Mesothelioma Claims

A mesothelioma case can assist victims in obtaining compensation for treatment and other costs. Statutes of limitations in the state, also known as statutes of limitations restrict how long a victim must make a claim.

Personal injury or wrongful deaths are the most popular kinds of lawsuits. Juries award monetary damages that include both economic and non-economic damages.

Diagnosis

It could take years to recognize mesothelioma. This is a rare illness. Most patients go to their primary care physician with complaints and medical history. Doctors will do a physical exam and ask about the possibility of exposure to asbestos.

If doctors suspect mesothelioma, they will often order imaging tests. This includes chest X-rays (CT scans), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography. These tests give a detailed view of the body. They can reveal a build-up of fluid around the abdomen or lungs which is a common mesothelioma symptom.

These tests can also help determine the type of mesothelioma. The mesothelioma pleural type is when cancerous cells in the lung lining (pleura) cause the disease. The peritoneal form is caused by cancerous cells in the abdominal cavity. In the procedure of a surgical biopsy, doctors will remove a small sample of tissue from the affected area and examine it under a microscope for signs of mesothelioma. Doctors can also perform a test called a cytology to detect cancerous cells in 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 can be a sign of mesothelioma.

These biomarkers are thus beneficial to doctors trying to diagnose mesothelioma at its earliest stages. However, it is not an alternative to mesothelioma biopsies which is the sole method to know if cancer is present in the body. Doctors can perform a non-surgical procedure to collect fluid from the pleura or stomach using a needle. They then examine it for mesothelioma-related cells.

Symptoms

Mesothelioma can occur anywhere in the body where cancerous asbestos-induced cells have formed. The most common locations are the lungs. Pleural mesothelioma causes chest pain as well as difficulty swallowing and hoarseness. Patients with pericardial and peritoneal cancer are often afflicted with abdominal pain, fatigue, and weight loss. Mesothelioma symptoms are difficult to recognize because the signs are similar to those of other common diseases. It can take years after exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma to grow.

X-rays and CT scans can reveal changes in the lungs, including the pleura becoming thicker or fluid buildup (pleural effusion). MRI and PET scans can also be used to search for mesothelioma. Blood tests can be used to determine the presence of certain substances that may indicate mesothelioma.

A doctor can drain the fluid or tissue to look for cancerous cells. The doctor may also perform an operation known as thoracoscopic needle aspiration, which is a procedure that removes some of the fluid from around the lungs or the thoracic cavity. This test is a more non-invasive form of biopsies and can be performed in a clinic of a doctor.

If a doctor suspects mesothelioma, they might suggest surgery, radiation or chemotherapy to kill cancerous cells and stop them from spreading. The treatment and surgery are usually performed in an outpatient environment, and radiation may be delivered in a clinic or hospital. Palliative treatment is often used to manage pain and other symptoms. Palliative treatment can include painkillers and regular drainage of fluids, or a tube inserted in the chest to help 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 vary based on the mesothelioma's type and stage. The treatment plan will depend on the level of asbestos exposure a patient has.

The symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to other illnesses such as the flu or pneumonia. This makes it difficult for doctors to recognize the disease early. Patients may experience symptoms for months before they are diagnosed with mesothelioma.

Doctors will conduct a physical examination and inquire about any prior asbestos exposure. They will follow up with imaging scans and blood tests to determine the severity of the cancer and its location in the body.

The most prevalent mesothelioma type affects the lungs. People who have been exposed to asbestos in the course of their work as an industrial worker, welder electrician, plumber or autoworker are most likely to develop this disease.

A buildup of fluid can lead to chest pain and breathing problems. Surgery can remove the excess fluid and improve a patient's quality of life.

Doctors can also utilize pleurodesis, a procedure that helps stop the buildup of fluid in the lungs. During this procedure the tube is inserted into the pleura to drain fluid and then medicine is injected to prevent future buildups. Patients can also opt to have a shunt placed on their body. It is a device that moves fluid from one part of the body to another to absorb.


Chemotherapy and radiation are also options. Chemotherapy kills cancerous cells directly. Albany mesothelioma lawsuit shrinks tumors by using high-energy radiation. Patients who aren't candidates for surgery may undergo targeted therapy, which targets the cancer-causing genes within the cancerous cells.

Prognosis

The prognosis of mesothelioma is dependent on a variety of factors such as the stage and type of cancer, its location and general health condition of the patient. A mesothelioma prognosis can improve when patients seek treatment from an experienced specialist in the field of mesothelioma and follow their treatment plan. Patients with mesothelioma who take part in clinical trials could also have access to new treatments that are still being investigated.

Mesothelioma symptoms are similar those of many other conditions which is why they are often not diagnosed. Patients may experience breathing problems or abdominal pain, among other symptoms for several months before being diagnosed. These symptoms are initially mild and can be confused with other ailments. Therefore, it is important to get any symptoms examined by a physician as soon as you can.

Mesothelioma can affect the tissue lining the chest cavity (pleural mesothelioma), the peritoneum (peritoneal mesothelioma) or, in very rare instances, the membrane that surrounds the testicles (pericardial mesothelioma). The majority of mesothelioma diagnosis are pleural mesothelioma, with 85 percent being found in patients over 75 years.

The survival rates for mesothelioma may vary between women and men. Men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos than women as they tend to work in areas that have asbestos in them. Females exposed to mesothelioma have twice the chance of surviving the past five years than male patients. This is likely due to the interaction between female hormones and mesothelioma cancer cells. A person's age also impacts their outlook since older patients tend to suffer more difficulty recuperating from the illness. It's also important to note that some mesothelioma patients live years or even a decade past their initial prognoses.

Compensation

Mesothelioma Compensation assists victims in covering their medical costs, lost wages, and other costs associated with the asbestos-related illness. This mesothelioma settlement is often granted by the amalgamation of asbestos trust funds, lawsuits, and settlements. A mesothelioma lawyer with experience can help determine which forms of compensation may be applicable to your situation.

Mesothelioma patients can bring a personal injury lawsuit for financial compensation from the manufacturers of asbestos-related products they were exposed to while at work. Mesothelioma lawsuits can be filed on behalf of the victim's loved ones, family member or a court-appointed representative. If a victim has passed away of mesothelioma or another cancer, a wrongful death lawsuit can be filed by the estate of the victim's deceased loved ones to collect compensation from those responsible for their loved one's asbestos exposure.

Since it can take a long time from diagnosis to exposure Many people diagnosed with mesothelioma are burdened with financial debts from treatment. Mesothelioma settlements can help patients of the disease pay off their debts, and also provide for their families' future.

Mesothelioma lawsuits and settlements can also compensate victims for their pain and suffering. A mesothelioma lawyer with experience can assist victims and their families 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 stress-free as they can for their client. Our lawyers at Sokolove Law have helped victims and their family members collect more than $4.7 billion in mesothelioma lawsuits. Contact us today for free consultation on your mesothelioma case. Our lawyers serve clients nationwide. We are able to meet with you at your home or hospital. Our law firm is only paid if we get you compensation.