10 Tell-Tale Signs You Need To Find A New Mesothelioma Claim
Mesothelioma Claims
A mesothelioma lawsuit can allow victims to receive compensation for treatment costs and other expenses. State laws, called statutes or limitations, restrict the amount of time a patient can file a lawsuit.
Personal injury or wrongful death are the most frequent types of lawsuits. Juries award damages in the form of money that include economic and noneconomic damages.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a rare disease and it can take many years for patients to be diagnosed. Typically, patients will go to their primary care doctor with symptoms and a medical history. Doctors will conduct an examination of the body and ask about asbestos exposure.
When doctors suspect mesothelioma they usually order imaging tests. This may include chest X-rays (CT scans), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography. These tests offer a precise view of the body. They can show an accumulation of fluid around the lungs or abdomen, which is a common mesothelioma symptom.

These tests can be used to determine the type mesothelioma. The pleural type of mesothelioma is caused by cancer cells in the lung lining known as the pleura. The peritoneal form is caused by cancerous cells in the abdominal cavity. In the course of a surgical biopsy, physicians will remove a small amount of tissue from the affected area and examine it under a microscope for signs of mesothelioma. Doctors may also perform a cytology test to check for the presence of cancerous cells in the fluid samples taken from the lungs or stomach.
A blood test, known as the MESOMARK Assay, can determine the amount soluble mesothelin related to peptide (SMRP) within the body of the patient. This biomarker is high levels can be a sign of mesothelioma.
These biomarkers are thus beneficial to doctors who are trying to detect mesothelioma in its early stages. However, it's not a substitute for mesothelioma biopsies which is the only reliable method to determine whether cancer is present in the body. Doctors can perform non-surgical biopsies to drain fluid from the stomach or pleura by using needles, and then analyze it for cells of mesothelioma.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma can occur anyplace on the body where cancerous asbestos-induced cells have developed. The most frequent sites are the lung. Pleural mesothelioma is a cause of chest pain as well as difficulty swallowing and hoarseness. Patients with pericardial and peritoneal cancer are often afflicted with abdominal pain, fatigue and weight loss. Mesothelioma symptoms can be difficult to diagnose because the signs mimic those of many common illnesses. Mesothelioma can develop years after exposure to asbestos.
X-rays and CT scans may reveal changes in the lungs, such as the pleura becoming thicker or fluid accumulation (pleural effusion). MRI and PET scans may also be used to look for mesothelioma. Blood tests can be used to determine high levels of certain substances within the body, which indicate the presence of mesothelioma.
A doctor can take an amount of fluid or tissue that is accumulating to determine if it contains cancer cells. The doctor can also perform an operation known as thoracoscopic needle aspiration, which is a procedure that removes some of the fluid from around the lungs or the thoracic cavity. This test is a less invasive version of a biopsy that is performed in a doctor's office.
If a doctor has diagnosed mesothelioma he or she will likely suggest chemotherapy, radiation and surgery to stop the cancer cells from spreading. Radiation can be administered in a clinic or hospital. The radiation is typically delivered as an as an outpatient. Palliative treatment is often used to alleviate pain and other symptoms. Palliative treatment may include painkillers and regular drainage of fluids or a tube that is placed inside the chest to aid in breathing. It could also involve radiation to prevent the tumor from growing.
Treatment
Treatment can help ease symptoms and prolong life for people with mesothelioma. Treatment options vary depending on the mesothelioma's type and stage. The treatment plan will vary depending on how much asbestos exposure the patient has.
The symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to many other diseases, like pneumonia or the flu. This makes it difficult for doctors to diagnose the disease early. In many cases, patients experience symptoms for several months before being diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Doctors will conduct a physical exam and inquire about prior asbestos exposure. They will follow up with blood tests and imaging scans to determine the severity of the cancer and where it is located in the body.
The most commonly diagnosed mesothelioma type is pleural mesothelioma. It affects the lung. People who have been exposed to asbestos in the course of their work as a construction worker, welder, plumber, electrician or autoworker are the most likely to develop this disease.
Pleural mesothelioma may cause a buildup of fluid, causing chest pain and difficulty breathing. Surgery can remove the excess fluid and improve a person's quality of life.
Pleurodesis is another procedure that doctors can utilize to prevent future fluid accumulation in the lung. During this procedure, a tube is inserted into the pleura to drain the fluid and then medication is injected to prevent the buildup of further fluids. Patients may also choose to have a shunt, which is a device used to move fluid from one part of the body to the next to absorb.
Other treatments include chemotherapy and radiation. Chemotherapy kills cancer cells in a direct manner. Radiation therapy targets tumors and shrinks them by using high-energy radiation. Those who are not candidates for surgery can opt for targeted therapy, which targets the cancer-causing genes in the cancer cells.
Prognosis
The prognosis for mesothelioma is dependent on a variety of factors such as the type and stage of cancer, its location and general health status of the patient. The mesothelioma prognosis could improve if patients seek treatment from a seasoned specialist in mesothelioma treatment and follow their treatment regimen. Additionally, West Covina mesothelioma lawyer who are part of a clinical trial may be eligible for new treatments still under study.
The mesothelioma symptoms are comparable to those of other conditions. This can lead to a lot of misdiagnosis. Patients may experience abdominal pain, breathing difficulties and other symptoms prior to being diagnosed. Because these symptoms are so mild at first, people can easily confuse them with other ailments. As a result, it's important to get any symptoms evaluated by a doctor as soon as you can.
Mesothelioma can affect the tissue lining the chest cavity (pleural mesothelioma), the peritoneum (peritoneal mesothelioma) or, in rare cases the membrane that surrounds the testicles (pericardial mesothelioma). Pleural mesothelioma is the most common cause of mesothelioma cases. It accounts for 85 percent of diagnosed cases occurring in patients who are over 75 years old.
The survival rates for mesothelioma vary 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. Females exposed to mesothelioma have a twice higher chance of surviving past five years than male patients. This is probably due to the way female hormones interact with mesothelioma tumor cells. Age also affects their chances of survival since older patients are more likely to have a more difficult time recovering from the illness. It is important to remember that mesothelioma patients can have a long life span, even a decade beyond their initial prognosis.
Compensation
Mesothelioma compensation helps victims pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs associated with this asbestos-related illness. Mesothelioma settlements are usually awarded by the amalgamation of asbestos trust funds, lawsuits, and settlements. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer will help you determine what compensation is available in your particular case.
A person who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma can sue the manufacturer of asbestos-related products to which they were exposed while at work. They may seek financial compensation. Mesothelioma suits can be filed by family members or a family member or an appointed representative of the court on behalf of the victim. The estate of a victim's loved ones who died from mesothelioma may file a wrongful death lawsuit to recover compensation from those who are responsible for the victim's asbestos exposure.
Many patients with mesothelioma end up in debt as it can take years to go from exposure to diagnosis. Mesothelioma settlements can help those suffering of the disease pay off their debts, and provide for their families' future.
Mesothelioma settlements and lawsuits can also be used to compensate victims for their suffering and pain. An attorney for mesothelioma can assist families and victims receive the compensation that they deserve.
A mesothelioma lawyer who is skilled can handle all aspects of a mesothelioma lawsuit for a victim, making the process as easy as is possible for their client. Our attorneys at Sokolove Law have helped families and victims members obtain more than $4.7 billion in mesothelioma compensation. Contact us today to arrange free consultation on your mesothelioma case. Our lawyers serve clients nationwide. We can meet with you in your home or in a hospital. Our law firm is only paid if we get you compensation.