10 Tell-Tale Signs You Need To Get A New Mesothelioma Claim
Mesothelioma Claims
A mesothelioma claim can allow victims to receive compensation for treatment costs and other expenses. State laws, also known as statutes of limitations limit the time a patient has to make a claim.
Most lawsuits are in the form 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 disease and it can take many years before patients be diagnosed. In the majority of cases, patients go to their primary care physician with symptoms and a medical history. Doctors will conduct an examination of the body and inquire about asbestos exposure.
Imaging tests are usually 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 detailed examination of the body. These tests could reveal the presence of fluid in the lungs or abdomen that is a mesothelioma-related sign.
These tests can also be used to determine the type of mesothelioma. The pleural type of mesothelioma is caused by cancer cells that line the lung known as the pleura. The peritoneal form is caused by cancer cells in the abdominal cavity. In the procedure of a surgical biopsy, doctors will remove a small amount of tissue from the affected area to examine under a microscope for indications of mesothelioma. Doctors can also perform an examination known as the cytology test to detect cancerous cells from fluid samples taken from the stomach or lungs.
A blood test, called the MESOMARK Assay, can determine the amount of mesothelin soluble to peptide (SMRP), in the body of the patient. The presence of high levels of this biomarker could indicate the presence of mesothelioma cell lines.
This is why these biomarkers can be helpful for doctors trying to diagnose mesothelioma early in its development. It's not a substitute to a mesothelioma biopsies, which is the only method to determine the presence of cancer in the body. Doctors can perform a non-surgical biopsy to collect fluid from the pleura and the stomach using a needle. They then examine it for mesothelioma-related cells.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma can be found anywhere in the body where asbestos has caused cancerous cells to develop. The most frequent sites are the lungs. Pleural mesothelioma is a cause of chest pain, difficulty swallowing, and hoarseness. People who have peritoneal or pericardial mesothelioma often experience discomfort in their abdomen as well as fatigue and weight loss. Mesothelioma symptoms are difficult to identify because the signs mimic those of other common diseases. It may take years after exposure to asbestos before mesothelioma can grow.
CT scans and Xrays can reveal changes in the lungs, such as fluid buildup or thickening of pleura (pleural effusion). MRI and PET scans can also be used to search for mesothelioma. Blood tests can be used to determine the presence of certain substances within the body, which indicate mesothelioma is present.
A doctor can drain the fluid or tissue to check for cancerous cells. The doctor can also perform the procedure known as thoracoscopic needle aspiration, which is a procedure that removes a small amount of fluid from around the lungs or thoracic cavity. This test is a less painful alternative to a biopsy, and is performed in a doctor's office.
If a doctor suspects mesothelioma, the doctor will most likely suggest chemotherapy, radiation and surgery to stop cancer cells from spreading. The surgery and chemotherapy typically take place in an outpatient setting and radiation may be given in a clinic or a hospital. Palliative treatments are often used to help manage pain and other symptoms. Palliative treatment may include painkillers, regular drainage of fluids or a tube placed in the chest to help in breathing. It could also include radiation to stop the tumor from growing.
Treatment
For people diagnosed with mesothelioma treatment can reduce symptoms and extend the duration of. Treatment options vary based on the mesothelioma type and stage. The treatment plan may also vary based on the level of asbestos exposure a patient is exposed to.
Mesothelioma symptoms resemble those of many illnesses such as the flu or pneumonia. This makes it difficult for doctors to recognize the disease in the early stages. In many cases, patients be afflicted with symptoms for several months before being diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Doctors will conduct a physical examination and ask about previous asbestos exposure. They will then perform scans and blood tests to determine the extent and the location of the cancer within the body.
The most commonly diagnosed mesothelioma type is pleural mesothelioma, which 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 the most likely to contract this disease.
Pleural mesothelioma can cause a buildup of fluid, creating chest pain and difficulty breathing. Surgery can remove the excess fluid and improve the quality of life.
Doctors can also use pleurodesis, a procedure that helps prevent the formation of further fluids in the lung. During this procedure it is the procedure of inserting a tube into the pleura to drain fluid and then medication is injected to prevent further buildups. Patients can also opt to have a shunt placed in the body, which is a device that moves fluid from one region of the body to another for absorption.
Other treatments include radiation and chemotherapy. Chemotherapy kills cancerous cells directly. Radiation therapy targets tumors and shrinks them by using high-energy radiation. Patients who aren't eligible for surgery may opt for targeted therapy. This is done by targeting the cancer-causing gene in the cancerous cells.
Prognosis
The prognosis for mesothelioma is affected by a variety of factors that include the stage and type of cancer, the site and the general health status of the patient. A mesothelioma prognosis can improve if patients seek treatment from a specialist who is experienced in mesothelioma treatment and adhere to their treatment plan. Patients with mesothelioma who take part in clinical trials may also have access to new treatments that are currently being investigated.
Mesothelioma symptoms are similar those of many other conditions which is why they are often not diagnosed. Patients may experience breathing problems or abdominal pain, among other symptoms for some time before being diagnosed. Lowell mesothelioma lawyer are mild at first and can be easily confused with other ailments. Therefore, it is important to get any symptoms examined by a doctor as soon as is possible.
The lining of the chest (pleural mesothelioma) or peritoneum, or in rare cases, the membrane surrounding the testicles can be affected by mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma accounts for most mesothelioma-related cases, accounting for 85 percent of all diagnosed cases occurring in patients who are over 75 years old.
The survival rates for mesothelioma may differ between women and men. This is due to the fact that men are more likely than women to work in areas that expose them. However females who have been exposed to mesothelioma have twice more likely to live past five years than male patients. This is likely due to the ways female hormones interact with mesothelioma tumor cells. The prognosis for a patient is also influenced by their age, as older patients have a more difficult time recovering from disease. It's important to note that mesothelioma patients can have a long life span, even a decade after their initial prognosis.
Compensation
Mesothelioma compensation is a way to help victims pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and other expenses associated with the asbestos-related disease. Often, this mesothelioma compensation is awarded through an amalgamation of asbestos trust funds, lawsuits and settlements. An experienced mesothelioma attorney will assist you in determining what forms of compensation are available for your case.
Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma may make a personal injury claim for financial compensation from asbestos-related manufacturers they were exposed to during their work. Mesothelioma lawsuits can be filed by family members or a family member or an appointed representative of the court on behalf of the victim. If a victim has passed away from mesothelioma, awrongful death lawsuit may be filed by the estate of the victim to seek compensation from the parties accountable for their loved ones' asbestos exposure.
Because it can take decades from the moment of exposure to diagnosis, many people diagnosed with mesothelioma are burdened with financial debts from treatment. Mesothelioma settlements can help patients of the disease pay off their debts and also provide for their families' future.
Mesothelioma settlements and lawsuits can also be used to compensate victims for their pain and suffering. A mesothelioma lawyer with experience can assist victims and their families get the compensation they deserve.
A reputable mesothelioma law firm can handle every aspect of a mesothelioma lawsuit for a victim, making the process as easy as is 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 today to begin on a no-cost mesothelioma case review. Our lawyers serve clients nationwide. We are able to meet you at your home or at the hospital. Our law firm is paid only if we secure compensation for you.