Mesothelioma ClaimsA mesothelioma lawsuit could assist victims to receive compensation for their treatment as well as other costs. State laws, called statutes or limitations, limit the time a victim can file a lawsuit.Personal injury or wrongful death are the most popular types of lawsuits. Juries award monetary damages which include non-economic and economic damages.DiagnosisIt can take a long time to recognize mesothelioma. This is a rare disease. Patients usually visit their primary physician with a medical history. Doctors will do physical examinations and inquire about the possibility of exposure to asbestos.Imaging tests are usually ordered by doctors when they suspect mesothelioma. This may include chest X-rays (CT scans), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography. These tests provide a detailed examination of the body. They may show the accumulation of fluid around the abdomen or lungs, which is a common mesothelioma symptom.These tests can also be used to determine the type of mesothelioma. The mesothelioma type that is pleural is caused by cancer cells in the lung lining called the pleura. The peritoneal type is caused by cancerous cells that reside in the abdominal cavity. In the course of a surgical biopsy, physicians will remove a small piece of tissue from the tumor or affected area to examine under a microscope for signs of mesothelioma. Doctors may also use an examination known as a cytology to identify cancerous cells in fluid samples taken from the lungs or stomach.A blood test called the MESOMARK test can measure the amount of soluble mesothelin related peptide (SMRP) in the patient's body. The presence of high levels of this biomarker could indicate the presence of mesothelioma cell lines.These biomarkers are therefore helpful for doctors trying to detect mesothelioma in its beginning stages. However, they are not an alternative to mesothelioma biopsies which is the sole definitive way to determine whether cancer is present in the body. Doctors can conduct a non-surgical biopsy to collect fluid from the pleura and the stomach with a needle and analyze it for mesothelioma cells.SymptomsMesothelioma may occur in any part of the body where asbestos has caused cancerous cells to form. The most common locations are the lung. Pleural mesothelioma causes chest pain as well as difficulty swallowing and hoarseness. People with mesothelioma of the pericardial or peritoneal region experience pain in their abdominal region and fatigue and weight loss. The symptoms of mesothelioma may be difficult to diagnose due to their similarity to other illnesses. Mesothelioma can develop years after asbestos exposure.X-rays and CT scans may reveal changes in the lungs, including thickening of the pleura or fluid buildup (pleural effusion). MRI and PET scans can also be used to search for mesothelioma. Blood tests can detect high levels of certain substances within the body that indicate mesothelioma is present.A doctor can drain the fluid or the tissue to look for cancerous cells. Doctors can also perform an operation called thoracoscopic aspiration. It removes a small amount fluid from the lungs or thoracic cavities. This test is a less invasive alternative to a biopsy, and is performed in a doctor's office.If a doctor discovers mesothelioma in the body, he or she may recommend surgery, radiation and chemotherapy to kill the cancer cells and stop the spread. Radiation therapy can be performed in a clinic or hospital. The radiation is usually administered as an outpatient. Palliative treatment is often used to alleviate pain and other symptoms. It could include painkillers and regular drainage of fluids, a tube put in the chest to aid in breathing, and radiation to keep the tumor from growing.TreatmentFor patients diagnosed with mesothelioma treatment can help ease symptoms and extend life. There are many options available, based on the stage and type of mesothelioma. The treatment plan may also vary based on the level of asbestos exposure that the patient has.Mesothelioma symptoms resemble those of many diseases such as the flu or pneumonia. This makes it difficult for doctors to identify the disease at an early stage. In many cases, patients experience symptoms for several months before being diagnosed with mesothelioma.To determine the cause of the illness, doctors will perform a physical exam and ask about previous exposure to asbestos. They will then perform blood tests and imaging scanners to determine the severity and extent of the cancer's presence in the body.The most frequent mesothelioma form affects the lungs. People who have been exposed to asbestos as a construction worker, welder electrician, plumber or autoworker are the most likely to develop this illness.Pleural mesothelioma can trigger the accumulation of fluid which can cause chest pain and trouble breathing. Surgery can help eliminate the excess fluid and improve a patient's quality of life.Doctors can also use pleurodesis, a procedure that helps stop the buildup of fluid in the lung. During this procedure, a tube is inserted into the pleura to drain fluid, and then medicine is injected to prevent the buildup of further fluids. Patients can also opt to have a shunt placed in the body, which is a device used to move fluid from one part of the body to another in order to absorb.Other treatments include chemotherapy and radiation. Chemotherapy kills cancer cells directly. Radiation therapy targets tumors, and shrinks them by using high-energy radiation. Patients who aren't eligible for surgery can undergo targeted therapy. This is done by attacking the cancer-causing gene within the cancerous cells.PrognosisThe prognosis of mesothelioma can be affected by a variety of factors, including the stage and type of cancer, the site and general health condition of the patient. Patients with mesothelioma may improve their chances of survival when they seek treatment by a specialist in mesothelioma, and follow their treatment plan. Patients with mesothelioma who take part in clinical trials might also have access to new treatments that are still being investigated.The mesothelioma symptoms are similar to many other conditions. This leads to a lot of misdiagnosis. Patients may have abdominal pain, breathing problems and other symptoms before being diagnosed. These symptoms may be initialy mild and may be easily confused with other ailments. Therefore, it is important to get any symptoms evaluated by a doctor as soon as possible.Mesothelioma can affect the tissue lining the chest cavity (pleural mesothelioma) or the peritoneum (peritoneal mesothelioma) or, in rare cases the membrane that surrounds the testicles (pericardial mesothelioma). Pleural mesothelioma accounts for most mesothelioma cases. mesothelioma lawsuit settlement accounts for 85 percent of all diagnoses made in patients over 75 years old.Survival rates for mesothelioma can differ between men and women. This is due to the fact that men are more likely than women to work in areas that expose them to asbestos. Mesothelioma patients with females have twice the chance of surviving the past five years than male patients. This is probably due to the way female hormones interact with mesothelioma tumor cells. The age of a person also affects their outlook since older patients suffer more difficulty recuperating from the illness. It's also important to note that some mesothelioma patients survive for years or even a decade over their initial prognoses.CompensationMesothelioma compensation assists victims to pay for their medical expenses, lost wages, and other expenses associated with the asbestos-related disease. Most often, this mesothelioma compensation is awarded through an amalgamation of asbestos trust funds, lawsuits and settlements. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer will assist you in determining the amount of compensation that is available in your particular case.A person who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma can file a lawsuit against the manufacturer of asbestos-related products to which they were exposed at work. They may be able to seek financial compensation. 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 of mesothelioma or another cancer, a wrongful death lawsuit may be filed by the estate of the victim to recover compensation from those accountable for their loved ones' asbestos exposure.Since it can take a long time from diagnosis to exposure many patients diagnosed with mesothelioma are burdened with financial obligations resulting from treatment. Mesothelioma settlements can help patients of the disease pay off their debts, and provide for their families' futures.Mesothelioma lawsuits and settlements can also compensate victims for their suffering and pain. A mesothelioma attorney can assist families and victims get the compensation they deserve.A skilled mesothelioma law firm will handle every aspect of a victim's mesothelioma claim and make the process as stress-free as they can for their client. Our lawyers at Sokolove Law have helped victims and their family members receive over $4.7 billion in mesothelioma lawsuits. Contact us today for free consultation on your mesothelioma lawsuit. Our lawyers serve clients nationwide. We can visit you at home or in the hospital. Our law firm is only paid when we receive compensation for you.