Mesothelioma Claims
Most mesothelioma cases involve exposure asbestos in the workplace. Many victims are veterans who were exposed to asbestos during their service in the military.
The symptoms of mesothelioma may be complicated, painful, and difficult to understand. They can also be costly. Compensation from claims can help families, patients and caregivers cover costs.
Compensation is available through a combination of lawsuits, settlements, and trust funds. A lawyer can help in determining how to file for every kind of claim.
What is mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects mesothelium. Exposure to asbestos can trigger this type of cancer. It is most common in the lung. It can also affect the chest wall and abdomen. A doctor can diagnose the disease using imaging tests and biopsy. Once a diagnosis is made, a doctor will give the patient an estimate of the prognosis. Prognoses will differ based on the mesothelioma type and the degree to which it is advanced it is.
Once a person is diagnosed, they might be eligible for financial aid. There are different types of mesothelioma compensation claims that include lawsuits. Settlements and trust funds awards. An experienced attorney can explain each option and recommend the most appropriate one for a specific case. Mesothelioma lawsuits usually yield the highest settlements. However, they do require a lengthy court process. If a person wants to speed up the process and receive compensation sooner they can choose an agreement.
Individuals may also apply for insurance benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This could include health care and disability insurance. Compensation from the VA can help families ease the financial burden. Veterans are also eligible for additional VA benefits such as Special Monthly Compensation (DIC) which can help to pay for home care and health care at home.
In addition, the victim could be eligible for Social Security disability and/or Medicare. Social security provides a monthly income for those who cannot work. Patients with mesothelioma are able to apply for life insurance to help cover funeral costs and other expenses for the family. These benefits are typically obtained through your employer. These benefits are also provided by the VA and certain private companies. Veterans who are diagnosed with mesothelioma must contact an attorney for veterans to get guidance on filing for benefits.
Diagnosis
When a doctor suspects mesothelioma they start with physical examination and will take the complete medical history of the patient including their time at work. They will note any exposure to asbestos, the most common. The number one factor that can increase a person's mesothelioma risk is asbestos exposure. They will also inquire about any symptoms the patient is experiencing.
The next step for doctors is to run tests for imaging to determine the locations where cancerous tumors or fluids have formed within the body. These areas of mesothelioma may be detected using CT scan (computed tomography), MRI, ultrasound, or PET scan (positron-emission tomography). In the case of pleural mesothelioma imaging tests can reveal fluid buildup between the lung and the chest wall and is known as pleural effusion. Doctors may drain this fluid using an ultrasound-guided needle aspiration. This does not confirm a mesothelioma diagnose, but it can help identify other causes for the accumulation of pleural fluids like a leaky heart valve or pneumonia.
For pericardial and peritoneal mesothelioma that develop in the abdomen's lining as well as tissues surrounding organs, doctors could use a colonoscopy or a laparoscopic biopsy to take tissues for testing. They can inject a radioactive substance to reveal any cancerous cells in the images of the scans or biopsies.
These tests may indicate the stage of mesothelioma, and the treatment plan will be based on the type of cancer and whether or not the cancer has spread. Patients may receive treatment with chemotherapy, surgery or targeted therapy, or radiation that uses drugs to destroy cancerous cells without harming healthy cells. A multidisciplinary team, which includes pulmonologists gastroenterologists, and the thoracic surgeon, will treat mesothelioma patients. They will discuss the patient's options and offer support.
Treatment
The three most common treatments for mesothelioma comprise radiation, surgery and chemotherapy. Doctors may combine these therapies in some cases. They can also include targeted therapy medications like immunotherapy.
The type of mesothelioma that you have will determine which types of treatment options are suitable for you. If you suffer from Pleural cancer, the tumours originate in the lining or pleura of the lung. Pleural mesothelioma is usually caused by asbestos exposure like when working in the field of construction mining asbestos, mining asbestos or in the military.
Doctors treat pleural mesothelioma by taking out excess fluid. They may use a procedure called paracentesis or pericardiocentesis. Doctors may also remove tissue from around the tumor to shrink the size. This is a palliative treatment for mesothelioma and is not a cure for cancer.
