Each year, as many as 3,000 new patients receive mesothelioma diagnoses, according to the American Lung Association. While this number of cases may not sound like a lot, considering there are other types of cancers that have much higher annual diagnosis rates, if you’re a patient suffering from this asbestos-related disease, you know how serious it is.
See, mesothelioma currently has no cure. Generally, by the time patients are diagnosed with this condition, they already have such an advanced state of disease that no surgery or other traditional cancer treatments will help. Instead, palliative care is the only option for staving off some of the most debilitating complications associated with it.
If you’ve recently received a mesothelioma diagnosis, we want you to know that our law office, Schweickert Ganassin Krzak Rundio, LLP, is here for you. Each Princeton, IL mesothelioma lawyer on our team has seen first-hand just how devastating this cancer can be and wants to help you secure the highest possible compensation so you can get the best care you deserve for the rest of your life. Email or call us now to discuss legal remedies available to do that.
Stages of This Asbestos-Related Disease
Mesothelioma is typically classified into four stages, which help determine the extent of the disease and guide treatment options. The staging shown below is most commonly applied to pleural mesothelioma, which is the variety that affects the lungs. However, similar principles apply to other types of this cancer, such as peritoneal, pericardial, and testicular mesothelioma.
Here are the stages:
Stage 1
At this earliest stage of the disease, a patient’s experience is as follows:
- The cancer is localized and confined to the lining of one lung (pleura) or another mesothelial surface. It hasn’t spread to lymph nodes or distant sites.
- Symptoms may be mild or nonexistent. Patients might experience chest pain or shortness of breath.
- The best prognosis, with more treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. The goal is often curative.
Stage 2
As the disease progresses, patients may have the following experience:
- The cancer has spread beyond the original site to nearby structures, such as the lung itself or the diaphragm. It may also involve nearby lymph nodes.
- Increased chest pain, shortness of breath, and possibly a persistent cough.
- Treatment may still include aggressive surgery, but options are more limited compared to Stage 1. The goal is often a combination of curative and palliative care to prolong life and relieve symptoms.
Stage 3
In the latter stage of a disease like this, a patient’s plight may include the following:
- The cancer has spread to other structures within the chest, possibly including the chest wall, esophagus, or lymph nodes on the opposite side of the chest.
- More severe symptoms include significant chest pain, difficulty breathing, weight loss, and fatigue.
- The disease is more advanced, and treatment focuses more on palliative care to manage symptoms and improve quality of life. Some patients may still benefit from surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, but the approach is often less aggressive.
Stage 4
At this final stage of the disease, a patient may have the following experience:
- The cancer has metastasized (spread) to distant organs or tissues, such as the liver, brain, bones, or other parts of the body.
- Severe and widespread symptoms include intense pain, difficulty breathing, significant weight loss, and overall decline in health.
- The focus is primarily on palliative care to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life. Treatment options are limited, and the goal is to manage pain and other symptoms.
Steps Involved in Filing a Mesothelioma Lawsuit
Many mesothelioma patients will file personal injury lawsuits against those responsible for exposing them to carcinogenic asbestos fibers, whereas others will pursue other legal remedies. Understanding what options are available generally requires you to take the following steps:
- Having an Initial Consultation: Your first meeting with a Princeton, IL mesothelioma lawyer involves discussing your case details, medical history, and potential sources of asbestos exposure.
- Case Evaluation: The lawyer conducts a thorough review to assess the strength of your case, including gathering medical records and identifying liable parties.
Provided your attorney decides you have a viable claim, you can expect the following to occur:
- File a Lawsuit: Once you decide to proceed, your lawyer will file a lawsuit against the responsible parties, which could include former employers, manufacturers, or distributors of asbestos-containing products.
- Discovery Phase: Both parties exchange information relevant to the case.
- Negotiations Commence: Many mesothelioma cases are settled out of court through negotiations.
- The Case Heads to Trial: If a fair settlement cannot be reached, your lawyer will represent you in court to seek compensation through a trial.
We’ve purposefully over-simplified the process for handling a mesothelioma case in Illinois so that you understanding the basics involved. You can expect your Princeton, IL mesothelioma lawyer to advise you of more specifics regarding what to expect after they more thoroughly review your case. Meeting with our attorneys for a consultation is free, so reach out to us to schedule to speak with an attorney at our law firm now.
