Mesothelioma Lawyer Blog

With their children at risk for asbestos exposure, parents at a Brooklyn public school are in an uproar.

Our mesothelioma attorneys share their anger at the district's actions, which involve the city's plan to begin asbestos abatement during the school year - a multimillion dollar project.

It's our understanding that the windows of the school contain asbestos, a product that for years was commonly used in some 3,000 products, including insulation, textiles and building materials. It is now well-known to greatly increase health risks, leading to lung diseases and mesothelioma, a rare and deadly cancer. Asbestos exposure is particularly dangerous when its airborne particles are breathed into the lungs.

Production of asbestos continued well into the 1970s, when the Occupational Safety & Health Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency began to regulate it. Asbestos was banned in New York in 1972, but a number of the city's older schools - like Cobble Hill in Brooklyn - still contain it.

Getting rid of it involves strict regulations, meaning it has to be done by a licensed company and the work has to be approved and overseen by the EPA.

Still, what has parents upset is that the asbestos abatement will be done during the school year. Additionally, parents weren't initially informed of the work and the potential risks to the health of their children.

The school district has promised that all asbestos abatement will occur after school hours, in the evenings and on weekends. The parents, however, are demanding that the work wait until summertime, noting a long history of construction companies and inspectors not following proper protocol when it comes to asbestos removal.

Parents have staged protests and sit-ins - all to no avail, as of yet.

The renovation work is expected to take some 18 months, and involves not only new windows, but a new roof and an updated facade.

Parents have noted that since the project started in March, the windows and playground equipment have been covered in dust on multiple occasions. This has raised legitimate concerns over the risk of airborne asbestos exposure for their young children.

School officials are insisting the work is safe, but aren't offering up any proof of this, other than the fact that the work will be done when no students are in the building. Yet, as we all know, dust particles can remain in the air hours or even days and weeks after work has finished.

The parents argue that school officials had time during winter and spring breaks to start on the work - and yet, they did nothing. Now, with summer break just around the corner, school officials refuse to wait until classes have wrapped up for the year.

Young children as well have joined the protest, carrying paper signs that say, "Do It In The Summer," a message to school officials.

The school teaches some 680 students in pre-K through fifth grade.

Continue reading "Asbestos Exposure in New York School Riles Parents" »

A lauded victory has been handed down by a federal appellate court in New York: drug maker giant Pfizer can be sued for the asbestos exposure risk posed by a subsidiary, now bankrupt.

Our mesothelioma victim's attorneys cheer this latest development in what has been a 30-year saga in the battle for justice.

At the core of this fight are insulation products that were manufactured by Quigley Co. Inc. This insulation contained asbestos. Pfizer purchased Quigley in the late 1960s. And while Pfizer never directly made the asbestos-laden product, it did slap its name on the product and derive a profit from its sale.

As it's been well-documented, exposure to asbestos has been linked to a myriad of serious health ailments, including lung cancer and mesothelioma, a cancer that attacks the thin lining of the organs. In both cases, the results are almost always deadly, though often not discovered until many years after the initial exposure. At particular risk are workers who handled the product day in and day out. But those who may have had this insulation installed in their homes or offices could also be at significant risk.

The case is called In re Quigley Company Inc, U.S. Court of the Appeals for the Second Circuit.

At one point, Quigley faced lawsuits filed by more than 160,000 people - some of them dating back to the 1970s. It filed for bankruptcy in 2004.

Pfizer hammered out a deal with attorneys who represented about 80 percent of those plaintiffs, resulting in a $430 million payout. The bankruptcy was part of that settlement.

Then, a bankruptcy court issued an injunction staying the rest of the lawsuits. Quigley and Pfizer had argued that the bankruptcy protected Quigley from any future lawsuits.

But then, the attorney for the plaintiffs argued a theory of liability known as "apparent manufacturer." What this basically means is that although Pfizer didn't actually make the product, its logo and name were still on the packaging - which means it can be held liable for that product. A federal judge agreed and overturned the injunction.

The district court cited the Restatement of Torts § 400, which states that anyone who puts their name and logo on a certain product is subject to the same liability as the company that actually made the product.

Now, the appeals court has upheld that decision.

What this means is that future victims will have the opportunity to seek justice.

Pfizer, in a written statement, underscored that this was a procedural issue, not one that indicated the claimants were right or wrong - and unsurprisingly, Pfizer denies any liability. But the truth is that holding these companies accountable for the permanent damage they inflicted on countless families is important, not only to ensuring that those harmed individuals and their families are cared for, but that the company will use greater care in the future.

