Asbestos & Mesothelioma Law Blog

Asbestos Exposure in Boiler Workers

March 20, 2022 | Throneberry Law Group

Boilermakers are at a high risk of asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that was used heavily in several industries in the 20th century. Asbestos is resistant to heat, corrosion, and electricity, and for those reasons, it was seen as an ideal mineral to use in boiler production and operation. Asbestos is an effective insulator for boilers, and manufacturing and insulating boiler equipment with asbestos can reduce the risks related to high temperatures. Indeed, many of the uses of asbestos that put many boiler workers at risk were banned, but the reality is that boiler workers are still at a huge risk of asbestos exposure.

How Boiler Workers Were and Can Still be Exposed to Asbestos

According to the Department of Labor, boiler workers include workers who produce and install the machines, known as boilermakers, and workers who oversee the daily use of boilers in boiler rooms or engine rooms, known as boiler operators. Asbestos poses a threat to both boilermakers and boiler operators.

What You Should Know About Global Asbestos Awareness Week

March 11, 2022 | Throneberry Law Group

April 1 to April 7 is Global Asbestos Awareness Week. Every year, the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) dedicates this week to bringing together experts and victims from across the globe to share, learn, and take action. If you are only hearing about Global Asbestos Awareness Week, you might be wondering what is so important about this week. Read on as we focus on the importance of Global Asbestos Awareness Week.

What is the Importance of Global Asbestos Awareness Week?

The main goal of Global Asbestos Awareness Week is to educate the public about the continued dangers of asbestos exposure and the health problems that come with asbestos exposure. The Global Asbestos Awareness Week focuses on educating people about how to manage asbestos in order to prevent asbestos-related diseases. This week is generally about equipping people with the tools they need to protect themselves.

Why are Mesothelioma Rates in Women Increasing?

March 6, 2022 | Throneberry Law Group

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is caused by asbestos exposure. Some people assume that mesothelioma is a disease that only affects men. Indeed, historically, mesothelioma has been more prevalent in men. But, today, the balance is tipping. More and more women are being diagnosed with this fatal disease. So, why is there a growing increase in mesothelioma in women? Read on to find out.

Women and Asbestos Exposure

In the 20^th century, asbestos exposure in the workplace was quite common. Workers in numerous industries, including the following, were routinely exposed to mesothelioma;

What is a Mesothelioma Deposition?

February 27, 2022 | Throneberry Law Group

Usually, cases that involve legal and factual issues require depositions. Because mesothelioma cases involve such matters, they require depositions. For most people, the topic of depositions is one they do not understand quite well. Even if you have experienced a deposition in another setting, you might find a mesothelioma deposition different. This article shares some basics on mesothelioma depositions.

What is a Mesothelioma Deposition?

When a case involves legal and factual issues, all named parties have the right to conduct a formal investigation to find out more. Discovery comes in many forms, one of the most common being depositions. A deposition involves taking an oral statement of a plaintiff or witness before trial, under oath. Therefore, a mesothelioma deposition generally consists of taking a verbal statement of the patient and people with knowledge about how the patient developed their illness.

Nationwide Mesothelioma Registry

February 26, 2022 | Throneberry Law Group

Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer usually caused by asbestos exposure. Unfortunately, mesothelioma is an aggressive and deadly disease; currently, there is no cure for it. Recently, a bipartisan bill was sponsored to create a nationwide mesothelioma registry aimed at tracking mesothelioma cases in the U.S. to improve treatment and care. This bill would establish a national patient registry for mesothelioma at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). A mesothelioma registry would give patients and researchers access to crucial data with the goal of improving treatment and care. If the bill passes, the U.S. will join other countries, like Australia, that already have mesothelioma registries.

The Existing Cancer Database Has Shortcomings

Currently, there is a cancer registry in the U.S. However, this registry has several shortcomings. First, it takes too long for data to join the United States Cancer Statistics database. Before data enters the database, it has to go through a process that can take months or even years. Unfortunately, some mesothelioma patients do not have months or years to make critical treatment decisions. So, this means that a patient or doctor could end up making decisions using outdated information or not finding the database helpful.

Questions to Ask After a Mesothelioma Diagnosis

February 12, 2022 | Throneberry Law Group

If you just learned that you have mesothelioma, there is a lot you need to know, and so it is understandable if you have a lot of questions on your mind. It is vital that you ask your cancer care team all those questions. You should ask all questions without worrying that a question is irrelevant or small. When it comes to mesothelioma, no question is small or irrelevant. Mesothelioma is a complicated and aggressive disease, so it is crucial that you ask all the questions you can think of. If you cannot get an answer to a question, ensure you keep pushing for an answer.

However, although no question is small or irrelevant, it is crucial that you ask certain questions. The following are some of the specific questions the American Cancer Society recommends asking after being told you have mesothelioma;

What type of mesothelioma am I suffering from?

Mesothelioma Clinical Trials

February 5, 2022 | Throneberry Law Group

Mesothelioma specialists are working tirelessly to create new mesothelioma treatments. Specialists are working hard to develop new ways to prevent and detect mesothelioma. Currently, there are several treatment options available for mesothelioma that have already been tested in clinical trials and approved. A good number of prevention and detection methods for mesothelioma have also been tested in clinical trials and approved. Usually, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires that a treatment option, prevention method, or detection method undergo three or four trial phases before it grants approval. This is because clinical trials are crucial in identifying effective and safe treatments, prevention methods, and detection methods. Current treatment options, detection methods, and prevention methods are the result of successful past clinical trials.

What are Mesothelioma Clinical Trials?

Generally, mesothelioma clinical trials include:

Seven Myths About Asbestos Debunked

February 1, 2022 | Throneberry Law Group

Despite all the available information, many myths about asbestos, the dangerous naturally occurring mineral that causes life-threatening illnesses, persist. Unfortunately, many people continue believing these myths, which can prevent individuals from seeking necessary medical treatment and/or exploring their legal options after a diagnosis.

Below, we will debunk seven of the most prevalent myths about asbestos.

Myth #1: All Asbestos Use Has Been Banned

New California Law Aims to Provide Justice for Surviving Family Members in Mesothelioma Cases

January 22, 2022 | Throneberry Law Group

California has allowed victims’ pain and suffering damages to die with them for decades. In other words, California has long barred surviving family members from obtaining pain and suffering damages. Usually, pain and suffering damages are the greatest sum of money at stake in a civil suit. For a very long time, California law limited the damages that surviving family members could recover to the loss or damage that the decedent incurred before their death, including punitive damages that the decedent could have been entitled to recover if they had lived.

Finally, in January 2022, amendments to the California law that long barred surviving family members from recovering pain and suffering damages went into effect. California’s new law now allows surviving family members to recover pain and suffering damages on behalf of their deceased loved ones. Senate Bill No. 447 (SB 447) increased the number of payable damages to include pain and suffering damages.

Before the passing of SB 447, liable parties used to take advantage of the fact that surviving family members could not recover pain and suffering damages, which often resulted in multi-million-dollar payouts. When companies and individuals were sued, they used to drag out the trial, hoping that the plaintiff would die, allowing them to save money. To some, the previous California law rewarded companies and individuals for bad behavior (prolonging court procedures). Hopefully, SB 447 will end the injustice by allowing family members to pursue suffering damages even if their loved one dies before their claims are resolved.

How Expert Witnesses Can Help Your Mesothelioma Case

January 20, 2022 | Throneberry Law Group

When it comes to mesothelioma lawsuits, it is usually a good idea to look for expert assistance. An attorney is one of the experts a patient or the family of a mesothelioma patient needs to work with. Another expert that might prove beneficial to a mesothelioma case is an expert witness. Usually, expert witnesses are necessary in personal injury cases where medical and legal issues become complex, and mesothelioma lawsuits almost always involve complex medical and legal issues.

Read on to learn how an expert witness can help your mesothelioma case.

What is an Expert Witness?