Mesothelioma Attorney

New York Judge Orders Johnson & Johnson to Stand Trial in Asbestos Talcum Powder Lawsuit

December 17, 2018 | Throneberry Law Group

A New York judge recently ordered pharmaceutical and cosmetics giant Johnson & Johnson to stand trial in an asbestos cancer lawsuit brought by a plaintiff who claims he developed an aggressive form of cancer due to carcinogenic materials contained in products manufactured by the defendant. Johnson & Johnson had filed a motion for summary judgement, seeking to have the case thrown out of court and avoid any liability for knowingly manufacturing deadly products without warning consumers about the risks.

According to the asbestos cancer lawsuit, filed in the Supreme Court of New York County, the plaintiff developed pleural mesothelioma at the age of 76 after decades of using Baby Powder and other talc-based products developed and sold by Johnson & Johnson. The plaintiff claims she did not suffer from any industrial asbestos exposure at her work place and that the only possible source for the exposure came from the carcinogenic asbestos in the talcum powders she used.

Although talc, a naturally occurring mineral, does not contain asbestos fibers itself, the two are often found in deposits side by side one another, which can cause a risk of contamination if certain precautions are not taken. Asbestos itself has been heavily regulated since the 1970s when the federal government enacted legislation to protect the public from the known risks of asbestos exposure. However, even before regulators stepped in, many companies were fully aware of the risks their products posed and continued to manufacture dangerously designed and defective materials.

AMERICA’S top 100 HIGH STAKES LITIGATORS®

July 12, 2018 | Throneberry Law Group

Announcing the selection of Michael Throneberry among America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators® for 2018. Selection to America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators® is by invitation only and is reserved to identify the nation’s most exceptional trial attorneys in high value, high stakes legal matters.

To be considered for selection, an attorney must have litigated (for either plaintiff or defendant) a matter (1) with at least $2,000,000 in alleged damages at stake or (2) with the fate of a business worth at least $2,000,000 at stake. These minimum qualifications are required for initial consideration. Thereafter, candidates are carefully screened through comprehensive Qualitative Comparative Analysis based on a broad array of criteria, including the candidate’s professional experience, litigation experience, significant case results, representative high stakes matters, peer reputation, and community impact in order to rank the candidates throughout the state.

Only the top 100 qualifying attorneys in each state will receive this honor and be selected for membership among America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators^®. With these extremely high standards for selection to America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators®, less than one-half percent (0.5%) of active attorneys in the United States will receive this honor — truly the most exclusive and elite level of attorneys in the community.

Why talk to an attorney after a mesothelioma diagnosis?

May 15, 2018 | Throneberry Law Group

Mesothelioma is a serious disease with far-reaching consequences. Treatments can be expensive and time-intensive.

There are options available to victims of mesothelioma, and your situation could warrant taking legal action.

An experienced mesothelioma attorney can help you throughout the process, including:

How can I help my family member who has mesothelioma?

February 7, 2018 | Throneberry Law Group

Mesothelioma does not affect only the patient: It can have a ripple effect through an entire family. It often falls to family members to care for their loved one who has been diagnosed with the disease. Caring for a family member who has mesothelioma requires immeasurable compassion, strength and patience.

As the relative of someone who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may be feeling overwhelmed. You may be wondering how you can even begin to care for your loved one in their time of need. Fortunately, there are several ways to help care for a family member who has mesothelioma.

1. Offer your support

Some Elderly Patients may Not be Getting the Cancer Treatment They Need

January 31, 2018 | Throneberry Law Group

A recent study by the Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University reveals disparities in the treatment given to elderly lung cancer patients, including those fighting mesothelioma and other deadly cancers. The study shows why it is so important for all mesothelioma patients, regardless of their demographic, to educate themselves and be proactive in their cancer treatment to improve their prognosis and maximize their survival term.

According to the study, which surveyed over 12,000 lung cancer patients at least 80 years old, African American patients were 20% less likely to receive chemotherapy and radiation to treat their condition. Furthermore, the research revealed that patients that lacked a high school education were 15% less likely to receive the same treatment as those with more education.

Another interesting trait uncovered in the study is that men are 40% more likely to receive chemotherapy and radiation treatment than women. The survival benefit associated with combination therapy persisted even after accounting for factors like age, sex, race, income, and individual tumor characteristics.

New Study Shows Improved Life Expectancy of Peritoneal Mesothelioma with Two-Stage Treatment

December 4, 2017 | Throneberry Law Group

A recent study published in the Annals of Surgical Oncology highlighted a promising treatment that could possibly extend the life expectancy for patients suffering from malignant peritoneal mesothelioma. According to the report, a large portion of patients in a studying undergoing two-stage cytoreduction and intraperitoneal chemotherapy regimen had a significantly longer lifespan thanks to the treatment.

The treatment worked by first putting the patient through cytoreductive surgery, a procedure that removes tumors from inside the abdominal wall of mesothelioma patients. After undergoing surgery, doctors treated the patients with intraperitoneal chemotherapy to help kill any mesothelioma tumors possible left over from the surgery.

Doctors then monitored patients with CT scans of the abdomen, chest, and pelvis every six months for signs of tumor growth. Patients with tumors received a second round of cytoreduction and intraperitoneal chemotherapy while those without tumors only received the chemotherapy portion of the treatment.

Five Frequently Asked Questions About Mesothelioma

October 16, 2017 | Throneberry Law Group

Most people have heard of asbestos, but not all are familiar with the risks involved with this toxic material. Some only learn of mesothelioma when they have a personal reason to do so, such as a doctor diagnosing their disease or having a friend or loved one dealing with it. Many questions will run through their heads. Here are some of the most common:

What is mesothelioma? A rare and extremely deadly form of cancer, mesothelioma is caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibers over time. It causes cancerous cells to form in tissue around covers the lungs, chest wall or abdomen.
Who is at risk? Certain types of workers, such as mechanics, electricians and plumbers, are at risk for asbestos exposure. Family members of these workers also are at risk. Individuals may have been exposed to asbestos working in places such as:

Power plants
Shipyards
Oil refineries
Mills
Factories

3. When do symptoms appear? It can take 20 years for the cancer to form after exposure. Shortness of breath and pain under the rib cage are common symptoms, but it can be difficult to diagnose. Most individuals with mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos in the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s or 1980s.

4. What is the prognosis? The prognosis depends on many individual factors, including age and gender. About 40 percent of patients with mesothelioma survive one first year after a diagnosis. Older mesothelioma patients have a much lower survival rate.

Michael Throneberry – America’s Top 100 Attorneys Lifetime Achievement Selection

October 4, 2017 | Throneberry Law Group

October 4, 2017 – Announcing the Lifetime Achievement selection of Michael Throneberry among America’s Top 100 Attorneys®. Lifetime Achievement selection to America’s Top 100 Attorneys® is by invitation only and is reserved to identify the nation’s most exceptional attorneys whose accomplishments and impact on the legal profession merit a Lifetime Achievement award.

Selection is not achieved based on a single accomplishment or a single great year of success, but rather on a lifetime of hard work, ethical standards, and community enriching accomplishments that are inspiring among the legal profession. To help ensure that all attorneys selected for membership meet the very high standards expected for selection, candidates for lifetime membership are carefully screened through comprehensive Qualitative Comparative Analysis based on a broad array of criteria, including the candidate’s professional experience, lifetime achievements, significant case results, peer reputation, and community impact. With these extremely high standards for selection to America’s Top 100 Attorneys®, less than one-half percent (0.5%) of active attorneys in the United States will receive this honor — truly the most exclusive and elite level of attorneys in the community.