Mesothelioma is rare cancer that often goes undetected until too late. The latency period for mesothelioma can be 20-50 years after exposure, so many people only realize they’re at risk once it’s too late. Early detection gives those with asbestos-related diseases more options and better outcomes than later diagnoses. A failure to confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis could signify medical malpractice in the later stages and may require the help of a Chicago mesothelioma lawyer.
Early detection gives those with asbestos-related diseases more options and better outcomes than later diagnoses. A failure to confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis could signify medical malpractice in the later stages.
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC provides free resources and information about asbestos and mesothelioma for those affected by asbestos-related diseases. Our best lawyers can help you and your family file a mesothelioma case.
Contact our Chicago mesothelioma lawyers at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone number) or use the contact form today for immediate legal advice and schedule a free consultation.
Mesothelioma Symptoms
Since mesothelioma results from the steady accumulation of fibers of asbestos in the lungs, mesothelioma victims can live without symptoms for decades before the disease’s onset.
Initially, the illness might be mistaken for other common and less severe respiratory illnesses, but mesothelioma symptoms arise quickly.
The symptoms associated with peritoneal mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma, and pleural mesothelioma cancer include:
- Unexplained weight loss accompanied by fatigue
- Loss of appetite and nausea
- Pain in the chest
- Coughing and shortness of breath
- Lung cancer
- Painful breathing
- Pleural effusion (water on the lungs)
If you have ever experienced asbestos exposure, you must treat any respiratory symptoms as warnings of a more aggressive form of cancerous cells.
Industries Utilizing Asbestos
Industrial employees and construction workers are routinely victims because asbestos exposure occurred in numerous industries:
- Construction workers and excavation
- Shipbuilding
- Power plant work
- Textile factory work
- Glasswork
- Electronics manufacturing
- Steelworking
- Pipefitting
- Firefighting
- Railroad work
- Farming and agriculture
- Chemical plants
- Insulation installation
- Carpentry
- Machining
Diagnosing Mesothelioma
The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is determining if the individual has been exposed.
Once mesothelioma is diagnosed, the doctor will then stage the disease. Staging is a way of describing how far cancer has spread. There are four main stages of mesothelioma:
Stage I
The disease is confined to one area.
Stage II
Cancerous cells have spread to nearby tissues or organs.
Stage III
Cancer has spread outside the nearby tissues and organs.
Stage IV
Cancer has metastasized (spread to distant parts of the body).
Mesothelioma Prognosis
Survival rate after mesothelioma diagnosis depends on many factors, including the disease stage and the age/health of the mesothelioma patient.
Patients with early-stage mesothelioma generally have the best prognosis. The five-year survival rate for patients with early-stage mesothelioma with excellent health insurance is about 50%.
The five-year survival rate for late-stage mesothelioma is less than 10%.
Getting Treatment for Mesothelioma in Illinois
Seek an experienced treatment center if you need care. Among the most recognized mesothelioma treatment facilities in Cook County is the University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center, located at 1850 Silver Cross Blvd. in New Lenox.
Surgery is the most common treatment. Two types of surgery are used to treat mesothelioma:
- Pleurodesis – This surgery is used to treat pleural mesothelioma. In this procedure, the surgeon removes the diseased tissue lining the chest cavity and then fills the space with a substance that helps to prevent fluid from building up again.
- Pleurectomy – This surgery treats pleural mesothelioma and other related diseases. The surgeon removes the diseased tissue lining the chest cavity and some healthy tissue surrounding it.
Military Exposure to Asbestos
As early as 1920, manufacturers were aware of the links between their products and related illness but continued to produce and sell the goods while withholding knowledge from the public.
By 1970, regulators banned many goods containing the substance. However, since the human body has a long latency period, victims can take as many as 50 years to develop cancer following exposure.
Many exposed to toxic dust and fibers have not become ill until now, leading to a growing need for attorneys for mesothelioma litigation.
Our top mesothelioma lawyers specialize in resolving cases to compensate victims for past medical bills. lost wages, and future medical expenses for asbestos-related illnesses. You must file asbestos lawsuits before the statute of limitations expires.
Chicago Mesothelioma Lawyers Dedicated to Protecting the Legal Rights of Mesothelioma Victims
Asbestos manufacturers are powerful and influential corporations with well-paid and experienced legal teams to fight off mesothelioma lawsuit cases aggressively.
For this reason, you must rely on experienced mesothelioma lawyers to bring your case to trial. Every pericardial mesothelioma attorney has access to vital resources and experience in the legal process needed to ensure you have the best chance of survival, including medical specialists.
Have you lost a loved one? Consider working with a top law firm in Chicago. Our Illinois mesothelioma law firm will help you pursue a wrongful death lawsuit, working tirelessly to get you the compensation you deserve for your family’s pain.
All lawsuits must be filed before the statute of limitations expires, based on state laws. An experienced lawyer at our law offices can gather evidence and file the necessary documentation so you can be compensated.
In addition, our top mesothelioma attorneys can communicate on your behalf with Medicare and file paperwork for Social Security Disability benefits.
Asbestos Exposure Mesothelioma Lawyer FAQs
Below are frequently asked questions about legal claims. Our attorneys appreciate that you may have additional questions. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer answered some questions below.
Contact a malignant mesothelioma attorney at (888) 424-5757 or use the contact form to connect with our law offices for additional information. Our attorneys provide legal advice during a free case evaluation for injured victims.
Do You Need an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney to File a Mesothelioma Lawsuit?
A Chicago mesothelioma lawyer is your best option to receive a settlement covering your medical bills and pain and suffering. They have the experience necessary to investigate your case fully, gather the proper evidence, contact highly qualified experts, and skillfully negotiate a fair sum that considers your current and future needs.
