Mesothelioma Lawyers
Mesothelioma attorneys can aid asbestos victims in filing lawsuits and trust fund claims. National law firms have more resources and know-how than local firms.
Asbestos sufferers should choose a firm that has a history of filing large mesothelioma lawsuits and jury award. Attorneys should also be prepared to go to trial if necessary.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma symptoms vary widely based on the location of the cancer and its stage. The pleural form, for example, occurs in the tissues of the chest cavity as well as the abdomen. Symptoms may include abdominal pain, difficulty breathing, and fluid accumulation in these areas. The peritoneal form can cause constipation, stomach pain and weight loss.
The symptoms of mesothelioma depend on the type of exposure to asbestos that caused the disease. People who work at sites that have asbestos-related exposure in power plants, shipyards, asbestos removal factories and companiesare more susceptible to develop the disease. Additionally, workers who worked at the World Trade Center during and after the 9/11 attacks -- as well as those in the vicinity of the site are also at risk.
If you are diagnosed with mesothelioma it is essential to contact your physician right away. The doctor will ask about asbestos exposure and conduct physical examination. If the doctor suspects mesothelioma, they might order testing for imaging and blood tests. Doctors can also order an PET scan (positron-emission tomography) that uses an identifier to detect cancerous cell.
The blood test is usually used to determine the levels of specific substances that are elevated in mesothelioma patients - fibulin-3 as well as soluble mesothelin-related Peptides. In addition, your doctor may perform an echocardiogram. This is an examination that determines the heart's functioning and can detect fluid around your lungs or abdomen.
If the mesothelioma has been localized, the surgeon may suggest surgery to eliminate any tumors. The surgeon could also recommend radiation or chemotherapy to stop the cancer from returning or spreading.
To confirm the mesothelioma diagnosis, a sample of tissue or fluid has to be taken and tested in a lab. This is referred to as biopsy, and it can be done many different ways. For example needle biopsy could be used to collect lymph node samples from near the mesothelioma or a procedure called pericardiocentesis is a way to remove fluid from the sac around the heart.
Diagnosis
If a person suspects that they might have mesothelioma they should consult their primary care physician. The doctor will ask about the patient's past history of exposure to asbestos and will conduct some preliminary tests.
Mesothelioma can be a challenging cancer to diagnose. Its symptoms may be similar to those of other conditions, and mesothelioma often does not appear on diagnostic tests until the end of the disease. As such the diagnosis of mesothelioma could be shocking and scary for the patient.
The first diagnostic test medical personnel will use is likely to be a chest X-ray. This will look for calcium deposits in the lungs and other indicators of lung issues like thickening or excess fluid. It may also reveal that the lining of the lung or the lining of the abdomen is affected. A biopsy is required to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma.
Patients can expect different outcomes depending on the stage of their mesothelioma. Patients can expect to survive two to three years if the cancer has not spread. If the cancer has spread to lymph nodes or nearby tissue and organs the 5-year survival rate goes down to about 5 to 10 percent.
The most frequent mesothelioma form, pleural mesothelioma, affects the lung linings. It can trigger symptoms such as abdominal pain, fatigue, and chronic coughing. In extreme cases, mesothelioma pleural can lead to a collapsed lungs (pneumothorax).
Peritoneal mesothelioma is less common than pleural mesothelioma, and affects the abdomen's lining. It can cause nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
Mesothelioma lawyers can help clients to receive compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. Compensation is available from the companies responsible for exposure of workers to asbestos, and resulting in mesothelioma. It is important to choose a firm that is experienced and is aware of the complicated facts and laws surrounding mesothelioma. The firm should be ready to represent its clients in court, should they need to, to achieve the best results.
Treatment
Mesothelioma lawyers can assist victims recover compensation for their medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. They can assist victims with filing mesothelioma lawsuits against asbestos-related companies that exposed them to this deadly cancer.
best mesothelioma lawyer who suffer from mesothelioma do not know anyone else with this disease and feel isolated. It is an uncommon cancer that affects the thin tissue layer that surrounds organs. Most commonly, it affects the lung. This can cause breathing issues, chest pains, and coughing. But mesothelioma can also develop in the abdomen, heart or testicles. It is a painful condition that is not curable. However it can be treated by surgery, chemotherapy and other treatments.
The survival rate is affected by the severity of the mesothelioma as well as its type. Some forms of the cancer are slow-growing and may not be able to spread to other parts of the body. Certain forms of this cancer are more aggressive and develop faster. They often develop metastasis. Patients with mesothelioma that are candidates for surgery, and in a less-advanced stage have the greatest chance to survive.
Doctors can send samples of tissue or fluid from the affected area to a laboratory for analysis in order to diagnose mesothelioma. Blood tests can be used to determine the presence of certain substances that are found in people with mesothelioma like fibulin-3 and soluble mesothelin-related peptides. They can also do a PET scan, which reveals where there is more activity in cancer cells.
MRI, CT scans, laparoscopy or bronchoscopy are additional procedures that can help diagnose mesothelioma. They can also do a chest X-ray, echocardiogram and the chest CT scan to determine other lung diseases.
The most frequent mesothelioma-related exposures are those who work in an asbestos mine, in shipyards or in the military. It is possible to develop mesothelioma by secondary exposure from contaminated consumer products, such as talcum. Many mesothelioma patients have received compensation from mesothelioma lawsuits. A lawyer can explain the different types of claims available.
Compensation
There are many ways that patients of mesothelioma and their families, can get compensation. They can sue on their own or as part of a class action lawsuit or receive an agreement outside of court. In certain cases, mesothelioma lawyers can assist victims with asbestos trust fund claims.
Asbestos lawsuits are subject to a strict period of time to file, so those affected must contact mesothelioma lawyers at the earliest opportunity. Mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that is aggressive is best treated as soon as possible to protect your legal rights.
Lawyers can assist victims and their families gather evidence that proves asbestos exposure. This can include medical records as well as wages loss receipts. Lawyers can help you identify asbestos exposure sources. Many companies that were exposed to asbestos are now insolvent and have put aside billions of dollars to help mesothelioma victims.
Asbestos victims in California have received millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts. Mesothelioma lawyers in California have a lot of experience with filing claims and getting compensation for their clients. They are familiarized with local laws and regulations related to asbestos litigation. They can assist clients understand the options available to them, and determine if they are eligible for compensation.
Thousands of people have passed away from mesothelioma, asbestos-related illnesses in the United States. In California alone, there are hundreds of asbestos-related lawsuits filed. These lawsuits led to millions being awarded to the plaintiffs, their families and other victims.
San Francisco mesothelioma attorneys can help victims, their families and loved ones file a lawsuit against asbestos companies. Their experience in asbestos litigation and experience in the field will allow them to create an action plan, file it and resolve it with the best chances of success.
Brayton Purcell, a San Francisco-based firm of mesothelioma lawyers, has helped a number of families in California obtain justice for exposure to asbestos. They have won some of the biggest asbestos verdicts in the history of law. They are committed to helping asbestos victims get the compensation they deserve.