Continue reading "Pfizer Can Be Sued for Asbestos Exposure, Court Rules " »

A Chicago company has been slapped with a $127,000 fine for improper asbestos removal, which has been known to lead to mesothelioma, a fatal cancer.

Our asbestos exposure attorneys are encouraged to see that the U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration is proactively going after companies that are irresponsible and trying to save money by putting workers and the public at risk. However, we're concerned that this is even still necessary.

By now, companies should be well aware of the severe harm that comes with asbestos exposure and of their responsibility to handle it according to 15 U.S.C. 2601. Asbestos is a mineral that had been often used in construction and building materials, cars and even clothing - chiefly for its fire-resistant properties. Because it used to be used in practically everything, construction companies need to proceed as if it is present to protect workers until they prove otherwise.

The health effects include:

• Asbestosis, which is a long-term disease that causes lung scarring and irritation;
• Lung cancer, which is a deadly cancer characterized by coughing, shortness of breath and chest pains;
• Mesothelioma, which is a deadly cancer attacking the lungs, heart and abdomen and doesn't show signs for years or even decades - often, leaving patients with less than a year to live by the time there is a diagnosis.

Because of the inherent dangers, the Department of Environmental Protection has set up very specific guidelines with regard to how asbestos must be handled and removed.

In this case, the Chicago metal and plastic distribution company, A.M. Castle & Co., was found to be in violation of 22 major health regulations, which resulted in exposing workers to a hazardous environment.

According to OSHA's press release, the workers suffered asbestos exposure while they were removing insulation at a work site in Franklin Park. None of the workers were equipped with the proper safety gear. OSHA's standards require that employers must limit their workers' exposure to asbestos to 0.2 fibers per cubic centimeter of air throughout the course of an eight-hour shift. Additionally, they have to provide approved and effective respiratory gear and protective clothing. They also have to keep careful records and monitor the exposure levels.

It doesn't appear that was done in this case, leaving workers vulnerable to serious lung diseases.

OSHA has recommended a fine of nearly $130,000.

The specific violations include:

• Failing to pinpoint the presence, location and amount of material that contained asbestos;
• Failing to properly label and affix warnings on asbestos-containing pipes;
• Failing to designate an area for safe asbestos removal;
• Failing to monitor their employees for asbestos exposure levels;
• Failing to use a vacuum or air filter to collect debris and dust during the removal process;
• Failing to train its employees on asbestos removal;
• Failing to provide respirators to employees;
• Failing to provide protective clothing for workers or a decontamination area.

These are all considered serious violations, and they involve the assertion that employer either knew or should have known that what they were doing - or not doing - put their workers at serious risk.

Most of today and tomorrow's mesothelioma victims were also exposed in the workplace. Not because they were removing asbestos, but because they were unwittingly exposed over a prolonged period of time by employers who knew better. Many worked in manufacturing processes where asbestos was used. Others worked as mechanics, builders, or trade laborers who were exposed through the many products that contained asbestos.

Continue reading "Asbestos Exposure Threatens Employees' Health, Results in Fine" »

The law is very intricate and complex, especially in asbestos exposure cases. There is only a slight distinction between when you are owed a warning from your employer and when you are not owed a warning. Do not make the mistake of thinking you do not have a case without speaking to our mesothelioma plaintiff's attorneys first.

O'Neil v. Crane is a wrongful death case that arose where an employee was exposed to asbestos while in the workplace. O'Neil ("plaintiff") worked at a manufacturing company called Crane Co. ("defendant"). While working in the manufacturing of pumps and valves, plaintiff came into contact with component parts that contained asbestos. The plaintiff became ill due to this exposure and consequently she passed away.

The integral part in this case hinges on the fact that the component parts were produced by a third party manufacturer outside of Crane. The plaintiff's estate argued on the deceased plaintiff's behalf claiming that her employer should be held strictly liable and liable under negligence because of their failure to warn workers of asbestos in the component material.

Considering there are two very different claims for liability here, the court was forced to address each claim separately.

As to the claim for strict liability, the court found that in applying the statutes governing strict liability they were unable to find the defendants liable. A party can only be held strictly liable if the plaintiff proves that the defendant was responsible for the civil wrong that caused harm to the plaintiff. The court points to the fact that there is significant case law in the manufacturing sector holding employers strictly liable however, those cases involve an employer who has asbestos elements produced within their company. In this instance, the asbestos was in component parts which the employer did not produce -- therefore the court found the wrong that caused injury to the plaintiff could not be connected directly to the employer.

