Mesothelioma Lawyers
Mesothelioma attorneys can aid asbestos victims with filing lawsuits and trust fund claims. National law firms have more resources and expertise than local firms.
Asbestos victims should choose an attorney who has an impressive track record of jury awards and settlements for mesothelioma. Attorneys should be prepared to appear in the court should they need to.
Signs and symptoms
The symptoms of mesothelioma can differ greatly based on the stage and the location of the cancer. For instance the pleural form of cancer is located in the chest cavity or abdomen, so symptoms may include difficulty breathing, abdominal pain and the accumulation of fluid in those regions. The peritoneal form can cause constipation, stomach pain, and weight loss.
The symptoms of mesothelioma depend on the type of asbestos exposure that caused the disease. Workers who work in areas where asbestos has been used (such as shipyards, power plants asbestos removal factories, and asbestos removal companiesare particularly 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 someone is diagnosed with mesothelioma and signs, they should visit their doctor right away. The doctor will perform an examination and ask about the person's past exposure to asbestos. If the doctor suspects mesothelioma may be present, they can request a blood test and imaging. In addition to a CT scan of the chest, doctors may also perform an PET (positron emission tomography) scan, which utilizes a tracer to detect cancerous cells.
The blood test is generally used to measure the levels of substances that are more common in mesothelioma - fibulin-3, and soluble mesothelin-related peptides. In addition, your doctor may do an echocardiogram, an exam that evaluates how well your heart is functioning and can identify fluid around your lungs or abdominal area.
If mesothelioma has been found to be localized, a surgeon may recommend surgery to eliminate any tumors or other growths. The surgeon could also recommend chemotherapy or radiation to stop the cancer spreading or returning.
To confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, a sample must be taken of fluid or tissue and analyzed in a lab. This is known as a biopsy and can be performed in a variety of different ways. For instance, a needle biopsy may be performed to obtain lymph node samples from the area close to the mesothelioma, or a procedure called pericardiocentesis can remove 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 immediately. The doctor will inquire about the patient's history of exposure to asbestos, and conduct some preliminary tests.
Mesothelioma can be a difficult cancer to detect. The symptoms can be similar to those of other conditions but mesothelioma usually does not show up on tests for diagnosis until the latter stages of the disease. A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying and frightening for the patient.
The first test for diagnosing a problem that the medical team will likely use is a chest X ray. This will be used to detect symptoms of lung disease like thickening and excessive fluid. It may also reveal that the linings around the lungs, or even the abdomen's linings, are affected. A biopsy is needed to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma.
Based on the stage of mesothelioma patients can expect different outcomes. Patients can expect to live for between 2 and 3 years in the event that the cancer has not progressed. If the cancer has spread to lymph nodes or other organs and tissues nearby the survival rate for 5 years drops to 5-10 percent.
Pleural mesothelioma is the most commonly diagnosed type of mesothelioma, and is most often affecting the lung's lining. It can cause symptoms like abdominal pain, fatigue, and persistent coughing. In severe cases, mesothelioma may result in 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 patients to receive compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. Compensation can be sought against companies responsible for exposing asbestos-contaminated workers to mesothelioma. It is important to choose an organization that has experience and understands the complex mesothelioma facts and laws. If necessary, the firm must be prepared to fight in court for its clients to get the best possible results.
Treatment
Mesothelioma attorneys can help victims receive compensation for medical expenses, lost income and other types damages. They can assist victims in filing mesothelioma lawsuits against asbestos-related businesses that exposed them to this deadly cancer.
People with mesothelioma often feel isolated and lonely because they don't know anyone else suffering from this condition. It is an uncommon cancer that affects the delicate tissue surrounding organs. The majority of the time, it affects the lung. It can cause breathing problems, chest pain and coughing. Mesothelioma may also develop in the abdomen, heart or testicles. It is a painful disease that has no cure. However it can be treated through surgery, chemotherapy, and other treatments.
The survival rate is affected by the severity of mesothelioma and its type. Certain types of this cancer are slow-growing and do not have the potential to expand to other areas of the body. Some are a faster-growing, more aggressive form that often metastasizes. Patients with mesothelioma that are candidates for surgery, and in a less-advanced stage have the greatest chance of survival.
Doctors can send samples of tissue or fluid from the affected area to a laboratory for testing to identify mesothelioma. The lab can conduct blood tests to look for elevated levels of certain substances that are present in patients with mesothelioma, such as fibulin-3 and soluble mesothelin-related peptides. They can also do a PET scan, which reveals the areas of greater activity in the cancer cells.
Other procedures that can be used to help diagnose mesothelioma include the use of an MRI or CT scan as well as a bronchoscopy or laparoscopy. They may also perform a chest X-ray, echocardiogram and a chest CT scan to check for other lung diseases.
The most prevalent mesothelioma sources are from work at an asbestos mine, shipyards, or in the military. It is possible to develop mesothelioma from exposure to contaminants in consumer products, like talcum. Many patients diagnosed with mesothelioma have received compensation from mesothelioma litigation. A lawyer can provide information on the various types of claims available.
Compensation
There are a variety of ways that victims of mesothelioma, and their families, can be awarded compensation. They can file a lawsuit on their own or as part of a class action lawsuit or they could receive a settlement out of the court. In certain cases mesothelioma lawyers may 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 type of aggressive cancer is best treated as soon as possible to protect your legal rights.
Lawyers can help victims and their families gather evidence to prove exposure to asbestos. This could include medical records as well as wages loss receipts. Lawyers can assist in identifying potential asbestos exposure sources. Many companies that were exposed to asbestos are now insolvent and have set aside billions of dollars to help mesothelioma victims.
Las Vegas mesothelioma lawyers -related victims in California have been awarded millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements. Mesothelioma lawyers in California have experience filing claims and getting compensation for their clients. They are knowledgeable about local laws and regulations pertaining asbestos litigation. They can help clients understand the different options they have and help them determine whether they're qualified to receive compensation.
Thousands of people have passed away from mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses in the United States. There have been hundreds asbestos-related lawsuits in California alone. These lawsuits resulted in millions being awarded to plaintiffs as well as their families and victims.
San Francisco mesothelioma attorneys can assist victims as well as their families and loved ones file a lawsuit against asbestos-related firms. Their knowledge of asbestos litigation and their experience in the field will allow them to construct and file a claim with the best chance of success.
The San Francisco mesothelioma attorneys at Brayton Purcell have helped numerous families in the state of California to obtain justice for their asbestos exposure. They have obtained some of the biggest asbestos verdicts in the history of the world. They are committed to helping victims get the compensation they deserve for their asbestos-related injuries.