There is a possibility that doctors can completely eliminate the lung tumors completely through pleurectomy and décortication (P/D) or extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP). Doctors may also give you chemo either before or after surgery to destroy any remaining cancerous cells. This is known as neoadjuvant therapy or adjuvant treatment.
If the tumors that are located in the abdomen are large, they may be difficult to treat. Radiation can cause more harm than usual to the stomach's lining and abdominal cavity, which is why surgery is the most commonly performed procedure for mesothelioma.
There are a variety of primary remedies that can help with symptoms such as pain, fatigue, and weight loss. non asbestos causes of mesothelioma can prescribe medications to treat diarrhea, nausea and other side effects. They can also refer their patients to specialist support groups to help them problems related to relationships and body image. Some patients may opt to participate in a clinical trial for mesothelioma to test new treatment methods.
Living with mesothelioma
The mesothelioma experience isn't easy. But, there are plenty of ways to live well even if you've been diagnosed. Many mesothelioma patients find relief by talking to loved ones about their experiences, joining a support group or joining an online community.
It is essential for patients to stay in contact with their physicians, even when they feel better after treatment. Inform them of any new symptoms or side effects immediately. They could indicate that the cancer has gotten worse or that its effects on your body have gotten worse.
The symptoms can be non-specific, but the majority of people suffering from mesothelioma will experience a nonproductive cough. They can also experience chest wall pain and breathing difficulties. Another typical symptom is a Pleural effusion.
Mesothelioma patients are usually treated by a team of specialists, including a pulmonologist, thoracic surgeon, gastroenterologist, and respiratory physician. Treatment may include radiotherapy, chemotherapy and a brand new medication called pemetrexed.
The majority of cases are in the peritoneum. This is a thin layer that covers organs such as the liver, bowel, and ovaries. Patients with peritoneal mesothelioma typically have excess fluid, referred to as a the peritoneal effusion. This can lead to abdominal pain, fatigue, and difficulty breathing.
Certain mesothelioma patients last for a lengthy time following their initial diagnosis. Examples include paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould who died in August 1982 of peritoneal cancer, and Florida asbestos lawyer Larry Williams who survived peritoneal and pleural cancers for six years prior to his death in 2018 due to Alzheimer's.
Our compassionate attorneys at Weitz & Luxembourg can help you claim compensation if you or someone you know has been diagnosed with Mesothelioma. We devote a lot of time to building relationships and understanding the requirements of our clients and making the claim process as stress-free as is possible and ensuring they receive the maximum amount of compensation.
Making a claim
A mesothelioma lawsuit is a legal procedure that can help asbestos victims get compensation. This compensation can be used to fund the treatment of mesothelioma and also provide financial security to relatives affected by the disease.
A mesothelioma lawyer who has experience can help you file the right kind of legal claim in order to receive the highest amount of compensation. Compensation may come in the form of mesothelioma trust funds, a trial verdict or a mesothelioma lawsuit settlement. A mesothelioma attorney will review all available forms of compensation during a free, no-obligation legal consultation.
Mesothelioma claims are filed in civil courts, but the laws of each state differ on how they are dealt with. Statutes of limitation, jury selection rules, and other factors can vary. However, the best mesothelioma lawyers will ensure that the filing process is as easy as is possible.
Many responsible companies that made or sold asbestos-containing products have filed for bankruptcy protection due to the huge number of mesothelioma lawsuits filed against them. In a few cases companies have established asbestos trust funds to compensate asbestos victims and shield them from future lawsuits. Trust fund claims for mesothelioma are typically the easiest to settle and could result in a payment within weeks or even months.
The families of mesothelioma patients may also pursue a lawsuit for wrongful death on behalf of their loved one. This type of lawsuit may include compensatory damages to cover funeral costs as well as lost wages and other expenses. Wrongful death awards are usually significantly higher than personal injury settlements. The most successful mesothelioma lawsuits have resulted in multi-million dollar verdicts for plaintiffs.