A Mesothelioma Attorney Can Help

Inhaling microscopic asbestos fibers could lead to the development of mesothelioma. This disease can cause long-term scarring and inflammation of the lungs. It could take up to 30 years for symptoms to show up.

Mesothelioma attorneys help victims receive legal compensation. They file lawsuits and trust fund claims, and also VA claims for veterans.

Pleural plaques

Pleural plaques are areas of pleura thickening, which is the thin layer that lines the chest's inside. They usually do not cause symptoms, and are often discovered incidentally, for example when a patient undergoes chest radiography or CT scanning to test for other ailments like lung cancer or asbestosis. Pleural plaques are typically surrounded by fluid and may appear slightly visible on a chest x-ray. They can be calcified, which means that the tissue is hardened and can be seen on the CT scan.

Pleuropulmonary plaques are not considered cancerous, however they raise a person's risk of developing more serious illnesses like mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that results from the inhalation of asbestos fibers. It is the only type of mesothelioma resulting from asbestos exposure. Patients diagnosed with this disease are advised to tell their doctor about their asbestos exposure history.

Doctors make use of a variety of tools to detect the presence of pleural plaques or pleural disease which includes the pulmonary function test. This test evaluates how well the lungs function by assessing the amount of air they can hold and the speed at which they can breathe both in and out. The lungs can be examined in greater detail by a doctor by using a magnetic resonance scan (MRI) or a computerized Tomography scan (CT).

These tests can be used to determine asbestos claim - on the main page - in the lungs. However, they cannot confirm whether the plaques on the pleural wall are cancerous, so the procedure of taking a biopsy is required to confirm the diagnosis. A doctor can perform a biopsy of the lesions of the pleural wall and send them to the lab to look for indications of cancer. If the pleural plates are cancerous, the patient will be given mesothelioma as a diagnosis.

Lung cancers

Asbestosis is a lung disorder that occurs when tiny particles from asbestos materials are inhaled. The asbestos fibers are lodged in the lungs, causing scar tissue to develop. This scarring makes it hard for the lungs to expand and fill up with fresh air. This can lead to breathing difficulties and dry coughing that can be accompanied by crackling sounds. In time, the illness can cause weight loss and fatigue. Untreated, advanced asbestosis can lead to chronic pulmonary hypertension, painful feet and fingers as well as an impaired immune system.

The majority of people who are diagnosed with asbestosis have been diagnosed with the disease after a prolonged exposure to asbestos. The disease usually develops 20-30 years after asbestos exposure. The latency period can be up to 50 years.

It's not possible to cure asbestosis however there are treatments that can alleviate symptoms and slow the progress of the disease. Doctors diagnose the disease by asking patients about their symptoms and history and performing physical examination. They also order lung function tests and imaging scans testing. If evidence of scarring is seen on imaging scans, doctors can determine if there is a case of asbestosis.

The best way to treat asbestosis is to prevent any new exposure to asbestos. Smoking cigarettes can be dangerous for those suffering from this condition, as it can cause further damage to the lungs. Under the supervision of a physician the patient may take part in a pulmonary rehabilitation program to learn breathing exercises and a healthy eating habits. If there is fluid buildup around the lungs doctors can perform a non-invasive procedure known as thoracentesis, to drain the fluid. Some patients may require oxygen therapy to help with breathing. If the condition becomes serious or if it's accompanied by other lung diseases like emphysema, a lung transplant could be considered.

Symptoms

Asbestos fibers can lodge in lung tissue, causing inflammation scarring, stiffness, and swelling. This can make breathing difficult. This condition, known as asbestosis, is among more than 200 forms of interstitial lung diseases. The condition is also known as occupational lung disease, because it affects people who have been exposed to asbestos or worked exposed to asbestos prior to the year 1970, when government regulations made asbestos exposure a thing of the past.

The symptoms of asbestosis can include dry cough, difficulty breathing and a tightening of the abdomen or chest. Pleural effusion is a different early sign of asbestosis. It is a form of fluid buildup in the lungs or chest. Other signs include lumps in the lungs or chest wall or rib cage, fatigue and an inability to eat. The symptoms may range from mild to severe.

Patients suffering from lung issues must consult their physician immediately. The doctor will ask about asbestos exposure and perform a physical exam. It is possible to diagnose asbestosis if they hear crackling noises on their stethoscope, called rales. Chest X-rays and lung function tests can also show the extent of lung damage and help determine the extent to which your lungs are functioning.

In certain instances doctors may order an examination or biopsy or CT scan to identify mesothelioma. It is a form of cancer that affects the lining that covers the lungs, chest or abdomen. Other signs of mesothelioma could be similar to those of asbestosis and include a persistent cough and chest pain, lumps in the lungs, belly and shortness of breath. Mesothelioma treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy or lung transplants. If you have been diagnosed with asbestosis, a physician will prescribe medication to assist with your symptoms and increase your breathing capacity.

Treatment

There is no cure for asbestosis, but treatment can alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life. Patients with asbestosis should consult an expert physician and follow his or her instructions. It could be beneficial to join a support group of patients who have similar issues.

Asbestosis can be contracted when a person breathes in the microscopic fibers that comprise the deadly substance. The fibres get stuck in the lungs and cause them to stiffen and scar. The affected sufferers will have difficulty breathing, and will feel pain or lumps in the chest or coughing, fatigue, and difficulty walking up stairs. They may not have the same energy as they did previously, and their fingernails and toenails could appear bigger or rounded than usual (clubbing of the fingers).

Symptoms usually appear after a time of 20 years or more following exposure. It may take doctors an extended time to identify asbestosis, and sometimes it is mistaken for conditions like chronic bronchitis, emphysema or idiopathic lung thermofibrosis. Doctors listen to the lungs with an stethoscope. If they hear crackling noises or see lung tissue damage they might suspect asbestosis. A high-resolution CT scan will show the lungs and whether they have a white appearance. The ability of the lungs to absorb oxygen will be measured using a pulmonary function test.

The only way to prevent further lung damage is to avoid asbestos and secondhand smoke. If you have a history of asbestos exposure then you should consult your family physician when you begin to notice breathlessness. Your doctor might refer you to a lung specialist. The specialist may prescribe oxygen therapy to help you breathe easier or suggest the possibility of a lung transplant.

Compensation

A mesothelioma lawyer may help a patient bring a lawsuit against the companies that are responsible for their exposure to asbestos. These firms have experience handling asbestos claims and have knowledge of the products, companies and high-risk occupations that lead to exposure. They can also help patients locate mesothelioma centers and physicians.

Compensation for mesothelioma may pay for medical expenses and other financial losses. It also provides support to the families of those who have died from mesothelioma or any asbestos compensation-related diseases.

An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can review the details about a patient's asbestos exposure and determine if they are eligible to receive a payment from an asbestos trust fund or mesothelioma settlement trial. They can assist patients and their families with applying for SSDI or VA benefits.

It could take years before the symptoms of asbestosis show up, making it difficult for people to realize they have a medical issue. However, the condition can cause problems such as breathing difficulties and snoring of fingers and toes as well as a persistent cough.

A mesothelioma suit against a company that knowingly put workers at risk of developing an asbestos settlement-related illness could help victims and their families. The money from lawsuits could be used to cover living and caregiving costs. Compensation may cover funeral costs. Asbestos victims should take legal action as soon as is possible to ensure that their lawsuit is filed within the prescribed time of limitations. An attorney for mesothelioma can explain the laws and help victims or families file a lawsuit in the appropriate court. The earlier a claim is filed and filed, the better chance of receiving a payout through an asbestos compensation trust fund.