Mesothelioma Claims
A mesothelioma claim can allow victims to receive compensation for treatment and other expenses. State laws, also known as statutes of limitations limit the time that a victim must make a claim.
Personal injury or wrongful deaths are the most frequent kinds of lawsuits. The jury awards monetary damages, which may include economic and noneconomic damage.
Diagnosis
It can take years to diagnose mesothelioma, which is a rare illness. Patients usually visit their primary doctor with an medical history. Doctors will conduct an examination of the body and inquire about any possible exposure to asbestos.
Imaging tests are often 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 analysis of the body. They can show an accumulation of fluid around the abdomen or lungs, which is a common mesothelioma-related symptom.
These tests can also be used to determine the kind 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 cancerous cells in the abdominal cavity. In a biopsies performed surgically, doctors will remove a small amount of tissue from the affected area or tumor and examine it under a microscope in order to check for indications of mesothelioma. Doctors can also conduct a cytology test to check for the presence of cancerous cells in liquid samples taken from the lungs or stomach.
A blood test, dubbed the MESOMARK Assay, can determine the amount of mesothelin soluble peptide (SMRP), in the body of the patient. A high level of this biomarker may be a sign of mesothelioma cell lines.
As a result, biomarkers can be beneficial for doctors trying to diagnose mesothelioma in its earliest stages. However, they are not an alternative to mesothelioma-related biopsy which is the only method to know whether cancer is present within the body. Doctors can perform a non-surgical procedure to extract fluid from the pleura and the stomach using a needle, and examine it for mesothelioma-related cells.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma may occur in any part of the body where asbestos has caused cancerous cells to form. The most common sites are the lungs. Pleural mesothelioma can cause pain in the chest, difficulty swallowing, and hoarseness. Patients with pericardial and peritoneal cancer are often afflicted with abdominal pain, fatigue and weight loss. The signs of mesothelioma can be difficult to recognize because they are similar to the symptoms of other common diseases. It may take years after exposure to asbestos before mesothelioma can develop.
X-rays and CT scans can reveal changes in the lungs, such as the pleura getting thicker or fluid accumulation (pleural effusion). MRI and PET scans may also be used to search for mesothelioma. Blood tests can be utilized to determine the presence of certain substances that may be indicative of mesothelioma.
A doctor can remove the tissue or fluid to look for cancerous cells. A doctor may also perform an operation called the thoracoscopic aspiration. This procedure removes a small amount of fluid from the lungs or thoracic cavities. This test is a less-invasive version of a biopsy that can be performed in the office of a doctor.
If the doctor finds mesothelioma, they may recommend surgery, radiation and chemotherapy to kill cancer cells and stop them from spreading. Radiation therapy can be performed in a clinic or hospital. The radiation is typically delivered as an outpatient. Palliative treatment is often used to manage pain and other symptoms. Palliative treatment may include painkillers, regular drainage of fluids or a tube 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 the life of people with mesothelioma. There are many options available, based on the stage and type of mesothelioma. binghamton mesothelioma attorney will also depend on the level of asbestos exposure the patient has.
Mesothelioma symptoms are comparable to those of many diseases, including the flu or pneumonia. This makes it difficult for doctors to diagnose the disease early. Patients may experience symptoms for months before they are diagnosed with mesothelioma.
To diagnose the disease, doctors will perform an examination and ask about any exposure to asbestos in the past. They will then perform scans and blood tests to determine the severity and the location of the cancer within the body.
The most commonly diagnosed mesothelioma type is pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lungs. 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, which can cause chest pain and trouble breathing. Surgery can eliminate the excess fluid and improve a patient's quality of life.
Doctors can also use a procedure called pleurodesis to prevent future fluid buildup in the lung. In the course of the procedure, a tube will be inserted into the pleura order to drain fluid. Then medicine will be injected to stop further accumulation. Patients may also choose to have a shunt placed, which is a device that moves fluid from one region of the body to another in order to absorb.
Other treatments include chemotherapy and radiation. Chemotherapy kills cancer 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 involves attacking the cancer-causing gene within the cancerous cells.
Prognosis
The prognosis for mesothelioma depends on a variety of factors, including the type and location of cancer as well as the stage at which it was diagnosed and general patient health. A mesothelioma prognosis can improve by seeking treatment from a specialist who is experienced in mesothelioma therapy and adhere to their treatment regimen. In addition, patients with mesothelioma who are part of a clinical trial may have access to new treatments that are currently under investigation.
Mesothelioma symptoms are similar to the symptoms of other conditions which is why they are often misdiagnosed. Patients may suffer from abdominal pain, breathing difficulties and other symptoms before being diagnosed. These symptoms may be initially mild and can be confused with other ailments. As a result, it is important to have any symptoms checked out by a doctor as quickly as possible.
Mesothelioma can affect the lining of the chest cavity (pleural mesothelioma), the peritoneum (peritoneal mesothelioma) or, in very rare cases the membrane that surrounds the testicles (pericardial mesothelioma). Pleural mesothelioma accounts for most mesothelioma-related cases, accounting for 85 percent of all diagnosed cases occurring in patients who are over 75 years old.
The survival rates for mesothelioma differ between women and men. This is because men are more likely than women to work in areas that expose them. However, females who have been exposed to mesothelioma have twice as likely to survive past five years as male patients. This is likely due to the interaction between female hormones and mesothelioma cancer cells. The prognosis of an individual is also influenced by their age, since older patients have a harder time recovering from illnesses. It is important to remember that some patients with mesothelioma live for years, or even a decade after their initial prognosis.
Compensation
Mesothelioma compensation helps victims pay for medical expenses, lost wages and other costs associated with this asbestos-related illness. The mesothelioma settlements are typically awarded by the amalgamation of asbestos trust funds, lawsuits and settlements. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer will assist you in determining what compensation is available to you in your case.
Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma may make a personal injury claim to receive financial compensation from manufacturers of asbestos-related products they were exposed to at work. Mesothelioma suits can be filed by family members or a family member or an appointed representative of the court on behalf of the victim. If a victim has died from mesothelioma, awrongful death lawsuit may be filed by the estate of the victim's deceased loved ones to collect compensation from those accountable 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 settlements and lawsuits can also be used to compensate victims for their suffering and pain. A knowledgeable mesothelioma lawyer will help victims and their families get the compensation they deserve.
A mesothelioma lawyer can 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 families and victims members obtain more than $4.7 billion for mesothelioma claims. Contact us today for no-cost review of your mesothelioma claim. Our lawyers serve clients nationwide. We can meet you at home or in a hospital. Our law firm only gets paid when we receive compensation for you.