How to File a Mesothelioma Claim
A mesothelioma attorney can review the eligibility of asbestos victims for compensation. The requirements for eligibility vary according to state and also by the type of claim.
Compensation for mesothelioma can be available through liable corporations, trusts and insurance companies. Consolidation of several cases can also be done to increase efficiency and speed up resolution.
Compensation for mesothelioma patients can be used to pay for medical bills and other expenses. The amount of compensation also varies based on the kind of claim.
Symptoms
The symptoms of mesothelioma can vary depending on the type. For instance patients with pleural mesothelioma experience chest discomfort and breathlessness. As the cancer progresses these symptoms will get more severe.
The most frequent mesothelioma type is one that affects the lungs. It can also affect the abdominal lining which is known as the peritoneum. In peritoneal mesothelioma, tumors can build up in the abdomen, causing swelling.
The most commonly reported symptoms are chest pain, fatigue chronic cough and chest discomfort. A lot of people with mesothelioma do not have these symptoms. It is essential to see an expert if you are experiencing any unusual symptoms. The doctor can evaluate you and determine whether the condition is mesothelioma, or a different type of condition.
Doctors make use of a variety of tests to diagnose mesothelioma. These include blood tests, imaging tests and biopsies. A biopsy is the only sure method to confirm mesothelioma. A mesothelioma biopsy could comprise a needle or core sample of tissue. It is usually taken from the stomach, lungs and testicles, or the heart.
There are three treatments for mesothelioma: surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. These treatments can prolong life and reduce the severity of symptoms. These treatments are often mixed.
During the course of treatment, mesothelioma sufferers as well as their families might need financial aid. Compensation from lawsuits or government programs can aid with medical bills and living expenses. Families who have lost loved ones to mesothelioma could be qualified for compensation. Mesothelioma attorneys can review the case and decide on the best course. A wrongful death attorney can provide information on the types of damages that are available and file a claim on behalf of the family.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are similar to those of other illnesses. To determine if you have it your doctor needs to do a physical exam and ask you about your work history and general health. They will also collect samples of tissue or fluid from your abdomen or chest to analyze. These samples are tested to determine if they contain cancerous cells. If they do, your doctor can determine what type of mesothelioma is present and how far the cancer has taken over.
Your doctor will likely order a chest x ray as the initial test. It will reveal a fluid buildup in your chest that is known as Pleural effusion. It will also show any growth in the lining of your lungs (pleura).
The doctor might require an CT scan. This is a series detailed images of your abdomen and chest. The images will be combined to create a 3D image of your body. mesothelioma claim process will allow your doctor to determine whether the area of effusion of the pleural cavity is larger than it should be and to determine if there are any other areas that show abnormal growth.
If the results of your CT scan are unclear then your doctor may suggest a PET-CT scan. This is a combination of a CT and a PET scan, which shows the activity of cancerous cells. This will help your doctor decide if surgery or any other treatment is needed.
In some cases your doctor may need to conduct a biopsy in order to confirm mesothelioma. A needle will be placed into your abdominal or chest cavity to take the biopsy. Your doctor will numb the area with a local anaesthetic before they insert the needle. If the results of the needle biopsy are not conclusive the doctor may decide to conduct a surgical biopsy.
Exposure
The biggest mesothelioma-related risk is exposure to asbestos. The tiny fibres comprised of asbestos can be inhaled or swallowed, and if they do, they are absorbed into the mesothelium, which covers various parts of the body such as the lungs, stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma) or the testicles. This can cause mesothelioma, which is usually cancerous and can spread to other areas of the body.
There are many types of mesothelioma, depending on where the tumour grows and what mesothelium area it starts in. The most common type of mesothelioma is pleural, which is found in the lining of the lungs. However, mesothelioma may be found in the peritoneum, or in the tunica vaginalis area around the testicles, or it could be a combination of both, called biphasic mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma occurs between 15 and 40 years after exposure to asbestos and most cases occur in people older than 75 and men are more affected than women. It can also affect blue-collar workers as well as members of the military who were exposed to asbestos during their time in the army.
Certain researchers have investigated whether lifestyle factors can influence mesothelioma risk, however the majority of the evidence is conflicting and limited. The risk of mesothelioma is also slightly higher if you've been treated with radiation, chemotherapy or surgery for the chest area, such as for lung cancer. There are also rare instances of mesothelioma in those who inherit mutations inherited from a parent who was exposed to asbestos. This is called secondary exposure mesothelioma and it is seen in the children and spouses of those who have worked with asbestos.
Treatment
If you're diagnosed by your doctor with mesothelioma they will run a variety of tests to determine the best treatment options. This could include an CT scan FDG-positron emission tomography (PET), mediastinoscopy (to analyze and examine lymph nodes in the middle of the chest) or endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS).
Three treatments are standard for mesothelioma: surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Patients are often treated with a combination of these. Pleurodesis is the most popular procedure to treat pleural mesothelioma. This involves injecting a medication that reshapes the lung's lining scars, preventing it from filling up with fluid. This is a method to alleviate symptoms, but it's not an effective treatment.
Surgery is a method to treat pleural mesothelioma, and reduce the discomfort caused by fluid accumulation around the lungs. This is known as pleural effusions. In more serious cases, doctors might remove a part of the lungs, or an entire lung. They may also drain the the chest wall with a tube or catheter called a thoracentesis. They can also inject medications into the chest cavity to prevent the fluid from re-accumulating.
Alternative treatments such as yoga, acupuncture, and other forms of alternative medicine are sometimes used to manage mesothelioma-related symptoms. These treatments shouldn't be a substitute for professional medical treatment, but they can enhance the quality of life of patients and make them feel more comfortable even when they are undergoing other forms of treatment.
Doctors combine curative and palliative treatments for mesothelioma to help patients live longer. Curative treatments such as radiation, surgery and chemotherapy can extend the life expectancy of a patient. It's important to remember that mesothelioma is fatal and have a low prognosis, particularly when it's pleural. Consult your physician if you have been exposed to asbestos, and you develop mesothelioma.
Compensation
A mesothelioma compensation claim will pay for expenses such as medical bills, living costs and lost income. It also covers expenses that are not tangible, such as loss of quality of living and the negative impact on a loved one.
Compensation for mesothelioma can be obtained through trust funds, lawsuits, and settlements. Each type of claim offers different benefits and timeframes. An experienced attorney will assist you in determining which one is the best one for your particular situation.
Asbestos companies could be held accountable for their mistakes through lawsuits. For decades, they knew that their products could cause mesothelioma, lung cancer and other serious diseases. But they pushed profits before the health of the people.
The mesothelioma victims may receive compensation through lawsuits. However, they must prove that they were exposed to asbestos and the defendant was responsible. A lawsuit could take years to complete and the result could be lower than the amount of a settlement.
Compensation from trust funds is quicker and easier to obtain than a lawsuit. Trust funds are established by bankrupt asbestos companies to ensure that mesothelioma patients can be compensated.
Asbestos-related victims can also seek compensation through the state-run worker's compensation schemes. In many instances, mesothelioma patients have been able to receive lump sum payments from these schemes.
In the United States, a personal injury or wrongful death suit is filed by mesothelioma patients or their families. In some states the wrongful death claim can be brought by children, spouses or legal guardians, partners or executors specified in a will. Damages can include funeral expenses and legal and medical expenses as well as loss of companionship and mental anguish. In the United States, wrongful death claims can result in damages of up to $3 million.