Asbestos & Mesothelioma Law Blog

How to Identify Asbestos in Your Home or Workplace

January 27, 2025 | Throneberry Law Group

Asbestos causes approximately 40,000 deaths annually in the U.S. and is linked to lung cancer, mesothelioma, and other cancers. Despite its dangers, asbestos isn’t entirely banned in the U.S., making it vital to know how to identify and avoid it. The only catch is that you cannot see asbestos with your naked eye, and it’s odorless; that is why it is so easy to inhale. So, how can you identify it in your home or workplace? Here is a guide on what to look out for (and stay away from) to keep yourself and your loved ones safe.

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a cluster of six natural fibrous materials, which, although highly toxic, is valued because of its robustness and heat and electricity resistance. Asbestos was mainly used throughout the 20^th century in construction and manufacturing. While asbestos was very appealing back then, its nearly invisible fibers can be easily inhaled, posing serious health risks, including causing mesothelioma. Damaged asbestos materials may look like tiny, fuzzy fibers resembling frayed fabric. However, the presence of visible fibers does not necessarily indicate asbestos. Testing is the only way to confirm if asbestos is present.

Mesothelioma FAQs (Part 2)

January 24, 2025 | Throneberry Law Group

In a previous article titled “Mesothelioma FAQs,” we answered some of the most common questions we received about mesothelioma. In this second part of the series, we continue with more answers to frequently asked questions about this condition to help you better understand and navigate life after a mesothelioma diagnosis.

What Causes Mesothelioma?

Asbestos exposure is the leading cause of mesothelioma. This mineral fiber is known for its heat-resistant properties, which make it desirable in various industries. As such, asbestos became widely used in automobiles, appliances, construction, and the manufacturing industries.

Exploring the Silent Latency Period of Mesothelioma

January 22, 2025 | Throneberry Law Group

The mesothelioma latency period refers to the time between initial exposure to asbestos and a diagnosis. It is primarily a “silent” one because it can take 10-50 years before one is diagnosed with mesothelioma. The latency period can be shorter or longer than the 10-50-year range depending on factors such as one’s gender, age, time of initial exposure to asbestos, and individual health conditions.

The Silent Latency Period of Mesothelioma

As earlier mentioned, it can take 10-50 years between the initial asbestos exposure and a mesothelioma diagnosis. Once you inhale asbestos fibers, the body cannot eliminate them. These fibers can remain in the lungs or other tissues, causing irritation for decades before symptoms of mesothelioma finally appear. This long latency period is why most individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma are over 65 years, when the mesothelioma is very aggressive, resulting in a poorer prognosis. So, why does mesothelioma take such a long time to be diagnosed? There are several reasons why this is the case, as highlighted below:

Michael Throneberry Selected for Super Lawyers List

January 21, 2025 | Throneberry Law Group

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Attorney Michael Throneberry has been selected to the 2025 Super Lawyers list. Each year, no more than five percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor. Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The annual selections are made using a patented multiphase process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent research evaluation of candidates and peer reviews by practice area. The result is a credible, comprehensive and diverse listing of exceptional attorneys.

Attorney Throneberry focuses exclusively on helping victims of asbestos exposure which primarily includes mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis victims pursue the compensation they deserve.

How to Gather Evidence for Your Mesothelioma Lawsuit

January 20, 2025 | Throneberry Law Group

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you have the right to file a mesothelioma lawsuit against parties responsible for your asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma lawsuits require compelling evidence of asbestos exposure to hold negligent parties accountable. Unfortunately, gathering such evidence can be challenging due to the disease’s long latency period. Companies responsible for asbestos exposure may have shut down, witnesses might struggle to recall details, and you may have unknowingly faced multiple asbestos exposures. Despite all this, you can build a solid case with the proper evidence. Here is how you can do this:

Gather as Many Documents as You Can

Comprehensive documentation is crucial for a successful mesothelioma lawsuit. This includes gathering key documents, such as:

Understanding Your Legal Rights After a Mesothelioma Diagnosis

January 16, 2025 | Throneberry Law Group

Mesothelioma is an uncommon and aggressive cancer primarily caused by exposure to asbestos. If you have received a mesothelioma diagnosis, you may be wondering what to do next. While seeking immediate medical care should be your priority, understanding your legal rights is crucial. This is not just about seeking justice but also about securing your financial future and that of your loved ones. Let us dive into the rights you have after a mesothelioma diagnosis.

Right to Compensation

If you or someone close to you has received a mesothelioma diagnosis, you may qualify for compensation to help you cover the medical care you need, lost income, and other related damages. While compensation may not help cure mesothelioma, it can help pay for your medical bills, including future treatment and palliative care, while providing much-needed financial security for your loved ones.

