September, 2023

Chemotherapy and Hair Loss: Why it Happens and How to Cope

September 24, 2023 | Throneberry Law Group

Unfortunately, there is still no cure for mesothelioma. However, the good news is that several mesothelioma treatment options exist. One of the mesothelioma treatments is chemotherapy. This treatment option involves using chemicals to kill cancer cells and prevent them from growing back. However, chemo is not for everyone. When deciding whether chemotherapy is a good option for a mesothelioma patient, doctors consider, among other things, cell type, tumor location, and the patient’s general health.

While chemotherapy is an effective mesothelioma treatment, side effects are common. Some side effects of chemo are minor, whereas others are severe. Sometimes, side effects are temporary, and other times, permanent. One of the common side effects of chemotherapy that can be either temporary or permanent is hair loss. However, most patients experience temporary hair loss. Hair loss can be distressing to a mesothelioma patient, whether temporary or permanent. Hair loss can make a patient feel self-conscious, vulnerable, and exposed. Hair loss can even result in feelings of depression and anger. Below, we discuss how chemotherapy causes hair loss and how to cope with chemo-related hair loss.

How Does Chemotherapy Cause Hair Loss?

Some Crucial Things to Remember About Mesothelioma Claims

September 16, 2023 | Throneberry Law Group

After a person is diagnosed with mesothelioma, their life and that of their family can drastically change. A mesothelioma diagnosis is not only emotionally draining, but it can also be financially draining. While there is still no cure for mesothelioma, several treatment options exist. Mesothelioma treatment can be expensive. Treating mesothelioma can range from tens of thousands to millions of dollars. Mesothelioma treatment costs usually vary based on, among other things, treatment type and location. Fortunately, when a mesothelioma diagnosis can be linked to asbestos exposure, a victim or a victim’s loved ones can file a compensation claim. A party responsible for harmful asbestos exposure, which results in a mesothelioma diagnosis, is liable for damages resulting from the diagnosis.

If you or a loved one was recently diagnosed with mesothelioma, there are several things you need to know about mesothelioma claims. This article discusses three basic things you need to remember about mesothelioma claims.

#1: Mesothelioma Claims are Usually Paid by Insurance Companies

Alternative Dispute Resolution for Mesothelioma Cases

September 10, 2023 | Throneberry Law Group

While some people suffer asbestos exposure because of nobody’s fault, often, asbestos exposure happens because of other people’s negligence. In the United States of America, if a person develops mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness after suffering asbestos exposure because of another person’s negligence, the victim or their family can file a mesothelioma claim and recover compensation from the negligent party. Often, people choose to litigate mesothelioma cases in court. However, litigation is not the only way to resolve mesothelioma cases. Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods are available, and these alternatives offer several benefits over traditional court proceedings. In this article, we discuss the different forms of ADR for mesothelioma cases and the benefits of each.

Settlement Negotiations

The first form of ADR for mesothelioma cases is settlement negotiations. Negotiations entail the claimant’s attorney sending a demand letter to the liable party or parties. In the demand letter, the attorney outlines the facts of the case, evidence supporting the case, and what they are demanding in compensation. The liable party or parties then respond to the letter. An agreement is reached if the responsible party or parties agree to the demands immediately. However, rarely do liable parties agree to claimants’ demands right away. Often, liable parties will make a settlement offer that is less than what the plaintiff is asking for. After an offer is made, the claimant’s attorney responds with a counteroffer. The back-and-forth between the claimant’s attorney and the liable party or parties then continues until an agreement is reached.

Hope for Mesothelioma Victims After Judge Denies Johnson & Johnson’s Second Bankruptcy Attempt

September 1, 2023 | Throneberry Law Group

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Michael Kaplan denied Johnson & Johnson’s second bankruptcy attempt in a recent court decision. This decision offers hope to many mesothelioma and ovarian cancer victims seeking justice from Johnson & Johnson. The consumer giant is facing tens of thousands of negligence claims accusing its talc powder product of causing mesothelioma and ovarian cancer.

Sometime back, Johnson & Johnson formed its subsidiary, LTL Management, for the purpose of carrying its talc liabilities into Chapter 11 bankruptcy. When a company is facing mesothelioma or other asbestos-related lawsuits, the company can file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Once the bankruptcy filing is approved, the company is required to establish a trust fund and put aside money to compensate people harmed by asbestos. In 2021, LTL Management filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and offered $2 billion in settlement for victims and their families. An NJ bankruptcy court approved this first filing, but a higher court reversed the decision citing that the company filed for bankruptcy without any real financial distress, thus, lacked good faith.

Johnson & Johnson did not give up and, through its subsidiary, filed for bankruptcy for the second time. The company offered $8.9 billion in settlement in the second bankruptcy filing for the victims and their families. This is over four times the amount Johnson & Johnson had offered during the first bankruptcy filing. However, despite this and the fact that about 60,000 plaintiffs and some attorneys representing plaintiffs supported the proposed settlement, many more people argued against the move. According to those who do not support Johnson & Johnson’s attempt to declare bankruptcy, allowing Johnson & Johnson to declare bankruptcy would mean that victims and their families will be forced to agree to insufficient terms and will prevent those who may be diagnosed in the future from pursuing justice.