The Worst Advice We've Been Given About Mesothelioma Claim
Mesothelioma Claims
A mesothelioma claim can help victims obtain compensation for treatment and other costs. State laws, also known as statutes of limitations limit the time a patient has to file a lawsuit.
Most lawsuits are in the form of personal injury or wrongful death claims. Juries award monetary damages which include economic and noneconomic damages.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a rare illness and it can take many years before patients receive a diagnosis. Patients typically visit their primary doctor with a medical history. Doctors will do an examination of the body and inquire about exposure to asbestos.
Imaging tests are typically ordered by doctors when they suspect mesothelioma. This can include chest X-rays (CT scans) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography. These tests provide a detailed analysis of the body. They may show an accumulation of fluid around the abdomen or lungs which is a common mesothelioma symptom.
These tests can also 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 cancerous cells in the abdominal cavity. In a surgical biopsies doctors will remove a small amount of tissue from an area of tumor or affected and examine it under a microscope in order to check for symptoms of mesothelioma. Doctors may also use a test called a cytology to identify cancerous cells from fluid samples taken from the lungs or stomach.
A blood test called the MESOMARK assay can measure the amount of soluble mesothelin related peptide (SMRP) in the body of the patient. High levels of this biomarker could be a sign mesothelioma cells.
In turn, biomarkers can be beneficial in diagnosing mesothelioma in its earliest stages. It is not a replacement for mesothelioma biopsy, which is the only way to determine the presence of cancer within the body. Doctors can conduct a non-surgical biopsy to collect fluid from the pleura and the stomach using a needle, and look it up for mesothelioma cancer cells.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma can occur anywhere in the body where asbestos has caused cancerous cells to develop. The most common locations are the lungs. Patients with pleural mesothelioma suffer from pain in the chest area as well as hoarseness, difficulty swallowing and a swollen throat. People with peritoneal or pericardial mesothelioma often experience discomfort in their abdomen, as well as fatigue and weight loss. The signs of mesothelioma can be difficult to recognize because they are similar to other diseases. It may take years after exposure to asbestos before mesothelioma can grow.
CT scans and X-rays can reveal changes in the lungs, such as the accumulation of fluid or thickening of the pleura (pleural effusion). MRI and PET scans are also used to detect mesothelioma. Blood tests can be used to detect elevated levels of certain substances which could be indicative of mesothelioma.
A doctor can drain an amount of fluid or tissue that builds up to test it for cancerous cells. The doctor may also perform a procedure called the thoracoscopic needle aspiration procedure to remove some of the fluid from the lungs and thoracic cavity. This test is a less-invasive version of a biopsy and can be done in a doctor's office.
If a doctor suspects mesothelioma, he or she will likely recommend radiation, chemotherapy and surgery to stop the cancer cells from spreading. Radiation can be administered in a clinic or hospital. The radiation is typically given outpatient. Palliative treatments are typically used to treat discomfort and other symptoms. It can include painkillers as well as regular draining of fluids or a tube put in the chest to assist with breathing, and radiation to keep the tumor from becoming larger.
Treatment
Treatment can ease symptoms and prolong the life of people with mesothelioma. Treatment options differ based on the mesothelioma's type and stage. The treatment plan can vary based on the level of asbestos exposure that the patient has.
The symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to other illnesses like 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 determine the cause of the illness doctors will conduct an examination of the body and inquire about any exposure to asbestos in the past. They then will conduct scans and blood tests to determine the size and extent of the cancer's presence in the body.
The most commonly diagnosed mesothelioma type is pleural mesothelioma. This affects the lungs. The most likely patients for developing the disease are those who have worked as welders, plumber or electrician or in the auto industry.
A buildup of fluid can lead to chest pain and breathing problems. Surgery can help remove excess fluid, which can improve the quality of life for patients.
Pleurodesis is yet another procedure doctors can use to prevent further accumulation of fluid in the lungs. During this procedure the tube is inserted into the pleura to drain the fluid and then medication is injected to prevent future buildups. Patients may also choose to receive a shunt which is a device that is used to transfer fluid from one part of the body to the other for absorption.
The treatment of chemotherapy and radiation are both options. Chemotherapy kills cancer cells in a direct manner. Radiation therapy targets tumors, and shrinks them by using high-energy radiation. Patients who aren't candidates for surgery may undergo targeted therapy, which involves targeting the cancer-causing genes in the cancerous cells.
Prognosis
The mesothelioma prognosis is contingent on a variety of factors including the nature and location of the cancer and the stage of diagnosis and the general health of the patient. Patients with mesothelioma can improve their chances of survival when they seek treatment from a specialist in mesothelioma and follow their treatment plan. Additionally, AccidentInjuryLawyers who participate in clinical trials may be able to access new treatments that are still being studied.
The mesothelioma symptoms are similar to many other conditions. This can lead to an abundance of mistakes in diagnosis. Patients may experience abdominal pain, breathing problems and other symptoms prior to being diagnosed. Because these symptoms are so initially mild it is easy to confuse them with other ailments. As a result, it is important to have any symptoms checked out by a doctor as quickly as you can.
Mesothelioma can affect the lining of the chest cavity (pleural mesothelioma) or the peritoneum (peritoneal mesothelioma) or, in very rare cases the membrane that surrounds the testicles (pericardial mesothelioma). The majority of mesothelioma diagnosis are pleural mesothelioma. 85 per cent of them being diagnosed in patients who are older than 75 years.
The survival rates for mesothelioma differ between women and men. Men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos than women, as they tend to work in industries where asbestos is prevalent. However women who have been exposed to mesothelioma are two times more likely to live past five years than male patients. This is likely due to the interaction between female hormones and mesothelioma cancer cells. The prognosis for a patient is also influenced by their age, as older patients have a harder recovery from illness. It's also worth noting that some mesothelioma patients live years or even a decade beyond their initial prognoses.
Compensation
Mesothelioma compensation is a way to help victims pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and other expenses related to the asbestos-related disease. Often, this mesothelioma compensation is awarded through the combination of asbestos trust funds, lawsuits and settlements. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can help you determine what compensation is available in your case.
A person who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma can bring a lawsuit against the manufacturer of asbestos-related products to which they were exposed while at work. They may be able to seek financial compensation. Mesothelioma lawsuits can be filed on behalf of the victim's loved ones, family member or a court-appointed representative. The estate of a victim's family who died of mesothelioma may file a wrongful death lawsuit to seek compensation from the parties responsible for the victim's asbestos exposure.
Because it can take years from the moment of exposure to diagnosis, many people diagnosed with mesothelioma have significant financial debts from treatment. Mesothelioma compensation can help sufferers pay off their debts and also provide for the future of their families.
Mesothelioma lawsuits and settlements can also provide compensation to victims for their suffering and pain. A knowledgeable mesothelioma lawyer will assist victims and their families get the money they deserve.
A mesothelioma lawyer can manage every aspect of a patient's claim for mesothelioma and make it as easy as they can. At Sokolove Law, our attorneys have secured over $4.7 billion in mesothelioma settlements for victims and their families. Contact us today to arrange no-cost review of your mesothelioma case. Our lawyers serve clients nationwide. We are able to visit you at your home or in a hospital. Our law firm will only be paid if we get you compensation.