Mesothelioma Lawyers
Mesothelioma lawyers can assist asbestos victims file lawsuits and fund claims. National firms have the resources and expertise that local law firms don't have.
Asbestos victims should select an attorney with a history of filing large mesothelioma settlements as well as jury awards. Attorneys should be prepared to go to the court should they need to.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma symptoms can vary widely based on the area of the cancer and its stage. For example the pleural form of cancer is located in the lining of the chest cavity or abdomen symptoms could include trouble breathing, abdominal pain, and the accumulation of fluid in these regions. The peritoneal variety can cause constipation, stomach pain and weight loss.
Symptoms of mesothelioma can also depend on the type of asbestos exposure that led to the development of the disease. People who work at sites that have asbestos-related exposure (such as shipyards, power plants, asbestos removal factories and companiesare more susceptible to contracting the disease. In addition, those who worked at the World Trade Center during and following the 9/11 attacks- as well as those in the vicinity of the site -- are also at risk.
When someone experiences mesothelioma symptoms, they should see their doctor right away. The doctor will ask about asbestos exposure, and then perform physical examination. If the doctor suspects mesothelioma they may order blood tests and imaging tests. In addition to a CT scan of the chest, doctors may also perform a PET (positron emission tomography) scan, which uses an indicator to identify cancerous cells.
The blood test will usually examine the levels of specific substances that are elevated in mesothelioma sufferers - fibulin-3 and soluble mesothelin-related peptides. In addition, the doctor might perform an echocardiogram, an examination that determines the heart's functioning and can identify the presence of fluid around your lungs or abdomen.
If the mesothelioma is localized, the surgeon could recommend surgery in order to remove any tumors. The surgeon may also suggest chemotherapy or radiation to stop the cancer from recurring or spreading.
To confirm the mesothelioma diagnosis, a sample of the tissue or fluid needs to be taken and examined in a lab. This is referred to as biopsy and can be carried out in a variety of different ways. A needle biopsy can be used to collect samples of lymph nodes within the region around the mesothelioma. Also, Los Angeles mesothelioma attorney called pericardiocentesis can be used to drain fluid from the sac that surrounds the heart.
Diagnosis
If someone suspects they might have mesothelioma they should visit their primary doctor. The doctor will ask about the patient's past history of exposure to asbestos, and conduct some preliminary tests.
Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to identify. The symptoms of mesothelioma may be similar to those of other diseases. It is not common for the disease to only show up in the later stages. So the diagnosis of mesothelioma can be frightening and alarming for the patient.
The first test for diagnosing a problem that the medical team will likely employ is a chest X-ray. It will search for calcium deposits in the lungs, as well as other signs of lung problems such as thickening or excess fluid. It may reveal that the linings of the lungs, or even the linings of the abdomen, are affected. A biopsy is needed to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma.
Based on the stage of mesothelioma patients may have different outcomes. If the cancer is localized and hasn't spread, patients are likely to live for between 2 and 3 years after diagnosis. If the cancer has spread to lymph nodes or other organs or tissues nearby the chance of survival for 5 years drops to 5 to 10 percent.
The most commonly encountered mesothelioma form is pleural mesothelioma. It affects the linings of the lungs. It can cause symptoms like abdominal pain, fatigue and persistent coughing. In severe cases, mesothelioma pleural can lead to a collapsed lungs (pneumothorax).
Peritoneal Mesothelioma can affect the lining of the abdomen. 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 against the companies that expose asbestos-exposed workers to mesothelioma. It is crucial to select a firm that is experienced and knows the complexities of the facts and laws surrounding mesothelioma. The firm should be prepared to fight for its clients in court should they need to, to achieve the best results.
Treatment
Mesothelioma lawyers can assist victims obtain compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and other types of damages. They can assist victims in filing mesothelioma claims against asbestos-related businesses that exposed them to this deadly cancer.
Many who suffer mesothelioma are not aware of anyone else with this disease and feel lonely. It is an uncommon cancer that affects the delicate tissue layer that surrounds organs. It usually affects the lungs. This can cause breathing issues, chest pains and coughing. Mesothelioma can also occur in the abdomen, the heart or testicles. It is a painful condition which has no cure however, it can be treated with chemotherapy, surgery and other treatments.
The survival rate is affected by the severity of the mesothelioma and its type. Certain types of this cancer grow slowly and may not spread. Others are a faster-growing and more aggressive form that often metastasizes. Patients with mesothelioma that are surgical candidates and in a less advanced stage have the best chance of surviving.
To diagnose mesothelioma doctors can collect a tissue or fluid from the affected area and send it to a lab for testing. Blood tests can be used to check for high levels of certain substances that are present in patients with mesothelioma including fibulin-3 as well as mesothelin-related proteins that are soluble. They can also do a PET scan to see which cancer cells are more active.
Other procedures that can be used to determine mesothelioma diagnosis include the use of an MRI or CT scan, a bronchoscopy and laparoscopy. They can also conduct chest X-rays, echocardiograms, and chest CT scans to determine other lung diseases.
The most prevalent mesothelioma sources are from work at an asbestos mine, shipyards, or in the military. It is possible to develop mesothelioma by secondary exposure from contaminants in consumer products, such as talcum. Many mesothelioma patients have received compensation from mesothelioma lawsuits. A lawyer can explain the different kinds of claims that are available.
Compensation
There are a variety of ways that victims of mesothelioma, and their families, can receive 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 certain instances, mesothelioma lawyers may assist victims in filing asbestos trust fund claims.
There is a short time to file a lawsuit against asbestos, and victims should contact mesothelioma lawyers in the earliest time possible. Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive type of cancer, and it is essential to act fast to ensure that your legal rights are secured.
Lawyers can help victims and their families collect evidence to prove exposure to asbestos. This could include medical records as well as wage loss receipts. Lawyers can assist in identifying potential asbestos exposure sources. Many companies that were exposed asbestos are now insolvent and have put aside millions of dollars to help mesothelioma patients.
Asbestos-related victims in California have been awarded millions of dollars through verdicts and settlements. Mesothelioma lawyers in California have plenty of experience in filing claims and getting compensation for their clients. They are familiarized with local laws and regulations related to asbestos litigation. They can assist clients to know the options available to them, and determine if you are eligible to receive compensation.
In the United States, mesothelioma has caused thousands of deaths. There have been hundreds of asbestos-related lawsuits in California alone. These lawsuits led to millions being paid to plaintiffs and their families, as well as other victims.
San Francisco mesothelioma attorneys can assist victims as well as their families and loved ones file a suit against asbestos-related companies. Their experience in asbestos litigation as well as their knowledge of the industry allows them to build a claim and file it, and then settle it with the best chances 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 obtained some of the largest asbestos verdicts in the history of law. They are committed to helping victims get the compensation they are due for their asbestos-related damages.