15 Top Mesothelioma Case Bloggers You Must Follow
mesothelioma compensation Lawyers - What You Need to Know About Your Mesothelioma Case
Mesothelioma patients and their families typically seek compensation for medical expenses and lost wages. A mesothelioma lawyer will help you determine your best legal strategy.
Most mesothelioma lawsuits are filed under personal injury or wrongful-death laws. A mesothelioma law firms lawyer can review your case, gather documentation and file the lawsuit.
Diagnosis
Your doctor will conduct physical examinations to determine mesothelioma. They will inquire about any symptoms you may have and also your prior exposure to asbestos. Before they look for cancer, they'll first determine if you have a common illness such as pneumonia.
If they suspect that you have mesothelioma, your doctor will order imaging scans of your chest and abdomen. These tests will take pictures of your organs by using x-rays or CT scans. These scans can reveal fluid accumulation in the lungs and abdomen (ascites). They can also be used to detect mesothelioma tumors and determine whether they are growing.
These tests can reveal a variety of potential signs of mesothelioma. However the only way to make an accurate diagnosis is collecting tissue samples and analyzing them under a microscope. This is referred to as a biopsy. A pathologist is a doctor who specializes in the interpretation of tests in the laboratory and evaluating organs, tissues and cells to identify the presence of disease.
It can develop in the heart. If it develops in the heart, it is called mesothelioma pericardial. These tumors are rarer than pleural mesothelioma and can be more difficult to identify.
Doctors may employ a needle to drain a small amount of fluid from the area in which there is a build-up of fluid. They will then examine the fluid for mesothelioma cells and examine a small piece of your lungs for mesothelioma tumors.
They may also request blood chemistry tests to see how well your liver, kidneys and thyroid are functioning. One test they may run is a lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) test. A higher than normal level of LDH can signal damage to your cells, which can be a sign of mesothelioma.
Treatment
The kind of treatment you receive depends on the stage and type of mesothelioma you have. The lung and chest are affected by pleural mesothelioma, while the linings of the abdomen are affected by the peritoneal. The majority of patients with pleural mesothelioma live between 19 and 21 months after diagnosis, while those with late-stage peritoneal mesothelioma last 12 to 16 months.
The doctor who treats you will take an medical history and then examine you for signs of mesothelioma, including the amount of fluid present in your abdomen or chest. A physical exam may also be done to see whether the cancer has spread. Other tests include chest x-ray or CT scan to determine the location of the tumor and also indication that it has invaded the heart. A biopsy is required to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma. A surgeon can remove a tiny portion of tissue from the affected area using VATS (video assisted thoracoscopic surgery), which is a keyhole procedure. Another alternative is to perform a needle-guided biopsy under local anaesthesia. In this procedure, the CT scan is used to guide a tube that is used to remove a small amount of tissue.
The best treatment for mesothelioma is determined by blood tests and imaging. Tests can detect certain blood-borne chemicals that are associated with mesothelioma cancer cells, as well as how fast your cancer is growing. They can also determine if you're suitable candidate for chemotherapy, which is typically used in combination with radiation or surgery.
Radiation therapy utilizes high-energy X-rays or other types of radiation to kill mesothelioma tumor cells and shrink tumors. It is usually done in combination with chemotherapy and can be administered externally or internally. Internally, the cancer doctors will inject a radioactive substance sealed in needles, seeds or wires into a location close to the mesothelioma.
The side effects of chemotherapy drugs used to cure mesothelioma are many. They can cause nausea and vomiting, as well as hair loss. They can also increase the risk of getting sick and make you feel extremely tired and decrease the number of healthy blood cells in your body. Discuss with your doctor about these and other possible side effects of your medications.
Clinical trials
Scientists are always looking for better ways to diagnose mesothelioma and treat it. Clinical trials provide the opportunity to try experimental treatments that may be more effective than those doctors currently use. The goal is to improve the odds of survival and to find cures.
Doctors also study the latest treatments, such as chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy, as well as immunotherapy. Combining these methods provides patients with more options. Many mesothelioma sufferers participate in clinical trials if standard treatments do not work.
Clinical trials can last weeks or even years. In the course of the trial, participants receive an experimental drug or therapy, and are monitored closely by experts. Before the FDA will allow a drug for general use, it must pass several phases of clinical trials.
Some of these studies test new forms of chemotherapy. The most recent drugs are designed to target certain genetic pathways within cancer cells. The results of these studies could help scientists discover better treatments for mesothelioma and other kinds of cancers.
Researchers are also investigating ways to reduce the risk of mesothelioma. Studies in at-risk populations are looking into whether changes in lifestyle or certain medications may reduce the chance of developing mesothelioma or other forms of cancer. Some of these prevention trials are examining ways to detect mesothelioma earlier people.
Doctors are also studying surgery as well as other surgical procedures for mesothelioma. They include extrapleural pneumonectomy which removes the lung affected and pleura, pleurectomy that includes the removal of pulmonary decortication that removes part of the chest wall and diaphragm, and trimodality therapy, which involves surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
Some doctors are also investigating the effectiveness of immunotherapy to treat mesothelioma. This kind of treatment involves injecting a mesothelioma sufferer with an immune system-boosting drug which targets cancerous cells. Immunotherapy is a method of treatment that can be used for advanced pleural cancer and to improve the chances of survival. It is also being researched as an option for treatment first-line in cancer of the peritoneal region. A randomized controlled study of the mesothelioma immune therapy drug tremelimumab has begun. Participants are compared with those who receive the placebo. Tremelimumab has higher overall survival rates than the placebo group.
Settlements
The majority of mesothelioma cases settle out of court. However, it is important to prepare for the possibility that your case will go to trial, and you should have an experienced mesothelioma attorney on your side throughout the entire process.
A mesothelioma lawsuit is intended to compensate victims for the loss they have suffered as a result of the disease. Compensation can include the cost of medical treatment in the past and the future, lost earnings, travel expenses to seek treatment, and more. In certain cases, the settlement may also include non-economic damages like the suffering of others or the loss of companionship.
Mesothelioma requires long-term treatment. This can lead to high medical bills and the financial burden of being unable to work can make it difficult to cover the necessary expenses. A settlement or another award could help relieve this stress and allow patients to concentrate on their recovery.
A mesothelioma claim that is successful will hold asbestos producers accountable and make them to pay for their negligent actions. Many of these companies knew their products were hazardous but they continued to put profit over safety. Mesothelioma lawsuits provide a means for the victims and their families to get justice against the companies responsible for their mesothelioma.
The number of defendants in a mesothelioma or wrongful death case and the amount of funds available could affect the amount of compensation that is offered. Baron & Budd's mesothelioma attorneys (other) know how to build cases that result in an acceptable settlement or verdict.