Mesothelioma Lawyers – What You Need to Know About Your Mesothelioma Case
Mesothelioma patients and their families frequently seek compensation for medical expenses and lost wages. A qualified mesothelioma attorney can help you determine the most efficient legal strategy.
Most mesothelioma claims are filed as personal injury or wrongful death lawsuits. A mesothelioma attorney can review your case, collect documentation and file the lawsuit.
Diagnosis
Your doctor will conduct physical examinations to determine mesothelioma. They will ask about any symptoms and your previous exposure to asbestos. They will also determine if you have a common illness such as pneumonia, before examining for symptoms of cancer.
If they suspect that you have mesothelioma, your doctor will order imaging scans of your abdomen and chest. These tests take images of your organs with x-rays or CT scans. These scans can reveal fluid buildup in the abdomen or lungs (ascites). They can also be used to detect mesothelioma tumours and determine if they are spreading.
These tests can reveal a number of possible indicators of mesothelioma. However the only method to establish a definitive diagnosis is by taking tissue samples and analyzing them under microscope. This is referred to as biopsy. A pathologist is a physician who is skilled in interpreting tests in the laboratory and evaluating cells, tissues and organs to identify diseases.
Mesothelioma cancer typically develops in the chest lining or abdominal cavity, but it can also grow inside the heart. Pericardial mesothelioma is a name given to it when it grows inside the heart. These tumors are less frequent than pleural mesothelioma and can be more difficult to detect.
To collect an image of mesothelioma, your doctor may place a needle in the area of fluid buildup and remove only a small amount of fluid. They will analyze the fluid for cancerous cells from mesothelioma, and then examine a small piece from your lung to look for tumors.
They can also conduct blood tests to determine the health of your thyroid, kidneys and liver. A lactate dehydrogenase test (LDH) is one test they can perform. A higher than normal level of LDH can indicate damage to your cells which can be a sign of mesothelioma.
Treatment
The type of treatment you get depends on the stage and cell type of mesothelioma you have. The linings of the chest and lungs are affected by pleural mesothelioma, while the linings of the abdomen are affected by the peritoneal. Most patients who suffer from pleural mesothelioma last between 19 and 21 months after diagnosis, while those with late-stage peritoneal mesothelioma last 12 to 16 months.
The doctor who treats you will take a medical history and examine you for signs of mesothelioma, including the amount of fluid present in your abdomen or chest. A physical exam could be performed to determine whether the cancer has been able to spread. Other tests include the CT scan or chest x-ray to determine the location of the cancer and if it has spread into the heart. A biopsy is required to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. A surgeon can remove a tiny portion of tissue from the affected region using VATS (video assisted thoracoscopic surgery), which is a keyhole surgical procedure. Another alternative is to perform an instrument-guided biopsy under local anaesthesia, in which an CT scan is used to guide a tube that is used to remove the tissue in a small amount.
Mesothelioma specialists also use blood tests and imaging to help them determine the best path for treatment. The tests can be used to determine if you have mesothelioma cancerous cells or if the cancer is growing quickly. They can also help them decide if you are a good candidate for chemotherapy, which is usually used in combination with radiation therapy or surgery.
Radiation therapy is the application of X-rays with high energy or other types to reduce mesothelioma tumors and kill cancerous cells. It is usually done in conjunction with chemotherapy and may be given externally or internally. Internally, cancer doctors will inject a radioactive substance that is sealed in seeds, needles or wires into a location close to mesothelioma.
The side effects of chemotherapy drugs used to cure mesothelioma are numerous. They can cause nausea and vomiting, and hair loss. They also increase the chances of contracting an infection and make you feel extremely tired and decrease the number of healthy blood cells in your body. Consult your physician about these and other possible side effects that could be caused by your medication.
Clinical trials
Scientists are always seeking more effective ways to detect and treat mesothelioma. Clinical trials enable doctors to test new treatments that could be more efficient than the ones they currently use. The aim is to increase survival rates and find an effective cure.
Doctors are also studying new treatment methods like chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy. Combining these methods offers patients more options. Many mesothelioma patients participate in clinical trials, especially if standard therapies do not help them.
Clinical trials can last for weeks or even years. Participants receive an experimental drug or therapy and monitored closely by experts. The majority of drugs must go through multiple phases of clinical trials before the FDA approves their use for general use.
Some of these studies are testing novel types of chemotherapy. The latest drugs are designed to target specific genetic pathways in cancer cells. The results of these studies may help researchers identify better treatment options for mesothelioma and various types of cancers.
Researchers are also studying ways to stop mesothelioma. In studies of high-risk populations researchers investigate whether lifestyle changes and certain drugs can lower the risk of cancer. Some of these trials examine ways to detect mesothelioma sooner in people.
Doctors are also studying surgery and other surgical procedures to treat mesothelioma. This includes extrapleural pneumonectomy which removes the lung affected and pleura. There is also pleurectomy with the removal of pulmonary decortication, which eliminates part of the chest wall and diaphragm and trimodality therapy, which involves radiation therapy, surgery, and chemotherapy.
Some doctors are also investigating the effectiveness of immunotherapy to treat mesothelioma. This type of treatment involves injecting mesothelioma sufferers with an immune system-boosting drug that can target cancer cells. Immunotherapy is a method of treatment that can be used to treat advanced pleural cancers and to increase the odds of surviving. It is also being investigated as a possible treatment of first-line for mesothelioma peritoneal. A randomized controlled study of the mesothelioma legal-specific immune therapy drug tremelimumab has begun. Participants are compared with those who receive the placebo. Tremelimumab patients have a better overall survival rate than the placebo group.
Settlements
The vast majority mesothelioma lawsuits settle outside of court. But, it’s important to prepare as if your case goes to trial and have an experienced mesothelioma attorney with you throughout the process.
A mesothelioma suit is designed to compensate victims for the loss they have suffered as a result of this disease. Compensation may include the cost of medical treatment in the past and the future as well as lost wages, travel expenses to seek treatment, and much more. In certain cases, a settlement will also include non-economic damages such as pain and suffering or the loss of companionship.
Mesothelioma is a chronic illness that requires ongoing treatment. This can lead to high medical bills and the financial strain of being unable to work can make it difficult to pay for necessary expenses. A settlement or another award can ease this burden and allow patients to focus on improving their condition.
A successful mesothelioma lawsuit could help hold asbestos manufacturers accountable and force them to pay for their negligence. Many of these manufacturers knew their products were dangerous however they continued to put profits over safety. Mesothelioma lawsuits are a way victims and their families can seek justice against the companies that caused their mesothelioma.
The number of defendants in a mesothelioma case or wrongful death lawsuit, and the availability of funds, can affect the amount of compensation offered. Baron & Budd’s mesothelioma attorneys know how to build cases that will result in an acceptable settlement or verdict.