Asbestos & Mesothelioma Law Blog

World Trade Center Worker and Wife Awarded $117 Million After Mesothelioma Diagnosis

July 18, 2025 | Throneberry Law Group

For purposes of this article, the mesothelioma victim in this case will be referred to as W.D.

In a recent court decision, a New York jury awarded a record-breaking verdict to a former World Trade Center (WTC) worker, Mr. W.D., and his wife, following a devastating malignant mesothelioma diagnosis. The two have been seeking compensation for the last three years, and in May, they finally emerged victorious. This case is a significant example of how mesothelioma victims can spend many years fighting for the justice and compensation they deserve. It is an example of how victims and their families can still triumph despite going up against powerful companies.

Mr. W.D., a former metal worker involved in the construction of the World Trade Center in the 1970s, was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma three years ago. Mesothelioma is a rare but aggressive type of cancer that is caused by asbestos exposure. Often, mesothelioma develops decades after initial asbestos exposure. In W.D.’s case, it took nearly 50 years for symptoms of the disease to emerge after his work on the WTC site. During that time, W.D. was unaware that his routine tasks, such as scraping off fireproofing in the building while installing ducts, had exposed him to the dangerous substance.

Louisiana Mesothelioma Lawsuit Moved Back to State Court After Court Rejects Avondale Shipyard’s Defense

July 16, 2025 | Throneberry Law Group

For purposes of this article, the mesothelioma victim in this case will be referred to as D.C. Sr.

In a recent court case, a Louisiana man, D.C. Sr., who was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a rare but aggressive type of cancer that is caused by asbestos exposure, in mid-2024, was allowed to proceed with his case against his previous employer in state court, despite efforts to remove the case to federal court. After D.C. Sr. was diagnosed with mesothelioma, he filed a lawsuit in Louisiana state court seeking compensation for his damages from multiple companies. Among the companies he named in his lawsuit was Avondale Shipyards, where he worked for almost two decades, in the 60s and 70s. The defendant tried to remove the case from state to federal court using the “government contractor immunity” defense, but this defense failed, resulting in the case being returned to the Louisiana state court.

Avondale Shipyards argued that its construction of vessels for the U.S. Navy during the time of D.C. Sr. granted it immunity from liability. The defendant said that it was following military orders, which it argued limited its ability to warn workers about asbestos exposure. However, D.C. Sr. and his legal team challenged Avondale’s argument. Mr. C filed a motion for summary judgment in federal court, asking the court to stop the company from using this defense, noting the numerous times the company had unsuccessfully tried to use the defense.

Bankruptcy Does Not Erase Asbestos Liability: Some Crucial Information for Victims

July 14, 2025 | Throneberry Law Group

Asbestos is a dangerous substance that can cause serious illnesses. Among the common asbestos-related illnesses are mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer. Mesothelioma is a particularly aggressive form of cancer that develops in the mesothelium, which is the tissue that forms the layer lining internal organs. After someone is exposed to asbestos, it can take decades for mesothelioma symptoms to become apparent. Unfortunately, this means most people learn about their condition when the disease progresses. By the time someone is getting a mesothelioma diagnosis, the company responsible for the asbestos exposure may have already gone out of business and declared bankruptcy. The good news, however, is that bankruptcy does not erase a company’s asbestos liability. In such cases, victims and their families still have options for pursuing compensation.

How Does Bankruptcy Affect Asbestos Liability?

Companies can face overwhelming asbestos-related claims, especially if they are companies whose employees directly handled asbestos. Frequently, when companies find themselves in this situation, they turn to bankruptcy, specifically Chapter 11 bankruptcy. But does filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy mean that a company is no longer liable for the harm it caused? Not at all. Chapter 11 bankruptcy, which is also called reorganization bankruptcy, simply reorganizes a company’s debts and obligations. In other words, it just changes how debts and obligations are handled. It does not erase them. So when a company that is facing asbestos-related claims files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, it does so with the intention of managing its liabilities in a more structured way.

Five Myths About Mesothelioma and Asbestos in 2025

July 13, 2025 | Throneberry Law Group

In this day and age, you would be forgiven to assume that most people, if not everyone, understand the facts (at least the basics) about mesothelioma and asbestos, especially given the decades of research and awareness. However, this is not the case. In 2025, many people still fall for myths and misconceptions about mesothelioma and asbestos. These myths can put lives at risk, delay diagnosis, and hinder legal action. In this article, we look at five of the biggest myths about mesothelioma and asbestos in 2025.

Asbestos is No Longer an Issue

One of the most dangerous myths in 2025 about asbestos is that this substance is no longer an issue. This is farthest from the truth. While the U.S. has made progress, including the recent ban on chrysotile asbestos, legacy asbestos remains a major issue across the nation. These are asbestos-containing materials that remain in buildings and products from past use. While asbestos is generally safe if left undisturbed, renovating or demolishing old buildings, particularly those built before the 1980s, can release asbestos fibers, posing significant health risks.

J&J Massachusetts Mesothelioma Victim Awarded $8 Million

July 12, 2025 | Throneberry Law Group

For purposes of this article, the mesothelioma victim in this case will be referred to as J.P.

In a significant ruling from Boston, a jury in Massachusetts awarded $8 million in compensation to an 84-year-old woman who developed pleural mesothelioma after years of using Johnson & Johnson’s talcum baby powder. The jury determined that the company’s famous baby powder contained asbestos, a dangerous substance that causes mesothelioma and several other illnesses, that J&J was aware of the dangers its product posed, and that the asbestos exposure ultimately led to J.P.’s mesothelioma diagnosis.

