Mesothelioma Claims
A mesothelioma lawsuit can help victims obtain compensation for treatment and other expenses. State laws, also referred to as statutes or limitations, restrict the time that a person can file a lawsuit.
The most common form of lawsuits is of personal injury or wrongful death claims. The jury awards monetary damages, which can include economic and non-economic damages.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a rare condition and it can take many years for patients to receive a diagnosis. In the majority of cases, patients visit their primary care physician with symptoms and a medical history. Doctors will do an examination of the body and inquire about any possible exposure to asbestos.
If doctors suspect mesothelioma, they often request 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 show the accumulation of fluid around the abdomen or lungs, which is a common mesothelioma symptom.
These tests also help to determine the type of mesothelioma. The mesothelioma that is pleural occurs when cancerous cells within the lung the lining (pleura) cause the disease. 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 tumor or affected area to examine under a microscope to look for signs of mesothelioma. Doctors can also perform the test known as a cytology to identify cancerous cells in fluid samples taken from the stomach or lungs.
A blood test, dubbed the MESOMARK Assay, can measure the amount of soluble mesothelin-related peptide (SMRP) within the body of the patient. This biomarker has high levels and can be a sign of mesothelioma.
These biomarkers are therefore helpful to doctors who are trying to detect mesothelioma in its earliest stages. It is not a substitute for mesothelioma biopsy, which is the only method to determine the presence of cancer within the body. Doctors can conduct non-surgical biopsies to remove fluid from the stomach or pleura by using a needle, and then analyze it for mesothelioma cells.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma can occur anyplace on the body in which asbestos-induced cancerous cells have developed. The most common locations are the lungs, abdomen and heart. People who have pleural mesothelioma feel pain in their chest area as well as hoarseness, difficulty swallowing and a swollen throat. People with peritoneal and pericardial cancer typically experience abdominal pain, fatigue, and weight loss. Mesothelioma symptoms can be difficult to recognize because the symptoms mimic those of many common illnesses. Mesothelioma can develop years after asbestos exposure.
CT scans and X-rays can reveal changes in the lungs such as thickening or fluid buildup of the pleura (pleural effusion). MRI and PET scans are also used to identify mesothelioma. Blood tests can be used to check for elevated levels of certain substances which could be indicative of mesothelioma.
A doctor can drain an amount of fluid or tissue that is accumulating to determine if it contains cancer cells. A doctor may also perform an operation, known as thoracoscopic aspiration. It removes a small amount fluid from the thoracic cavity or lungs. This test is a non-invasive alternative to biopsies, and can be done in a doctor's clinic.
If a doctor suspects mesothelioma, the doctor will most likely suggest chemotherapy, radiation and surgery to stop the cancer cells from spreading. The treatment and surgery are usually performed in an outpatient setting and the radiation is delivered in a clinic or hospital. The use of palliative therapy is commonly to alleviate pain and other symptoms. It may include painkillers as well as regular drainage of fluids, tubes that are placed inside the chest to help with breathing, and radiation to keep the tumor from expanding.
Treatment
Treatment can help ease symptoms and prolong the life of people with mesothelioma. There are many options available, based on the type and stage of mesothelioma. The treatment plan could differ depending on the amount of asbestos exposure the patient is exposed to.
The symptoms of mesothelioma are the same as many other diseases, such as the flu or pneumonia. This makes it difficult for doctors to identify the disease early. In many cases, patients experience symptoms for several months before being diagnosed with mesothelioma.
To determine the cause of the illness, doctors will perform an examination and ask about past exposure to asbestos. They will then conduct blood tests and imaging scans to determine the severity of the cancer and its location within the body.
The most frequent form of mesothelioma affects the lungs. People who have been exposed to asbestos in the course of their work as workers in the construction industry, welding electrician, plumber or autoworker are more likely to develop this illness.
A buildup of fluid could lead to chest pain and breathing problems. Surgery can eliminate excess fluid, enhancing a person's life.
Pleurodesis is yet another procedure doctors can employ to stop future accumulation of fluid in the lungs. In this procedure, a tube is inserted into the pleura to drain the fluid and then medicine is injected to prevent the buildup of further fluids. Patients can also opt to have a shunt, which is a device that is used to move fluid from one area of the body to another for absorption.
Radiation and chemotherapy are also options. Chemotherapy kills cancer cells in a direct manner. Radiation therapy shrinks tumors by using high-energy rays. People who aren't suitable for surgery can opt for targeted therapy, which targets the cancer-causing genes inside of the cancer cells.
Prognosis
The prognosis of mesothelioma is dependent on a variety of factors such as the type and stage of cancer, the location and general health condition of the patient. A mesothelioma prognosis can improve if patients seek treatment from a specialist who is experienced in mesothelioma therapy and follow their treatment plan. Patients with mesothelioma who take part in clinical trials could also be able to access new treatments that are being investigated.
The mesothelioma symptoms are comparable to other diseases. This causes an abundance of misdiagnosis. Patients may experience breathing problems or abdominal pain, among other symptoms for some time before they are diagnosed. Because these symptoms are so initially mild, people can easily confuse them with other conditions. Therefore, it is important to get any symptoms examined by a physician as soon as is possible.
Mesothelioma can affect the lining of 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 is the most common cause of mesothelioma cases, with 85 percent of all diagnoses made in patients over 75 years old.
Survival rates for mesothelioma can differ between women and men. Men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos than women since they work in areas 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 the interaction between female hormones and mesothelioma cancer cells. A person's age also impacts their prognosis because older patients are more likely to have a more difficult time recuperating from the illness. It's also worth noting that some mesothelioma patients survive for years or even a decade or more beyond their initial prognoses.
Compensation
Mesothelioma compensation assists victims to pay for their medical expenses, lost wages and other costs associated with this asbestos-related illness. The mesothelioma settlements are typically granted by combining asbestos trust funds, lawsuits and settlements. An experienced mesothelioma attorney can help determine which forms of compensation may be available to you in your particular case.
A person who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma may file a lawsuit against the company that makes asbestos-related products to which they were exposed while at work. They may seek financial compensation. Mesothelioma lawsuits can be filed on behalf of a victim's loved one or family member, or an appointed representative by the court. If a victim has passed away from mesothelioma, awrongful death lawsuit can be filed by the estate of the victim's deceased loved ones to seek compensation from the parties who are responsible for their loved ones' asbestos exposure.
Because it can take decades from exposure to diagnosis many patients diagnosed with mesothelioma have significant financial debts from treatment. Mesothelioma settlements can help victims of the disease pay off their debts and ensure their families' future.
Mesothelioma settlements and lawsuits may also be used to compensate victims for their pain and suffering. A mesothelioma attorney can assist families and victims receive the compensation they deserve.
A mesothelioma lawyer can manage every aspect of a patient's mesothelioma case to make it as pain-free as they can. At bakersfield mesothelioma lawsuit have secured more than $4.7 billion in mesothelioma-related settlements for patients and their families. Contact us today to get started on a no-cost mesothelioma case review. Our lawyers serve clients nationwide. We can visit you at your home or in a hospital. Our law firm is only paid if we are able to get you compensation.