Mesothelioma Claims
Most cases of mesothelioma result from asbestos exposure during work. Many victims are veterans who were exposed to asbestos while in military service.
Mesothelioma symptoms can be a bit confusing and painful. They can also be expensive. Compensation from claims can help families, patients and caregivers pay for expenses.
Compensation can be obtained through a combination of settlements, lawsuits, and trust funds. A lawyer can assist in determining how to file each type of claim.
What is Mesothelioma?
The mesothelium is affected by this type of cancer. Exposure to asbestos can cause this cancer. It is most often found in the lungs. It can also affect the chest wall and abdomen. A doctor can diagnose the illness using imaging tests and biopsy. After a diagnosis is made, a doctor will give the patient a prognosis. The prognosis can differ based on the degree of mesothelioma's progression and the type of cancer it is.
Following a diagnosis one may be eligible for financial aid. There are different types of mesothelioma compensation claims, including lawsuits. Settlements and trust funds awards. An experienced attorney will explain the options and recommend the best option for your case. Mesothelioma lawsuits typically yield the largest settlements. They do, however, require a lengthy litigation process. If someone wishes to speed up the process and receive compensation faster, they can opt for a settlement.
Individuals may also apply for insurance benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This can include health care and disability insurance. Compensation from the VA could help ease the financial burdens of families. Veterans can also qualify for additional VA benefits, including the Special Monthly Compensation or DIC which can help to pay for medical expenses and in-home caregivers.
Additionally, a victim may be eligible for Social Security disability and/or Medicare. Social Security provides a monthly income to those who are unable to work. Patients with mesothelioma are able to apply for life insurance in order to pay funeral costs and other expenses for the family. These benefits are typically obtained through your employer. The VA and some private companies provide these benefits too. Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma can seek out a lawyer for veterans of the military to help them file for benefits.
Diagnosis
If a doctor suspects mesothelioma, they start with a physical exam and take the complete medical history of the patient and their work experience. work. They will note asbestos exposure, which is the number one factor that increases a person's risk of mesothelioma. the most significant factor that increases mesothelioma risks is asbestos exposure. They will also inquire about any symptoms that the patient is experiencing.
The next step is for doctors to conduct imaging tests to identify the locations where cancerous or tumor-causing fluids have formed within the body. They can make use of CT scan, MRI, ultrasound or PET (positron emission tomography) scan to pinpoint these areas of mesothelioma that may be. In pleural mesothelioma imaging tests may detect fluid accumulation between the chest wall and lung, which is known as the pleural effusion. This fluid can be eliminated by ultrasound-guided aspiration. asbestos disease mesothelioma doesn't necessarily confirm a mesothelioma diagnose however it can aid in determining other reasons for the accumulation of pleural fluid, such as a leaking heart valve or pneumonia.
For peritoneal and pericardial mesothelioma that develop in the abdominal lining and tissues surrounding organs, doctors could opt for a colonoscopy or laparoscopic biopsy to take tissue samples for testing. They can inject a radioactive compound to reveal any cancerous cells on the images of the scans or biopsies.
The tests can indicate the stage of cancer and the treatment plan will depend on whether the cancer has spread or not. Patients can receive surgery, chemotherapy or targeted therapy which uses drugs that kill cancerous cells while not harming healthy cells. A multidisciplinary team that includes gastroenterologists and pulmonologists, as well as thoracic surgery, will treat a mesothelioma patient. They will discuss the patient's options as well as provide assistance.
Treatment
The three most common treatments for mesothelioma are radiation, surgery and chemotherapy. Doctors may combine these treatments in some cases. They may also add targeted therapies, such as immunotherapy.
The type of mesothelioma that you suffer from will determine the best treatment option for you. If you suffer from Pleural cancer, the tumors develop in the lining of the pleura of the lung. Pleural mesothelioma typically results from exposure to asbestos during work as an asbestos miner, or in the military.
The treatment for pleural mesothelioma is by draining excess fluid. They can use a paracentesis procedure or pericardiocentesis. Doctors can also remove tissue from surrounding the tumor to reduce the size. This is a palliative treatment for mesothelioma but cannot cure cancer.
