Year: 2025

With the signature of Governor Gavin Newsom, California recently passed a law aimed at protecting mesothelioma cancer victims during the fact-gathering stage of an asbestos cancer lawsuit. The bill, SB 645, would limit the number of hours defendants would be able to question plaintiffs under oath in cases where plaintiffs can demonstrate to the courts that they have less than six months to live.

A mesothelioma diagnosis can affect the patient in many ways. These effects can either be short-term or long-term. One of the major ways a mesothelioma diagnosis can affect a patient is by lowering their self-esteem. Self-esteem is how a person values and perceives themselves. It is based on what someone believes about themselves. The physical changes that come after a mesothelioma diagnosis or after a patient starts receiving mesothelioma treatment, such as hair loss, weight changes, and surgery scars, can affect how they feel about their appearance and body image.

A Tennessee county recently settled a mesothelioma-asbestos exposure lawsuit with the widow of a former school teacher who allegedly contracted the deadly lung disease while working for the county decades ago. The lawsuit had been slated to go to a trial by jury just a few days before the settlement but the recent discovery of asbestos on school grounds may have prompted county officials to reconsider resolving the issue.

NYU researchers presented a study at the 102nd American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting that led to a new test that detects early-stage, asbestos-related pulmonary cancer.  The NYU Langone Medical Center investigated a protein test to detect early stage malignant pleural mesothelioma where the test was 80 percent sensitive to accurately identifying the pulmonary cancer proteins caused by asbestos exposure. Malignant pleural mesothelioma is an aggressive, asbestos related cancer that invades the lining of tissue that surround the lungs.

Mesothelioma is a rare but aggressive form of cancer primarily caused by asbestos exposure. The prognosis of this illness is often poor. Many times, mesothelioma symptoms appear years after initial exposure. Because of this, mesothelioma is often diagnosed when it has advanced to later stages. Sadly, this means that many people die due to mesothelioma every year, leaving families devastated and facing significant financial burdens. However, for some families, it may be possible to file a wrongful death claim and seek compensation.

A significant legal victory was recently achieved when a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by Johnson & Johnson (J&J) against a mesothelioma researcher. For long, mesothelioma victims have encountered challenges when trying to hold companies liable for their asbestos exposure. Many asbestos companies have defended themselves by challenging scientific evidence. Often, these companies argue that there is no conclusive proof that asbestos exposure causes mesothelioma. They focus on the methods and data and refuse to accept responsibility.