The next area the court discusses is the concept of negligence. The question here was whether there is a duty to warn imposed on a manufacturer to protect their employees from foreseeable harms in the workplace that could arise from exposure to component parts made outside the company. Basically, the plaintiff in this case is asking for her employer to be held liable for not foreseeing the possible injuries caused by products manufactured by another company.

The proof required in this negligence claim is four fold. The plaintiff must show that the defendant owed the plaintiff a standard duty of care, the defendant breached that duty, the breach of duty was the direct and proximate cause of the injuries that the plaintiff sustained, and there were damages.

The court held that where an employee was harmed by the elements of a component part created by a third party, the employer was not liable. Crane would not have been able to foresee that their employees were in any danger because they were not the producers of the asbestos containing parts.

Furthermore, Crane could not have warned their employees of this possible harm where they did not have the knowledge. The court cites that this proposed standard would impose too high a burden on manufacturers in areas they would be unable to control. The court stated that it would not be just to hold one manufacturer responsible for the negligence of a different manufacturer.

Having an attorney who can initially identify the at-fault parties is a crucial component in receiving the award you deserve. As this case illustrates, third-party vendors and other at-fault parties must be identified and pursued.

Continue reading "O'Neil v. Crane: The Rules Surrounding a Business's Duty to Employees in Mesothelioma Cases " »

During the bankruptcy proceeding of a company that provided valves, gaskets and other products coated in asbestos for the U.S. Navy, a $75 million trust was established to help those who were exposed to asbestos and have mesothelioma.

Our mesothelioma lawyers for years have been helping our U.S. veterans, who have suffered the effects of exposure to asbestos, which was once a popular material used in all kinds of residential and commercial construction, as well as naval uses and car parts. Companies that used this natural mineral found that it was dangerous to employees, but too often ignored those risks.

Researchers and doctors eventually discovered that exposure to asbestos was harmful to employees and others who may have been nearby. Asbestos is a flaky mineral that can easily become airborne and ingested.

A frustrating aspect of asbestos exposure that results in mesothelioma is that it can linger for years or decades inside a person without any outward symptoms. As the asbestos forms tumors and mesothelioma, the person may discover some of the symptoms -- heavy coughing, fluid build-up and chest pain. By then, the cancer is typically in its later stages.

So, even though the cancer can take decades to form, once a person is diagnosed with mesothelioma, they live only an average of 12 months. For such a long-working form of cancer, it can kill quickly, once discovered. Researchers have been trying to develop treatment options that may result in a cure or at least a prolonging of life, but thus far haven't found one.

As our Mesothelioma Lawyer Blog has reported recently, scientists are looking at many options to determine if there is a potential cure for this deadly cancer.

This is the situation that many of our veterans are in today. They served our country faithfully for years or decades, only to face a life-threatening health crisis later in life. Now, in retirement, they are suffering from illnesses that resulted from that service time.

Because of laws that are designed to protect the government from lawsuits, suing the Navy can be pointless due caps on damages. But companies that contracted with the Navy have been exposed to litigation.

In this case, it involves Leslie Controls, which provided gaskets, valves and other products containing asbestos between the 1940s and 1980s for the Navy. The company has been slammed with lawsuits, causing it to file for bankruptcy protection. As part of a recent reorganization plan, the company dedicated $75 million, placed into a trust, for victims who were exposed to asbestos.

Asbestos has been linked not only to mesothelioma, but other respiratory illnesses as well. The company is protected from lawsuits while the bankruptcy proceeding is taking place, but experts believe the lawsuits will continue once the bankruptcy is completed.

This company understands that its products have harmed many people and killed others. Exposure to asbestos is dangerous and companies that regularly used it have been facing lawsuits from sick people and families of those who have died as a result. If you or a family member was exposed to asbestos during service in the armed forces, it is time to seek legal representation.

Continue reading "Longtime Navy Supplier Sets Up $75 Million Trust For Veterans With Mesothelioma" »

As U.S. troops are getting settled in statewide after a long and deadly eight-year war in Iraq, it's a good time to talk about the risks that troops and veterans have of being diagnosed with mesothelioma.

This deadly and incurable form of cancer is more common in veterans, but it remains to be seen whether this current generation of soldiers will be exposed to asbestos and other materials that cause this form of cancer.

Our mesothelioma lawyers have seen many examples of older veterans who served our country faithfully for decades, only to have a frustrating end of their lives because of exposure to asbestos. In decades past, asbestos was commonly used in Navy shipyards.

