Mesothelioma Claims
A mesothelioma claim can help victims obtain compensation for treatment and other expenses. State laws called statutes of limitations limit the time that a victim has to bring a lawsuit.
Victorville mesothelioma attorneys or wrongful deaths are the most common types of lawsuits. The jury awards money damages, which include economic and non-economic damages.
Diagnosis
It can take years to identify mesothelioma. It is a rare illness. Most patients go to their primary care physician with complaints and medical history. Doctors will do physical examinations and inquire about any possible exposure to asbestos.
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 provide a clear view of the body. These tests could reveal a buildup of fluid in the lungs or abdomen as a mesothelioma related sign.
These tests can be used to determine the type of mesothelioma. The mesothelioma pleural type occurs when cancerous cells within the lung lining (pleura) cause the disease. The peritoneal form is caused by cancer cells 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 in order to check for symptoms of mesothelioma. Doctors can also perform a test called the cytology test to detect cancerous cells in samples of fluid taken from the stomach or lungs.
A blood test called the MESOMARK test can determine the amount of mesothelin-soluble peptide (SMRP) in the patient's body. This biomarker is high levels can be a sign of mesothelioma.
These biomarkers are therefore helpful for doctors trying to identify mesothelioma at its early stages. It's not a substitute for mesothelioma biopsies which is the only method to determine the presence of cancer within the body. Doctors can conduct non-surgical biopsies that remove fluid from the stomach or pleura using a needle, and then analyze it for mesothelioma-related cells.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma can be found anywhere in the body where asbestos has created cancerous cells. The most frequent locations are the lungs, abdomen and heart. Pleural mesothelioma causes chest pain, difficulty swallowing, and hoarseness. People with peritoneal and pericardial cancer typically experience abdominal pain, fatigue and weight loss. Mesothelioma symptoms can be difficult to recognize because the signs mimic those of many common illnesses. It may take years after exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma grow.
X-rays and CT scans can reveal changes in the lungs, for example, the pleura becoming thicker or fluid accumulation (pleural effusion). MRI and PET scans can be used to search for mesothelioma. Blood tests can detect the presence of certain substances in the body that could indicate mesothelioma is present.
A doctor can remove the tissue or fluid to check for cancerous cells. The doctor can also carry out an operation known as thoracoscopic needle aspiration, which is a procedure that removes a small amount of fluid from the lungs or thoracic cavity. This test is a less invasive alternative to a biopsy, and can be performed in a doctor's office.
If a doctor diagnoses mesothelioma it is likely that they will recommend radiation, chemotherapy and surgery to stop cancer cells from spreading. The chemotherapy and surgery typically take place in an outpatient environment, and radiation may be delivered in a hospital or clinic. The use of palliative therapy is commonly to manage pain and other symptoms. Palliative treatment may include painkillers as well as regular drainage of fluids or a tube placed in the chest to assist with breathing. It could also involve radiation to prevent the tumor from growing.
Treatment
Treatment can ease symptoms and prolong the life of those suffering from mesothelioma. Treatment options differ based on the mesothelioma type and stage. The treatment plan can vary based on the level of asbestos exposure a patient is exposed to.
The symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to other illnesses like pneumonia or the flu. This makes it hard for doctors to identify mesothelioma early. Often, patients will be afflicted with symptoms for several months before being diagnosed with mesothelioma.
To determine the cause of the illness doctors will conduct an examination and ask about any exposure to asbestos in the past. They will then conduct scans of the blood and imaging to determine the severity of the cancer and its location within the body.
The most common mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma. It affects the lungs. Most likely to develop the disease are people who have worked as welders, plumber or electrician or in the auto industry.
Pleural mesothelioma can cause a buildup of fluid, creating chest pain and difficulty breathing. Surgery can help eliminate the excess fluid and improve a person's quality of life.
Doctors may also opt for pleurodesis procedure to prevent future fluid buildup in the lungs. During the procedure, a tube will be inserted into the pleura in order to drain the fluid. Then, medication will be injected to prevent further buildup. Patients can also opt to have a shunt installed, which is a device that circulates fluid from one region of the body to another for absorption.
The treatment of chemotherapy and radiation are both options. Chemotherapy fights cancer cells directly by killing them. Radiation therapy shrinks tumors using high-energy rays. Patients who aren't eligible for surgery may opt for targeted therapy. This is done by attacking the cancer-causing gene within the cancerous cells.
Prognosis
The prognosis for mesothelioma depends on several factors including the type and location of the cancer, the stage at diagnosis and general health of the patient. A mesothelioma prognosis can improve when patients seek treatment from a seasoned specialist in the field of mesothelioma and follow their treatment regimen. Patients who are part of a clinical trial may be able to access new treatments still under study.
Mesothelioma symptoms are similar the symptoms of a variety of other diseases, so they are often misdiagnosed. Patients may experience abdominal pain, breathing problems and other symptoms before being diagnosed. These symptoms may be initially mild and can be easily confused with other ailments. It is therefore essential to have any symptoms checked by a physician as soon as is possible.
Mesothelioma can affect the chest cavity's lining (pleural mesothelioma) or the peritoneum (peritoneal mesothelioma) or, in very rare instances the membrane that covers the testicles (pericardial mesothelioma). Pleural mesothelioma makes up the majority of mesothelioma cases. It accounts for 85 percent of all diagnoses made in patients over 75 years old.
Men and women can have different survival rates for mesothelioma. This is due to the fact that men are more likely than women to work in areas that expose them to asbestos. Females exposed to mesothelioma have twice the likelihood of surviving for the next five years than male patients. This is likely due to the ways female hormones interact with mesothelioma tumor cells. The prognosis of a person is also affected by their age, since older patients have a harder to recover from illness. It's important to note that mesothelioma patients can have a long life span, even a decade or more beyond their initial prognosis.
Compensation
Mesothelioma Compensation assists victims in covering their medical costs as well as lost wages and other costs associated with the asbestos-related illness. Often, this mesothelioma compensation is granted through a combination of asbestos trust funds, lawsuits, and settlements. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can assist you in determining the amount of compensation that is available in your particular case.
Mesothelioma patients can file a personal injury lawsuit to receive financial compensation from manufacturers of asbestos-related products they were exposed to during their work. Mesothelioma lawsuits can be filed on behalf of a victim by their loved one or family member, or a court-appointed representative. The estate of a victim who died from mesothelioma is able to file a wrongful-dea lawsuit to seek compensation from those who are responsible for the victim's asbestos exposure.
Because it can take decades from exposure to diagnosis Many people diagnosed with mesothelioma carry significant financial obligations resulting from treatment. Mesothelioma compensation can help patients pay off their debts and also provide for the future of their family members.
Mesothelioma lawsuits and settlements can also provide compensation to victims for their pain and suffering. A mesothelioma lawyer can assist families and victims get the compensation they are entitled to.
A mesothelioma lawyer is able to handle every aspect of a victim's mesothelioma claim to make it as pain-free as they can. Our lawyers at Sokolove Law have helped victims and their family members obtain more than $4.7 billion for mesothelioma claims. Contact us today to begin on a free mesothelioma case review. Our lawyers serve clients nationwide. We can visit you at your home or in a hospital. Our law firm only gets paid when we are able to secure compensation for you.