Asbestos & Mesothelioma Law Blog

Veterans and Mesothelioma

May 24, 2022 | Throneberry Law Group

According to research, veterans account for over 30% of all mesothelioma cases in America. Fortunately, veterans with mesothelioma can recover compensation through the Veterans Affairs (VA) Office. Veterans with mesothelioma can receive state-of-the-art treatment through the VA. Additionally, the VA allows surviving loved ones to apply for compensation. If you are a veteran with mesothelioma or a surviving loved one of a veteran who died after developing mesothelioma, read on to learn about, among other things, the types of VA benefits available to veterans with mesothelioma and surviving loved ones.

How Did Veterans Get Exposed to Asbestos?

All military branches used asbestos-contaminated products, including the navy, army, air force, marine corps, and coast guard. Military personnel who served in these branches were at risk of asbestos exposure. Asbestos in the military was used in vehicles, ships, and aircraft. This mesothelioma-causing substance was used anywhere at risk of fire. Unfortunately, because of the large volume of asbestos produced for the military, a generation of veterans got exposed to asbestos, thus resulting in a significant number of veterans developing mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma FAQs

May 21, 2022 | Throneberry Law Group

As mesothelioma attorneys, we get asked questions about mesothelioma all the time. This article contains answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about mesothelioma.

What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is rare and aggressive. It can develop when a person is exposed to asbestos. When you inhale asbestos fibers, these fibers can get stuck in the lining of either the lungs or heart or abdomen. Over time, these fibers can cause mesothelioma.

Top Five Mistakes That Can Hurt Your Mesothelioma Case

May 13, 2022 | Throneberry Law Group

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that occurs due to asbestos exposure. It is a fatal type of cancer that still has no known cure. Fortunately, if you or a loved one was diagnosed with mesothelioma, you can recover compensation from the negligent party that led to the asbestos exposure. However, if you want to recover the compensation you deserve in a mesothelioma case, it is crucial that you do not make, among many others, the following mistakes:

Mistake #1: Not Considering All the Places You or Your Loved One May Have Been Exposed to Asbestos

Before you can recover compensation in a mesothelioma case, you must identify where the asbestos exposure occurred. One big mistake people make in mesothelioma cases is dismissing possible places where asbestos exposure may have occurred. Often, people assume that asbestos exposure can only happen in the workplace when the truth is that asbestos exposure can occur anywhere, including at home. It is crucial that you consider all the possible places where you or your loved one might have been exposed to asbestos during your/their lifetime. Remember, mesothelioma can take up to fifty years to develop after initial exposure.

HBO Max’s “Not So Pretty” Shines Light on the Link Between Mesothelioma and Cosmetic Products

May 7, 2022 | Throneberry Law Group

Unfortunately, despite asbestos awareness advocates doing their best to educate people on asbestos and asbestos-related illnesses, such as mesothelioma, many people still do not understand the dangers of asbestos exposure. People are still mishandling asbestos and using asbestos-contaminated products. For example, people continue to use asbestos-contaminated cosmetic products. It is our hope that now that the dangers of using asbestos-contaminated cosmetic products have been revealed through HBO Max’s documentary, “Not So Pretty,” things will change.

HBO Max’s Multi-part Documentary Airs Out the Link Between Mesothelioma and Cosmetic Products

The documentary “Not So Pretty” is a four-part investigative expose of the beauty industry. The documentary, produced by Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering, exposes the secrets of the cosmetics and personal care industries. Unfortunately, these two industries are loosely regulated, with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration having little power to enforce changes.

New Jersey Appeals Court Upholds Sanction Against Ford in Mesothelioma Case

April 18, 2022 | Throneberry Law Group

The NJ appeals court recently upheld a sanction against Ford in a mesothelioma case involving second-hand asbestos exposure. When Mrs. A.C (a name used for purposes of this article) was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma, her family filed a lawsuit against Ford Motor Company, her husband’s former employer. According to the family, Mrs. A.C developed mesothelioma after inhaling asbestos fibers from her husband’s clothing during the 30 years that he worked as a service manager for the motor dealerships. During the trial, Ford Motor Company withheld evidence in violation of discovery rules, which led to the court imposing a significant sanction. Ford appealed the decision and the sanction, but the NJ state appeals court refused to set the sanctions aside.

