DeKalb County Mesothelioma Lawyers

Mesothelioma is a rare and deadly form of cancer. It is aggressive and forms along the linings of the body’s lungs, testicles, abdomen, or heart. Contracting this form of cancer comes from exposure to asbestos. However, it can lay dormant in the body for years. Asbestos exposure can occur in many different ways and from a multitude of sources. You should not be held responsible for the results of unwanted exposure to this dangerous product.

Mesothelioma is incurable and can cause a variety of symptoms to appear. Unfortunately, these symptoms can be confused with other diseases that leave your mesothelioma undiagnosed for years. An early diagnosis and treatment could be vital in prolonging your quality of life. At Franks Gerkin Ponitz Greeley, our team knows how devastating this diagnosis can be, and we take pride in fighting on behalf of our clients to ensure that their medical challenges do not become financial ones. Your diagnosis is through no fault of your own, and holding those accountable for your exposure is our priority. You and your DeKalb County, IL family should not have to suffer from mounting medical bills, lost wages, and other long-term financial impacts.

Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is contracted from exposure to asbestos, often without knowing it. This exposure can occur in several ways but is common in employment industries that work with products that may include asbestos, particularly construction occupations. These types of employees include:

• Insulators
• Pipefitters
• Electricians
• Carpenters
• Sheet metal workers
• Plumbers
• Mechanics
• And more

While these individuals may never develop mesothelioma, they may also put those they live with at risk because asbestos fibers tend to travel on clothes and skin from a work site to a home. Unfortunately, many of the individuals who are exposed through direct contact, or because they live with someone who had direct contact, will not discover that they have developed mesothelioma until years or decades after their exposure.

Most cancer patients will say that, while the diagnosis is debilitating emotionally, it allows the clarity to move forward and maximize their quality of life for as long as possible. Although some cancers are curable, mesothelioma is not. Common symptoms of mesothelioma include:

• Coughing
• Fatigue
• Lower back pain or pain in the side of the chest
• Infections in the respiratory system
• Difficulty breathing
• Experiencing pained breathing or shortness of breath
• Weight loss that is sudden or unexplained
• Digestive difficulties, including troubles in the bowels
• Fever
• Swelling or a buildup of fluids

These symptoms can be confused with other common ailments, which makes maintaining mesothelioma difficult, as it is often diagnosed in its late stages. However, if it is recognized early, receiving the right treatments can help in prolonging and providing a higher quality of life.

If you feel that you are suffering from any of the above symptoms, you should seek medical attention right away. Have a conversation with your medical professional about mesothelioma and whether you believe you may be at risk because of exposure to asbestos throughout your life. This will help ensure that they monitor you for other developments and provide appropriate testing.

Types of Mesothelioma

Depending on where the mesothelioma originates in the body, it will be classified as one of four types. While the name of each type identifies where in the body it is located, the formation and cause are the same for each, as they are all the result of asbestos exposure. When the asbestos fibers enter the body, they embed themselves into the tissue linings of various organs. When foreign objects enter the body, blood cells attempt to attack the foreign object in the hopes that they can get rid of it. Unfortunately, there isn’t anything your immune system can do about asbestos fibers, so they remain in the body, causing damage to various cells.

When these cells are damaged, it causes our body’s DNA to produce unhealthy cells that could ultimately lead to cancer, specifically mesothelioma.

The four types of mesothelioma include:

• Pleural Mesothelioma: This is the most common type and is specific to cancer that forms in the lungs. When asbestos fibers are inhaled, they will likely find themselves in the respiratory system, which means that there is a risk for the cells in the lungs to become damaged over time. As the cancer cells form, it creates a thickening of the pleura, the lining of the lungs. This contributes to the difficulty in breathing that accompanies this type of mesothelioma. Other symptoms include chest pain, fatigue, shortness of breath, persistent cough, difficulty breathing, and sweating at night. As the cancer becomes more aggressive, it may also cause nausea, fever, faintness, difficulty swallowing, coughing up blood, and chest, rib, or lower back pain.
• Peritoneal Mesothelioma: This type is the second most common. It specifically is found in the lining of the abdominal cavity. This cavity is responsible for containing the intestines and the stomach. When asbestos fibers find their way into the food we eat or the liquids we drink, they may end up in the digestive tract. Unlike the other foods and liquids that we ingest, asbestos fibers can survive the journey through our digestive tract. This causes them to end up in the abdominal lining, as they are not broken down by the stomach. Common symptoms for this type of mesothelioma include pain in the abdomen, swelling in the abdomen, fatigue, unexplained weight loss, diarrhea, constipation, appetite loss, and sweating at night.
• Pericardial Mesothelioma: This is the term used when mesothelioma develops in the lining of the heart. It is the second-rarest form of the condition and accounts for very few of the known cases of it. The symptoms are often very severe, but the cause of the cancer in this area of the body remains widely debated. Often, pericardial mesothelioma is confused with other heart conditions and diseases, which makes it difficult to diagnose. Symptoms of this type include chest pain, tiredness, fever, persistent cough, breathing difficulties, shortness of breath, night sweats, palpitations of the heart, and irregular heartbeat.
• Testicular Mesothelioma: This is the rarest form of mesothelioma and is named when the lining of the testicles, known as tunica vaginalis, is impacted by asbestos fibers. How this type of cancer forms is not known. Those who may suffer from this type may notice the formation of whitish bumps on the testicles, which are actually tumors. While it is rare, it is very aggressive in nature and can spread quickly. It can also return even after surgical treatments. Symptoms include the formation of masses on the testicles, pain in the testicles, tunica vaginalis thickening, testicular swelling, buildup of fluid, fever, and sweating at night.

