Mesothelioma Types and Litigation
The greatest influence of the mesothelioma types on litigation includes how promptly the lawyer gets things squared away in the case and patient responsiveness to potential medical treatment. An informed and skilled approach to litigation is necessary for a favorable case resolution. For the attorney handling the matter, it is essential to understand the mesothelioma type involved and the ability to identify the type. This ensures the necessary information is correctly identified before the patient succumbs to the disease.
What Causes Mesothelioma?
Most mesothelioma cases are primarily associated with asbestos exposure, accounting for up to 80 percent of mesothelioma cases. According to case studies, other types of mineral fibers have been found to induce mesothelioma, including balangeroite, fluoro-edenite, and erionite. Living with an individual who works in an occupation with asbestos exposure may also increase that individual’s risk of developing mesothelioma. This is attributed to the ability of asbestos particles to travel on clothing and skin. A family history of this disease may also increase an individual’s risk of developing mesothelioma.
Where is the Common Occurrence of Asbestos Exposure?
The most common cause of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure in occupational settings. This includes shipbuilding, mining, construction, factory, and other manufacturing sites. It is commonly developed in those who work as mechanics and those who are veterans. The disturbance of materials that contain asbestos, like building materials, may also cause asbestos exposure. This occurs when the materials are removed during construction or remodeling or the degradation of such building materials. Conversely, asbestos in rocks and soil may be released into the air through weathering or human activity. This is known as environmental asbestos exposure.
What are the Cell Types of Mesotheliomas?
Histological classification of mesothelioma is divided into biphasic, sarcomatoid, and epithelioid. The most common cell type of the three is the epithelioid type. Sarcomatoid cells are categorized by their spindle and oval-like shape. They often form in nonspecific architectural patterns and in separate lesions or nodes. This cell type may metastasize. Epithelioid cells are often cube or oval-shaped, tend to clump together, and may form small papillary or tubular structures.
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), approximately 20 to 30 percent of all mesothelioma cases are biphasic-type tumors composed of both sarcomatoid and epithelioid cells. The sarcomatoid cell type accounts for approximately 10 to 20 percent of all cases and is most seen in pleural patients with 98 percent. Epithelioid mesothelioma accounts for roughly 50 to 70 percent of cases. Life expectancy may differ based on the location of the tumor and other factors.
What are the Symptoms of Biphasic Mesothelioma?
Various symptoms of biphasic mesothelioma may present before a patient visits their primary care provider. Biphasic mesothelioma patients may experience symptoms that include:
- Unexplained weight loss
- Hematemesis (vomiting blood)
- Pain in the rib and shoulder
- Dyspnea (shortness of breath)
- Edema (swelling)
- Pain in the upper back
- Dry cough
- Hemoptysis (coughing up blood)
- Chest pain
- Blood in the stool
In the case of a biphasic mesothelioma tumor, there tend to be more sarcomatoid or epithelioid cells present. Case studies have suggested that patients with biphasic mesothelioma with a higher ratio of epithelioid cells tend to have a better prognosis.
What are the Signs of Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma?
The symptoms of sarcomatoid mesothelioma may take approximately 20 to 60 years to manifest. Severe symptoms may include persistent cough and difficulty breathing. The most common symptoms of this illness include coughing, chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness, weight loss, prolonged hoarseness, fatigue, anemia, low blood oxygen levels, and coughing up blood. Symptoms are generally based on the location of the tumor.
What are the Symptoms of Epithelioid Mesothelioma?
Peritoneal mesothelioma is a rare cancer induced by asbestos exposure that forms in the abdominal lining. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss, fluid accumulation in the abdomen, fever, constipation, abdominal edema, and abdominal pain. Pleural mesothelioma develops in the pleura, or membrane, lining the lungs and chest walls. Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include unexplained weight loss, fluid accumulation around the lungs, fever, difficulty breathing, chest pain, hoarseness, and coughing.
Symptoms of mesothelioma are not significantly different between the cell types. However, they may be based on the location of where the mesothelioma develops in the body. For instance, an accumulation of fluid in the abdominal lining may cause edema in cases of biphasic peritoneal mesothelioma. Conversely, an accumulation of fluid in the lung lining may occur in biphasic pleural mesothelioma. The diagnostic process involves a series of imaging tests, such as MRIs, CT scans, etc. A blood test may be ordered if an abnormality or tumor is found. A biopsy will be performed to confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis.
Types of Compensation in a Mesothelioma Case
A wide array of factors influences the types of losses recoverable in a mesothelioma case. These include any wage loss from the inability to work, costs of medical care for reasonable and necessary treatment, the severity of the illness and its effect on the claimant’s overall health, the extent of exposure to asbestos-containing products, and more. Our law firm’s experienced California mesothelioma lawyer can help patients and their families obtain total compensation for their losses.
Aside from the mesothelioma patient, others may be eligible to seek compensation. In the case of a patient succumbing to mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, surviving family members may be eligible to seek reimbursement of economic and non-economic damages in a wrongful death action. These cases compensate survivors to cover unexpected costs and provide financial security for their future.
Timeline in Mesothelioma Cases
Lawsuits for mesothelioma may be challenging and time-consuming if a patient attempts to handle the matter on their own without a knowledgeable attorney. Conversely, a lawyer with experience handling mesothelioma cases can accelerate the timeline in most situations, except for defense counsel and other parties drawing out the process. As such, the timeline may involve preparation and filing the case, awaiting a response within a specified deadline from the defendant, discovery for additional information and compiling of the matter, and settlement or trial.
If the patient is extremely ill, it may be necessary to expedite the legal process. As previously mentioned, it is essential for the attorney handling the case to be well-versed in the types and subtypes of mesothelioma to better understand the illness and the need to accelerate the process. The strength of the case may be significantly influenced by the client attending the deposition. From first contact, an attorney should investigate the mesothelioma type, work to accelerate the process, and protect the client’s rights at every step. Watch this video to learn how our legal team can help with your case.
Mesothelioma Lawyer in Sacramento
Selecting an attorney to handle a mesothelioma case is an important decision. The ideal mesothelioma lawyer will have the experience, skills, and resources necessary to build a strong case and obtain the full compensation you deserve. The right attorney will be invested in your future, empathetic to your situation, and have your best interests at heart. You will find that when you work with our legal team at AutoAccident.com. Schedule a meeting for free, friendly case advice with one of our knowledgeable Sacramento mesothelioma lawyers by dialing (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400.
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