Mesothelioma Lawyers
Mesothelioma lawyers can help asbestos victims file lawsuits and fund claims. National firms have the resources and know-how that local law firms do not.
Asbestos sufferers should choose an attorney with a track record of large jury awards and settlements for mesothelioma. Attorneys must be prepared to go to court if needed.
Symptoms
The symptoms of mesothelioma can differ greatly based on the stage and location of the cancer. The pleural form, for example, occurs in the tissues of the chest cavity as well as the abdomen. Symptoms may include abdominal pain, breathing difficulties, and fluid accumulation in these regions. Similar to the peritoneal variety, it may cause stomach pain, constipation, and unexplained weight loss.
The type of asbestos exposure can also affect mesothelioma symptoms. Workers at sites which have used asbestos, like shipyards, power plants, and asbestos removal firms, are more prone to contracting the disease. Additionally, workers who worked at the World Trade Center during and after the 9/11 attacks -- as well as those living near the site -- are also at risk.
When someone experiences mesothelioma symptoms or signs, they should consult their doctor as soon as they notice symptoms. The doctor will conduct an examination and ask about the person's past exposure to asbestos. If attorney lawyer mesothelioma suspects that mesothelioma is present, they may request a blood test and imaging. Doctors can also order an PET scan (positron-emission tomography) that uses an identifier to identify cancerous cells.
The blood test will usually measure the levels of certain substances that are elevated in mesothelioma sufferers - fibulin-3 and soluble mesothelin-related peptides. The doctor may also perform an echocardiogram to determine how well your heart functions and identify the presence of fluid in your abdomen or lungs.
If the mesothelioma is localized, a surgeon may recommend surgery to remove any tumors or other growths. The surgeon could also recommend chemotherapy or radiation to prevent the cancer spreading or returning.
To confirm the mesothelioma diagnosis, a sample of tissue or fluid needs to be taken and examined in a lab. This is known as biopsy and can be carried out in a variety of different ways. For example, a needle biopsy may be performed to obtain lymph node samples from the area near mesothelioma. A procedure known as pericardiocentesis may remove fluid from the sac around the heart.
Diagnosis
If someone suspects they might have mesothelioma, they should immediately visit their primary care doctor. The doctor will ask about the patient's past history of asbestos exposure and perform some preliminary tests.
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer, and it can be difficult to recognize. The symptoms of mesothelioma can be similar to those of other ailments. It is not common for the cancer to show up in the later stages. So the diagnosis of mesothelioma can be shocking and scary for the patient.
The first diagnostic test the medical team will likely employ is a chest X-ray. This will be used to check for symptoms of lung disease like thickening and excessive fluid. It could reveal that the linings of the lungs, or even the abdomen's linings are affected. A biopsy is then needed in order to confirm a mesothelioma diagnoses.
Depending on the stage of mesothelioma patients may have different outcomes. If the cancer is localized and not spread the patient are likely to live for two to three years after diagnosis. If the cancer has spread to lymph nodes or other organs and tissues nearby the 5-year survival rate drops to between 5 and 10%.
The most common form of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma. It affects the linings of the lungs. It can cause symptoms like abdominal pain, fatigue and persistent coughing. In the most severe cases, pleural mesothelioma may result in collapsed lung (pneumothorax).
Peritoneal Mesothelioma affects the lining in the abdomen. It is less frequent than Pleural Mesothelioma. It can cause nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.
Mesothelioma lawyers can help clients get compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. Compensation can be sought against companies responsible for exposing asbestos-exposed workers to mesothelioma. It is important to select a firm with experience and who is aware of the complicated mesothelioma laws and the facts. If needed, the firm must be prepared to fight in court for its clients to achieve the best possible results.
Treatment
Mesothelioma lawyers can assist victims recover compensation for their medical expenses, lost wages and other types of damages. They can assist victims in filing a mesothelioma suit against asbestos-related companies that exposed them to the deadly cancer.
Many people suffering mesothelioma don't know any other sufferers and feel isolated. It is a rare cancer that affects the thin tissue layer around organs. Most commonly, it affects the lung. This can cause breathing problems, chest pains and coughing. But mesothelioma can also develop in the abdomen, the heart or testicles. It is a painful condition which has no cure but it is treatable through surgery, chemotherapy and other treatments.
The survival rate depends on how severe the mesothelioma is and what kind of mesothelioma the patient has. Some forms of this cancer grow slowly and do not have the potential to expand to other areas of the body. Others are a faster-growing and more aggressive form that often metastasizes. Mesothelioma patients that are surgically able and in the less advanced stage have the best chance of getting through.
To determine if mesothelioma is present, doctors can take a biopsy of the tissue or fluid from the affected area and send it to a laboratory to be tested. The lab can conduct blood tests to check for high levels of certain substances that are found in mesothelioma patients, such as fibulin-3 and mesothelin-related peptides that are soluble. They can also perform a PET scan, which can reveal the areas of greater activity in cancer cells.
MRI, CT scans, bronchoscopy or laparoscopy are other methods that can help identify mesothelioma. They can also perform chest X-rays as well as echocardiograms and chest CT scans to check for other lung conditions.
The majority of mesothelioma cases are triggered by exposure to asbestos, whether it is from working in a shipyard or mine, or even in the military. But it is also possible to contract mesothelioma through secondary exposure to harmful consumer products like talcum powder. Mesothelioma lawsuits have benefited many patients who were diagnosed with the disease. Lawyers can help explain the different types of claims that are available.
Compensation
There are a variety of ways that victims of mesothelioma, and their families, can get compensation. They can file a lawsuit on their own, or as part of a class action lawsuit or they could receive a settlement outside of the court. In some instances mesothelioma lawyers may help victims file asbestos trust fund claims.
Asbestos lawsuits have a short time for filing, which is why victims must contact mesothelioma lawyers at the earliest opportunity. Mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that is aggressive, is best treated as quickly as possible to protect your legal rights.
Lawyers can help victims and their families collect evidence to prove exposure to asbestos. This could include medical records and receipts for wage loss. Lawyers can also assist in identifying potential sources of asbestos exposure. Many companies that were exposed asbestos are now insolvent and have put aside millions of dollars to help mesothelioma patients.
Asbestos-related victims from California have been awarded millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements. Mesothelioma lawyers in California have a lot of experience in filing claims and getting compensation for their clients. They are familiarized with local laws and regulations pertaining to asbestos litigation. They can assist clients to comprehend the choices available to them, and determine if you are qualified to receive compensation.
Many people have died from mesothelioma, asbestos-related diseases in the United States. There have been hundreds asbestos-related lawsuits in California alone. These lawsuits resulted in millions being awarded to the plaintiffs and their families, as well as other victims.
Mesothelioma lawyers in San Francisco can help victims and their loved ones file a lawsuit against responsible asbestos companies. Their expertise in asbestos litigation and expertise in asbestos litigation will allow them to create a claim and file it, and then settle it with the highest chance of success.
The San Francisco mesothelioma attorneys at Brayton Purcell have helped numerous families across the state of California obtain justice for asbestos exposure. They have secured some of the biggest asbestos verdicts in the history of the world. They are committed to helping asbestos victims get the compensation they deserve.