Mesothelioma Lawyers
Mesothelioma lawyers can assist asbestos victims with filing lawsuits and trust funds claims. National firms have resources and expertise that local law firms lack.
Asbestos victims should choose a firm that has an experience of submitting large mesothelioma settlements as well as jury award. Attorneys should be ready to go to the court should they need to.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma symptoms can vary widely depending on the area of the cancer and its stage. For instance, the pleural variety occurs in the lining of the chest cavity or abdomen, so symptoms may include difficulty breathing, abdominal pain, and a buildup of fluid in these regions. The peritoneal variety can cause constipation, stomach pain and weight loss.
The symptoms of mesothelioma depend on the type of asbestos exposure that led to the development of the disease. People working at places that have used asbestos, like shipyards, power plants, and asbestos removal companies, are more prone to contracting the disease. Additionally, workers who worked at the World Trade Center during and after the 9/11 attacksas well as those in the vicinity of the site -- are also at risk.
When someone experiences mesothelioma symptoms or signs, they should consult their doctor immediately. The doctor will perform an examination and ask about the person's past exposure to asbestos. If the doctor suspects mesothelioma is present, they may conduct a blood or imaging test. Doctors can also order a PET scan (positron-emission tomography) which utilizes an identifier to identify cancerous cells.
The blood test is typically used to determine the concentrations of substances that are more common in mesothelioma, such as fibulin-3 and soluble mesothelin related proteins. The doctor can also perform an echocardiogram to determine how well your heart functions and detect fluid in your abdomen or lungs.
If mesothelioma has been localized, the surgeon might suggest surgery to eliminate any tumors. The surgeon may also suggest chemotherapy or radiation to stop the cancer from returning or spreading.
To confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma the patient must submit a sample taken from tissue or fluid and analyzed in a laboratory. This is called a biopsy, and it can be performed in a variety of ways. For instance needle biopsy can be performed to obtain lymph node samples from the region near the mesothelioma or a procedure known as pericardiocentesis may remove fluid from the sac around the heart.
Diagnosis
If you are concerned that you may have mesothelioma then it is essential to talk with your primary care physician right away. The doctor will conduct preliminary tests and inquire about their history with asbestos exposure.
Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to identify. The symptoms of mesothelioma may be similar to those of other ailments. It is not common for the disease to only show up in the later stages. As such the diagnosis of mesothelioma could be a shock and a nightmare for the patient.
The first diagnostic test that medical professionals will employ is likely to be a chest X-ray. This will look for calcium deposits in the lungs as well as other indicators of lung issues such as a thickening of the lungs or excess fluid. It could reveal that the linings of the lungs, or the abdomen's linings are affected. A biopsy is then required in order to confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis.
Patients can expect different outcomes based on the stage of their mesothelioma. If the cancer is localized and has not spread and is not spreading, patients can expect to live between 2 and 3 years after diagnosis. However, if the cancer has spread to lymph nodes or other organs and tissues the chance of survival for 5 years is reduced to 5 to 10 percent.
Pleural mesothelioma is by far the most frequent mesothelioma type and typically affects the lining of the lungs. It can trigger symptoms like difficulty breathing, persistent coughing as well as fatigue and abdominal pain. In severe cases, mesothelioma can cause a collapsed lung (pneumothorax).
Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the abdomen. Bethlehem mesothelioma lawsuit is less frequent than Pleural Mesothelioma. It can cause nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.
Mesothelioma lawyers can help patients receive compensation for medical bills, lost wages and other damages. Compensation is available against companies responsible for exposing asbestos-exposed workers to mesothelioma. It is important to choose a firm that is experienced and understands the complex facts and law surrounding mesothelioma. If needed, the firm should be prepared to fight in court on behalf of its clients in order to obtain the most effective results.
Treatment
Mesothelioma attorneys can assist victims recover compensation from medical expenses, lost income and other types damages. They can assist victims to file a mesothelioma suit against asbestos companies that exposed them to the deadly cancer.
Many people who suffer mesothelioma are not aware of any other sufferers and feel lonely. It is an uncommon cancer that affects the delicate tissue layer that surrounds organs. The majority of the time, it affects the lung. This can cause breathing issues, chest pains, and coughing. Mesothelioma may also develop in the abdomen, heart or testicles. It is a painful illness which has no cure. However, it can be managed through surgery, chemotherapy, and other treatments.
The rate of survival is influenced by the severity of mesothelioma as well as its type. Some forms of the cancer are slow-growing and are not likely to spread to other parts of the body. Some forms of this cancer are more aggressive and develop faster. They often develop metastasis. Patients with mesothelioma who are surgical candidates, and in a less-advanced stage, have the best chance of survival.
To determine if mesothelioma is present doctors can collect a tissue or fluid from the affected area and send it to a lab for testing. They can use blood tests to check for high levels of certain substances found in people with mesothelioma including fibulin-3 as well as mesothelin-related proteins that are soluble. They can also do an PET scan, which can reveal where there is more activity in cancer cells.
Other methods that can be utilized 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 diseases.
Most mesothelioma cases result by exposure to asbestos, regardless of whether that's because you work in a mine or shipyard, or even in the military. It is possible to develop mesothelioma through secondary exposure to toxic consumer products such as talcum. Many people diagnosed with mesothelioma have received compensation through mesothelioma lawsuits. A lawyer can provide information on the different kinds of claims that are available.
Compensation
There are a variety of ways that victims of mesothelioma and their families, can receive compensation. They may file a lawsuit on their own, or as part of a class action lawsuit, or they may receive a settlement out of court. In certain cases, mesothelioma lawyers could also help victims file asbestos trust fund claims.
There is a limited time to file an asbestos lawsuit, and victims should contact an attorney for mesothelioma as soon as they can. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that is aggressive, is best treated as soon as you can in order to protect your legal rights.
Lawyers can help victims and their families gather evidence that proves asbestos exposure. This can include medical records, wage loss receipts and other documents related to employment. Lawyers can assist with finding possible sources of asbestos exposure. Many companies that were exposed asbestos are now insolvent and have put aside millions of dollars for mesothelioma patients.
Asbestos victims in California have received millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts. Mesothelioma lawyers in California have experience filing claims and getting compensation for clients. They are knowledgeable about local laws and regulations pertaining to asbestos litigation. They can assist clients know the options available to them, and determine if you're eligible for compensation.
Thousands of people have died from mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses in the United States. There have been hundreds of asbestos-related lawsuits in California alone. These lawsuits have resulted millions of dollars in settlements to the plaintiffs and their families.
Mesothelioma lawyers in San Francisco can help victims and their families to file a lawsuit against responsible asbestos companies. Their expertise in asbestos litigation and their experience in the field can help them build, file and resolve a claim with the greatest chance of success.
Brayton Purcell, a San Francisco-based firm of mesothelioma lawyers, has helped numerous families in California get justice for exposure to asbestos. They have won some of the biggest asbestos verdicts in history. They are committed to ensuring that asbestos victims receive the compensation they deserve.