Mesothelioma Lawyers
Mesothelioma lawyers can help asbestos victims file lawsuits and trust fund claims. National firms have resources and expertise that local law firms do not.
Asbestos victims should choose an attorney who has an established track record of filing large mesothelioma lawsuits and jury awards. Attorneys should also be willing to go to trial if necessary.
Symptoms
The symptoms of mesothelioma may vary widely based on the stage and location of the cancer. Reading mesothelioma lawsuit is for instance, and it is found in the linings of the chest cavity and abdomen. Symptoms may include abdominal pain, difficulty breathing and the accumulation of fluid in these areas. The peritoneal variant could cause difficulty eating, constipation, stomach pain and unproven weight loss.
Symptoms of mesothelioma can also depend on the type of asbestos exposure that caused the disease. Workers at sites that have employed asbestos, like shipyards, power plants and asbestos removal companies, are more prone to contracting the disease. People who worked at the World Trade Center before and after 9/11, and those living near the site, are also at risk.
If you have mesothelioma, it is important to consult your physician immediately. The doctor will inquire about asbestos exposure and perform a physical examination. If the doctor suspects mesothelioma, they may request testing for imaging and blood tests. Doctors can also conduct an PET scan (positron-emission tomography) that uses an identifier to identify cancerous cells.
The blood test is typically used to measure the levels of certain substances that are elevated in mesothelioma sufferers - fibulin-3 and soluble mesothelin-related peptides. The doctor might also conduct an echocardiogram to assess how your heart functions and identify the presence of fluid in your lungs or abdomen.
If mesothelioma is localized surgeons might recommend surgery to remove any tumors or other growths. The surgeon could also recommend chemotherapy or radiation to stop the cancer from recurring or spreading.
To confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma the patient must submit a sample taken from a tissue or fluid and tested in the lab. This is referred to as biopsy and can be done in many different ways. For example needle biopsy could be taken to collect lymph node samples from the area close to the mesothelioma, or a procedure known as pericardiocentesis may remove fluid from the sac around the heart.
Diagnosis
If you suspect that you might have mesothelioma, it is crucial to speak with your primary physician immediately. The doctor will conduct preliminary tests and ask the patient about their history of asbestos exposure.
Mesothelioma can be a challenging cancer to detect. The symptoms of mesothelioma can be similar to those of other conditions. It is not uncommon for the cancer to show up in later stages. The diagnosis of mesothelioma is terrifying and frightening for the patient.
The first diagnostic test that the medical team will likely perform is a chest X ray. This will be used to detect symptoms of lung disease such as thickening and excess fluid. It could also show that the lining of the lungs or the lining of the abdomen is affected. A biopsy is required to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma.
Based on the stage of mesothelioma patients may experience different outcomes. Patients can expect to live for between 2 and 3 years when the cancer hasn't spread. If the cancer has spread to lymph nodes or other organs and tissues the 5-year survival rate goes down to about 5 to 10 percent.
Pleural mesothelioma is by far the most common type of mesothelioma and is most often affecting the lining of the lungs. It can cause symptoms like abdominal pain, fatigue and chronic coughing. In extreme cases, pleural mesothelioma can cause the lung to collapse (pneumothorax).
Peritoneal Mesothelioma affects the abdominal lining. It is less common than Pleural Mesothelioma. It can cause nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
Mesothelioma lawyers can assist clients to receive compensation for medical bills, lost wages and other damages. Compensation is available from the businesses that were responsible for exposing workers to asbestos and resulting in mesothelioma. It is important to select a firm with experience and who is aware of the complicated mesothelioma laws as well as the facts about it. The firm should be prepared to defend its clients in court, should they need to, get the best results.
Treatment
Mesothelioma lawyers can assist victims receive compensation for medical expenses, lost income and other damages. They can aid victims in filing mesothelioma claims against asbestos-related companies which exposed them to the deadly cancer.
Many people with mesothelioma feel lonely and isolated as they do not have anyone else with this condition. It is a rare cancer that affects the delicate tissue layer around organs. The majority of the time, it affects the lung. This can lead to breathing issues, chest pains, and coughing. Mesothelioma can also manifest in the heart, abdomen or testicles. It is a painful disease which has no cure. However it can be treated through surgery, chemotherapy, and other treatments.
The rate of survival depends on how serious mesothelioma is as well as the kind of mesothelioma one has. Certain forms of this cancer are slow growing and may not spread. Some are a faster-growing, more aggressive type that frequently metastasizes. Mesothelioma patients that are surgical candidates and are in a less advanced stage have the highest chance of surviving.
Doctors can send samples of tissue or fluid from the affected area to a laboratory for testing to determine if mesothelioma is present. They can conduct blood tests for elevated levels of substances in mesothelioma patients, such as fibulin-3 or soluble mesothelin related peptides. They can also do an PET scan to determine where the cancer cells are more active.
MRI, CT scans, laparoscopy, or bronchoscopy are all procedures that can help in diagnosing mesothelioma. They are also able to perform chest X-rays, echocardiograms and chest CT scans to look for other lung diseases.
The most frequent mesothelioma-related exposures are from work at an asbestos mine, in shipyards or in the military. It is also possible to get mesothelioma after exposure to toxic consumer products like talcum powder. Many mesothelioma patients have received compensation from mesothelioma litigation. Lawyers can help explain the various types of claims that are available.
Compensation
There are many ways mesothelioma patients and their families can be awarded compensation. They may file a lawsuit on their own or as part of a class action lawsuit or they could receive a settlement out of court. In some instances mesothelioma lawyers can aid 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 at the earliest opportunity. Mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that is aggressive, is best treated as soon as possible to protect your legal rights.
Lawyers can assist victims and their families collect evidence that proves asbestos exposure. This can include medical records as well as wages loss receipts. Lawyers can assist with the identification of possible sources of asbestos exposure. Many companies that were exposed to asbestos are now bankrupt and have set aside millions of dollars to help mesothelioma victims.
Asbestos-related victims in California have been awarded millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements. Mesothelioma attorneys in California have a wealth of experience in filing claims and obtaining compensation for their clients. They are well-versed in local laws and regulations related to asbestos litigation. They can assist clients to understand the choices available to them, and determine if they are eligible for compensation.
In the United States, mesothelioma has led to the death of thousands of people. In California alone there are hundreds of asbestos-related lawsuits filed. These lawsuits led to millions being paid to the plaintiffs as well as their families and victims.
San Francisco mesothelioma attorneys can help victims family members and loved ones file a lawsuit against asbestos-related companies. Their experience in asbestos litigation as well as their expertise in asbestos litigation will allow them to create an action plan and file it, and then settle it with the highest chance of success.
Brayton Purcell, a San Francisco-based firm of mesothelioma lawyers, has helped numerous families in California get justice for asbestos exposure. They have won some of the biggest asbestos verdicts ever. They are committed to helping victims receive the compensation they need for their asbestos-related injuries.