No matter which variant you may be diagnosed with, there is no treatment that will fully rid the body of this type of cancer. Following the advice of your medical professional, however, can help prolong your life and improve its quality.

Diagnosing Mesothelioma

While you may suffer from many of the above symptoms, they are also symptoms of other conditions and diseases. Diagnosing mesothelioma is important so you can begin treatments to slow the aggressiveness of the cancer. There are multiple tests that medical professionals use to reach an appropriate diagnosis. Even if you have already been diagnosed, doctors will monitor the spread and progress of your cancer so they can modify treatments and help stay ahead of it as much as possible.

Pleural mesothelioma can often be confused with lung cancer, as they share many of the same similarities in symptoms. However, medical professionals look for one key indicator of mesothelioma, and that is the buildup of fluid around the lungs or abdomen. If any fluid is located, it will be tested for mesothelioma, and a diagnosis will be confirmed with a biopsy. Other tests that doctors will use include:

• A physical, including a health history review
• Blood testing
• X-rays
• Breathing tests to check lung functions
• CT scans, including a PET-CT scan
• MRIs

These tests will help to form treatment plans with your doctor.

Treatments for Mesothelioma

Once a diagnosis of mesothelioma has been confirmed, a treatment plan will be put together by your doctor. They will work with a team of other medical professionals to provide you with the most effective care possible. This team will consist of physician assistants, pharmacists, oncology nurses, dieticians, and other physical and mental health care experts. The goal of this team is to help maintain as much of your longevity and quality of life as possible.

This team knows that there is no cure for mesothelioma. Rather, their efforts will center around minimizing its effects on you. Discussing the available treatment options will help you determine what may be right for you and your family. Options include:

• Surgery: Some patients may benefit from surgery that removes the cancerous tissues. Sometimes, even the affected lining can be taken out. Other surgeries may include removing all or part of a lung or part of the diaphragm. These surgeries are very complicated, and doctors will only recommend them if they feel it would most benefit the patient. Often, surgeries are accompanied by chemotherapy before and/or after the surgery.
• Medications: Systemic therapy is a method that uses medications to attack cancerous cells. It is administered either through intravenous tubes or through a pill, whichever your doctor feels will allow the medication to most effectively reach the cancer cells. The medications will fall into one of three categories, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or targeted therapy. These medicinal treatments are not always independent of the others, meaning that your specific treatment plan may include multiple combinations of these. They may also be part of a treatment plan that still includes options for surgery.
• Radiation: Radiation therapy is a treatment that uses high-energy X-rays to attack cancer cells. The most commonly used is external beam radiation, where a machine outside the body projects radiation into the patient. This treatment will be given over a period through a specific number of treatments. This type of treatment is often not recommended because of the devastating side effects it causes.

No matter what treatment plan is put in place, the effects of mesothelioma and the process of helping those who suffer from it are uncomfortable, debilitating, and life-altering.

Coping With Mesothelioma Exposure

Because there is no cure for mesothelioma, learning to adjust to living with this cancer can be difficult. Treatments are never easy but can provide an increase in life expectancy and quality after diagnosis. Managing the condition with treatments can help patients learn to manage their mental health through the difficult side effects and financial burdens.

Physical Coping

Cancer treatments can be physically exhausting, as your body feels it is constantly using energy to attack the cancer cells. The body can feel physically overwhelmed and tired. You may feel a decrease in energy and struggle with daily tasks that you may otherwise have completed with ease. Talking consistently with your medical care team about what you are feeling, and the side effects that you experience from your treatments, can allow them to help manage the treatment and improve some of the lingering issues. Keeping a log of your physical experiences with not only the cancer but with its treatment can help your doctor find patterns and triggers.

Palliative care is a type of supportive care that helps patients that are suffering from cancer through their treatments. While treatment attacks the cancer, palliative care helps patients cope with the effects. It specifically helps patients that may be suffering from pain, weakness, nausea, appetite issues, fatigue, difficulty breathing, and more.