Because it was a natural mineral and was flame-retardant, it was useful in making sure fires didn't break out aboard the ships. It was used domestically in insulating homes, coating pipes and in common products, such as car parts, ceiling tiles and ceramics.

But years later, as researchers found people were getting sick, exposure to asbestos was determined to be the root cause. In many cases, corporate bosses found out about the risks, but did little to address them. Many people were left to suffer.

When a person is exposed to asbestos, even a small amount or for a short period of time, the fibers can create tumors years later. They don't necessarily create noticeable symptoms, but can linger for years or decades before people are diagnosed. In some documented cases, people have been exposed to asbestos 50 years earlier before they are diagnosed with mesothelioma. By the time they are diagnosed, they usually only live another 12 months.

In other countries where military members may be deployed, the same restrictions on asbestos may not be in place. In the United States, asbestos is not officially banned, but it is no longer used. Presumably, the same rules apply to U.S.-owned military bases worldwide, as well. But cities and towns in other parts of the world likely have less stringent guidelines.

Mesothelioma is a constant issue because new forms of dangerous material that can cause it are being discovered every day. While older generations may be more likely to get this form of cancer from deacade-old exposure to asbestos, younger generations may not be any safer. Our veterans, who have put their lives on the line for our freedom, should be especially taken care of when they return home from duty. As troops continue come back from combat, our mesothelioma lawyers hope they don't come back to discover they are ill.

Continue reading "U.S. Troops and Veterans At Risk For Mesothelioma" »

As our mesothelioma lawyers have reported time and again, mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that takes decades to develop and is typically deadly within a matter of months once diagnosed.

Research has shown that mesothelioma has a direct link to asbestos, a natural mineral that for the better part of the 21st Century was used as insulation, in brake manufacturing, on naval ships, and in construction and building materials.

While asbestos is no longer actively used, it is still present in many buildings and old products. Laws have been created to regulate the use of asbestos and force both construction workers and developers to properly remove and transport this dangerous material.

When people break the laws and put the environment and human lives in danger, they can be prosecuted. That happened recently in Upstate New York. According to NBC News, a developer violated the Clean Air Act after workers allegedly handled large amounts of asbestos in violation of the law.

The 28-year-old is charged with hiring employees who had no training in asbestos removal to clean out a dumpster at a warehouse he owns in Livingston County. A grand jury indictment states the man now faces two counts of violating the Clean Air Act, which are punishable by up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The case was first investigated in December, when an inspector from the state visited the property after a complaint was lodged. The inspector saw large quantities of asbestos near a dumpster where employees worked. Nearly 100 bags of dried asbestos were found on site and were confirmed to be asbestos after testing.

The Clean Air Act is a federal law, but state laws also regulate how developers and construction workers must dispose of asbestos. It has been recognized as a major hazard, and while it is no longer actively being used, improperly disposing of the material can allow it to go airborne, which exposes all who come in contact with it to the risk of mesothelioma.

Many of the people who are diagnosed with mesothelioma today were exposed to asbestos as long as 50 years ago and didn't know the harmful effects it could cause. The next generation of mesothelioma patients may very well be unknowing people who were exposed to asbestos when workers improperly removed it, resulting in exposure.

Such exposure is preventable. Construction companies must do a better job of following the law. Regulations require that companies must hire specially-trained people who know how to remove asbestos without it damaging the area or getting into the air. When employers cut corners to save money, it puts everyone in danger. In other cases, apartment residents, students at school, or employees in older buildings where removal operations are ongoing could be unknowingly exposed to deadly conditions.

Continue reading "New York Developer Indicted On Charges After Asbestos Exposure" »

More than 1,000 people who claim they were injured after the World Trade Center Twin Towers collapsed following the September 11, 2001 attacks in New York recently had to decide whether they wanted to pursue lawsuits or attempt to get money through a compensation fund, the Associated Press reports.

Our mesothelioma lawyers reported on our blog in September that a recent study showed that firefighters, medical personnel and others around the towers after the collapse were more likely to end up with exposure to asbestos compared to others who weren't near the aftermath that day.

As we have reported time and time again, asbestos exposure can lead to major medical problems, including mesothelioma. This is a rare and incurable form of cancer.

It is so devastating because patients don't realize they have mesothelioma until years and sometimes decades after they have first been exposed. Many men and women who were teenagers when they enlisted in the armed forces were exposed to asbestos before most realized it was dangerous and they are now suffering today. Others who worked in steel mills, in the oil and gas industry or in manufacturing may have worked on equipment or with products that contained asbestos.

On January 2, the deadline passed for people to decide whether they wanted to go forward with lawsuits claiming their health was ruined by dust and smoke from the collapsed towers or if they would rather drop the litigation and apply for benefits from the government.

Lawmakers set aside $2.76 billion in federal taxpayer dollars last winter, though that amount was lower than a previously proposed amount, that would pay for those who were diagnosed with illnesses that were a result of spending time in the disaster zone. As many recall, a haze of ash spread over the Ground Zero area for many months following the attacks.

Rescue crews scoured for live bodies, while recovery crews later worked to clean up the rubble from the giant towers. To be considered for part of the money, applicants had to dismiss any lawsuits and give up the right to sue ever again. Anyone who still had a lawsuit pending on Jan. 3 forfeited the right to apply for the compensation fund.

The program allows people to get money for their sickness without having to prove it was a result of the terrorist attacks. But it could take months or years before the applicants know how much money they could eventually get. They must endure the gamble of not knowing whether a trial would be quicker or more profitable. This program is as suspect as many other such government programs.

The other problem is that the fund was limited to some breathing ailments, such as asthma, scarred lungs and other respiratory problems. The list of illnesses doesn't include cancer, which scientists have yet to conclusively link to the toxins within the trade center. Some have dropped their lawsuits even if cancer is one day added to the list.

The article suggests that New Yorkers other than emergency crew workers could one day apply for the fund as well, spreading its money thin. If the list of illnesses is expanded, that could cut down on how much is available as well.

Continue reading "Tough Decision as Thousands Consider Whether to Pursue 9/11 Mesothelioma Lawsuits" »

A Canadian woman who has now lost both her mother and her father to mesothelioma is calling for the country to put an outright ban on production of the natural mineral.

As our Mesothelioma Lawyer Blog has reported recently, a group of investors is planning to jump start Canada's asbestos exportation business, sending millions of tons of the mineral to third-world countries, where it will be used to build houses and buildings among unsuspecting people.

Our mesothelioma lawyers understand the dangerousness of asbestos and have seen many people whose health has been affected by exposure without their knowledge. Exposure to asbestos can cause many respiratory illnesses along with mesothelioma, a rare and incurable form of cancer.

While asbestos has never officially been banned in the United States, it is rarely used anymore. Though there have been examples of companies trying to use asbestos in road projects, those are typically halted once the samples are tested by environmental officials.

But many buildings still stand today in America that were built with asbestos. The natural mineral was highly popular in the early 20th century because of its resistance to fire and its ability to insulate a building. It was used heavily in construction, including coating pipes and in boiler rooms. It was also used in consumer products, including crock pots, hair dryers and other every day things.

Natural disasters, such as tornadoes and earthquakes have taken down many of these buildings and exposed many people to the asbestos inside. Researchers have found that first responders to the Sept. 11 attacks likely were exposed to heavy amounts of asbestos and other carcinogens.

And yet Canada has decided to continue its asbestos exportation business, despite the obvious health risks. Canada and Russia are among the biggest exporters of asbestos today, sending this dangerous product to counties where the people have little voice in the matter.

While Canadian officials say this new type of asbestos is tightly packed and won't flake off and cause exposure, there's no way to know for sure. And countries like India have lower standards for environmental protection and likely won't think twice about bringing it in.

One Ontario resident, who calls herself an "asbestos orphan" wants to try to convince the government to ban exportation and mining of asbestos, the Toronto Sun reports. The woman's mother told her just before death that no one should die the way she was dying -- after having been exposed to asbestos.

A mine in Quebec closed two years ago, but a group of investors -- padded by a Canadian-backed loan -- has vowed to continue the trade. Asbestos is already banned in 50 to 60 countries. In the United States, some asbestos-containing products are banned, but others are not. A 1991 court ruling out of New Orleans overturned an Environmental Protection Agency ban.

Despite Canada banning asbestos because of health concerns, its government is wiling to send the dangerous mineral to other countries, where their people can deal with the health effects years in the future.

Continue reading "Woman Who Lost Both Parents to Mesothelioma Calls For Asbestos Regulations" »

The World Health Organization recently reported that nearly 100,000 people died between 1994 to 2008 from mesothelioma, a large number considering how many cases may go undiagnosed.

While this form of cancer is still rare compared to other forms, such as lung, breast and prostate, the difficulty of diagnosing it makes keeping statistics challenging. Mesothelioma is rare and incurable, which makes it among the deadliest known forms of cancer.

