Mesothelioma Lawyers
Mesothelioma lawyers can assist asbestos victims in filing lawsuits and trust funds claims. National firms have the resources and expertise that local law firms do not.
Asbestos patients should select a firm with an impressive track record of jury awards and settlements for mesothelioma. Attorneys should be ready to go to the court if required.
Signs and symptoms
The symptoms of mesothelioma can vary greatly depending on the stage and location of the cancer. The pleural variant is for instance, and it occurs in the linings of the chest cavity and abdomen. It can cause abdominal pain, difficulty breathing and fluid accumulation in these regions. The peritoneal form can cause stomach pain, constipation and weight loss.
The type of asbestos exposure can influence mesothelioma symptoms. People who work in places where asbestos has been used (such as shipyards, power plants, asbestos removal companies, and factories -are more susceptible to contracting the disease. Workers who worked in the World Trade Center before and after 9/11, and those who live near the site, are also at risk.
If you are diagnosed with mesothelioma it is important to consult your physician immediately. The doctor will perform an examination and ask about the patient's prior exposure to asbestos. If the doctor suspects mesothelioma, they may request testing for imaging and blood tests. Doctors can also conduct a PET scan (positron-emission tomography) which utilizes the use of a tracer to detect cancerous cells.
The blood test is usually used to determine the levels of substances that are more frequent in mesothelioma - fibulin-3, and soluble mesothelin-related peptides. The doctor may also perform an echocardiogram to assess the heart's function and identify fluid in your abdomen or lungs.
If the mesothelioma is localized, surgeons might recommend surgery to eliminate any tumors or other growths. The surgeon could also recommend chemotherapy or radiation to stop the cancer from spreading or recurring.
To confirm the mesothelioma diagnosis, a small amount of tissue or fluid has to be taken and analyzed in a lab. This is known as a biopsy and can be performed in a variety of ways. A needle biopsy can be used to collect samples of lymph nodes in the area around the mesothelioma. Or, a procedure called pericardiocentesis can be utilized to drain fluid from the sac around the heart.
Diagnosis
If you are concerned that you may have mesothelioma then it is important to consult your primary care physician right away. The doctor will ask about the patient's past history of exposure to asbestos, and conduct some preliminary tests.
Mesothelioma can be a difficult cancer to diagnose. The symptoms can be similar to other conditions and mesothelioma can not appear on tests for diagnosis until the latter stages of the disease. Therefore the diagnosis of mesothelioma can be frightening and alarming for the patient.
The first diagnostic test that the medical team will use is likely to be a chest X-ray. It will check for symptoms of lung disease like thickening and excessive fluid. It could also reveal that the lining of the lung or the lining of the abdomen is affected. A biopsy is then required in order to confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis.
Based on the stage of mesothelioma, patients may have different outcomes. If the cancer is localized and not spread, patients are likely to live for 2 to 3 years after diagnosis. However, if the cancer has spread to lymph nodes or organs or tissues nearby the 5-year survival rate goes down to about 5 to 10 percent.
Pleural mesothelioma is the most frequent mesothelioma type and is most often affecting the lining of the lungs. It can cause symptoms like difficult breathing, persistent coughing as well as fatigue and abdominal pain. In severe cases, mesothelioma can result in a collapsed lungs (pneumothorax).
Peritoneal Mesothelioma can affect the abdominal lining. It is less prevalent than Pleural Mesothelioma. It can cause nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.
Mesothelioma attorneys can assist patients get compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and other damages. Compensation can be sought from the companies responsible for exposure of workers to asbestos, and resulting in mesothelioma. It is essential to select a firm that is experienced and is aware of the complicated mesothelioma facts and laws. The firm should be ready to defend its clients in court, if necessary, in order to achieve the best results.
Treatment
Mesothelioma lawyers can assist victims receive compensation for their medical expenses, lost wages, and other types of damages. They can assist victims in filing a mesothelioma suit against asbestos-related companies that exposed them to deadly cancer.
Many people who suffer mesothelioma are not aware of anyone else with this disease and feel lonely. It is a rare cancer that affects the thin tissue layer around organs. It usually affects the lungs. This can lead to breathing difficulties, chest pain and coughing. But mesothelioma can also develop in the abdomen, the heart or testicles. It is a painful disease that has no cure. However it can be treated through chemotherapy, surgery, and other treatments.
The survival rate depends on how serious mesothelioma can be and the kind of mesothelioma one has. Certain types of this cancer grow slowly and may not spread. Others are a faster-growing and more aggressive type that frequently metastasizes. Mesothelioma patients that are surgically eligible and in an earlier stage have the best chance of getting through.
Doctors can send samples of tissue or fluid from the affected area to a laboratory for analysis to identify mesothelioma. They can conduct the blood for high levels of certain substances that are found in mesothelioma patients, for example, fibulin-3 or soluble mesothelin related peptides. You can also perform an PET scan to see where the cancer cells are more active.
Other procedures that can be used to determine mesothelioma diagnosis include the use of an MRI or CT scan as well as a bronchoscopy or laparoscopy. They can also perform chest X-rays, echocardiograms and chest CT scans to look for other lung disorders.
The most frequent mesothelioma-related exposures are those who work in an asbestos mine, shipyards or in the military. It is possible to develop mesothelioma through secondary exposure from contaminants in consumer products, such as talcum. Mesothelioma lawsuits have compensated many people who have been diagnosed with the disease. A lawyer can explain to you the different types of claims that are available.
Compensation
There are a variety of ways that victims of mesothelioma, as well as their families, can be awarded compensation. They may file a lawsuit on their own, or as part of a class action lawsuit, or they could be awarded an agreement out of court. In some cases mesothelioma lawyers may help victims file asbestos trust fund claims.
There is a time limit to file a lawsuit against asbestos and those who have been affected should contact a mesothelioma lawyer ca in the earliest time possible. Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that is aggressive, is best treated as soon as you can in order to protect your legal rights.
Lawyers can assist victims and their families gather evidence that proves asbestos exposure. This could include medical records, wage loss receipts and other employment documents. Lawyers can assist with identifying potential sources of asbestos exposure. Many companies that were exposed to asbestos are now insolvent, and have put aside billions of dollars to help mesothelioma victims.
Atlanta mesothelioma lawyers in California have received millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements. Mesothelioma lawyers in California have plenty of experience filing claims and obtaining compensation for their clients. They are knowledgeable about local laws and regulations pertaining to asbestos litigation. They can assist clients in understanding the various options available to them and determine whether they are qualified to receive compensation.
In the United States, mesothelioma has resulted in the deaths of thousands. In California alone there have been hundreds of asbestos-related lawsuits filed. These lawsuits led to millions of dollars being awarded to the plaintiffs, their families and other victims.
San Francisco mesothelioma attorneys can assist victims as well as their families and loved ones file a suit against asbestos-related firms. Their expertise in asbestos litigation and their experience in the field can help them build an effective, efficient and successful claim with the best chance of success.
The San Francisco mesothelioma attorneys at Brayton Purcell have helped numerous families in the state of California obtain justice for their asbestos exposure. They have secured some of the biggest asbestos verdicts ever. They are dedicated to helping victims receive the justice they need for their asbestos-related injuries.