Emotional Coping

The impact on mental health for those who are diagnosed with mesothelioma is undeniable. Anyone who is diagnosed with cancer no doubt has an immediate flood of confusion, questions, and uncertainty. This can raise anxiety, depression, and many other mental health challenges. Trying to come to terms with the severity of such a diagnosis can leave you feeling hopeless and angry. Your mental health will not be the only one impacted, as your family will also seek to find their own path to understanding. Some patients feel that they are protecting their families by pushing them away and ensuring that they do not have to suffer with them. Coming to terms with the mental burdens of mesothelioma can be difficult, challenging, and seemingly impossible to grasp.

For many patients, having a strong support system in place can help them manage these mental health challenges. Having a friend or family member as a designated listener, seeking the help of a professional mental health professional or spiritual leader, or utilizing other mental health therapies can help you feel heard, supported, and loved. These can help you tackle the mental challenges that often accompany mesothelioma.

Financial Coping

Anytime you are facing medical challenges, you will likely face financial challenges as well. The costs of medical treatments can be high and leave patients wondering how they are going to be able to pay. From diagnosis to treatment to long-term care, the costs can continue to mount. A cancer diagnosis may impact the type of job you can maintain or get. This can impact the income that you can earn, raising your financial worries even higher. Some patients may find that, because of the mounting costs, they will avoid treatment options. This can be a deadly decision.

There are, however, options available to mesothelioma patients that can relieve the financial burdens associated with the condition and its impacts. From resources to financial assistance programs, you should not have to bear the burden of paying for something that you were unnecessarily or unavoidably exposed to. Types of assistance include:

• Legal Claims: Working with an attorney, like those at Franks Gerkin Ponitz Greeley, can help hold liable those that are responsible for the asbestos exposure you encountered.
• Government Programs: Your attorney can help you explore other options that may also be available through government programs like the VA or Social Security.
• Non-Profit Organizations: There are several organizations that can help provide financial assistance to mesothelioma patients. It may take some research, but knowing which programs you may qualify for can help you cope with your diagnosis.

What Is a Mesothelioma Lawyer?

Attorneys who handle mesothelioma litigation use their experience and extensive knowledge to help patients recover financial damages. Because mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos, these attorneys help victims by attempting to identify the source of the asbestos exposure and file claims against the entity or entities that are responsible. These attorneys work on behalf of their clients by building the case, discovering evidence, negotiating potential settlements, and ultimately litigating any claims that end up in the courtroom.

Working with this type of attorney can help ensure that you have a dedicated professional with experience who knows the ins and outs of this type of cancer, where it comes from, and the experiences you may have as a patient. When looking for an attorney who handles these types of cases, be sure to ask many questions, including:

• Do you focus on mesothelioma cases?
• How do you determine how the asbestos exposure happened and whom to hold accountable?
• What is your compensation structure?
• How long might my claim take?
• What costs are associated with my case?
• What are examples of successful cases that your team has had for mesothelioma patients?

These questions, and others, can help provide insight into the experience and knowledge of a potential mesothelioma attorney.

While many of the companies that have long been associated with asbestos usage have filed for bankruptcy, an attorney knows how to proceed with filing for compensation from their bankruptcy or asbestos trusts. These have been set up specifically for those who may be diagnosed with mesothelioma because of the actions and practices of these companies. Each settlement is different and depends on the circumstances of the claim, but an attorney can provide you with information specific to yours.

When Should I Hire a Mesothelioma Attorney?

Whenever you may need the services of an attorney, you should secure the services of one as soon as possible. In cases involving mesothelioma, that means from the moment you were diagnosed. While you may not need their services, exploring options for you and your family can help relieve some of the mental and financial burdens that may come with it. A mesothelioma lawyer has access to resources that can help be a part of your health and treatment team.

In addition to the supportive services that they may be able to help with, mesothelioma claims have a statute of limitations. Claims must be filed within three years of the diagnosis. While the claim may not be settled within this time, it can help provide financial relief if you can reach a settlement for both immediate and long-term care. In addition to relieving the costs of the treatment, most attorneys will be paid as a part of the settlement, which means that patients do not have to pay out of pocket for the expenses of hiring an attorney.

Mesothelioma Lawyers in DeKalb County, IL

If you or a family member has been diagnosed with mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure, then you may be entitled to compensation. This compensation cannot take away from the confusion, anger, and often hopeless feelings you may have from such a diagnosis, but it can help relieve the financial burdens resulting from it. At Franks Gerkin Ponitz Greeley, our team uses compassion and empathy to provide you with focused and dedicated legal support throughout your claim. We know how devastating a mesothelioma diagnosis can be, and we are just a small part of a greater team that is there to help you and your family through the difficult challenges ahead. You shouldn’t have to suffer because of the negligence of others. Contact our offices today to discuss the details of your case. Our highly experienced, recognized, and diligent mesothelioma attorneys are here to help.