Mesothelioma Legal Blog

For victims of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases, the costs of diagnosis and treatment are significant. These costs are quite often high enough to make it difficult, if not impossible, to afford without the assistance of health insurance. But, individuals should be aware of limitations that insurance has when it comes to these serious diseases. Asbestos-related diseases, like mesothelioma and other cancers, can result in significant cost to victims. Typical surgeries associated with cancer treatment cost around $40,000 (and that does not include the most aggressive or complicated surgeries).

Dynarex, a medical supply company based in New Jersey, recently recalled numerous cases of baby powder contaminated with asbestos. The baby powder had been sent to distributors in different states in the U.S., sparking fears over many people suffering asbestos exposure and eventually developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses. The recall resulted from a routine U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sampling program, which revealed that the finished products were asbestos-contaminated.

Insulation is used to help in controlling and maintaining the temperature inside of buildings and homes. Unfortunately, for much of the twentieth century, insulation contained asbestos. The dangers of exposure to asbestos include the development of mesothelioma and other cancers. Individuals who are employed as insulators are at increased risk of exposure to asbestos fibers, particularly if this work occurred before the 1980s. Asbestos insulation was the largest source of exposure for workers throughout the 1900s. It was used in homes, buildings, ships, cars, and manufacturing facilities.

Homeowners especially those who complete do-it-yourself projects may be at an increased risk of asbestos exposure in tackling their own remodeling jobs in older homes. In doing so, homeowners may encounter old or “friable” asbestos in their homes.

Federal investigators recently opened an inquiry into whether several asbestos clean up companies operating in Massachusetts paid crews fairly for all of the work performed renovating asbestos tainted properties in the Boston area. Over the past few years, the U.S. Justice Department has opened up several investigations into worker mistreatment and wage theft involving hard working clean up crews putting their health and safety on the line to make sure others are not exposed to deadly asbestos.

For purposes of this article, the mesothelioma victim in this case will be referred to as Mrs. I.L.L, and her husband will be referred to as Mr. A.C.L. In this case, I.L.L. was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma and died of the asbestos-related illness in 2023 at the age of 91. Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive form of cancer that can develop decades after asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma involves tumors growing in the mesothelium (the tissue covering most internal organs).