Mesothelioma Lawyers

Mesothelioma lawyers can assist asbestos victims file lawsuits and fund claims. National law firms have more resources and expertise than local law firms.

Asbestos victims should choose an attorney with a track record of large settlements and jury awards for mesothelioma. Attorneys should also be able to take cases to trial if necessary.

Symptoms

Mesothelioma symptoms may vary in accordance with the site of the cancer as well as its stage. For example the pleural form of cancer is located in the lining of the abdomen or chest cavity, so symptoms may include trouble breathing, abdominal pain, and fluid buildup in these regions. The peritoneal form can cause stomach pain, constipation and weight loss.

The symptoms of mesothelioma depend on the type of exposure to asbestos that caused the disease. Workers working in areas that have employed asbestos, like power plants, shipyards and asbestos removal companies are more susceptible to the disease. Additionally, workers who worked at the World Trade Center during and after the 9/11 attacksand those who live near the site — are also at risk.

If someone is diagnosed with mesothelioma and signs, they should visit their doctor immediately. The doctor will inquire about asbestos exposure and conduct an examination. If the doctor suspects mesothelioma they might order imaging tests and blood tests. Doctors can also conduct an PET scan (positron-emission tomography) which utilizes the use of a tracer to detect cancerous cell.

The blood test will usually examine the levels of specific substances that are elevated in mesothelioma sufferers – fibulin-3 and soluble mesothelin-related peptides. In addition, the doctor may perform an echocardiogram. This is an examination that determines how well your heart is functioning and detects the presence of fluid in your lungs, or abdominal area.

If mesothelioma has been localized, the surgeon may suggest surgery to remove any tumors. The surgeon may also recommend chemotherapy or radiation to stop the cancer from spreading or recurring.

To confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis the patient must submit a sample taken of fluid or tissue and analyzed in the laboratory. This is known as biopsy and can be carried out in a variety of different ways. A needle biopsy can be used to collect lymph node samples in the area around the mesothelioma. Or, a procedure called pericardiocentesis can be used to remove fluid from the sac around the heart.


Diagnosis

If a person suspects that they might have mesothelioma, they should consult their primary doctor. The doctor will ask about the patient’s history of asbestos exposure and perform some preliminary tests.

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to detect. Symptoms can be similar to other conditions, and mesothelioma often does not appear in diagnostic tests until the later stages of the disease. As such the diagnosis of mesothelioma can be shocking and scary for the patient.

The first diagnostic test medical personnel will use is likely to be a chest X-ray. It will search for calcium deposits in the lungs and other indications of lung problems like thickening or excessive fluid. It may also reveal that the lining around the lung or the lining of the abdomen is affected. A biopsy is required to confirm a mesothelioma diagnoses.

Patients can expect a variety of outcomes depending on the stage of their mesothelioma. If the cancer is localized and hasn’t spread, patients are likely to live for two to three years after diagnosis. If the cancer has spread into lymph nodes, or other organs and tissues nearby, then the survival rate for 5 years drops to between 5 and 10 percent.

Pleural mesothelioma is the most frequent mesothelioma type and typically affects the lining of the lungs. It can cause symptoms like abdominal pain, fatigue, and persistent coughing. In severe cases, pleural mesothelioma may cause the lung to collapse (pneumothorax).

Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining in the abdomen. It is less frequent than Pleural Mesothelioma. It can cause nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

Mesothelioma lawyers can assist clients to receive compensation for medical bills, lost wages and other damages. Compensation can be sought against companies who have exposed asbestos-exposed workers to mesothelioma. It is important to select a company with experience and who is aware of the complicated mesothelioma laws and the facts. The firm should be prepared to defend its clients in court, should it be necessary, for the best outcomes.

Treatment

Mesothelioma attorneys can assist victims recover compensation from medical expenses, lost income and other types damages. They can assist victims in filing mesothelioma suits against asbestos companies that exposed them to the deadly cancer.

Many people with mesothelioma feel alone and isolated because they don’t know anyone else suffering from this condition. This is due to the fact that it is a rare form of cancer that affects the thin layer of tissue around organs, and most often the lungs. This can lead to breathing problems, chest pains and coughing. Mesothelioma may also develop in the abdomen, heart or testicles. It is a painful condition that is not curable. However it is treatable through chemotherapy, surgery, and other treatments.

The survival rate depends on how serious the mesothelioma is and what kind of mesothelioma the patient has. Some forms of the cancer are slow-growing and do not have the potential to expand to other areas of the body. Others are a faster-growing and more aggressive form that typically metastasizes. Mesothelioma patients who are surgical candidates and are in a less advanced stage have the best chance of being able to survive.

Doctors can send a sample of tissue or fluid from the affected area to a laboratory for analysis to identify mesothelioma. They can check blood tests for elevated levels of certain substances that are found in mesothelioma patients, for example, fibulin-3 or soluble mesothelin related peptides. It is also possible to do a PET scan to see the areas where cancer cells are more active.

asbestos lawyer mesothelioma that can be used to diagnose mesothelioma are an MRI or CT scan or a laparoscopy or bronchoscopy. They can also do an echocardiogram, chest Xray and a chest CT scan to check for other lung diseases.

The most common mesothelioma-related exposures is from working in an asbestos mine, shipyards, or in the military. But it is also possible to contract mesothelioma through secondary exposure to toxic consumer products like talcum powder. Mesothelioma lawsuits have compensated many people who have been diagnosed with the disease. A lawyer can explain to you the different kinds of claims available.

Compensation

There are many ways that patients of mesothelioma, and their families, can receive compensation. They can sue on their own, or as part of a group action lawsuit, or get a settlement outside of court. In some cases mesothelioma lawyers can help victims file asbestos trust fund claims.

There is a short time to file an asbestos lawsuit and asbestos victims should get in touch with mesothelioma lawyers in the earliest time possible. Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive type of cancer, and it is essential to act fast to ensure legal rights are secured.

Lawyers can assist victims and their families gather evidence to prove asbestos exposure. This can include medical records and receipts for wage loss. Lawyers can help identify potential asbestos exposure sources. Many companies that were exposed to asbestos are now insolvent and have put aside billions of dollars for mesothelioma patients.

Asbestos-related victims in California have been awarded millions of dollars through settlements and verdicts. Mesothelioma lawyers in California have experience in filing claims and obtaining compensation for clients. They are well-versed in local laws and regulations related to asbestos litigation. They can assist clients to comprehend the choices available to them, and determine if you are eligible for compensation.

In the United States, mesothelioma has led to the death of thousands of people. There have been hundreds of asbestos-related lawsuits in California alone. These lawsuits have resulted millions of dollars in settlements to plaintiffs and their families.

San Francisco mesothelioma attorneys can help victims as well as their families and loved ones file a suit against asbestos companies. Their knowledge of asbestos litigation and industry experience can help them build, file and resolve a claim with the highest chance of success.

Brayton Purcell, a San Francisco-based firm of mesothelioma lawyers has helped numerous families in California receive justice for asbestos exposure. They have won some of the biggest asbestos verdicts in history. They are dedicated to helping asbestos victims get the justice they deserve.
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