Our mesothelioma lawyers have seen many families devastated to learn that their loved one has cancer solely because they worked in an old factory, in a shipyard or in construction decades ago in their youth. That's because mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos, which was common in the United States for most of the 20th century.

Asbestos was used as a form of insulation; because it resists fire, so many buildings were constructed with it in roofs and walls throughout. Piping was coated with it and boiler room equipment also used it. Manufacturers found uses for asbestos in making car parts, such as brake pads and other commonly seen things such as ceiling tiles, peat moss, wallpaper, cement, hair dryers and cigarette filters.

All kinds of companies used it. Then, people began getting sick. And dying. By the 1970s, researchers were beginning to find that asbestos was dangerous, though more than 800,000 tons of the stuff was being used commercially in the United States by 1973.

In the following decades, production tailed off. But there are many old buildings and products that still contain asbestos. Road crews sometimes still use asbestos in a mixture to create roads.

Yet, in other countries, the asbestos industry is going strong, despite the well-documented health risks. As our Mesothelioma Lawyer Blog reported in September, Canada is one of the world's biggest exporters of asbestos. New investors restarted the countries asbestos trade and ships large amounts of the mineral to India. Russia is also a big exporter. Brazil and other third-world countries are still using the mineral to build houses and buildings.

WHO reports that mesothelioma affects men more than women and the time it takes from exposure to diagnosis is usually longer than 30 years, meaning the disease can work and spread without someone knowing it for that long. Once diagnosed, the average survival time is only 9 to 12 months. Some estimates say 43,000 people each year die from the disease, but getting good numbers is tough.

There are many countries where the cause of death simply isn't recorded. Some places don't have the resources to conduct research about health facts like the United States and other rich countries can. So, really, it's difficult to know how many fathers, brothers, mothers and sisters are dying from this awful cancer.

Continue reading "WHO Estimates 92,000 People Died From Mesothelioma From 1994 to 2008" »

A recent article in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology found that there may be a breakthrough procedure to care for pleural mesothelioma.

As it stands, mesothelioma has no known cure. It is a rare form of cancer that takes years and sometimes decades to be diagnosed. It is caused by exposure to asbestos, a once commonly used mineral that provided insulation and was used in floor and ceiling tiles, brake pads, pipe covering and other uses.

Asbestos is ingested and can attach to the lining of major organs, such as the lungs, heart and abdomen. Pleural mesothelioma is when asbestos builds around the lungs and causes this form of cancer.

Our mesothelioma lawyers are constantly rooting for new information and cures to this fatal illness. Sadly, the median life span after diagnosis is only 12 months, so once a person finds out they have this form of cancer, there is little time left to enjoy life. We hope that new research and new discoveries help people fend off this fatal cancer.

Currently, there are limited treatment options for those with mesothelioma. People can opt for surgery, which sometimes is risky given the areas that are being discussed, chemotherapy, radiation or immunotherapy.

But according to the recent article, a technique called the positron emission tomography uses molecule flurodeoxyglucose to track metabolism as it happens. When combined with a CT scan, doctors can better track how the cancer is moving and can give them a better understanding of how to treat it.

Understanding the progression of the illness in one patient can lead to helping many others if researchers can find patterns that will help generations to come. But for those affected now, using this new technique may be able to stop the cancer from spreading.

The article looked at 44 patients between 2004 and 2008. The study tried different forms of treatment and tracked the disease in the patients through flurodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography. The article's authors suggest that a full study could help people determine if this can be a useful technique to further study mesothelioma in the future.

Healthcare costs for everyone are skyrocketing. For people dealing with major medical issues such as mesothelioma, they can be extremely high, especially when new techniques are being used. For companies who employed workers in old factories, buildings, on shipyards, in car-parts companies or other places where asbestos was used, they may be liable for the illness and its effects.

Companies should remove asbestos so that it can't harm people and they should have done it decades ago when they first found out. Many did not and many workers got sick. Stand up for your rights and get help for your medical bills.

Continue reading "New Medicine Imaging Tactic Could Improve Diagnosis of Mesothelioma After Asbestos Exposure" »

The Mesothelioma Center recently reported that Australia has tightened its restrictions on using asbestos after research showed that asbestos mixed into concrete can be lethal. It also reported that West Virginia has emerged as a hotbed for asbestos-related lawsuits.

Our mesothelioma lawyers represent clients and families dealing with this deadly diagnosis as a result of asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a natural mineral that was used for decades in construction for insulation purposes, but also to coat pipes and brake pads and other consumer products because of its resistance to fire.

