Mesothelioma Lawyers
Mesothelioma lawyers can assist asbestos victims with filing lawsuits and trust fund claims. National firms have the resources and expertise that local law firms do not.
Asbestos victims should choose an attorney with an established track record of large jury awards and settlements for mesothelioma. Attorneys should also be prepared to go to trial if needed.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma symptoms can vary widely in accordance with the site of the cancer as well as its stage. The pleural type is for instance, and it is found in the tissues of the chest cavity and abdomen. Symptoms may include abdominal pain, breathing difficulties and fluid accumulation in these areas. Similarly, the peritoneal version can cause difficulty eating, constipation, stomach pain and unexplained weight loss.
The symptoms of mesothelioma depend on the type of asbestos exposure that caused the disease. People working at places that have used asbestos, such as shipyards, power plants and asbestos removal firms, are more prone to contracting the disease. People who worked at the World Trade Center before and after 9/11, as well as those living near the site, are also at risk.
If someone is diagnosed with mesothelioma, they should see their doctor as soon as they notice symptoms. The doctor will perform an examination and ask about the person's past exposure to asbestos. If the doctor suspects mesothelioma, they might request testing for imaging and blood tests. Doctors may also perform an PET scan (positron-emission tomography) that uses the use of a tracer to detect cancerous cell.
The blood test is usually used to determine the concentrations of substances that are more common in mesothelioma like fibulin-3 and soluble mesothelin related peptides. The doctor might also conduct an echocardiogram to assess how your heart functions and detect the presence of fluid in your abdomen or lungs.
If mesothelioma is localized surgeons might recommend surgery to remove any tumors or other growths. The surgeon might also suggest radiation or chemotherapy to prevent the cancer from spreading or recurring.
To confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, a sample must be taken of fluid or tissue and analyzed in a lab. This is called biopsy, and it can be performed in a variety of ways. A needle biopsy may be used to collect samples of lymph nodes in the area around the mesothelioma. Or, a procedure known as pericardiocentesis is used to drain fluid from the sac that surrounds the heart.
Diagnosis
If a person suspects that they may have mesothelioma they should immediately visit their primary care doctor. The doctor will take some preliminary tests and ask the patient about their history with asbestos exposure.
Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to diagnose. The symptoms of mesothelioma may be similar to those of other ailments. It is not unusual for the disease to only show up in later stages. As such the diagnosis of mesothelioma can be a shock and a nightmare for the patient.
The first diagnostic test medical professionals will employ is likely to be a chest X-ray. It will detect indications of lung disease, like thickening or excess fluid. It may also reveal that the linings around the lungs, or even the linings of the abdomen, are affected. A biopsy is required in order to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma.
Based on the stage of mesothelioma patients can expect different outcomes. Patients can expect to live 2 to 3 years if the cancer has not spread. If the cancer has spread to lymph nodes, or other nearby tissues and organs and organs, the 5-year survival rate drops to 5-10 percent.
Pleural mesothelioma is the most commonly diagnosed type of mesothelioma, and typically affects the lung's lining. It can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, fatigue, and constant coughing. In the most severe instances, pleural mesothelioma could cause collapsed lung (pneumothorax).
Peritoneal mesothelioma is not as common than pleural mesothelioma, and affects the abdomen's lining. It can cause abdominal pain nausea, weight loss and other symptoms.
Mesothelioma lawyers can assist clients receive compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. Compensation is available against companies responsible for exposing asbestos-exposed workers to mesothelioma. It is important to choose an organization that has experience and knows the complexities of the facts and law surrounding mesothelioma. The firm should be ready to defend its clients in court if necessary, in order get the best results.
Treatment
Mesothelioma attorneys can help victims obtain compensation for medical expenses, lost income and other types damages. They can aid victims in filing a mesothelioma lawsuit against asbestos-related companies that exposed them to this deadly cancer.
Many who suffer mesothelioma are not aware of any other sufferers and feel isolated. It is because it is a rare type of cancer that affects the thin layer of tissue around organs, most commonly the lungs. This can cause breathing difficulties, chest pain and coughing. Mesothelioma can also occur in the abdomen, heart or testicles. It is a painful disease that is not curable. However it can be treated through surgery, chemotherapy, and other treatments.
The rate of survival depends on how severe the mesothelioma is and what kind of mesothelioma the patient has. Certain types of this cancer grow slowly and do not have the potential to grow and spread. Other forms are faster-growing and more aggressive type that frequently metastasizes. Patients with mesothelioma that are surgically eligible and are in a less advanced stage have the greatest chance of surviving.
Doctors can send samples of fluid or tissue from the affected area to a laboratory for testing to determine if mesothelioma is present. Blood tests can be used to determine the presence of certain substances found in mesothelioma patients including fibulin-3 as well as mesothelin-related peptides that are soluble. It is also possible to do an PET scan to see which cancer cells are more active.
Other procedures that can be used to determine mesothelioma diagnosis include an MRI or CT scan, a bronchoscopy and laparoscopy. They can also perform chest X-rays, echocardiograms, and chest CT scans to look for other lung disorders.
The majority of mesothelioma cases are triggered by exposure to asbestos, whether it's from working in a mine or shipyard or even in the military. It is also possible to develop mesothelioma through secondary exposure to harmful consumer products like talcum powder. Mesothelioma lawsuits have paid out a lot of people who were diagnosed with the disease. redlands mesothelioma attorney can help explain the different types of claims available.
Compensation
There are a variety of ways mesothelioma patients and their families can be awarded compensation. They can file a lawsuit on their own or as part of a class action lawsuit or receive an agreement outside of court. In some cases, mesothelioma lawyers could assist victims in filing asbestos trust fund claims.
Asbestos lawsuits are subject to a strict time for filing, which is why victims must contact mesothelioma lawyers as soon as they can. Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that is aggressive, is best treated as quickly as possible to protect your legal rights.
Lawyers can help victims and their families with the collection of evidence to demonstrate asbestos exposure. This can include medical records or wage loss receipts, as well as other employment documents. Lawyers can assist in identifying potential asbestos exposure sources. Many companies that were exposed to asbestos are now bankrupt and have set aside millions of dollars for mesothelioma patients.
Asbestos-related patients in California have been awarded millions of dollars via settlements and verdicts. Mesothelioma attorneys in California have a wealth of experience filing claims and getting compensation for their clients. They are knowledgeable about local laws and regulations pertaining to asbestos litigation. They can help clients to understand the options available to them and determine if they are eligible for compensation.
Thousands of people have died from mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases in the United States. There have been hundreds of asbestos-related lawsuits in California alone. These lawsuits have resulted in millions being given to plaintiffs as well as their families and victims.
San Francisco mesothelioma attorneys can help victims, their families and loved ones file a lawsuit against asbestos-related firms. Their expertise in asbestos litigation and their experience in the field will allow them to construct, file and resolve a claim with the highest chance of success.
The San Francisco mesothelioma attorneys at Brayton Purcell have helped numerous families in the state of California obtain justice for asbestos exposure. They have won some of the largest asbestos verdicts ever. They are committed to helping victims receive the justice they deserve for their asbestos-related injuries.