Mesothelioma Attorney

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.

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.