Mesothelioma Claims
A mesothelioma lawsuit can aid victims in receiving compensation for their treatment as well as other expenses. Statutes of limitations in the state, also known as statutes of limitations limit the time a patient is required to make a claim.
The most common form of lawsuits is of personal injury or wrongful death claims. The jury awards money damages, which may include economic and noneconomic damage.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a rare disease and it can take a number of years before patients receive a diagnosis. Typically, patients will visit their primary physician with symptoms and medical history. Doctors will conduct physical examinations and inquire about any possible exposure to asbestos.
Imaging tests are typically requested by doctors when they suspect mesothelioma. This includes chest X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These tests offer a thorough analysis of the body. These tests can reveal an accumulation of fluid in the lungs or abdomen, which is a mesothelioma-related symptoms.
These tests can also be used to determine the type mesothelioma. The mesothelioma that is pleural is caused by cancerous cells in the lung lining called the pleura. The peritoneal form is caused by cancer cells found in the abdominal cavity. In a surgical biopsies, doctors will take a sample of tissue from a tumor or affected area and examine it under a microscope to look for signs of mesothelioma. Doctors may also use the test known as the cytology test to detect cancerous cells from samples of fluid taken from the lungs or stomach.
A blood test, called the MESOMARK Assay, can determine the amount of mesothelin soluble to peptide (SMRP), in the body of the patient. This biomarker is high levels could indicate mesothelioma.
These biomarkers are thus beneficial to doctors who are trying to detect mesothelioma in its earliest stages. It is not a replacement to a mesothelioma biopsies, which is the only method to determine the presence of cancer in the body. Doctors can conduct non-surgical biopsies to remove fluid from the stomach or pleura using a needle, and analyze it for cells of mesothelioma.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma can be found anywhere in the body where asbestos has created cancerous cells. The most frequent sites are the lungs. Pleural mesothelioma is a cause of pain in the chest as well as difficulty swallowing and hoarseness. Patients with mesothelioma pericardial or peritoneal often suffer from pain in their abdominal region and fatigue and weight loss. Mesothelioma symptoms are difficult to identify because the signs mimic those of other common diseases. Mesothelioma can develop years after exposure to asbestos.
X-rays and CT scans can show changes in the lungs, for example, the pleura getting thicker or the accumulation of fluid (pleural effusion). MRI and PET scans may be used to search for mesothelioma. Blood tests can be utilized to determine the presence of certain substances that may be indicative of mesothelioma.
A doctor can remove a sample of the fluid or tissue that builds up to check for cancerous cells. The doctor can also perform the procedure known as the thoracoscopic needle aspiration procedure to remove a small amount of fluid from the lungs or the thoracic cavity. This test is a non-invasive form of biopsies procedure and is performed in a medical clinic.
If a doctor has diagnosed mesothelioma it is likely that they will recommend radiation, chemotherapy and surgery to stop the cancer cells from spreading. The chemotherapy and surgery are usually performed in an outpatient environment, and the radiation is delivered in a clinic or a hospital. Palliative treatments are often used to manage discomfort and other symptoms. Palliative treatment can include painkillers and regular drainage of fluids or a tube that is placed in the chest to assist with breathing. It could also include radiation to stop the tumor from growing.
Treatment
For people diagnosed with mesothelioma treatment can help ease symptoms and extend life. Treatment options vary based on the mesothelioma type and stage. The treatment plan may also vary based on the level of asbestos exposure the patient is exposed to.
Mesothelioma symptoms resemble those of many illnesses like the flu and pneumonia. This makes it difficult for doctors to identify the disease early. In many cases, patients be afflicted with symptoms for several months before being diagnosed with mesothelioma.
To determine the cause of the illness, doctors will perform an examination and ask about any exposure to asbestos in the past. 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 common mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma. This affects the lungs. Most likely to develop the disease are those who have worked as a welding technician, plumber or electrician or in the automotive industry.
Pleural mesothelioma may cause an accumulation of fluid, creating chest pain and difficulty breathing. Surgery can help eliminate the excess fluid and improve a person's quality of life.
Doctors can also use a procedure called pleurodesis to prevent future fluid buildup in the lungs. During this procedure, a tube is inserted into the pleura to drain the fluid and then the medicine is injected into the pleura to prevent further buildups. Patients can also opt to use a shunt which is a device used to move fluid from one part of the body to another for absorption.
Chemotherapy and radiation are also options. Chemotherapy kills cancer cells directly. Radiation therapy targets tumors and shrinks them by using high-energy radiation. People who aren't suitable for surgery may undergo targeted therapy, which involves targeting the cancer-causing genes in the cancerous cells.
Prognosis
The prognosis of mesothelioma is affected by several factors such as the type and stage of cancer, the site and the general health status of the patient. A mesothelioma prognosis can improve by seeking treatment from a seasoned specialist in mesothelioma treatment and follow their treatment plan. In addition, patients with mesothelioma who participate in a clinical trial may have access to new treatments that are still being studied.
Mesothelioma symptoms are similar to the symptoms of a variety of other diseases which is why they are often incorrectly diagnosed. Patients may experience breathing difficulties as well as abdominal pains and other symptoms for several months before they are diagnosed. These symptoms may be initially mild and can be misinterpreted as other illnesses. This is why it's crucial to have any symptoms evaluated by a physician as soon as possible.
The chest's lining (pleural mesothelioma) or peritoneum, or in rare instances, the testicles' lining can be affected by mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma is the most common cause of mesothelioma cases. It accounts for 85 percent of all diagnoses made in patients over 75 years old.
Both genders have different survival rates for mesothelioma. Men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos than women since they work in industries where asbestos is present. However females who have been exposed to mesothelioma have twice as likely to survive past five years as male patients. This is likely due to the ways female hormones interact with mesothelioma tumor cells. The prognosis of a person is also affected by their age, since older patients have a harder recovery from illnesses. It's also worth noting that some mesothelioma patients live years or even a decade past their initial prognoses.
Compensation
Mesothelioma Compensation assists victims in covering their medical expenses as well as lost wages and other expenses associated with the asbestos-related illness. This mesothelioma settlement is often granted by amalgamating asbestos trust funds, lawsuits and settlements. A mesothelioma lawyer with experience can assist you in determining the amount of compensation that is available in your case.
Mesothelioma patients can bring a personal injury lawsuit for financial compensation from the producers of asbestos-related products they were exposed to while at work. Mesothelioma lawsuits can be filed on behalf of a victim's loved ones or family member, or an appointed representative by the court. The estate of a victim who has died from mesothelioma may file a wrongful death lawsuit to recover compensation from those who are responsible for the victim's asbestos exposure.
Because it can take decades from diagnosis to exposure many patients diagnosed with mesothelioma carry significant financial obligations resulting from treatment. Mesothelioma settlements can help patients of the disease pay off their debts and also provide for their families' futures.
Mesothelioma settlements and lawsuits may also be used to compensate victims for their pain and suffering. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can assist victims and their families get the money they deserve.
A skilled mesothelioma law firm will handle every aspect of a mesothelioma lawsuit for a victim and make the process as easy as possible for their client. At Sokolove Law our lawyers have secured over $4.7 billion in mesothelioma-related settlements for patients and their families. Contact us now to get started with a free mesothelioma review. mesothelioma attorney wisconsin serve clients nationwide. We are able to visit you at your home or hospital. Our law firm only gets paid when we receive compensation for you.