J.P. received her mesothelioma diagnosis in 2021, one year after the giant pharmaceutical company stopped selling its talc-based baby powder in North America and a year before it terminated global sales. The plaintiff’s legal representatives argued that she had used the product throughout her life, not only on herself, but also on her children while caring for them. They argued that this constant use of the powder led to her repeatedly inhaling asbestos fibers, and ultimately, developing pleural mesothelioma.

Five Jobs at Risk of Nontraditional Asbestos Exposure

June 26, 2025 | Throneberry Law Group

Asbestos exposure is often associated with people who used to work in the blue-collar industry, such as the construction, manufacturing, and mining industries. Indeed, before the dangers of asbestos became widely known and its use became heavily regulated, many people in these industries were exposed to this hazardous substance. However, many more people suffered asbestos exposure through nontraditional exposure. Many workers who never directly handled asbestos-contaminated materials or products have developed mesothelioma and other illnesses as a result of nontraditional asbestos exposure.

While regulations have curbed most uses of asbestos, this dangerous substance remains in older buildings, materials, and equipment, posing hidden risks to workers in unexpected jobs. Understanding the jobs at risk of nontraditional asbestos exposure can help prevent future exposure and promote early detection of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses. Below, we share five jobs at risk of nontraditional asbestos exposure.

Teachers and School Staff

Louisiana Jury Agrees That Talc Asbestos Caused Mesothelioma and Awards a $3 Million Verdict

June 24, 2025 | Throneberry Law Group

For purposes of this article, the mesothelioma victim in this case will be referred to as J.H.

In a recent case, a Louisiana jury awarded more than $3 million to a woman who developed mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer primarily caused by asbestos exposure, after years of using talcum powder products. This case is part of a growing number of cases filed by people who have never worked with asbestos but trace their mesothelioma diagnosis to a product that has long been thought to be safe: talc. Millions of dollars have been awarded to people who have developed mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses after using asbestos-contaminated talc for years.

Talc is a naturally occurring mineral commonly used in baby powders and some cosmetic products. In its purest form, talc is generally not harmless, especially in such products. However, asbestos-contaminated talc is hazardous. Asbestos and talc can occur so closely together that talc can become contaminated with asbestos during mining. When talc is contaminated with asbestos, it can cause mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses. When a person inhales asbestos fibers through repeated use of contaminated talc products, these fibers can lodge in the body’s tissues. Over time, inflammation may be triggered, and illnesses like mesothelioma may develop. Unfortunately, mesothelioma has a long latency period, meaning that many people only find out they are sick when the disease has progressed to later stages.

Florida Woman With Peritoneal Mesothelioma Awarded $18 Million

June 22, 2025 | Throneberry Law Group

For purposes of this article, the victim in this case will be referred to as D.G.C.

In a recent case, a Florida jury awarded $18 million in damages to a 64-year-old woman, D.G.C., who was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma. According to the jury, the victim’s illness was caused by secondary asbestos exposure from brake dust, specifically from a brake-grinding machine that her father and brothers used in their auto repair shop.

Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer that is caused by asbestos exposure. When a person inhales airborne asbestos fibers, these tiny fibers can lodge in the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart, resulting in inflammation, scarring, and possibly tumor development. Peritoneal mesothelioma is the second most common type of this cancer, accounting for 10% to 20% of all mesothelioma diagnoses. This form of cancer affects the peritoneum, the membrane lining the abdomen and abdominal organs. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma often take a long time to appear, making diagnosis challenging and the prognosis poor.

Contractors Raise Mesothelioma Concerns After Allegedly Concealing Asbestos in California

June 15, 2025 | Throneberry Law Group

For purposes of this article, the workers in this case will be referred to as T.C. and T.S.

In a recent troubling California case, two heavy equipment operators filed a lawsuit against their former employer, Reyes Construction, after claiming they were fired for sounding the alarm about improper asbestos handling. The two, T.C. and T.S., who were working on a public restoration project in Long Beach, California, said they discovered asbestos-containing debris at the site. They alerted their supervisor, who ignored them at first, but they were later instructed to hide and bury it. However, the two workers refused to hide the toxic material, as they believed doing so would not only endanger them and other workers, but the general public as well.

T.C. and T.S. were assigned to excavation duties as part of a larger initiative to connect the Colorado Lagoon with Alamitos Bay, a project aimed at environmental restoration. However, the two dug up asbestos-contaminated transite pipes during their work. Unlike long ago, when workers did not know about the dangers of asbestos, today workers are well informed about the risks of asbestos exposure. Most, if not all, workers know that inhaling asbestos fibers can lead to mesothelioma and other serious illnesses. That is why T.C. and T.S. reported their findings to their bosses after discovering the toxic material. Their supervisor initially told them to ignore the hazardous material, and then later told them to hide and bury the pipes without informing local officials or experts.

What is the Average Wrongful Death Settlement for Mesothelioma in 2025?

June 14, 2025 | Throneberry Law Group

Mesothelioma is a rare but aggressive cancer primarily caused by asbestos exposure. When someone passes away from mesothelioma due to negligent asbestos exposure, surviving family members can file a wrongful death claim and seek compensation. While a wrongful death claim cannot undo what has already happened, it can provide financial relief and a sense of justice to the grieving family.

If a loved one recently died from mesothelioma due to negligent asbestos exposure, one of the questions you may have is, “What is the average wrongful death settlement for mesothelioma?” So, what is the average wrongful death settlement for mesothelioma in 2025? Unfortunately, there is no straightforward answer to this question. The answer depends on several unique factors specific to each case. However, many mesothelioma wrongful death settlements in 2025 continue to reach into the millions, reflecting how serious this disease is and how much suffering it causes.

Mesothelioma Wrongful Death Claims