How to File a Veterans’ Mesothelioma Claim: Step-by-Step Guide

January 14, 2025 | Throneberry Law Group

Mesothelioma mainly develops as a result of asbestos exposure, and many veterans in all branches of service, including the military, especially in the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, were unfortunately heavily exposed to asbestos. If you are a veteran diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may qualify for monthly tax-free benefits and no-cost healthcare. Here is a step-by-step guide to filing a claim and securing the benefits you deserve.

Eligibility Criteria for Benefits

To receive mesothelioma-related United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits, you must meet specific requirements, including the following:

Rhode Island Court Upholds Mesothelioma Victim’s Claims Against Johnson & Johnson Subsidiaries

January 10, 2025 | Throneberry Law Group

For purposes of this article, the claimants in this case will be referred to as S.S and B.S.

In a recent court decision, a Rhode Island judge ruled in favor of two plaintiffs, S.S. and B.S., a couple pursuing justice against Johnson & Johnson (J&J) in a mesothelioma lawsuit. S.S., a mesothelioma patient, and B.S., her husband, filed the lawsuit against more than 40 defendants, including two subsidiaries of Johnson & Johnson, who they blame for negligently exposing her to asbestos through their talc products. J&J and the two subsidiaries petitioned the court to substitute two other subsidiaries, but the judge presiding over the case denied the request.

S.S. and B.S. filed a lawsuit in March this year, citing exposure to asbestos-contaminated talc products as the cause of S’s mesothelioma. Among the many defendants, the two named in their lawsuit were LLT and Old Holdco, two J&J subsidiaries. Johnson & Johnson is facing many asbestos-related lawsuits, so to shift its legal focus, the giant pharmaceutical company tried to substitute two other subsidiaries. J&J asked the court to assign its liabilities to Pecos River Talc LLC and Johnson and Johnson Holdco Inc. J&J’s request was rooted in a corporate restructuring process the company claimed shifted its talc-related liabilities. In other words, according to Johnson & Johnson, Pecos and Johnson and Johnson Holdco are the defendants that should have been named in the lawsuit.

Judge Denies Crosby Valve’s Attempt to Avoid Mesothelioma Lawsuit

January 8, 2025 | Throneberry Law Group

For purposes of this article, the mesothelioma victim in this case will be referred to as T.W. and his wife as J.W.

In a recent court decision, a judge denied a defendant’s motion for summary judgment and allowed a widow to proceed with her mesothelioma wrongful death claim. After J.W.’s husband died of malignant mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer, she filed a wrongful death claim against the companies she blames for negligently exposing her husband to the asbestos that caused his illness. Among the many companies named in the lawsuit was Crosby Valve, LLC. This defendant tried to have the case dismissed by filing a motion for summary judgment. However, the judge presiding over the case denied that request.

According to Mrs. J.W.’s lawsuit against Crosby Valve, her husband suffered asbestos exposure in gaskets the company had recommended using together with their valves. The defendant argued that the widow had failed to prove that her late husband had been directly exposed to any asbestos products they had manufactured. Crosby argued that it was not obligated to warn about the dangers of third-party products used in combination with their valves.

Contractor’s Negligence in Harlem Construction Puts Workers and Residents at Risk of Mesothelioma

January 6, 2025 | Throneberry Law Group

In a troubling case that sheds light on the consequences of negligence, a New Jersey contractor pleaded guilty to endangering the lives of workers and residents by releasing asbestos in an East Harlem, New York neighborhood. The contractor, Jose Correa, released the dangerous substance during a construction project in the neighborhood. Correa risks being imprisoned for up to one year. How long he goes to jail is up to the judge presiding over the case in New York.

Asbestos is a dangerous mineral that was once widely used in several industries due to its attractive qualities. However, being exposed to asbestos carries significant health risks. Asbestos exposure can cause various illnesses, including mesothelioma and asbestosis. These diseases occur when a person inhales or ingests asbestos fibers, which get stuck in the body. Unfortunately, it can take many years for a person to develop an asbestos-related illness after initial exposure. Mesothelioma, for instance, can take 40 years or even more to develop after being exposed to asbestos. Despite the extensive knowledge about the risks of asbestos and the strict rules in place to prevent exposure, some individuals and companies still bypass the necessary precautions, resulting in significant harm.

Jose Correa failed to perform inspections and did not use asbestos abatement professionals during a construction project at an East Harlem supermarket. Instead of doing things right, the contractor opted to cut corners and do the work ‘on the cheap.’ Correa had his untrained employees perform this dangerous work that required specialized knowledge. He did not even provide workers with basic safety equipment, such as protective masks and suits. The contractor’s decision to neglect safety measures resulted in workers and close residents unknowingly being exposed to asbestos and being at risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.