An In-Depth Look Into The Future What's The Mesothelioma Claim Industry Look Like In 10 Years?
Mesothelioma Claims
A mesothelioma suit can help victims receive compensation for their treatment and other expenses. State laws, called statutes or limitations, limit the amount of time a patient can file a lawsuit.
Most lawsuits are in the form of personal injury or wrongful death claims. The jury awards money damages, which may include economic and non-economic damages.
Diagnosis
It can take years to diagnose mesothelioma, which is a rare disease. Most patients visit their primary care doctor with symptoms and a medical history. Doctors will conduct an examination of the body and inquire about asbestos exposure.
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 give a complete analysis of the body. They can show a build-up of fluid around the abdomen or lungs, which is a common mesothelioma symptom.
These tests can also help determine the type of mesothelioma. The pleural form of mesothelioma occurs when cancer cells in lung lining (pleura) cause the disease. The peritoneal type is caused by cancerous cells within the abdominal cavity. In a biopsies performed surgically, doctors will remove a sample of tissue from a tumor or affected area and examine it under a microscope to check for symptoms of mesothelioma. Doctors will also use a cytology test to check for the presence of cancerous cells in the fluid samples taken from the stomach or lungs.
A blood test called the MESOMARK test can determine the amount of mesothelin-soluble peptide (SMRP) in the patient's body. High levels of this biomarker may indicate the presence of mesothelioma cell lines.
In turn, these biomarkers could be useful for doctors who are trying to detect mesothelioma at its earliest stages. It's not a substitute to a mesothelioma biopsies, which is the only way to determine the presence of cancer in the body. Doctors can perform non-surgical biopsies that remove fluid from the stomach or pleura using a needle, and then analyze it for mesothelioma-related cells.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma may occur in any part of the body where asbestos has caused cancerous cells to form. The most frequent locations are the lungs, abdomen and heart. Patients with pleural mesothelioma suffer from pain in the chest area, difficulty swallowing and hoarseness. Patients with mesothelioma pericardial or peritoneal often suffer from pain in their abdominal region, as well as weight loss and fatigue. Mesothelioma symptoms are difficult to recognize because the signs are similar to those of other common diseases. Mesothelioma can develop years after asbestos exposure.
CT scans and X-rays can reveal changes in the lungs such as the accumulation of fluid or thickening of pleura (pleural effusion). MRI and PET scans can also be used to identify mesothelioma. Blood tests can be utilized to determine the presence of certain substances which could indicate mesothelioma.
A doctor can remove the tissue or fluid to check for cancerous cells. The doctor can also perform the procedure known as the thoracoscopic needle aspiration procedure to remove some of the fluid from around the lungs or thoracic cavity. This test is a less-invasive alternative to a biopsy, and is performed in the office of a doctor.
If a doctor has diagnosed mesothelioma it is likely that they will suggest chemotherapy, radiation and surgery to stop cancer cells from spreading. Radiation can be administered in a clinic or hospital. The radiation is typically administered as an outpatient. The use of palliative therapy is commonly to alleviate pain and other symptoms. The treatment options include painkillers, regular drainage of fluids or a tube placed in the chest to assist in breathing. It could also involve radiation to stop the tumor from growing.
lawsuit mesothelioma can ease symptoms and prolong the life of people with mesothelioma. Treatment options vary based on the mesothelioma type and stage. The treatment plan could vary based on the level of asbestos exposure the patient is exposed to.
The symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to many other diseases, like pneumonia or the flu. This makes it difficult for doctors to identify mesothelioma early. Often, patients will experience symptoms for several months before being diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Doctors will conduct a physical exam and ask about previous asbestos exposure. They will follow up with scans of the blood and imaging to determine the severity of the cancer and where it is located in the body.
The most prevalent mesothelioma type is a lung cancer. Most likely to develop the disease are those who have worked as a welding technician, plumber or electrician or in the auto industry.
Pleural mesothelioma may cause an accumulation of fluid, which can cause chest pain and trouble breathing. Surgery can eliminate the excess fluid and improve a person's quality of life.
Pleurodesis is another procedure that doctors can use to prevent future accumulation of fluid in the lung. In this procedure, a tube is inserted into the pleura to drain fluid, and then medicine is injected to prevent further buildups. Patients can also opt to have a shunt installed in the body, which is a device that moves fluid from one part of the body to another for absorption.
Radiation and chemotherapy are also options. Chemotherapy fights cancer cells by directly killing them. Radiation therapy shrinks tumors using high-energy rays. Those who are not candidates for surgery can undergo targeted therapy, which targets the cancer-causing genes within the cancer cells.
Prognosis
The prognosis of mesothelioma can be dependent on a variety of factors such as the type and stage of cancer, the location and the general health status of the patient. Patients with mesothelioma can improve their odds of survival by seeking treatment by a specialist in mesothelioma and follow their treatment plan. Patients who have mesothelioma that take part in clinical trials might also have access to new treatments that are being studied.
Mesothelioma symptoms are similar to the symptoms of other conditions, so they are often not diagnosed. Patients may suffer from abdominal pain, breathing issues and other symptoms prior to being diagnosed. These symptoms may be initially mild and can be confused with other ailments. This is why it's important to get any symptoms evaluated by a physician as soon as possible.
The lining of the chest (pleural mesothelioma) also known as the peritoneum or in rare instances, the membrane surrounding the testicles may be affected by mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma is the most common cause of mesothelioma cases. It accounts for 85 percent of all diagnosed cases occurring in patients who are over 75 years old.
The survival rates for mesothelioma may differ between men and women. Men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos than women as they tend to work in areas where asbestos is prevalent. However, females who have been exposed to mesothelioma are two times more likely to live past five years than male patients. This could be due to the hormonal interactions between female hormones and mesothelioma tumor cells. The prognosis of a person is also influenced by their age, as older patients have a more difficult to recover from disease. It's also important to note that some mesothelioma patients live for years or even a decade or more past their initial prognoses.
Compensation
Mesothelioma compensation is a way to help victims pay for their medical expenses, lost wages, and other expenses associated with this asbestos-related illness. The mesothelioma settlements are typically granted by the amalgamation of asbestos trust funds, lawsuits and settlements. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can assist you in determining what compensation is available to you in your case.
A person diagnosed mesothelioma could file a lawsuit against the manufacturer of asbestos-related products to which they were exposed at work. They may seek financial compensation. Mesothelioma lawsuits can be filed on behalf of the victim by their loved one, family member or an appointed representative by the court. If a victim has passed away of mesothelioma, a wrongful death lawsuit can be filed by the estate of the victim to seek compensation from the parties who are responsible for their loved ones' asbestos exposure.
Many patients with mesothelioma end up in debt as it can take years from the time of exposure to diagnosis. Mesothelioma settlements can help patients of the disease pay off their debts and provide for their families' futures.
Mesothelioma settlements and lawsuits may also compensate the victims for their suffering and pain. A mesothelioma lawyer can assist families and victims receive the compensation that they deserve.
A mesothelioma lawyer is able to handle all aspects of a victim’s mesothelioma case and make it as easy as they can. At Sokolove Law, our attorneys have secured more than $4.7 billion in mesothelioma settlements to help victims and their families. Contact us today to get started on a no-cost mesothelioma case review. Our lawyers serve clients nationwide. We are able to meet with you at your home or hospital. Our law firm is only paid if we get you compensation.