Our firm has represented mesothelioma patients throughout the country, ensuring that they receive justice for their injuries; we’re one of the leading law firms holding companies accountable for failing to protect their workers from this dangerous substance.
Many companies which manufactured products that caused asbestos exposure to their employees have developed trusts to compensate their former workers, but these funds are dwindling thanks to many successful mesothelioma lawsuits against these negligent employers. We have the experience necessary to argue your case and help you access the money you deserve.
What Is the Life Expectancy After a Mesothelioma Diagnosis?
Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer that takes many years to develop; it’s also a very fatal disease with a low survival rate. The University of Pennsylvania notes that the current life expectancy after diagnosis is only 4-18 months, though some patients can survive for 10 years or more.
The 5-year survival rate for late-stage mesothelioma is only 10%. However, it’s important to note that the survival rate is much higher than it was ten years ago, and research on how to extend the life of these patients is ongoing. Mesothelioma treatment options continue to improve, and with excellent medical care, mesothelioma patients have a fighting chance to survive past the first 18 months from diagnosis.
While remission is rare, some patients have survived far beyond previous estimates, typically possible if they get early and extensive treatment.
What Can You Do In Addition To Medical Treatment?
Some patients have also succeeded in improving longevity and quality of life by pursuing a blend of traditional treatments and alternative treatments such as nutrition, stress reduction, and palliative care.
When considering life expectancy, you should also consider your or your loved one’s quality of life. Receiving such a devastating diagnosis is incredibly difficult to handle, but staying optimistic and relying upon a strong support system can help improve how your body responds to treatment. Many mesothelioma patients find support groups, whether online or in person, very helpful for managing their anxiety and gaining insights into how to cope.
Working with a therapist with experience in treating lung cancer patients or in grief counseling for those who have sadly lost their loved one, can prove affirming and help the family heal from their pain. Hope and calmness provided by Chicago mesothelioma lawyers are essential parts of treatment for mesothelioma victims and patients.
Can Something Other Than Asbestos Cause Mesothelioma?
Asbestos is far and away the most common cause of mesothelioma, particularly pleural mesothelioma. However, other causes exist, particularly regarding naturally occurring minerals and certain viral infections.
Zeolites, a closely related mineral family, are also carcinogenic; mesothelioma rates are much higher in areas with soils and rocks rich in these minerals. In the United States, a member of the zeolite family, erionite, has been found throughout the western US, including Utah, Nevada, Arizona, and Oregon. Miners are in particular danger of diseases caused by this exposure, including peritoneal mesothelioma.
High doses of radiation, such as to treat other aggressive forms of cancer, can also cause mesothelioma. This also places anyone who works with nuclear materials at risk, particularly if there have been any accidents in their power plant or research lab.
Two less common risk factors include infection with simian virus 40 (SV40), which was accidentally administered to humans due to contaminated polio vaccines, and a very rare genetic mutation called BAP1.
The risk of mesothelioma rises with age, and men are more frequently affected due to occupational hazards.
Does Mesothelioma Affect the Brain?
While mesothelioma can metastasize to the brain, this is exceedingly rare. Research suggests that only 3% of cases will migrate that far, typically when cancer cells move through the central nervous system and up to the brain. Metastatic mesothelioma cases, most common in Stage IV, typically appear in the chest or abdominal cavity rather than elsewhere. Patients with cancerous tissue in the brain are facing a highly advanced and aggressive case that needs specialized treatment to keep them comfortable.
Symptoms experienced by those with brain metastasis include:
- Seizures
- Vision changes
- Muscle weakness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Speech and communication problems
- Headaches, or an increase in the severity of headaches
These are very different from common mesothelioma symptoms, so they should be immediately reported to your healthcare team for further investigation. However, some patients with brain metastasis experience no symptoms, and the tumors are only identified through incidental scans. This is why it’s essential to stay on top of treatment so that all changes to the disease progression can be promptly investigated and managed.
Are Veterans Affairs (VA) Claims Available if I Was Exposed to Asbestos in the Military?
Yes. You can claim 100% disability through the US Department of Veterans Affairs if your exposure occurred while enrolled in the military. This can include full health services and monthly disability payments to help pay for your living expenses while you undergo treatment. Surviving spouses of veterans who died due to mesothelioma cancer may also be eligible for benefits.
In our region, shipyard workers from the Great Lakes Naval Center are the most common veterans that apply for these benefits, though others who may have been stationed elsewhere may also have been subjected to asbestos products while serving.
However, getting compensation through Veterans Affairs can be hard, which is why you may find it helpful to work with an attorney to submit your claim. We can help you complete the paperwork and investigate whether any other entities can be held accountable for your exposure.
Hire Mesothelioma Attorneys Successful in Asbestos Litigation
Our experienced lawyers cost you nothing upfront for our legal services. Our company offers everyone from all financial backgrounds access to the best legal advice in handling trust fund claims.
We have successfully negotiated with national mesothelioma law firms representing bankrupt companies settling claims with those who develop mesothelioma from asbestos exposure. The national law firms are making payments from court-ordered trust funds.
Mesothelioma Lawsuits Contingency Fee Agreement
We accept mesothelioma cases and personal injury lawsuits on a contingency fee basis. This agreement ensures you only pay upfront legal costs once your lawyer resolves your claim to secure compensation through a negotiated settlement or jury verdict.
The Chicago asbestos lawyers at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC also represent injured individuals in mesothelioma claims throughout the state and nation.
Contact our lawyers today at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone call) or through the contact form to schedule a free consultation to discuss your legal options and the process to receive the financial compensation you deserve.
Comments are closed.