February, 2025

Can Mesothelioma Be Detected in its Early Stages?

February 28, 2025 | Throneberry Law Group

Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer primarily caused by asbestos exposure. While there is no cure for this cancer, early detection and treatment can help manage the disease. Many often wonder if mesothelioma can be detected in its early stages, which can help control it before it becomes aggressive. Detecting mesothelioma has been challenging. However, ongoing research offers hope for improving early detection rates of this disease. Notably, recent advancements in detection, including a breakthrough discovery by the Mayo Clinic in 2024, offer hope. For instance, the Mayo Clinic researchers have developed an innovative blood test that significantly improves early detection rates, marking this a significant step forward in diagnosing this devastating disease.

How is Mesothelioma Detected?

Mesothelioma is not easily detectable because no single test can confirm its presence. Doctors often rely on a combination of tests, such as imaging scans, blood tests, and lung function assessments, to identify the potential for mesothelioma. Mesothelioma can take up to 60 years to manifest fully, making imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs, which check for abnormalities in the lungs or abdomen, inconclusive in fully establishing mesothelioma and distinguishing it from other illnesses. Blood tests, on the other hand, check for specific proteins and genetic markers linked to mesothelioma, such as fibulin-3 and soluble mesothelin-related peptides (SMRPs). Although these tests provide helpful indicators, they are not definitive enough for diagnosis.

Court Awards $8.8 Million to Mesothelioma Victim’s Family in Case Against Bell Helicopter

February 26, 2025 | Throneberry Law Group

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

In a recent court ruling, a jury ordered a helicopter company to pay $8.8 million in damages to the family of B.D. Unfortunately, B.D., a mechanical engineer, passed away from mesothelioma, having been exposed to asbestos primarily through the products he worked with while at Bell Helicopter. In the landmark ruling, the survivors were awarded actual and punitive damages, highlighting how the courts held companies that failed to address the dangers of asbestos exposure accountable.

The case revolved around using asbestos-containing parts, which B.D. was tasked with designing enclosures for heat testing helicopter components. Before his death, B.D. had given testimony during his deposition where he testified that asbestos insulation boards were used for the enclosures., where he was exposed to the deadly asbestos fibers over a long time. Mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer primarily caused by asbestos exposure, often takes decades to manifest after initial contact. B.D.’s family argued that the company’s negligence in addressing the risks of asbestos played a significant role in his illness and death.

Mesothelioma Victim Wins Legal Battle to Return Case to Local Court

February 16, 2025 | Throneberry Law Group

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

Mesothelioma lawsuits often involve complex and contentious legal battles as asbestos companies employ aggressive strategies to avoid liability. One common tactic these companies use is moving cases to federal courts, which are often more favorable to businesses, offering immunity and saving them money. At the same time, mesothelioma victims or their survivors continue to suffer. However, these attempts do not always succeed. In a recent case, R.M., a former shipyard worker, successfully fought to have his mesothelioma lawsuit remanded to a local court after the defendant, Hopeman Brothers, tried to transfer the case to federal court.

R.M.’s illness began from his work at the Key Highway Shipyard between 1973 and 1974. During this time, he was exposed to asbestos dust released from Micarta paneling used in ship construction. According to his lawsuit, Hopeman Brothers’ workers cut, handled, and installed the asbestos-containing panels while working on various vessels, including tankers, passenger ships, and the Coast Guard’s Westwind.

Michael Throneberry to serve as the 2025 President of the Asbestos/Mesothelioma Trial Lawyers Association – Top 10

February 11, 2025 | Throneberry Law Group

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Michael Throneberry to serve as the 2025 President of the Asbestos/Mesothelioma Trial Lawyers Association – Top 10. The Asbestos/Mesothelioma Trial Lawyers Association – Top 10 is a vital, growing group of trial lawyers from across the country who share knowledge, experience, and expertise in handling Asbestos/Mesothelioma cases.

“I am honored, and it is a privilege to serve as the 2025 President of the Asbestos/Mesothelioma Trial Lawyers Association.” Michael Throneberry.

The Asbestos/Mesothelioma Trial Lawyers Association – Top 10 is a Specialty Association of The National Trial Lawyers. This is an invitation-only organizations composed of premier trial lawyers from each state or region who meet stringent qualifications as civil plaintiff trial lawyers. Selection is based on a thorough multi-phase objective and uniformly applied process, including peer nominations combined with third-party research. These distinguished individuals demonstrate superior qualifications of leadership, reputation, influence, stature, and public profile measured by objective and uniformly applied standards in compliance with state bar and model rule.

Florida Jury Awards $8.5 Million in Mesothelioma Wrongful Death Case

February 9, 2025 | Throneberry Law Group

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

In a landmark decision, a Florida Jury awarded over $9 million to the widow of D.B., an employee benefits advisor who was diagnosed and later succumbed to malignant mesothelioma. While D.B. never actually worked directly with asbestos, he alleged exposure through frequent visits to Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation facilities, which were laden with asbestos, played a significant role in his mesothelioma diagnosis. Following his passing, his wife, Rosa Maria, carried forward the wrongful death lawsuit. The jury awarded Rosa Maria $8.5 million in compensatory damages and $519,265 to D.B.’s estate for medical and funeral expenses.

D.B. worked as an employee benefits advisor from 1978 to 1997, a role that took him to various commercial and industrial sites. Among the facilities he frequently visited were Northrop Grumman locations in New York and California. According to his claim, these sites contained asbestos-insulated pipes that released toxic fibers into the air.

FDA Proposes Stricter Testing for Talc Products

February 2, 2025 | Throneberry Law Group

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently proposed a new rule to enhance the safety of cosmetic products containing asbestos. The rule, titled “Testing Methods for Detecting and Identifying Asbestos in Talc-Containing Cosmetic Products,” seeks to mandate standardized testing procedures to identify the presence of asbestos, a known carcinogen, in these products.

Talc is a mineral commonly used in cosmetics for its moisture-absorbing properties and smooth texture. However, since talc deposits are often geologically close to asbestos, they can easily become contaminated with asbestos fibers. Asbestos exposure has been linked to severe health issues, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and ovarian cancer. This is the rationale behind the FDA’s proposal to standardize testing methods to minimize the risk of asbestos contamination. The FDA requires manufacturers to implement two methods for testing:

Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM)