Mesothelioma Lawyers
Mesothelioma attorneys can aid asbestos victims in filing lawsuits and trust funds claims. National firms have the resources and expertise that local law firms lack.
Asbestos sufferers should choose an attorney with an established track record of filing large mesothelioma settlements and jury award. Attorneys must also be prepared to appear in court if needed.
Signs and symptoms
The symptoms of mesothelioma vary widely based on the stage and the location of the cancer. For instance the pleural variant is found in the lining of the abdomen or chest cavity and can cause trouble breathing, abdominal pain and fluid buildup in these regions. The peritoneal variety can cause constipation, stomach pain and weight loss.
Symptoms of mesothelioma can also depend on the type of exposure to asbestos that caused the disease. Workers at sites that have used asbestos, like shipyards, power plants, and asbestos removal firms, are more prone to contracting the disease. Additionally, workers who worked at the World Trade Center during and after the 9/11 attacksand those in the vicinity of the site -- are also at risk.
If you experience mesothelioma, it is important to consult your doctor immediately. The doctor will conduct a physical exam and ask about the patient's prior exposure to asbestos. If the doctor suspects mesothelioma, they can order testing for imaging and blood tests. Doctors can also order an PET scan (positron-emission tomography) which utilizes the use of a tracer to identify cancerous cells.
The blood test is typically used to measure the levels of certain substances that are higher in mesothelioma sufferers - fibulin-3 and soluble mesothelin-related proteins. The doctor can also perform an echocardiogram in order to determine how your heart functions and detect the presence of fluid in your lungs or abdomen.
If the mesothelioma is localized, surgeons might recommend surgery to remove any tumors or other growths. The surgeon may also recommend chemotherapy or radiation to prevent the cancer spreading or returning.
To confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, a sample of tissue or fluid has to be taken and tested in a laboratory. This is referred to as a biopsy, and it can be carried out in a variety of different ways. A needle biopsy can be used to collect lymph node samples in the area around the mesothelioma. Also, a procedure referred to as pericardiocentesis is used to remove fluid from the sac around the heart.
Diagnosis
If you think mesothelioma may be a possibility, it is important to consult your primary care physician right away. The doctor will perform preliminary tests and inquire about their past asbestos exposure.
Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that is difficult to identify. The symptoms of mesothelioma can be similar to those of other conditions. It is not unusual for the cancer to show up in later stages. A mesothelioma diagnose can be scary and shocking for the patient.
The first test for diagnosing a problem that the medical team will likely perform is a chest X ray. It will search for calcium deposits in the lungs and other indicators of lung issues such as a thickening of the lungs or excessive fluid. It could also show that the lining around the lung or the lining of the abdomen is affected. A biopsy will be required to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma.
Based on the stage of mesothelioma, patients can expect different outcomes. Patients can expect to survive two to three years in the event that the cancer has not spread. However, if the cancer has spread to lymph nodes or other organs or tissues nearby the 5-year survival rate is reduced to 5-10 percent.
The most frequent mesothelioma form, pleural mesothelioma, affects the lung linings. It can trigger symptoms such as difficult breathing, persistent coughing, fatigue, and abdominal pain. In extreme cases, pleural mesothelioma can result in a collapsed lung (pneumothorax).
Peritoneal mesothelioma occurs less frequently 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 from the businesses that were responsible for exposure of workers to asbestos, and resulting in mesothelioma. It is important to select a company with experience and who is knowledgeable of the complex laws and facts surrounding mesothelioma. The firm should be ready to represent its clients in court, should they need to, for the best outcomes.
Treatment
Mesothelioma lawyers can help victims obtain compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and other types of damages. They can assist victims with filing a mesothelioma lawsuit against asbestos-related businesses which exposed them to the deadly cancer.
People with mesothelioma often feel isolated and lonely because they don't know anyone else who has this condition. It is a rare cancer that affects the thin layer that surrounds organs. lawyers that handle mesothelioma cases 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 and uncomfortable condition that is not curable, but it is treatable by chemotherapy, surgery and other treatments.
The rate of survival depends on how severe mesothelioma is as well as the kind of mesothelioma the patient has. Certain types of this cancer are slow-growing and may not spread to other parts of the body. Other forms are faster-growing and more aggressive form that typically metastasizes. Mesothelioma patients who are surgically eligible and in a less advanced stage have the highest chance of being able to survive.
To diagnose mesothelioma doctors can take a biopsy of the tissue or fluid from the affected area and send it to a lab for testing. The lab can conduct blood tests to look for elevated levels of certain substances that are found in mesothelioma patients like fibulin-3 and mesothelin-related peptides that are soluble. They can also do an PET scan, which shows where there is more activity in the cancer cells.
MRI, CT scans, laparoscopy or bronchoscopy are additional procedures that can help in diagnosing mesothelioma. They may also perform an echocardiogram, chest X-ray and a chest CT scan to determine other lung diseases.
Most mesothelioma cases are caused by asbestos exposure, whether it is from working in a shipyard or mine or even in the military. It is possible to develop mesothelioma from secondary exposure to contaminants in consumer products, such as talcum. Many people diagnosed with mesothelioma have received compensation from mesothelioma lawsuits. A lawyer can provide information on the different types of claims available.
Compensation
There are a variety of ways in which mesothelioma victims and their families can get compensation. They can file a lawsuit on their own or as part of a group action lawsuit or receive an agreement outside of court. In some cases, lawyers for mesothelioma can also assist victims in filing asbestos trust fund claims.
Asbestos lawsuits have a short filing period, so victims should seek out mesothelioma attorneys as soon as they can. Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive type of cancer, and it is essential to act fast to ensure that legal rights are secured.
Lawyers can help victims and their families collect evidence to prove exposure to asbestos. This can include medical records and wage loss receipts. Lawyers can assist with the identification of potential sources of asbestos exposure. Many companies exposed to asbestos are now bankrupt, and have set aside billions of dollars to help mesothelioma victims.
Asbestos victims in California have received millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements. Mesothelioma lawyers in California have experience in filing claims and obtaining compensation for their clients. They are well-versed in local laws and regulations that pertain to asbestos litigation. They can assist clients to understand the choices available to them, and determine if you are eligible for compensation.
In the United States, mesothelioma has resulted in the deaths of thousands. There have been hundreds asbestos-related lawsuits in California alone. These lawsuits resulted in millions being given to plaintiffs, their families and other victims.
San Francisco mesothelioma attorneys can help victims as well as their families and loved ones file a suit against asbestos-related firms. Their experience in asbestos litigation and experience in the field allows them to build a claim, file it and resolve 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 exposure to asbestos. They have won some of the largest asbestos verdicts in history. They are dedicated to ensuring that asbestos victims receive the justice they deserve.