Mesothelioma Lawyers
Mesothelioma attorneys can aid asbestos victims in filing lawsuits and trust funds claims. National law firms have more resources and expertise than local firms.
Asbestos sufferers should choose a firm with an established track record of large settlements and jury awards for mesothelioma. Attorneys should also be prepared to go to trial if necessary.
Signs and symptoms
The symptoms of mesothelioma can vary greatly depending on the stage and location of the cancer. The pleural form is for instance, and it occurs in the linings of the chest cavity as well as the abdomen. It can cause abdominal pain, breathing difficulties and the accumulation of fluid in these areas. The peritoneal variant can cause difficulty eating, stomach pain, constipation, and an unproven loss of weight.
The type of exposure to asbestos can affect mesothelioma symptoms. People who work at sites that have asbestos-related exposure in shipyards, power plants asbestos removal companies, and factories -- are especially prone to developing the disease. People who worked at the World Trade Center before and after 9/11, as well as those who live near to the site are also at risk.
If top rated mesothelioma lawyers develops mesothelioma-related symptoms and signs, they should visit their doctor immediately. The doctor will inquire about asbestos exposure and conduct a physical examination. If the doctor suspects mesothelioma they may request blood tests and imaging tests. Doctors may also perform an PET scan (positron-emission tomography) which utilizes a tracer in order to detect cancerous cell.
The blood test is typically used to measure the levels of certain substances that are elevated in mesothelioma patients - fibulin-3 and soluble mesothelin-related peptides. The doctor can also perform an echocardiogram to determine how well your heart functions and detect the presence of fluid in your abdomen or lungs.
If mesothelioma has been localized, the surgeon might recommend surgery in order to eliminate any tumors. The surgeon could also recommend chemotherapy or radiation to stop the cancer from returning or spreading.
To confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, a small amount of tissue or fluid needs to be taken and analyzed in a lab. This is referred to as a biopsy and can be performed in a variety of different ways. For example, a needle biopsy may be used to collect lymph node samples from near mesothelioma. A procedure called pericardiocentesis is a way to 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 care physician right away. The doctor will take some preliminary tests and inquire about their history with asbestos exposure.
Mesothelioma can be a difficult cancer to detect. The symptoms of mesothelioma can be similar to those of other diseases. It is not common for the cancer to show up in the later stages. As such the diagnosis of mesothelioma could be shocking and scary for the patient.
The first test for diagnosing a problem that the medical team will likely employ is a chest X ray. This will look for calcium deposits in the lungs, as well as other indicators of lung issues like thickening or excessive fluid. It could also show that the lining around the lung or the lining around the abdomen is affected. A biopsy is then required to confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis.
Depending on the stage of mesothelioma patients may experience different outcomes. Patients can expect to survive two to three years when the cancer hasn't progressed. If the cancer has spread to lymph nodes and other nearby tissue and organs, the 5-year survival rate is reduced to 5-10 percent.
The most common form of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma. It affects the lung linings. It can cause symptoms like abdominal pain, fatigue and persistent coughing. In extreme cases, mesothelioma can result in a collapsed lungs (pneumothorax).
Peritoneal Mesothelioma can affect the lining in the abdomen. It is less prevalent than Pleural Mesothelioma. It can cause abdominal pain nausea, weight loss and other symptoms.
Mesothelioma lawyers can assist clients get compensation for their medical bills, lost wages and other damages. Compensation is available against companies who have exposed asbestos-contaminated workers to mesothelioma. It is important to select a company with experience and who is aware of the complicated mesothelioma laws as well as the facts about it. The firm should be ready to fight for its clients in court should it be necessary, to achieve the best results.
Treatment
Mesothelioma lawyers can assist victims obtain compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and other damages. They can assist victims in filing mesothelioma claims against asbestos companies which exposed them to the deadly cancer.
Many people with mesothelioma feel alone and isolated because they do not have anyone else with this condition. It is a rare cancer that affects the delicate tissue layer around organs. It usually affects the lung. This can lead to breathing difficulties, chest pains and coughing. But mesothelioma can also develop in the abdomen, the heart or testicles. It is a painful disease that is not curable. However it is treatable through chemotherapy, surgery, and other treatments.
The rate of survival is influenced by the severity of the mesothelioma and its type. Certain forms of this cancer grow slowly and are not likely to be able to spread. Others are a faster-growing and more aggressive form that often metastasizes. Patients with mesothelioma who are candidates for surgery and in a less advanced stage have the greatest chance of survival.
To diagnose mesothelioma doctors can collect a tissue or fluid from the affected area and send it to a laboratory for testing. The lab can conduct blood tests to check for high levels of certain substances that are found in mesothelioma patients like fibulin-3 and mesothelin-related proteins that are soluble. They can also do an PET scan to determine where the cancer cells are more active.
MRI, CT scans, bronchoscopy or laparoscopy are other procedures that can help in diagnosing mesothelioma. They can also perform a chest X-ray, echocardiogram and a chest CT scan to detect other lung diseases.
The most common mesothelioma-related exposures are from work at an asbestos mine, in shipyards or in the military. It is possible to develop mesothelioma from secondary exposure to toxic consumer products like talcum. Mesothelioma lawsuits have compensated many patients who were diagnosed with the disease. A lawyer can provide information on the various types of claims that are available.
Compensation
There are a variety of ways that victims of mesothelioma and their families, can receive compensation. They can file a lawsuit on their own, as part of a class action lawsuit or receive an agreement outside of court. In some instances, lawyers for mesothelioma can aid victims in filing asbestos trust fund claims.
Asbestos lawsuits have a short filing period, so victims should seek out mesothelioma attorneys as soon possible. Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive form of cancer, and it is important to act quickly to ensure that your legal rights are secured.
Lawyers can help victims and their families gather evidence that proves asbestos exposure. This can include medical records as well as receipts for wage loss. Lawyers can assist in identifying potential asbestos exposure sources. Many companies that were exposed asbestos are now bankrupt and have set aside millions of dollars to help victims of mesothelioma.
Asbestos-related victims from 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 familiarized with local laws and regulations pertaining to asbestos litigation. They can assist clients comprehend the choices available to them, and determine if they are eligible to receive compensation.
In the United States, mesothelioma has resulted in the deaths of thousands. In California alone, there are hundreds of asbestos-related lawsuits filed. These lawsuits resulted in millions being awarded to the plaintiffs and their families, as well as other victims.
Mesothelioma lawyers in San Francisco can help victims and their loved ones to file a lawsuit against asbestos-related companies that are responsible. Their expertise in asbestos litigation and knowledge of the industry can help them 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 a number of families in California receive justice for exposure to asbestos. They have secured some of the largest asbestos verdicts ever. They are committed to ensuring that asbestos victims receive the justice they deserve.