Mesothelioma Claims
Most mesothelioma cases result from asbestos exposure during work. Many victims are veterans who were exposed to asbestos during their time in the military.
Mesothelioma symptoms can be confusing and painful. They can also be costly. Compensation from claims help patients and their families offset costs.
Compensation may come from a combination of settlements, lawsuits and trust funds. A lawyer can assist in determining the best way to file each kind of claim.
What is Mesothelioma?
The mesothelium is affected by this kind of cancer. Asbestos may cause this type of cancer. Most often, it develops in the lung. It can also affect the chest and abdomen wall. A doctor can diagnose the illness using imaging tests and biopsy. Once a diagnosis is made the doctor will provide the patient an estimate of the prognosis. Prognoses will differ based on the mesothelioma type and how advanced it is.
After a diagnosis one may be eligible for financial assistance. There are several types of mesothelioma compensation claims, including lawsuits, settlements, and trust fund awards. An experienced lawyer will be able to explain the options available and suggest which one is the best fit for your situation. Mesothelioma suits usually result in the highest payouts. They do, however, require a lengthy court process. Settlement is a possibility for those who wish to accelerate the process of obtaining compensation.
Veterans Affairs (VA) also provides insurance benefits to individuals. This can include health care and disability insurance. Compensation from the VA can ease a family's financial burden. Veterans may also be eligible for additional VA benefits, including the Special Monthly Compensation, or DIC which helps to pay for health care costs and in-home caregivers.
A victim could also be eligible for Social Security Disability and/or Medicare. Social security pays a monthly income for those who are unable to work. Mesothelioma patients can also file for life insurance policies to offset funeral expenses and other family-related costs. These benefits are usually obtained through your employer. The VA and some private companies offer these benefits too. Veterans who are diagnosed with mesothelioma should contact an attorney representing veterans of the military for advice on how to file for benefits.
Diagnosis
When a doctor suspects that mesothelioma has been diagnosed in a patient, they begin with physical examination and inquire about the patient's medical history as well as their work history. They will note any exposure to asbestos, which is the most common. one risk factor that increases a person's risk of mesothelioma. They also inquire about any symptoms the patient is experiencing.
The next step is for doctors to run imaging tests to identify the locations where cancerous or tumor-causing fluids have developed within the body. They can use CT scan, MRI, ultrasound or PET (positron emission tomography) scan to identify these areas of mesothelioma that may be. In the case of pleural mesothelioma imaging tests may reveal fluid buildup between the lung and the chest wall, which is known as pleural effusion. This fluid can be eliminated using ultrasound-guided aspiration. This is not always a reliable way to confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, but it does aid in determining other causes of pleural fluid buildup, for example, a leaky valve or pneumonia.
For peritoneal and pericardial mesothelioma, which form in the abdominal lining and tissues surrounding organs, doctors could employ a colonoscopy, or a laparoscopic biopsy to collect tissue samples to test. They may inject a radioactive substance to highlight any cancerous cells on the scans' images or biopsies.
These tests could reveal the stage of mesothelioma and the treatment plan will depend on the type and whether or the cancer has spread. Patients may receive surgery, chemotherapy or targeted therapy which uses drugs that kill cancerous cells while not harming healthy cells. A multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals will care for a mesothelioma patient, including pulmonologists, gastroenterologists and surgeons for the thoracic. They will provide assistance and talk about the patient's choices.
Treatment
Radiation, surgery chemotherapy and surgery are the three standard treatments for mesothelioma. In certain instances, doctors combine these treatments. They may also add specific therapy drugs, such as immunotherapy.
The type of mesothelioma you have determines which treatment are best for you. If you suffer from pleural cancer, the tumors form in the lining or pleura of the lungs. Pleural mesothelioma typically results from exposure to asbestos during work as a construction worker, asbestos miner or even in the military.
Doctors treat pleural msothelioma with the drainage of 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 mesothelioma treatment and is not a cure for cancer.
