Mesothelioma Claims

A mesothelioma lawsuit can allow victims to receive compensation for treatment and other expenses. State laws, also known as statutes or limitations, limit the amount of time a patient can make a claim.

Lawsuits typically take the form of personal injury or wrongful death claims. Juries award damages in the form of money that include non-economic and economic damages.

Diagnosis

It can take a long time to recognize mesothelioma. This is a rare disease. Patients typically visit their primary doctor with symptoms and a medical history. Doctors will conduct a physical examination and ask about asbestos exposure.

Imaging tests are typically requested by doctors when they suspect mesothelioma. This can include chest X-rays (CT scans) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography. These tests offer a thorough analysis of the body. They can reveal the accumulation of fluid around the abdomen or lungs, which is a common mesothelioma symptom.

These tests also help determine the type of mesothelioma. The mesothelioma type that is pleural is caused by cancer cells in the lung lining known as the pleura. The peritoneal form is caused by cancerous cells that reside in the abdominal cavity. In the procedure of a surgical biopsy, doctors will remove a small sample of tissue from the affected area to examine under a microscope for signs of mesothelioma. Doctors can also conduct an examination known as the cytology test to detect cancerous cells in samples of fluid taken from the stomach or lungs.

A blood test known as the MESOMARK test can determine the amount of mesothelin-soluble peptide (SMRP) in the patient's body. The presence of this biomarker can be a sign of mesothelioma.

These biomarkers are thus beneficial for doctors trying to identify mesothelioma at its beginning stages. It is not a substitute for mesothelioma biopsy, which is the only method to determine the presence of cancer in the body. Doctors can perform a non-surgical procedure to take fluid from the pleura or stomach using a needle. They then analyze it for mesothelioma cells.

Symptoms

Mesothelioma may occur anywhere on the body where cancerous asbestos-induced cells have formed. The most frequent sites are the lung. Patients with pleural mesothelioma feel pain in their chest region, difficulty swallowing and hoarseness. People who have peritoneal or pericardial mesothelioma often feel pain in their abdominal region and fatigue and weight loss. The signs of mesothelioma can be difficult to recognize because they are similar to other diseases. Mesothelioma can develop years after exposure to asbestos.

CT scans and Xrays can reveal changes in the lungs such as the accumulation of fluid or thickening of pleura (pleural effusion). MRI and PET scans can also be used to detect mesothelioma. Blood tests can be used to check for elevated levels of certain substances that could indicate mesothelioma.

A doctor can drain the fluid or tissue that is accumulating to determine if it contains cancer cells. Doctors can also perform an operation known as thoracoscopic aspiration, which removes a small amount of fluid from the lungs or thoracic cavities. This test is a less-invasive alternative to a biopsy, and can be done in the doctor's office.

If a doctor has diagnosed mesothelioma he or she will likely recommend radiation, chemotherapy and surgery to stop cancer cells from spreading. Radiation therapy can be performed in a hospital or clinic. The radiation is usually administered as an as an outpatient. Palliative treatments are often used to treat pain and other symptoms. It can include painkillers and regular draining of fluids or tubes that are placed inside the chest to aid in breathing and radiation to prevent the tumor from growing.

Treatment

Treatment can help ease symptoms and extend the life of those suffering from mesothelioma. There are many options available, based on the type and stage of mesothelioma. The treatment plan will also depend on the level of asbestos exposure the patient has.

The symptoms of mesothelioma are the same as many other illnesses, like pneumonia or the flu. This makes it difficult for doctors to diagnose the disease early. In many cases, patients suffer for a long time before being diagnosed with mesothelioma.

Doctors will conduct a physical examination and ask about previous asbestos exposure. They will follow up with blood tests and imaging scans to determine the severity of the cancer and where it is located within the body.


The most commonly diagnosed mesothelioma type is pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lungs. Most likely to develop the disease are people who have worked as a welding technician, plumber or electrician, or in the auto industry.

Pleural mesothelioma can trigger a buildup of fluid, which can cause chest pain and trouble breathing. Surgery can eliminate the excess fluid and improve the quality of life.

Doctors can also utilize pleurodesis, a procedure that helps prevent future fluid buildup in the lung. During this procedure the tube is inserted into the pleura to drain the fluid and then medication is injected to prevent the buildup of further fluids. Patients can also opt to use a shunt which is a device to move fluid from one part of the body to the next to absorb.

Other treatments include chemotherapy and radiation. Chemotherapy targets cancerous cells by directly killing them. Radiation therapy targets tumors, and shrinks them by using high-energy radiation. Patients who aren't eligible for surgery can undergo targeted therapy. This involves targeting the cancer-causing gene in the cancerous cells.

Prognosis

The prognosis for mesothelioma depends on a variety of factors including the type and location of the cancer as well as the stage at which it was diagnosed and general patient health. Patients with mesothelioma may improve their odds of survival by seeking treatment from a specialist in mesothelioma, and adhere to their treatment regimen. In addition, patients with mesothelioma who are part of an clinical trial could have access to new treatments that are currently under investigation.

The symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to other diseases. This leads to many incorrect diagnosis. Patients may experience breathing problems as well as abdominal pains and other symptoms for a few months before they are diagnosed. These symptoms may be initially mild and can be confused with other illnesses. Therefore, it's crucial to have any symptoms evaluated by a doctor as quickly as possible.

Lake Forest mesothelioma lawsuits 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 accounts for most mesothelioma-related cases, accounting for 85 percent of all diagnosed cases occurring in patients who are over 75 years old.

Women and men may have different rates of survival for mesothelioma. Men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos than women, as they tend to work in areas that have asbestos in them. Mesothelioma patients with females have twice the likelihood of surviving the past five years than male patients. This is likely due to the interaction between female hormones and mesothelioma cancer cells. Age also affects their prognosis because older patients tend to have a harder time recuperating from the illness. It is important to remember that some mesothelioma patients endure for a long time, or 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 expenses related to this asbestos-related disease. 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 might be available to you in your particular case.

Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma may bring 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 the victim's loved ones, family member or 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 the parties responsible for the victim's asbestos exposure.

Since it can take a long time from the moment of exposure to diagnosis many patients diagnosed with mesothelioma have significant financial burdens resulting from their treatment. Mesothelioma compensation may help patients pay off their debts and provide for the future of their family members.

Mesothelioma lawsuits and settlements may also be used to compensate victims for their suffering and pain. A mesothelioma attorney can help victims and families get the compensation they are entitled to.

A skilled mesothelioma law firm can handle every aspect of a victim's mesothelioma claim, making the process as painless as possible for their client. Our attorneys at Sokolove Law have helped victims and their family members collect more than $4.7 billion for mesothelioma claims. Contact us today to arrange a free review of your mesothelioma case. Our lawyers serve clients nationwide. We can visit you at home or at the hospital. Our law firm is paid only when we are able to secure compensation for you.