Mesothelioma Lawyers
Mesothelioma attorneys can assist asbestos victims with filing lawsuits and trust funds claims. National firms have the resources and know-how that local law firms do not.
Asbestos patients should select an attorney with an established track record of large jury awards and settlements for mesothelioma. Attorneys should also be able to take cases to trial if necessary.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma symptoms can vary widely depending on the location of the cancer and its stage. The pleural type is for instance, which is found in the linings of the chest cavity and abdomen. Symptoms may include abdominal pain, difficulty breathing and the accumulation of fluid in these regions. Similar to the peritoneal variety, it can cause difficulty eating, stomach pain, constipation, and unexplained weight loss.
Symptoms of mesothelioma can also depend on the type of asbestos exposure that led to the development of the disease. Workers working in areas which have used asbestos, for example shipyards, power plants, and asbestos removal companies, are more prone to contracting the disease. People who worked in the World Trade Center before and after 9/11, as well as those who live near to the site are also at risk.
If someone develops mesothelioma-related symptoms or signs, they should consult their doctor as soon as they notice symptoms. The doctor will ask about asbestos exposure and conduct physical examination. If the doctor suspects mesothelioma is present, they can request a blood test and imaging. Doctors can also order an PET scan (positron-emission tomography) that uses a tracer in order to identify cancerous cells.
The blood test will usually measure the levels of certain substances that are more prevalent in mesothelioma sufferers - fibulin-3 and soluble mesothelin-related peptides. The doctor may also perform an echocardiogram to determine how well your heart functions and to determine the presence of fluid in your abdomen or lungs.
If mesothelioma is localized surgeons may suggest surgery to remove any tumors or other growths. The surgeon could also recommend radiation or chemotherapy to prevent the cancer from spreading or recurring.
To confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, a sample of the tissue or fluid must be taken and tested in a lab. This is referred to as a biopsy and can be done in many different ways. For instance needle biopsy can be performed to obtain lymph node samples from the area near the mesothelioma or a procedure called pericardiocentesis can remove fluid from the sac around the heart.
Diagnosis
If you suspect that mesothelioma may be a possibility, it is crucial to speak with your primary care physician immediately. The doctor will take some preliminary tests and inquire about their history with asbestos exposure.
Mesothelioma can be a challenging cancer to identify. The symptoms can be similar to other conditions and mesothelioma can not appear on diagnostic tests until the end of the disease. As such the diagnosis of mesothelioma can be frightening and alarming for the patient.
The first diagnostic test the medical team will likely perform is a chest X ray. This will check for calcium deposits in the lungs and other indicators of lung issues such as thickening or excessive fluid. It could also reveal that the lining around the lung or the lining around the abdomen is affected. A biopsy is then needed in order to confirm a mesothelioma diagnoses.
Patients can expect a variety of outcomes based on the stage of mesothelioma they have. If the cancer is localized and hasn't spread, patients can expect to live two to three years after diagnosis. However, if the cancer has spread to lymph nodes or other organs or tissues nearby the chance of survival for 5 years is reduced to 5 to 10 percent.
Pleural mesothelioma is the most commonly diagnosed type of mesothelioma, and typically affects the lung's lining. It can trigger symptoms such as abdominal pain, fatigue and constant coughing. In the most severe cases, pleural mesothelioma may cause collapsed lung (pneumothorax).
Peritoneal mesothelioma is less common than pleural mesothelioma and affects the lining of the abdomen. It can cause abdominal pain nausea, weight loss and other signs.
Mesothelioma lawyers can help clients get compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. Compensation is available from the companies responsible for exposing workers to asbestos and resulting in mesothelioma. It is crucial to select a firm with experience and who understands the complex mesothelioma laws and the facts. The firm should be prepared to fight for its clients in court should they need to, for the best outcomes.
Treatment
Mesothelioma lawyers can assist victims receive compensation for their medical expenses, lost wages and other damages. They can assist victims with filing a mesothelioma lawsuit against asbestos-related businesses which exposed them to the deadly cancer.
Many who suffer mesothelioma are not aware of any other sufferers and feel isolated. It is because it is a rare form of cancer that affects the thin layer of tissue surrounding organs, primarily the lungs. This can lead to breathing difficulties as well as chest pain and coughing. Mesothelioma may also develop in the abdomen, the heart or testicles. It is a painful and uncomfortable condition that has no cure, however, it can be treated by chemotherapy, surgery and other treatments.
The survival rate depends on how severe mesothelioma is as well as the type of mesothelioma a person has. Certain forms of this cancer are slow-growing and may not be able to spread to other parts of the body. Grand Rapids mesothelioma attorneys of this cancer are more aggressive and develop faster. They tend to develop metastasis. Patients with mesothelioma that are candidates for surgery and are in a less advanced stage, have the best chance of survival.
To determine if mesothelioma is present, doctors can take a biopsy of tissue or fluid from the affected area and send it to a laboratory to be tested. They can use blood tests to look for elevated levels of certain substances that are found in mesothelioma patients like fibulin-3 and soluble mesothelin-related peptides. It is also possible to do a PET scan to determine the areas where cancer cells are more active.
MRI, CT scans, bronchoscopy or laparoscopy are other procedures that can help diagnose mesothelioma. They can also perform a chest X-ray, echocardiogram and an chest CT scan to check for other lung diseases.
The most prevalent sources of mesothelioma exposure is from working in an asbestos mine, in shipyards or in the military. However, it is also possible to get mesothelioma after exposure to toxic consumer products like talcum powder. Many patients diagnosed with mesothelioma have been compensated through mesothelioma lawsuits. A lawyer can inform you the various kinds of claims available.
Compensation
There are a number of ways in which mesothelioma victims and their families can receive compensation. They can file a lawsuit on their own, or as part of a class action lawsuit or they could be awarded a settlement outside of the court. In some instances mesothelioma lawyers can aid victims in filing asbestos trust fund claims.
Asbestos lawsuits are subject to a strict time for filing, which is why victims should seek out mesothelioma attorneys as soon possible. Mesothelioma is a rare form of aggressive cancer is best treated as quickly as you can to ensure your legal rights.
Lawyers can assist victims and their families collect evidence to prove asbestos exposure. This could include medical records, wage loss receipts and other documents related to employment. Lawyers can help you identify asbestos exposure sources. Many companies exposed to asbestos are now insolvent and have put aside millions of dollars to help mesothelioma victims.
Asbestos-related victims from California have been awarded millions of dollars via verdicts and settlements. Mesothelioma lawyers in California have experience filing claims and getting compensation for their clients. They are well-versed in local laws and regulations pertaining asbestos litigation. They can help clients understand the different options they have and help them determine whether they are eligible to receive compensation.
Many people have died from mesothelioma, asbestos-related illnesses in the United States. There have been a number of asbestos-related lawsuits in California alone. These lawsuits have led to millions of dollars in settlements to the plaintiffs and their families.
San Francisco mesothelioma attorneys can assist victims family members and loved ones file a lawsuit against asbestos companies. Their experience in asbestos litigation and experience in the field can help them create a claim, file it and resolve it with the greatest chance of success.
The San Francisco mesothelioma attorneys at Brayton Purcell have helped numerous families across the state of California get justice for asbestos exposure. They have secured some of the largest asbestos verdicts ever. They are committed to helping asbestos victims get the compensation they deserve.