Mesothelioma Claims
A mesothelioma lawsuit can help victims obtain compensation for treatment and other expenses. State laws, also known as statutes or limitations, restrict the amount of time a patient can make a claim.
Lawsuits typically take the form of personal injury or wrongful death claims. The jury awards financial damages, which can include economic and noneconomic damage.
newport news mesothelioma law firm can take a long time to recognize mesothelioma. This is a rare illness. Patients usually visit their primary doctor with complaints and an medical history. Doctors will conduct physical examinations and inquire about exposure to asbestos.
Imaging tests are typically requested by doctors when they suspect mesothelioma. 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 may reveal the presence of fluid in the lungs or abdomen, which is a mesothelioma-related symptom.
These tests also help determine the type of mesothelioma. The mesothelioma pleural type occurs when cancer cells in lung the lining (pleura) cause the disease. The peritoneal type is caused by cancerous cells in the abdominal cavity. In a surgical biopsy, doctors will remove a small sample of tissue from the tumor or affected area to examine under a microscope for indications of mesothelioma. Doctors can also conduct a test called a cytology to detect cancerous cells from samples of fluid taken from the lungs or stomach.
A blood test called the MESOMARK test can measure the amount of soluble mesothelin related peptide (SMRP) in the patient's body. High levels of this biomarker can be a sign of mesothelioma cell lines.
These biomarkers are thus beneficial to doctors who are trying to diagnose mesothelioma at its earliest stages. It's not a substitute for mesothelioma biopsy, which is the only way to definitively determine whether cancer has been found within the body. Doctors can perform a non-surgical biopsy to extract fluid from the pleura and the stomach using a needle. They then examine it for mesothelioma-related cells.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma can be found anywhere in the body where asbestos has created cancerous cells. The most frequent sites are the lung. Pleural mesothelioma causes chest pain, difficulty swallowing, and hoarseness. Patients with mesothelioma of the pericardial or peritoneal region suffer from pain in their abdominal region as well as weight loss and fatigue. The symptoms of mesothelioma may be difficult to recognize because they are similar to the symptoms of other common diseases. Mesothelioma can develop years after exposure to asbestos.
CT scans and X-rays can detect changes in the lungs, such as thickening or fluid buildup of pleura (pleural effusion). MRI and PET scans can also be used to identify mesothelioma. Blood tests can be used to determine the presence of certain substances within the body that indicate mesothelioma is present.
A doctor can drain the fluid or tissue to test for cancer cells. Doctors can also perform an operation called thoracoscopic aspiration. It removes a small amount fluid from the thoracic cavity or lungs. This test is a more non-invasive form of biopsies and can be performed in a medical clinic.
If the doctor finds mesothelioma, they might recommend surgery, radiation and chemotherapy to kill the cancer cells and stop the spread. The chemotherapy and surgery are generally done in an outpatient setting, and radiation may be given in a hospital or clinic. Palliative treatments are typically used to control discomfort and other symptoms. Palliative treatment can include painkillers as well as regular drainage of fluids or a tube that is placed inside the chest to aid with breathing. It may also include radiation to stop the tumor from advancing.
Treatment
Treatment can ease symptoms and prolong the life of people with mesothelioma. Treatment options vary based on the mesothelioma type and stage. The treatment plan can vary based on the level of asbestos exposure the patient is exposed to.
The symptoms of mesothelioma resemble many other diseases, such as the flu or pneumonia. This makes it hard for doctors to recognize mesothelioma before it becomes apparent. Patients may experience symptoms for months before being diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Doctors will conduct a physical examination and inquire about any prior asbestos exposure. They will follow up with scans of the blood and imaging to determine the severity of the cancer and the location within the body.
The most frequent mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lung. Most likely to develop the disease are those who have worked as welders, plumber or electrician or in the auto industry.
Pleural mesothelioma may cause an accumulation of fluid, creating chest pain and difficulty breathing. Surgery can eliminate the excess fluid and improve a person's quality of life.
Pleurodesis is a different procedure doctors can employ to stop further accumulation of fluid in the lung. During this procedure the tube is inserted into the pleura to drain the fluid and then medication is injected to prevent further buildups. Patients may also choose to use a shunt which is a device used to transfer fluid from one region of the body to another for absorption.
Other treatments include chemotherapy and radiation. Chemotherapy targets cancerous cells by directly killing them. Radiation therapy shrinks tumors by using high-energy rays. Patients who are not eligible for surgery may undergo targeted therapy. This involves attacking the cancer-causing gene within the cancer cells.
Prognosis
The prognosis of mesothelioma is based on several factors including the type and location of cancer as well as the stage at which it was diagnosed and general health of the patient. The mesothelioma prognosis could improve by seeking treatment from an experienced specialist in mesothelioma therapy and follow their treatment plan. Patients with mesothelioma who take part in clinical trials may also have access to new treatments that are currently being investigated.
The mesothelioma symptoms are comparable to other diseases. This can lead to an abundance of incorrect diagnosis. Patients may have abdominal pain, breathing difficulties and other symptoms before they are diagnosed. These symptoms may be initially mild and can be misinterpreted as other ailments. It's therefore important to have any symptoms evaluated by a doctor as quickly as possible.
Mesothelioma can affect the tissue lining the chest cavity (pleural mesothelioma) or the peritoneum (peritoneal mesothelioma) or, in very rare instances, the membrane that surrounds the testicles (pericardial mesothelioma). Pleural mesothelioma accounts for most mesothelioma cases. It accounts for 85 percent of diagnosed cases occurring in patients who are over 75 years old.
Both genders can have different survival rates for mesothelioma. This is due to the fact that men are more likely than women to work in fields which expose them to asbestos. However women who have been exposed to mesothelioma are twice more likely to live past five years than male patients. This is likely due the interaction between female hormones and mesothelioma cancer cells. Age also affects their chances of survival since older patients tend to have a more difficult time recovering from the disease. It's also important to note that some mesothelioma patients live years or even a decade or more past their initial prognoses.
Compensation
Mesothelioma compensation is a way to help victims pay for medical expenses, lost wages and other costs associated with this asbestos-related illness. Often, this mesothelioma compensation is awarded through the combination of asbestos trust funds, lawsuits and settlements. A mesothelioma lawyer with experience can help you determine what compensation is available to you in your case.
People diagnosed with mesothelioma can bring a personal injury lawsuit for financial compensation from the producers of asbestos-related products they were exposed to at work. Mesothelioma suits can be filed by family members or a family member or a court appointed representative on behalf of the victim. If a victim has passed away of mesothelioma or another cancer, a wrongful death lawsuit may be filed by the estate of the victim to collect compensation from those who are responsible for their loved ones' asbestos exposure.
Because it can take decades from the moment of exposure to diagnosis, many people diagnosed with mesothelioma have significant financial debts from treatment. Mesothelioma settlements can help those suffering of the disease pay off their debts, and also provide for their families' futures.
Mesothelioma settlements and lawsuits can also compensate the victims for their pain and suffering. A mesothelioma attorney can help victims and families get the compensation they deserve.
A mesothelioma lawyer who is skilled can handle all aspects of a patient's mesothelioma case and make the process as easy as possible for their client. At Sokolove Law our lawyers have secured more than $4.7 billion in mesothelioma settlements for victims and their families. Contact us now to get started on a no-cost mesothelioma case review. Our lawyers serve clients nationwide. We can meet with you at your home or hospital. Our law firm is only paid if we receive compensation.