But about 40 years ago, researchers began discovering that people who were exposed to asbestos were getting sick. Further research found that exposure for a short period of time can still cause mesothelioma some 30 or 40 years later.

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that has been proven to be caused by exposure to asbestos. Sadly, it is fatal 100 percent of the time.

It can linger in a person's body for years or decades before a person is properly diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is because thought the asbestos forms tumors, typically on the lining of major organs such as the heart, lungs and abdomen, the symptoms are quite common. Older people who may have worked in a field 30 years ago where they were exposed to asbestos begin coughing, having trouble breathing or feel chest pain, which are common symptoms for a variety of medical problems.

Some victims ignore the symptoms or chalk them up to other things, which allows the cancer to spread. Because of where mesothelioma spreads, treatment options are limited.

But the more people can hear about this form of cancer, the better. It has gotten more attention in recent years and donors are spending money for researchers to study its effects and how to potentially discover it sooner or find a cure.

According to the article, officials have found that natural disasters, including earthquakes, hurricanes, flooding and tornadoes can put people at risk for asbestos exposure. When buildings containing asbestos collapse, they can spread asbestos throughout the air.

This happened during the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York. Studies have found that many firefighters, police officers and rescue workers were exposed to asbestos and other carcinogens in the aftermath. The threat of natural disasters has caused Australia officials to work to clear the country of asbestos by 2030.

Some bad news is that thalidomide, a drug used to treat people suffering from other forms of cancer, has been found by researchers to not be effective for mesothelioma patients. The Netherlands Cancer Research report came out recently.

The article also states that West Virginia has become an active state for lawsuits. A report found that asbestos claims statewide have been near the top of the list of examples of why medical and business professionals want tort reform in order to limit how much mesothelioma victims can get in jury verdicts.

That state has been known to have sympathetic juries, likely because there are many mines, steel mills, factories, oil refineries and other businesses where workers were exposed to asbestos.

Continue reading "There's Both Good and Bad News for Mesothelioma Patients This Week" »

With Veterans Day having passed in November, it is important that all of our military veterans be lauded for their efforts to keep us safe from harm -- which makes the freedoms we enjoy as Americans possible.

Sadly, however, many older veterans are struggling in the last years of their lives because after years of service, they were exposed to asbestos and now have been diagnosed with mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma lawyers have seen how service in the military has turned into a struggle to breath and we worry about the future for many of our veterans. Many ships and shipyards and other military installations used asbestos for decades.

Asbestos is a natural mineral that was used for insulation on buildings, coating for pipes, in brake pads, floor and ceiling tiles and other products. It was used extensively in the United States from the early 20th Century until around 1991, when studies conclusively showed that the effects of asbestos are life-threatening.

Asbestos exposure can lead to cancerous tumors forming on the walls and lining of major organs. After years of developing, they can spread throughout the body like other forms of cancer.

Mesothelioma has no cure. Researchers know that it is caused by exposure to asbestos, but they don't know how to cure people who have it. In fact, it's deadly 100 percent of the time. And given that a person can be exposed to a small amount of asbestos and live with the cancer for 30 years without knowing it, linking sickness to exposure can be challenging.

National Public Radio recently interviewed a veteran suffering from mesothelioma. Frank Currie, a Navy veteran who was stationed at Pearl Harbor, witnessed the attacks aboard the USS Tennessee.

He said he saw the USS Arizona get hit with a bomb and shoot 12 to 15 feet in the air. He said he wishes he could forget the death he witnessed that day, but he can't.

And along with suffering haunting memories of one of the darkest days in U.S. history, Currie suffers from mesothelioma. The article doesn't say whether his mesothelioma was a result of his service in the U.S. Navy, but many Navy veterans have made the link.

No segment of the population has been hit harder from mesothelioma than our veterans. The Navy was one of the largest consumers of asbestos, using its fire-resistant nature to ensure that large fires didn't break out in ships, causing them to sink.

But those who were around the flaky mineral may have survived their tour of duty only to realize decades later that nights working in boiler rooms or around other equipment inside a ship may have led to their death.

Our veterans should be honored all year, not just on one designated holiday. And they certainly deserve to be able to live healthy lives after serving, unlike many who have mesothelioma as a result of their service.

Continue reading "U.S. Veterans Should Be Applauded and Not Victimized by Mesothelioma" »

Mesothelioma has plagued our nation for decades, yet it only recently seems to be getting the kind of attention it deserves.