There is a chance doctors can completely remove the lung tumors completely through pleurectomy and décortication (P/D) or extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP). Doctors may also attempt to kill any remaining cancer cells by giving you chemo prior to or following surgery, known as adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapy.
The tumors can be more difficult to treat if they are large. Radiation can cause more damage than is normal to the lining of the stomach and abdominal cavity, which is why surgery is the most commonly performed procedure for mesothelioma.
A few of the most common treatments can help alleviate symptoms such as fatigue, pain, and weight loss caused by mesothelioma. Doctors may prescribe medications to ease nausea, diarrhea, and other side effects. They can also refer patients to specialist support groups to help them with issues such as relationships and body image. Some patients will decide to participate in mesothelioma clinical trials to test new treatment strategies.
Living with mesothelioma
The mesothelioma experience can be difficult. There are many ways that you can live a healthy life even if you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. Mesothelioma sufferers typically find comfort in talking about their experiences with family members or by joining an organization that can help or joining an online community.
It is crucial for patients to stay in contact with their doctors even when they feel better after treatment. Inform them of any new signs or side effects immediately. They could indicate that the cancer has worsened or its effects on your body have increased.
Symptoms can be nonspecific however the majority of patients suffering from mesothelioma will experience a nonproductive cough. They may also experience chest wall pain and breathing difficulties. Another common symptom is Pleural effusion.
Patients suffering from mesothelioma tend to be treated by specialists such as a pulmonologist or thoracic surgery, gastroenterologist, and respiratory doctor. The treatment for a patient may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy and a brand new drug known as pemetrexed.
A mere tenth of mesotheliomas are found in the peritoneum, a layer that covers the outside of organs such as the bowel, liver and the ovaries. Peritoneal fluid effusions are common among patients with peritoneal cancer. This may lead to difficulty breathing, abdominal pain and fatigue.
Some mesothelioma victims live a long time after their diagnosis, with examples including paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould, who passed away from peritoneal cancer in August 1982 and Florida asbestos lawyer and activist Larry Williams, who survived mesothelioma that was pleural and peritoneal in six years until his death from Alzheimer's disease in the year 2018.
The compassionate lawyers at Weitz & Luxenberg can assist you in claiming compensation in the event that you or someone you know has been diagnosed with Mesothelioma. We dedicate significant time to building relationships and understanding the requirements of our clients, making the claims process as easy as it can be and ensuring they receive the maximum amount of compensation.
Making a claim
A mesothelioma lawsuit is a legal process that can help asbestos victims receive compensation. This compensation can help pay for treatment for mesothelioma as well as provide financial security to family members.
A mesothelioma lawyer who is experienced can file the correct type of legal claim to get the maximum amount of compensation. Compensation may come in the form of a mesothelioma trust fund award, trial verdict or mesothelioma lawsuit settlement. mesothelioma caused by asbestos will review all available forms of compensation during a free, no-obligation legal consultation.
Mesothelioma lawsuits are filed in civil courts However, the laws of each state differ in the way that the cases are dealt with. The statute of limitations, jury selection requirements and other factors vary. The best mesothelioma attorneys will make the filing as simple as is possible.
Due to the high number of mesothelioma lawsuits brought against them, a number of liable companies who produced or sold products that contain asbestos have filed for bankruptcy. In some cases, companies have created asbestos trust funds to pay compensation to asbestos victims and to protect them from lawsuits in the future. Mesothelioma trust fund claims are typically the simplest to settle and may result in a settlement within weeks or months.
Mesothelioma victims' families might also be able to pursue a claim for wrongful deaths on behalf of their loved one. This type of lawsuit could include compensatory damages to cover funeral costs and lost wages, as well as other expenses. Wrongful death awards are usually significantly higher than personal settlements for injuries. The most successful mesothelioma cases have resulted to multi-million dollar verdicts.