuit against the company that makes asbestos-related products to which they were exposed at work. They may be able to seek financial compensation. Mesothelioma lawsuits can be filed on behalf of the victim's loved one or family member, or by an appointed representative by the court. The estate of a victim's loved ones who died of mesothelioma can file a wrongful-death lawsuit to seek compensation from those who are responsible for the victim's asbestos exposure.
Because it can take years from the moment of exposure to diagnosis Many people diagnosed with mesothelioma carry significant financial debts from treatment. Mesothelioma settlements can help those suffering of the disease pay off their debts, and provide for their families' future.
Mesothelioma settlements and lawsuits can also compensate the victims for their suffering and pain. A mesothelioma attorney can assist families and victims receive the compensation that they deserve.
A skilled mesothelioma law firm can handle every aspect of a victim's mesothelioma claim and make the process as stress-free as possible for their client. At Sokolove Law, our attorneys have secured more than $4.7 billion in mesothelioma settlements to help victims and their families. Contact us today to get started on a no-cost mesothelioma case review. Our lawyers serve clients nationwide. We can visit you at your home or hospital. Our law firm only gets paid if we secure compensation for you.