Mesothelioma Lawsuits - How to File a Mesothelioma Lawsuit
If you've been diagnosed with asbestos-related illness you could be eligible for compensation. Compensation awards are typically large.
Mesothelioma patients need to contact a mesothelioma lawyer firm to discuss their case. A lawyer can evaluate the value of your personal injury claim during a free consultation. A mesothelioma lawsuit can be filed on behalf of a loved one by a representative of the estate.
What causes Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a rare and deadly cancer that affects mesothelium, which is the lining that surrounds internal organs. It is most commonly found in the lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma), but it can also be found in the lining of the heart (pericardial mesothelioma) or in the testicles (testicular mesothelioma). It is estimated that more than 3,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma within the United States each year.
Most cases of mesothelioma result from asbestos exposure. Asbestos is an assortment of naturally occurring minerals which create long, thin, and very strong fibers. It was used in building and automobile parts as well as a myriad of other products from the 1930s through the 1980s, prior to when manufacturers realized that asbestos could cause illness. Asbestos was used in factories and other industrial locations, so people who worked there were exposed to it.
Symptoms of mesothelioma typically begin in the abdomen or chest and can be accompanied by swelling, pain and fatigue, fever and weight loss, as well as difficulty breathing. These symptoms can be misinterpreted as other illnesses like pneumonia or the flu. Therefore, it is crucial to consult your doctor immediately if you are suffering from any of these symptoms.
A doctor may request an x-ray, blood test, and a CT scan to identify mesothelioma. A biopsy may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma as well as determine the best course of action.
Mesothelioma is treated with chemotherapy and radiation. Based on the kind of mesothelioma being treated, surgery may be an option for some patients.
New Hampshire asbestos attorneys can assist you in obtaining compensation from the companies who exposed you to asbestos in the wrong way and caused your illness. Your attorney will know which companies caused your exposure and can negotiate the best settlement for you. Your lawyer has experience in the courtroom should a settlement not be reached. A mesothelioma case can seek damages for medical expenses, lost wages, emotional distress, and other losses. Contact an New Hampshire mesothelioma lawyer today to learn more. The initial consultation is completely free.
Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos is an naturally occurring fibrous mineral that was once used in the manufacture of construction materials. Inhaling the mineral's fibers could cause serious illness. Asbestos exposure symptoms are typically gradual and not immediately evident. Anyone who has come into contact with asbestos are at risk of developing mesothelioma or lung cancer, among other asbestos-related diseases.
You can avoid asbestos exposure when you are aware of the dangers and take appropriate precautions at work. Discuss with your employer the safety regulations, such as wearing protective gear, changing out of your work clothes and showering before you go home. Check your home as well because older buildings and homes may contain asbestos.
Asbestos is found in all professions. Mine workers and shipbuilders and those who work in power generation, asbestos removal and other industries are all at risk. Asbestos was once a popular building material because of its resistance to fire and its long-lasting properties. Workers who work with asbestos or remove it from existing structures are at the highest risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other asbestos-related diseases.
Asbestos exposure can increase the chance of developing asbestosis or lung cancer. However, it could take between 20 and 50 years for these diseases to show symptoms. It's likely that people who were exposed to asbestos in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s have not yet experienced any health issues resulting from their exposure.
The largest asbestos-related companies in the United Kingdom include Turner & Newall, Johns Manville and several other manufacturers that produced asbestos products like asbestos cloth asbestos cement sheets, asbestos cloths and a range of other construction products. Hundreds of thousands were employed by these companies and are at risk of contracting mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses. Many of them live in the Manchester region and are members of local asbestos support groups, such as Greater Manchester Asbestos Victims Group.
Mesothelioma Diagnosis
If doctors suspect mesothelioma they will take the full medical history of the patient and look for signs. They will also ask whether a patient was exposed to asbestos or other elements that could increase the risk of developing mesothelioma.
A chest X-ray is usually the next step when a doctor suspects mesothelioma is the cause. It will show if there is fluid build-up around the lungs. This is a frequent mesothelioma-related symptom.
The patient can then have an CT scan, which utilizes an X-ray machine to produce an image that is computer-generated of the lungs and other organs. The scan is done following an injection of dye, typically the iodine. The patient will then lie down in a doughnut-shaped scanner. The test typically takes only about a minute and is painless.
A biopsy is performed by an expert doctor to confirm the diagnosis. They will take a tiny portion of tissue from the affected area to examine it under microscope. The type of biopsy will depend on the location of mesothelioma.
MRI and PET scans are the other tests that can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests utilize magnetic and radio waves to create computerized images of the body. They can tell if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
Doctors can also perform a procedure called endobronchial ultrasonography-guided needle biopsy to determine whether the mesothelioma cancer has spread to the lymph nodes in the center of the chest. This involves inserting a tube using an ultrasound device into the throat. The procedure is carried out under conscious sedation.
Treatment for mesothelioma varies according to the location of the cancer and its severity. In most instances, the goal is to reduce symptoms and extend a patient's life for as long as is possible. Treatment options include chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation.
Anyone diagnosed with mesothelioma should seek out an experienced mesothelioma lawyer to ensure they receive the best treatment possible. Lawyers can help with obtaining medical treatment and pursuing compensation from an asbestos company or an employer which exposed workers to mesothelioma. In New Hampshire, victims are allowed to file lawsuits three years after the date of diagnosis.
Mesothelioma Treatment
Mesothelioma occurs in the thin layer that covers the internal organs of many. The lining of the chest and abdomen, referred to as the pleura, is the most frequently affected. The disease can also spread to other parts of the body.
Asbestos victims diagnosed with mesothelioma usually require assistance in navigating the military and health systems to get support and benefits. Patients also have to pay high medical costs. Fortunately mesothelioma lawsuits for compensation and insurance, government assistance and other resources can ease the burden.
According to NICE Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a highly invading and lethal cancer that has a poor prognosis. The cancer may recur and spread to other areas of the body. The cancer could affect the lungs, stomach and other organs.
Patients diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma can be treated through chemotherapy, surgery, and other forms of treatment. The treatment method chosen depends on the site of the cancer and whether or not it has spread.
A biopsy is the only method to confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis. A doctor examines a sample fluid from the affected area under a microscope for cancerous cells. A doctor can also order imaging tests such as an CT or MRI to look inside the body.
Another test that is used to diagnose mesothelioma is immunohistochemistry, which uses antibodies to look for cancer cells in a sample of a patient's tissue. The antibodies are typically linked to an enzyme or a color that is then used to determine cancer cells in the sample.
The National Health Service in the UK provides a type of procedure called pleurectomy décortication for patients with mesothelioma. The procedure can improve survival but is not an effective cure. New treatments for mesothelioma are being tested in clinical trials. Patients suffering from mesothelioma may be eligible to take part in a nivolumab trial. Lawton mesothelioma attorney is a PD-1 antagonist that may increase the effectiveness of conventional treatment for mesothelioma. To be eligible for a clinical trial on mesothelioma, patients must meet certain requirements: