Medical Diagnosis – Asbestos

An individual may suffer from symptoms that point to an asbestos-related disease. While they may think they have such a disease, it is important to get a medical diagnosis. This article will discuss how a medical diagnosis happens in an asbestos case and the role lawyers play in this.

At times an asbestos-related disease surfaces by way of a routine physical examination. Routine physical examinations are done when there are no symptoms present or very few. In other instances, a person comes to a doctor with some symptoms that point to an asbestos-related disease. This could be due to shortness of breath. Unfortunately, the symptoms linked to asbestos-related diseases are common to many other types of diseases. As a result, testing is a critical part of making a diagnosis.

Steps to Medical Diagnosis

Often the first step in testing is an x-ray or computed tomography (CT) scan. The doctor that analyzes the scans or films looks for signs of scarring of the lungs or a tumor. If any of these are present the doctor confirms diagnosis by doing a biopsy. A biopsy involves removing a small bit of tissue from the patient’s lungs. This tissue is then looked at under a microscope to see if there any asbestos fibers present. Once you are diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease such as asbestosis or mesothelioma a lawsuit may be the next step.

It must be noted that the majority of lawyers will not start an asbestos lawsuit until there is a diagnosis. Some lawyers may provide the following services:

• Screening tests
• Arranging for testing such as a physical exam or preliminary x-rays

Other lawyers will order medical records and existing x-rays, CTs and pathology specimens from the patient’s doctor or hospital. These will then be sent to medical experts for evaluation.

Medical diagnosis is the first step to any asbestos-related lawsuit. For legal advice and representation in your asbestos-related lawsuit, contact the Vinson Law Office today.