Mesothelioma Lawyers
Mesothelioma lawyers can help asbestos victims file lawsuits and fund claims. National firms have resources and experience that local law firms don't have.
Asbestos victims should choose an attorney who has an impressive track record of settlements and jury awards for mesothelioma. Attorneys should also be prepared to go to the court if required.
Symptoms
The symptoms of mesothelioma may vary widely based on the stage and location of the cancer. The pleural type is for instance, which is found in the tissues of the chest cavity as well as the abdomen. The symptoms could include abdominal pain, difficulty breathing and the accumulation of fluid in these regions. The peritoneal variant may 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 which have used asbestos, like power plants, shipyards and asbestos removal firms, are more susceptible to 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 immediately. The doctor will conduct a physical exam and ask about the person's previous exposure to asbestos. If the doctor suspects mesothelioma they might conduct blood tests and imaging tests. Doctors may also perform an PET scan (positron-emission tomography) that uses the use of a tracer to identify cancerous cells.
The blood test is typically used to determine the levels of substances that are more common in mesothelioma - fibulin-3, and soluble mesothelin-related peptides. The doctor can also perform an echocardiogram to determine how well your heart functions and identify fluid in your lungs or abdomen.
If mesothelioma has been found to be localized, a surgeon may suggest surgery to remove any tumors or other growths. The surgeon might also recommend chemotherapy or radiation to stop the cancer from returning or spreading.
To confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis A sample has to be taken from a tissue or fluid and tested in the laboratory. This is referred to as a biopsy and can be done in many different ways. For example, a needle biopsy may be used to collect lymph node samples from near the mesothelioma or a procedure called pericardiocentesis can remove fluid from the sac surrounding the heart.
Diagnosis
If someone suspects they might have mesothelioma they should visit their primary physician. The doctor will inquire about the patient's history of exposure to asbestos, and conduct some preliminary tests.
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that can be difficult to identify. Its symptoms may be similar to other types of cancer but mesothelioma usually does not show up on tests for diagnosis until the end of the disease. So the diagnosis of mesothelioma could be shocking and scary 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 and other indications of lung problems such as thickening or excessive fluid. It could also show that the lining of the lungs or the lining of the abdomen is affected. A biopsy is then needed to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma.
Based on the stage of mesothelioma patients may experience different outcomes. If the cancer is localized and has not spread and is not spreading, patients can expect to live 2 to 3 years after diagnosis. However, if the cancer has spread to lymph nodes and other nearby tissue and organs the 5-year survival rate drops to 5 to 10 percent.
Pleural mesothelioma is the most frequent mesothelioma type and is most often affecting the lining of the lungs. It can cause symptoms such as difficulty breathing, chronic coughing, fatigue, and abdominal pain. In extreme cases, mesothelioma pleural can result in a collapsed lungs (pneumothorax).
Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining in the abdomen. It is less frequent than Pleural Mesothelioma. It can cause nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.
Mesothelioma lawyers can assist clients get compensation for their medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. Compensation can be sought from the companies responsible for exposing workers to asbestos and resulting in mesothelioma. It is important to select a company with experience and who is knowledgeable of the complex mesothelioma laws as well as the facts about it. If needed, the firm must be able to defend in court on behalf of its clients in order to obtain the highest possible outcomes.
Treatment
Mesothelioma lawyers can assist victims obtain compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and other types of damages. They can help victims file mesothelioma suits against asbestos-related companies that exposed them to the deadly cancer.
Many people suffering mesothelioma are not aware of anyone else with this disease and feel isolated. It is an uncommon cancer that affects the thin surrounding organs. It usually affects the lungs. This can lead to breathing problems, chest pains and coughing. But mesothelioma can also develop in the abdomen, heart or testicles. It is a painful condition that has no cure. However attorney lawyer mesothelioma can be treated through chemotherapy, surgery, and other treatments.
The rate of survival depends on how serious the mesothelioma is and what kind of mesothelioma one has. Certain forms of this cancer develop slowly and do not have the potential to be able to spread. Others are a faster-growing and more aggressive type that frequently metastasizes. Patients with mesothelioma that are candidates for surgery and 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 analysis to determine if mesothelioma is present. They can conduct blood tests for elevated levels of substances in mesothelioma patients. These include fibulin-3 or soluble mesothelin related peptides. It is also possible to do an PET scan to determine the areas where cancer cells are more active.
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 do a chest X-ray, echocardiogram and a chest CT scan to determine other lung diseases.
Most mesothelioma cases result by asbestos exposure, whether that's because you work in a shipyard or mine, or even in the military. But it is also possible to develop mesothelioma after exposure to contaminated consumer products such as talcum powder. Mesothelioma lawsuits have paid out a lot of patients who were diagnosed with the disease. A lawyer can explain to you the different types of claims that are available.
Compensation
There are many ways that victims of mesothelioma and their families can get compensation. They can file a suit on their own or as part of an action class, or they may receive a settlement outside of court. In some cases mesothelioma lawyers can 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 aggressive cancer is best treated as quickly as you can to ensure your legal rights.
Lawyers can assist victims and their families gather evidence to prove asbestos exposure. This can include medical records and receipts for wage loss. Lawyers can help identify potential asbestos exposure sources. Many companies exposed to asbestos are now insolvent and have set aside millions of dollars to help mesothelioma victims.
Asbestos-related patients in California have been awarded millions of dollars through verdicts and settlements. Mesothelioma lawyers in California have experience in filing claims and getting compensation for their clients. They are familiarized with local laws and regulations that pertain to asbestos litigation. They can help clients to know the choices 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 resulted in millions being paid to plaintiffs, their families and other victims.
San Francisco mesothelioma attorneys can assist victims family members and loved ones file a suit against asbestos-related companies. Their knowledge of asbestos litigation and experience in the industry can help them build, file and resolve a claim with the greatest chance of success.
The San Francisco mesothelioma attorneys at Brayton Purcell have helped numerous families in the state of California to obtain justice for asbestos exposure. They have secured some of the largest asbestos verdicts in history. They are dedicated to helping victims get the compensation they are due for their asbestos-related damages.