For many years, Mrs. A.C’s family had tried to obtain the training manuals for Ford so that they could prove to the court that the company had not warned its workers about the dangers of asbestos in brake dust. Unfortunately, the family was not able to obtain those materials. Instead of producing the information, a corporate representative testified that he could not locate it. He said that none of the manuals were found.

In response, Mrs. A.C’s attorney confronted the representative with a copy of the manual. After the confrontation, the representative confessed that he had seen the manual before and even answered questions about it in previous asbestos cases. After learning that the representative had withheld evidence, the court imposed the sanction that went beyond the jury’s $800,000 verdict.

How Different Mesothelioma Treatments Work

April 5, 2022 | Throneberry Law Group

Although there is still no known cure for mesothelioma, treatment options are available to mesothelioma patients. Sometimes, it is even possible to remove all the cancer. But, often, mesothelioma treatment aims to remove as much cancer as possible and slow cancer growth. In this article, we look at how different mesothelioma treatments work.

Surgery

According to Mayo Clinic, it is possible for surgeons to remove mesothelioma when it is diagnosed at an early stage. But it is not possible to remove all the cancer through surgery in most cases. In cases in which it is impossible to remove all the cancer, surgery is used to reduce the mesothelioma spreading in the body. Often, the goal of surgery is to reduce symptoms and suffering.

What Gear Protects Workers From Asbestos Exposure?

March 31, 2022 | Throneberry Law Group

Personal protective equipment is quite crucial when it comes to protecting oneself from asbestos exposure. If, for example, you work in an asbestos removal company, it is not enough that you use proper removal proceedings. It is important that you use personal protective equipment. Personal protective equipment can protect you from developing asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma and asbestosis. In this article, we will talk about, among other things, the types of personal protective equipment that can protect workers from asbestos exposure.

What is Personal Protective Equipment?

Personal protective equipment or PPE is any clothing or covering that provides protection to the wearer from a potential hazard. According to the EPA, personal protective equipment is necessary to protect against the harmful effects of asbestos exposure.

Asbestos Exposure in Boiler Workers

March 20, 2022 | Throneberry Law Group

Boilermakers are at a high risk of asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that was used heavily in several industries in the 20th century. Asbestos is resistant to heat, corrosion, and electricity, and for those reasons, it was seen as an ideal mineral to use in boiler production and operation. Asbestos is an effective insulator for boilers, and manufacturing and insulating boiler equipment with asbestos can reduce the risks related to high temperatures. Indeed, many of the uses of asbestos that put many boiler workers at risk were banned, but the reality is that boiler workers are still at a huge risk of asbestos exposure.

How Boiler Workers Were and Can Still be Exposed to Asbestos

According to the Department of Labor, boiler workers include workers who produce and install the machines, known as boilermakers, and workers who oversee the daily use of boilers in boiler rooms or engine rooms, known as boiler operators. Asbestos poses a threat to both boilermakers and boiler operators.

What You Should Know About Global Asbestos Awareness Week

March 11, 2022 | Throneberry Law Group

April 1 to April 7 is Global Asbestos Awareness Week. Every year, the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) dedicates this week to bringing together experts and victims from across the globe to share, learn, and take action. If you are only hearing about Global Asbestos Awareness Week, you might be wondering what is so important about this week. Read on as we focus on the importance of Global Asbestos Awareness Week.

What is the Importance of Global Asbestos Awareness Week?

The main goal of Global Asbestos Awareness Week is to educate the public about the continued dangers of asbestos exposure and the health problems that come with asbestos exposure. The Global Asbestos Awareness Week focuses on educating people about how to manage asbestos in order to prevent asbestos-related diseases. This week is generally about equipping people with the tools they need to protect themselves.

Why are Mesothelioma Rates in Women Increasing?

March 6, 2022 | Throneberry Law Group

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is caused by asbestos exposure. Some people assume that mesothelioma is a disease that only affects men. Indeed, historically, mesothelioma has been more prevalent in men. But, today, the balance is tipping. More and more women are being diagnosed with this fatal disease. So, why is there a growing increase in mesothelioma in women? Read on to find out.

Women and Asbestos Exposure

In the 20^th century, asbestos exposure in the workplace was quite common. Workers in numerous industries, including the following, were routinely exposed to mesothelioma;