Mesothelioma Settlements

Mesothelioma lawsuits are often multimillion-dollar settlements, because it is a deadly form of cancer that results in the death of the victim. Considering also the pain and suffering of the family members, mesothelioma cases can devastate entire families and directly affect their livelihood.

Firming up a solid mesothelioma settlement requires the services of specialized lawyers or law firms. Mesothelioma lawyers and law firms are adequately trained to deal with all challenges of a mesothelioma lawsuit – right from helping victims identify the source for the asbestos exposure and working out a good argument before the court. Successful mesothelioma settlement also requires that legal advice be sought within the statutes of limitations of the state in which the lawsuit is being filed. Different US states have different laws for filing mesothelioma claims.

An increased competency of mesothelioma lawyers and law firms, prompted by rising cases of mesothelioma cases, has resulted in huge compensation for victims. This huge settlement is not without reason. The settlement covers the enormous medical bills that victims run getting treatment for their illness, and compensation for the mental anguish and suffering suffered by the victim and their family. The settlement also considers the fact that the family of the victim has a right to be financially secure.

In helping victims get suitable compensation, mesothelioma lawyers do not charge upfront fees. They usually work on a contingency fee basis, which means that they take the money only if the lawsuits are successful. In offering their services, lawyers foot the bill even if they have to hire an investigator. The money lawyers receive after the successful lawsuit is a cut from the compensation, which normally figures around 35%.

Mesothelioma settlements are not only available for the victims of the disease. Settlements are also available for families of the victims on the ground that they have lost their beloved and suffered tremendously on the financial and the emotional front. While mesothelioma is a painful experience for victims and their families, a good settlement can go a long way in securing the future of the victims’ families.

Mesothelioma Diagnosis

Mesothelioma, a rare form of lung cancer, continues to remain a challenge for the medical fraternity. This form of cancer is primarily caused by exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma can be either malignant or non-malignant in nature. Perhaps the most important concern in mesothelioma is the inability to diagnose it at an early stage, as most people exposed to asbestos usually remain unaware of it. Since almost all cases of mesothelioma can be attributed to exposure to asbestos, it is also known as ‘asbestos cancer.’

Mesothelioma results when the mesothelium cells become abnormal and divide uncontrollably. If not detected at an early stage, the cancer may spread to other body parts. Malignant mesothelioma continues to remain the most critical of all, and curing the disease at this final stage is extremely challenging. Physicians use several techniques to determine mesothelioma, particularly advanced imaging techniques. To determine the stage of mesothelioma doctors use several tested techniques such as the Butchart system, the TNM system, or the latest Brigham System. A definitive diagnosis, however, is still being practiced through techniques of fluid diagnosis and tissue biopsy.

General physicians are not able to treat the disease because of their lack of any special training for the disease. At best, the general physician can suspect mesothelioma and refer the patient to a special group of doctors who are specifically trained in several areas of mesothelioma. Once in the care of the specialist, the patient is taken care of by the pulmonologist, the thoracic surgeon, the medical oncologist, the radiation oncologist, and pathologists and the respiratory therapist, in sync with the agreed line of treatment.

The arduous process of mesothelioma diagnosis is a difficult experience for patients and their near and dear ones. The long-drawn tests, endless consultations and frequent visits to hospitals add to the woes of the sufferer. There are several missions and charitable organizations that understand the plight of the mesothelioma patients and their family members, and offer their services in the form of psychological counseling and other services that seek to mitigate the pains to a large extent.