Mesothelioma Lawyers
Mesothelioma attorneys are familiar with the legal complexities involved in asbestos-related cases. Lawyers can aid victims in filing personal injury or wrongful death lawsuits in order to collect compensation.
Lawsuits can be used to recover medical expenses, lost income and suffering and pain. Lawyers are familiarized with federal and state laws including statutes. They can also aid veterans with claims to the VA.
Statute of limitations
Mesothelioma lawyers are aware that time is of crucial importance when filing an action. To ensure that victims and their family members receive financial compensation, a mesothelioma lawsuit must be filed before the statute of limitations expires. Compensation from a successful suit could be used to pay for medical bills, funeral expenses as well as lost income and suffering and pain.
Mesothelioma claims are complex and the statute of limitations is a short one, making it critical to start a mesothelioma lawsuit as soon as you can. In Texas, the time limit for mesothelioma cases is two years after a victim's diagnosis. A mesothelioma lawyer can assist victims family members and loved relatives understand the way in which the statute of limitations applies to their specific situation.
A mesothelioma lawyer is able to provide a list of the many factors that impact the statute of limitations in the case. For example the mesothelioma patient's present and previous states of residence could affect the statutes of the state that apply to their case. Different states also have different deadlines when it comes to personal injury and wrongful deaths lawsuits. Furthermore various asbestos-related companies and job sites have distinct limitations periods.
A mesothelioma case is an important way for victims and their families to hold asbestos companies that are negligent in their conduct accountable for causing asbestos exposure. Survivors can pursue a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit, or a trust fund claim. A nationwide asbestos law firm with knowledgeable mesothelioma lawyers has obtained substantial compensation for clients, including multi-million dollar settlements as well as verdicts by juries. Attorneys have also secured payments from asbestos trust fund for those who have survived mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses. Trust fund claims are a faster and more efficient process than a lawsuit. A knowledgeable mesothelioma lawyer will review the details of a client's particular case and determine which type of claim is most appropriate for the situation. The asbestos trust will also receive the documents drafted by the mesothelioma lawyer. The mesothelioma trust fund will then review the documents to decide whether a payment is appropriate and whether to approve or refuse the claim.
Exposure to Asbestos
A shortness of breath and chest pain are the most common symptoms. Other symptoms include fatigue, weight loss and difficulty swallowing. Consult a doctor as quickly as you can after exposure to asbestos. A doctor will go over the medical history of the patient and conduct a physical exam. Tests could include a chest x-ray, or lung function tests. A doctor can also conduct tests such as a CT scan, MRI or biopsy. Mesothelioma is often difficult to diagnose because it has a long period of time between exposure and the onset.
The greatest risk is for those who work in factories or shipyards that use or manufacture asbestos. Mesothelioma can be found in people with no asbestos exposure. Asbestos fibers can be inhaled and then travel to the lungs and cause cancer. People who live near areas where asbestos was employed are at a greater risk of developing mesothelioma.
Asbestos was once a favored material used in a variety of industries. It is extremely durable and fire-resistant. It was used in construction, ships automotive parts, insulation and other products. Asbestos was often incorporated into these products without being fully visible. The invisible fibers were released into air when workers cut, sanded, or top mesothelioma lawyers cut the materials. Inhaling asbestos fibers could cause lung diseases when inhaled.
Many asbestos victims in Texas have received multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements after being diagnosed with mesothelioma. The compensation from a lawsuit for personal injury, wrongful death, or asbestos trust fund claims can pay for costly treatments and also cover the loss of wages. A Houston mesothelioma law firm can help victims file a claim or lawsuit.
Diagnosis of Mesothelioma
The doctors who diagnose mesothelioma examine your medical background, conduct a physical exam and order imaging tests such as an CT scan or an MRI. These scans combine a series X-rays taken from different angles to create a 3D image. They may use a contrast agent to highlight the areas of interest. A doctor will also perform a biopsy in cases where mesothelioma has been identified as a possibility. During a biopsies the doctor will remove some of the tumor cells for tests in the laboratory to confirm the diagnoses.
Based on the symptoms you are experiencing, your doctor might also recommend an ultrasound or CAT (computerized Tomography) scan of your abdomen and chest cavity. These scans provide images that show the extent and location of tumors. They also allow doctors to determine the extent to which mesothelioma has spread.
A doctor can also order an analysis of blood to assess your overall health and how well your kidneys and liver are working. These tests can determine if you're in good enough health to receive treatment. The results of the tests on blood will also reveal the substances created by cancer cells, referred to as markers.
If you are diagnosed with mesothelioma of the pleural and your doctor is able to remove the fluid that has accumulated in the lungs' lining (the pleura). This can help relieve breathlessness and help doctors spot any signs of mesothelioma. In some instances, a surgeon might drain the fluid through an operation known as video-assisted surgery.
In rare instances doctors might recommend an PET scan (positron emission Tomography). These tests are used to check whether mesothelioma has been active and how quickly it is growing.
A thoracoscopy is a minor surgical procedure that can be utilized to assess the condition of mesothelioma within your lung. During the procedure, your doctor will cut a small incision between two ribs of the chest wall, and then insert a thin tube with an imaging camera and a light. The thoracoscope can then be inserted into the pleura to check it for mesothelioma.
In some cases, doctors will use a biopsy to determine how far the mesothelioma cancer has spread. They might also perform lung function tests to assess how your lungs are working.
Mesothelioma Treatment
Mesothelioma patients should be treated using a combination surgery, chemo and radiation. This treatment plan is the best way to increase survival rates and improve the quality of life. Doctors might not be in a position to treat mesothelioma. Some patients could live for only 18 to 31 months. This is because the cancer is typically diagnosed once it has advanced into later stages and symptoms are present.
It is important to get the right treatment. These errors could delay treatment for a lot of patients. Doctors may request imaging tests like Xrays or CT scans or MRIs in order to detect any potential cancerous masses or tumors that may be present in the abdomen or chest. They may also collect samples of fluid or tissue from the affected area to test for mesothelioma.
After the procedure, doctors will determine a treatment plan. If pleural msothelioma has been diagnosed, doctors will try to reduce the buildup of fluid that makes breathing difficult. They can insert a tube into the chest to remove fluids at home or undergo surgery to remove the lining from the lungs.
Doctors can remove the tumor surgically from the abdominal cavity in patients suffering from peritoneal msothelioma. The type of surgery to be performed will depend on the extent to which cancer has spread in the peritoneal tissue and whether the tumor is mixed with another type. The surgeon can perform an extrapleural pneumonectomy that removes the affected lung, diaphragm, and part of the lining of the chest cavity, or a pleurectomy with peritoneal decortication, which eliminates the pleura and as much mesothelioma as possible.
Mesothelioma can be a difficult cancer to treat and a lot of patients suffer from serious side effects. The most common side effects include difficulty breathing after surgery, difficulty drinking or eating, and nausea following chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Patients should discuss potential side effects of their mesothelioma treatment a doctor prior to starting treatment.