It is possible that doctors can remove all tumors within the lungs by pleurectomy and décortication (P/D) or extrapleural lung pneumonectomy (EPP). Doctors can also prescribe chemotherapy prior to or after surgery to destroy any remaining cancerous cells. This is referred to as adjuvant therapy or neoadjuvant therapy.
The tumors are more difficult to treat if they're large. Radiation can cause more damage than is normal to the lining of the stomach and abdominal cavity, which is the reason why surgery is the most commonly performed procedure for mesothelioma of this type.
A few of the most common treatments can help alleviate symptoms such as pain, fatigue and weight loss due to mesothelioma. Doctors can prescribe medicines to alleviate nausea, diarrhea and other side effects. They can also refer patients specialist support groups for coping with issues related to relationships and body image. Some patients may decide to take part in a mesothelioma clinical trial to test new treatment options.
Living with Mesothelioma
The mesothelioma experience can be difficult. There are many ways to live your life well regardless of a diagnosis. Mesothelioma sufferers typically find comfort in sharing their experiences with loved ones or by joining an organization that can help or joining an online community.
It is crucial for patients to remain in touch with their doctors, even when they feel better after treatment. Inform them of any new symptoms or side-effects immediately. They could indicate that your cancer has grown more severe or that its effects on your body have gotten worse.
Symptoms can be nonspecific however the majority of patients suffering from mesothelioma will experience a nonproductive cough. Other signs include chest pain and breathing problems. A pleural effusion is another frequent sign.
Patients suffering from mesothelioma tend to be treated by specialists such as the thoracic surgeon or pulmonologist, gastroenterologist, and respiratory doctor. Treatment options include chemotherapy, radiotherapy and a brand new drug known as pemetrexed.
The majority of cases are in the peritoneum. This is a thin layer that covers organs like the liver, bowel and ovaries. A peritoneal fluid effusion is common among those suffering from peritoneal cancer. This may lead to difficulty breathing, abdominal pain or fatigue.
Certain mesothelioma patients last for a long period of time after the initial diagnosis. Examples include paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould who died in August 1982 from cancer of the peritoneum, and Florida asbestos lawyer Larry Williams who survived peritoneal and pleural cancers for six years before his death in 2018 of Alzheimer's.
Weitz & Luxenberg's compassionate attorneys can assist you in claiming compensation when you or someone you know has been diagnosed with Mesothelioma. We spend much of our time forming relationships with our clients and understanding their needs, making the claims procedure as stress-free as possible.
Making a claim
A mesothelioma case is a legal procedure that can help asbestos victims receive compensation. This compensation can be used to fund mesothelioma treatment and provide financial security for the family members affected by the disease.
A mesothelioma lawyer who has expertise can assist you with filing the right kind of legal claim in order to receive the highest amount of amount of compensation. Compensation can be in the form of a mesothelioma trust fund award, a trial verdict or a mesothelioma settlement of a lawsuit. A mesothelioma lawyer will go over all types of compensation available during a no-obligation, free consultation with a lawyer.
Mesothelioma lawsuits are filed in civil court However, the laws of each state differ in the way that claims are handled. Statutes of limitations, jury selection rules, and other elements can be different. However, the best mesothelioma lawyers will make the filing process as easy as is possible.
Many liable companies that produced or sold asbestos-containing products have filed for bankruptcy protection due to the huge number of mesothelioma lawsuits against them. In a few cases companies have set up asbestos trust funds in order to compensate asbestos victims and shield them from lawsuits in the future. Mesothelioma trust fund claims are often the most straightforward to settle and may result in a settlement within weeks or months.
Patients' families may also file a lawsuit for the wrongful death of loved ones. This type of lawsuit could include compensatory damages to cover funeral costs, lost wage and other losses. These types of awards are typically more substantial than personal settlements for injuries. The most successful mesothelioma lawsuits have landed multi-million dollars verdicts for plaintiffs.