Mesothelioma Claims
A mesothelioma suit can assist victims to receive compensation for their treatment and other costs. State laws, also known as statutes of limitations restrict the time that a victim has to bring a lawsuit.
Lawsuits typically take the form of personal injury or wrongful death claims. Juries award monetary damages that include both economic and non-economic damages.
Diagnosis
It can take a long time to diagnose mesothelioma, which is a rare disease. In the majority of cases, patients go to their primary care physician with symptoms and medical history. Doctors will perform an examination of the body and ask about asbestos exposure.
Imaging tests are usually 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. These tests could reveal an accumulation of fluid in the lungs or abdomen that is a mesothelioma-related sign.
These tests also help determine the type of mesothelioma. The mesothelioma that is pleural is caused by cancerous cells that line the lung known as the pleura. The peritoneal type is caused by cancerous cells within the abdominal cavity. In mesothelioma attorney in philadelphia performed surgically, doctors will take a sample 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 the cytology test to look for the presence of cancerous cells in fluid samples taken from the stomach or lungs.
A blood test referred to as the MESOMARK test can measure the amount of soluble mesothelin related peptide (SMRP) in the body of the patient. The presence of high levels of this biomarker can be a sign of mesothelioma cells.
In turn, biomarkers can be beneficial for doctors trying to diagnose mesothelioma in its earliest stages. However, they are not a substitute for mesothelioma-related biopsy which is the only definitive way to determine if cancer is present in the body. Doctors can perform a non-surgical biopsy to collect fluid from the pleura or stomach with a needle and examine it for mesothelioma-related cells.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma may occur anywhere on the body where cancerous asbestos-induced cells have developed. The most frequent sites are the abdomen, lungs, and the heart. People who have pleural mesothelioma suffer from pain in the chest region as well as hoarseness, difficulty swallowing and a swollen throat. People with peritoneal or pericardial mesothelioma often suffer from discomfort in their abdomen, as well as fatigue and weight loss. Mesothelioma symptoms can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms mimic the symptoms of a variety of common illnesses. It may take years after exposure to asbestos before mesothelioma can develop.
CT scans and X-rays can detect changes in the lungs such as fluid buildup or thickening of pleura (pleural effusion). MRI and PET scans are also used to detect 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 check for cancerous cells. Doctors can also perform an operation known as the thoracoscopic aspiration. This procedure removes a small amount of fluid from the lungs or thoracic cavities. This test is a less painful version of a biopsy that is performed in the doctor's office.
If a doctor suspects mesothelioma, they might recommend surgery, radiation and chemotherapy to kill cancerous cells and prevent the spread. The treatment and surgery are generally done in an outpatient setting, and the radiation can be administered in a clinic or hospital. The use of palliative therapy is commonly to alleviate pain and other symptoms. It can include painkillers and regular draining of fluids or a tube put in the chest to assist with breathing and radiation to prevent the tumor from growing.
Treatment
Treatment can reduce symptoms and extend the life of people with mesothelioma. Treatment options vary based on the mesothelioma's type and stage. The treatment plan could vary based on the level of asbestos exposure the patient is exposed to.
The symptoms of mesothelioma are the same as many other illnesses, like the flu or pneumonia. This makes it hard for doctors to identify mesothelioma early. Patients may experience symptoms for months before being diagnosed with mesothelioma.
To diagnose the illness doctors will conduct a physical exam and ask about past exposure to asbestos. They will follow up with scans of the blood and imaging to determine the extent of the cancer and its location within the body.
The most commonly diagnosed mesothelioma type is pleural mesothelioma. This 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 more likely to develop this disease.
Pleural mesothelioma can trigger a buildup of fluid, causing chest pain and difficulty breathing. Surgery can help eliminate the excess fluid and improve the quality of life.
Pleurodesis is another procedure that doctors can employ to stop future fluid accumulation in the lungs. During the procedure, a tube will be inserted into pleura in order to drain the fluid. Then medicine will be injected to prevent further buildup. Patients can also opt to receive a shunt which is a device used to transfer fluid from one part of the body to the other to absorb.
Other treatments include chemotherapy and radiation. Chemotherapy fights cancer cells by directly killing them. Radiation therapy targets tumors, and shrinks them with high-energy rays. Those who do not qualify for surgery may undergo targeted therapy. This is done by targeting the cancer-causing gene inside the cancer 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 the general health of the patient. A mesothelioma prognosis can improve when patients seek treatment from an experienced specialist in mesothelioma treatment and adhere to their treatment plan. Patients with mesothelioma who are taking part in clinical trials might have access to novel treatments that are still being investigated.
Mesothelioma symptoms can be compared to the symptoms of a variety of other diseases which is why they are often not diagnosed. Patients may have abdominal pain, breathing problems and other symptoms prior to being diagnosed. These symptoms may be initialy mild and may be easily confused with other illnesses. Therefore, it's crucial to have any symptoms evaluated by a doctor as quickly as possible.
The lining of the chest (pleural mesothelioma) also known as the peritoneum or in rare cases the membrane surrounding the testicles can be affected by mesothelioma. The majority of mesothelioma diagnosis are pleural mesothelioma. 85 percent of them being found in patients over 75 years.
The survival rates for mesothelioma may vary between women and men. This is due to the fact that men are more likely than women to work in industries that expose them to asbestos. Women who are exposed to mesothelioma have twice the chance 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 age of a person also affects their outlook since older patients have a more difficult time recovering from the disease. It's important to note that some mesothelioma patients endure for a long time, or even a decade after their initial prognosis.
Compensation
Mesothelioma Compensation assists patients in paying their medical costs in addition to lost wages and other expenses related to this asbestos-related disease. Most often, this mesothelioma compensation is awarded through an amalgamation of asbestos trust funds, lawsuits and settlements. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer will assist you in determining what compensation is available in your case.
A person diagnosed mesothelioma could bring a lawsuit against the manufacturer of asbestos-related products to which they were exposed while at work. They can seek financial compensation. Mesothelioma lawsuits can be filed on behalf of a victim by their loved one or family member, or by an appointed representative by the court. If a victim died of mesothelioma or another cancer, a wrongful death lawsuit can be filed by the estate of the victim to recover compensation from those who are responsible for their loved ones' asbestos exposure.
Because it can take years from diagnosis to exposure, many people diagnosed with mesothelioma are burdened with financial obligations resulting from treatment. Mesothelioma compensation may help patients pay off their debts and pay for the future of their families.
Mesothelioma lawsuits and settlements may also provide compensation to victims for their pain and suffering. A mesothelioma lawyer with experience can help victims and their families get the money they deserve.
A mesothelioma lawyer can manage every aspect of a patient's mesothelioma claim and make it as easy as they can. At Sokolove Law our lawyers have secured over $4.7 billion in mesothelioma-related settlements for patients and their families. Contact us today for free consultation on your mesothelioma case. Our lawyers serve clients nationwide. We are able to meet you at home or in a hospital. Our law firm is paid only when we receive compensation for you.