ORLANDO MESOTHELIOMA ATTORNEY

Individuals who begin seeing mesothelioma symptoms should see a doctor as soon as possible. In the early stages of the disease, doctors may be able to remove the tumors through surgery, resulting in a full recovery. 

Medical professionals can diagnose mesothelioma through a variety of examinations. Imaging scans such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs can show the location of the tumors. Once a doctor locates a suspected tumor, biopsies of surrounding skin cells indicate whether mesothelioma is present.

Some doctors use blood tests as a diagnosis tool, but they usually do not provide clear-cut evidence of mesothelioma. However, blood tests can help identify other corresponding health issues.

There are four main types of mesothelioma. They include pleural, peritoneal, pericardial, and testicular mesothelioma. Experts link both pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma to asbestos exposure. Pericardial and testicular mesothelioma are very rare, and their cause is unknown.

Pleural mesothelioma develops in the lung tissue. Almost 90% of mesothelioma cases are pleural. People with pleural mesothelioma have symptoms that grow slowly and start out mild. 

Due to the relatively benign early warning signs, many people fail to get a diagnosis when the disease is in its beginning stages. Pleural mesothelioma is directly caused by inhaling asbestos fibers.

Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the peritoneum, a tissue that protects vital digestive organs, including the stomach and intestines. Usually, peritoneal mesothelioma develops from inhaling asbestos fibers or swallowing them in contaminated liquids. People with peritoneal mesothelioma often develop digestive symptoms, including nausea, constipation, and diarrhea.

Treatments for mesothelioma include surgery, radiation therapy, and medication.

Surgery removes any tumors and cancerous tissues from the body. Removal of the tissues helps stop the future spread of the disease. However, surgery can be complex, especially if mesothelioma cells have a significant presence. 

Surgeons may remove portions of essential organs such as the lungs, diaphragm, and the heart's lining.

Medications for mesothelioma include IV therapy, which uses certain ingredients to kill cancerous cells. Chemotherapy and immunotherapy are also helpful for targeting mesothelioma cells.

Finally, doctors sometimes recommend radiation therapy as a mesothelioma treatment. However, radiation therapy has uncomfortable side effects, so medical professionals do not use it often as a mesothelioma treatment.

Life expectancy varies depending on the stage of the disease. If doctors identify mesothelioma quickly and administer the appropriate treatment, you may resume your regular life with few symptoms. If mesothelioma enters stage three or stage four, your likelihood of recovery declines significantly. 

Victims of stage four mesothelioma have an average life expectancy of 14.9 months following their diagnosis.

You may file either a personal injury or wrongful death claim for mesothelioma. 

In a personal injury claim, you currently suffer from mesothelioma and seek compensation to pay for your ongoing medical costs, lost wages, and emotional pain and suffering.

If a loved one has died from mesothelioma, surviving relatives may file a wrongful death case. In a wrongful death case, family members can obtain monetary damages for funeral expenses, unpaid medical bills, and loss of consortium or parental guidance. 

An Orlando asbestos attorney can assist you in gathering the appropriate evidence and filing your claim.

Generally, anyone who contracts mesothelioma due to workplace asbestos exposure may file a lawsuit. Workplace asbestos exposure may be short- or long-term. Individuals who worked as chimney sweeps, textile producers, chemical workers, and in other roles where they regularly came into contact with asbestos may qualify. 

You may also file a mesothelioma claim as a victim of secondary asbestos exposure. Employees with first-hand exposure to asbestos often came home carrying the toxic fibers on their clothing and body. Close relatives are known to contract mesothelioma due to their second-hand asbestos exposure.

Your asbestos attorney is familiar with the mesothelioma claims process. There are known companies that regularly expose their employees to asbestos. If you worked for one of these organizations, connecting your disease with your employment is very simple.

Asbestos attorneys will discuss your case with medical and toxins experts to further prove your claim.

Additional information from you, like medical bills and the history of your illness, help develop your case.

Monetary damages you may receive include compensation for past and future medical expenses, lost wages and future income, costs for long-term care and nursing homes, emotional pain and anguish, and loss of quality of life.

Surviving family members may collect damages for funeral expenses, mental pain and suffering, and loss of companionship or consortium. They may also receive money to pay off any existing medical bills for their loved ones.

The length of time depends on whether you can settle your claim or if the case goes to trial. In most mesothelioma cases, both parties agree to a settlement. In a settlement, the case may only last a few months before you receive monetary damages.

If the case goes to trial, it may take several years to resolve. In a trial, both parties require time to find witnesses and medical experts. They’ll also need to comply with the court’s availability. 

An asbestos attorney will advise you on the likelihood of your case settling versus going to trial.

Mesothelioma victims have up to four years to file a personal injury claim in Florida following their initial diagnosis of the disease. 

Surviving family members may file a wrongful death claim for up to two years following the death of their loved one.

However, it’s best to begin the legal process as quickly as possible. Your attorney will need time to review the facts of your case, speak with your medical team and asbestos experts, and negotiate with insurance providers. 

A court will likely dismiss your case if you do not file a lawsuit within the prescribed time limits.