It is an odd form of cancer unlike lung, breast or prostate cancer. With mesothelioma, it can take only a little exposure to asbestos, whether at work in a shipyard, in an old factory or even in the insulation of a person's own house, to cause the illness.

But mesothelioma is different because the victim likely won't know they are affected for years or even decades after the fact. It isn't until they feel the typical symptoms, such as chest pain, trouble breathing or heavy coughing, that they get checked out by a doctor. And it can take several doctor visits before the diagnosis is given. Typical survival time after diagnosis is only about 12 months.

But there is hope.

As the Zimbabwe Guardian is reporting, researchers in the Netherlands are looking in to whether it's possible to detect mesothelioma from a breath testing machine. Others have also published research into early detection devices for this terrible disease.

Based on scientific articles written on the topic, the article reports that it's possible a new technology -- electronic nose -- could be the least invasive way to detect mesothelioma. Because it typically isn't diagnosed until decades after exposure to asbestos the elderly are often at risk. And because of their frail state, exploratory surgery often isn't an option.

Doctors in Amsterdam have been experimenting with a device called the Cyranose 320, which they hope will be able to tell the difference between a person who is healthy, one who has mesothelioma and one who has been exposed to asbestos, but who hasn't been diagnosed with mesothelioma.

The device is handheld and has a 32-sensor chip inside. It can be used to recognize many molecules with scent; there are more than 3,000 organic compounds in a single exhaled breath.

The study used 13 people who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and another 13 people who were exposed to asbestos, but who haven't been diagnosed, the article states. Another 13 people who were healthy were considered the control group.

The article reports that the device distinguished the mesothelioma patients from those who have been exposed to asbestos with ease. Mesothelioma patients were also distinguished from the control group of healthy people as well. Several measurements and tests repeated results.

This is encouraging news as it means there may be a quicker, easier way for people to determine if they have mesothelioma. Rather than going from primary care physician to lung or breathing specialists, wasting months of wondering what could be the problem, it's possible that a simple breath test and analysis could hold the key to diagnosis. The quicker a person is diagnosed, the longer they may have to live and that's something everyone wants.

Continue reading "Breath Test Technology Could Lead to Mesothelioma Diagnosis After Asbestos Exposure" »

The Iron Range is a part of Minnesota in the northeast region of the state that borders on Canada and Lake Superior and is rich with bands of iron ore.

Yet, many people in this beautiful area of the country are being diagnosed with mesothelioma, at a far greater rate in 2011 compared to previous reports, the Duluth News Tribune reports.

Mesothelioma lawyers have helped victims throughout the country, from the west coast to the east coast, deal with the effects of mesothelioma and the asbestos exposure that leads to the deadly diagnosis.

Often diagnosis comes decades later when a victim is in retirement; some fail to ever make the link between illness and exposure at work. Median survival time after diagnosis is about one year.

Health officials in Minnesota have reported that 63 people died of mesothelioma last year and another 19 have died in 2011. Death records checked in other states by former Iron Range residents who have since moved away has increased the number of cases.

The mesothelioma rate, experts believe, is higher than it should be. Researchers have been working since 2008 to try to find the link between the region and the deadly cancer.

Some believed early on that the asbestos came from workers who dealt with commercial asbestos, such as insulation and piping, furnaces and boilers. But some speculate that the asbestos came from taconite rock that was released during processing.

Lawmakers in 2008 approved a $4.9 million study to look into the issue and try to determine why so many people from that region are dying of the incurable cancer. Some results show that about 1,700 of the 46,000 workers who worked in that industry developed a form of lung cancer. It's unclear what caused that cancer.

The five-part series includes an exposure assessment to determine where the asbestos came from, a mortality study to look at causes of death, a cancer study to see where cancer rates are higher, an environment study to look at what is in the air now and a respiratory health study of living taconite workers and their spouses.

Researchers will continue to figure out where the exposure came from and how to prevent future problems. But the number of mesothelioma cases is expected to soar as baby boomers hit the doors to retirement.

In many cases, military veterans are at high risk -- particularly those who worked in shipyards, boiler rooms and other areas below deck, where asbestos was used in abundance because of its insulating and heat-resistant qualities. In other cases, contractors and subcontractors may be at fault for exposing workers to asbestos. Some of the nation's largest mining and chemical corporations have lost million dollar court cases accusing them of hiding the risks of exposure faced by employees.

Mesothelioma can be particularly cruel because of the long wait and the fact that it often strikes a victim in retirement -- robbing them and their family of too many good years.

Continue reading "Minnesotans in the Iron Range Dying of Mesothelioma" »