Compensation for mesothelioma patients helps them and their family pay for medical expenses, travel expenses and caregiving. Compensation may also cover the loss of wages and provide security to family members.
Compensation is available from several sources, including trust funds, settlements and verdicts in trials. A consultation with a mesothelioma attorney is the best approach to explore your options.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma symptoms may vary based on the site and stage of cancer. Most affected patients will be afflicted by symptoms like chest discomfort, fluid buildup, coughing, and difficulty breathing. These symptoms can be very similar to other ailments, which is why it is essential for patients to consult an ophthalmologist if they are experiencing these symptoms.
When a doctor suspects mesothelioma they will conduct tests to confirm diagnosis and determine the best treatment plan. Typically, doctors will request imaging tests such as an CT scan or MRI to take a closer view of the body and look for abnormalities such as tumors. These tests also permit doctors to determine if mesothelioma is been able to spread.
Mesothelioma lawyers know how to gather evidence to prove asbestos exposure including testimony of witnesses and employment records, invoices, paychecks and other records. A mesothelioma lawyer can help patients and families find sources to pay for mesothelioma treatment. Patients with mesothelioma may be qualified for financial compensation either from the person responsible for exposing them to asbestos (such as their employer) or from trust funds established for the victims.
Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause irritation to the pleura, which is the lung's lining. The irritation can cause inflammation, and eventually this can develop into mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is also seen in the pericardium and the peritoneum which are body parts with a lining similar to the pleura. In peritoneal pleural mesothelioma, the cancer can grow into the abdominal lining and cause abdominal discomfort and fever, as well as weight loss. Pericardial mesothelioma can cause chest pain, heart palpitations and breathlessness.
Radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery are the most commonly used treatments for mesothelioma. Surgery can improve lung function by removing cancerous tissue. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy treat mesothelioma by shrinking or killing cancerous cells. Patients can also take part in clinical trials to test new treatments for mesothelioma.
Patients undergoing pleural mesothelioma treatment can receive financial compensation to cover treatments and other expenses. Compensation can come from settlements in lawsuits, workers' comp or mesothelioma funds. Asbestos-related victims with poor incomes may be eligible for monthly disability benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Diagnosis
A physical exam is the first step towards a diagnosis of mesothelioma. The doctor will take your medical history and check for lumps in the chest or abdomen. They will also rule out other illnesses out that could be causing symptoms, such as an intestinal or pneumonia. Mesothelioma can mimic other conditions which is why it is crucial that doctors pay close at any symptoms.
If the doctor suspects that mesothelioma may be present, they will order scans and blood tests to confirm their diagnosis. X-rays or CT scans are used to look for evidence of asbestos contamination, for example, thickening of the pleura (pleural effusion) and the accumulation of fluid between the lungs and chest wall. For compensation due to mesothelioma will recommend a pelvic CT scan to check the area for any abnormalities or growths. They can also request an PET or CT scan, which can reveal areas of increased metabolic activity, which is common in mesothelioma cell.
After the doctor has ruled out other diseases out, he will need to collect the tissue sample from mesothelioma in order to make an exact diagnosis. This is typically done using an injection of a needle into the body area where there is fluid buildup, but in rare cases doctors will need to do surgery to collect a tissue sample.
The biopsy will determine if the cancerous cells are epithelioid sarcomatoid or biphasic. Epithelioid mesothelioma makes up the majority of mesothelioma diagnoses and sarcomatoid mesothelioma suffers an unfavorable prognosis as well as a shorter life time.
A blood test will show the levels of certain markers produced by mesothelioma cancer cells. This test can be used to determine if you are qualified for a grant.
Families of victims who suffer from mesothelioma may file an action for wrongful death. Wrongful Death claims can include compensation for the loss of companionship, mental suffering, and financial losses. The statute of limitations varies in each state, making it important to seek legal counsel as soon as you are diagnosed with mesothelioma. Our knowledgeable lawyers are available to examine your case and answer any questions you may have. Contact us now to begin.
Treatment
It can be difficult for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma due to the fact that the cancer cells resemble normal ones. To confirm mesothelioma's presence, doctors must collect tissue or fluid samples from the tumor and run a battery of tests. Once a diagnosis is confirmed, treatment can begin.
Treatments for mesothelioma are usually targeted to ease symptoms and extend the life of patients. Standard treatments include chemotherapy, radiation and surgery.
Treatment plans are based on the type of mesothelioma and the stage of cancer. They also consider the overall health of the patient. Many patients opt to undergo surgery to treat the illness, but this isn't always possible. Mesothelioma is a spreadable cancer which means it can spread along nerves, surfaces and blood vessels. This means it's usually not possible to eliminate the entire tumor. Rather, surgery is generally performed to alleviate symptoms and extend their life expectancy.
During surgery, doctors may use a method called pleurodesis. It involves adding a substance to the lung fluid so that it scars and sticks together, preventing the accumulation of fluid. This is a symptom management treatment, not a cure, and it is typically used for patients in their 50s and 70s.
Extrapleural pneumonectomy is a method that may improve the prognosis of mesothelioma patients. This is a more involved procedure that removes the lining of the chest wall and a portion of the diaphragm, the sac around the heart (pericardium), and any visible tumors within the chest cavity. It could also involve the removal of the lung.
People with peritoneal msothelioma can undergo a type surgery known as cytoreductive chemotherapy and heated therapy (HIPEC). This involves the removal of tumors in the abdominal cavity and the use of chemotherapy that is heated to kill them.
A lot of patients with mesothelioma undergo various treatments, which can comprise surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. It is important for each patient to discuss their specific treatment goals with their doctor. Some patients want to tackle the disease as much as they can, while some prefer to focus on managing their symptoms and improving their quality of life.
Getting Started
Patients and their families who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma must receive compensation for medical treatment, travel costs as well as living expenses and funeral expenses. Many of these costs are not covered by insurance.
Settlements from mesothelioma or trust funds as well as lawsuits can assist patients as well as their families. A lawyer can aid mesothelioma sufferers in deciding which claims to submit. They will review compensation options based on an individual's specific circumstances and will determine the location where asbestos exposure occurred.
A top mesothelioma lawyer can help you understand the legal procedure and guide you through each step. The firm will review medical documents, work history details and other relevant information to comprehend a victim's circumstances. The firm will determine the responsible parties for mesothelioma-related damage. The firm will then negotiate a settlement agreement with the defendants. In a lot of cases, defendants will agree to settle with mesothelioma sufferers to avoid the long-running trial.
If the defendants are unwilling to settle, a mesothelioma lawyer can prepare for trial. In a mesothelioma-related case, a jury or judge will decide what amount of compensation a victim is entitled to. Compensation for mesothelioma cases will cover medical expenses and living expenses, as well as other losses.
Asbestos-related victims should consider filing a claim for Social Security disability benefits. These benefits can provide a monthly income as well as help with transportation and medical expenses.
Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma should be aware of any life insurance policies they have. If they're diagnosed with terminal illness family members could receive death benefits under the insurance policy.
Legal action against companies who exposed people to asbestos can be difficult and confusing. A mesothelioma attorney can help victims as well as their families and loved ones to understand the legal system. This includes proving asbestos exposure led to asbestos-related illnesses or injuries. They can also simp
