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Mesothelioma Patients Largely Unaffected by Chemotherapy Drug Shortages
A follow-up survey conducted by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) has revealed that though shortages of chemotherapy drugs are continuing, they are having little to no impact on mesothelioma patients and others diagnosed with other cancers. Experts attribute this to the adoption of strict protocols and strategies regarding the use of available resources. Chemotherapy Drug Shortages
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New Mesothelioma Research Focuses on Specific Cells
The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer held its 2023 World Conference on Lung Cancer last week, and much of the information presented focused on discoveries in malignant mesothelioma. One clinical trial’s results were presented focused on the importance of dendritic cells and how they can be leveraged to stimulate immune responses.
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Asbestos Cloth and Boiler Companies Must Face Jury in Louisiana Mesothelioma Lawsuit
Felton Robichaux died of malignant mesothelioma just six months after being diagnosed with the rare, asbestos-related disease. In seeking justice and compensation for his suffering and loss, his survivors have filed a personal injury lawsuit naming several companies as defendants. Many of those companies are asking to have the case against them dismissed, but their
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Missouri Appeals Court Upholds $20 Million Mesothelioma Verdict
In March of 2022, a St. Louis jury awarded Ford Motor Company to pay $20 million in damages to an auto mechanic dying of malignant mesothelioma and his wife. Despite the definitive decision from the jury, Ford appealed the verdict. This week the Missouri Court of Appeals of the Eastern District upheld the verdict, despite
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HVAC Company’s Attempt to Be Dismissed from Mesothelioma Claim Fails in New York Court
It’s been more than four years since Michelle Togher and Peter Vincent filed a mesothelioma lawsuit against the many companies they blamed for their father’s illness. Charles Vincent had been exposed to multiple asbestos-contaminated products through the course of his life, and his family’s claim sought compensation from those responsible. Though one of the named
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Court Denies Asbestos Company’s Motions in Louisiana Man’s Mesothelioma Case
As is often true in mesothelioma claims, Felton Robichaux’s lawsuit names multiple defendants whose actions or inactions contributed to his fatal illness. Last week brought resolutions to two separate motions filed by defendants seeking action on aspects of the claims against them: One defendant sought to preclude expert testimony based on the lateness of submitted
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Automotive Defendants’ Request for Dismissal from Mesothelioma Claim Denied
Samson Bareh is a former auto mechanic who was recently diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma. Faced with the reality of a devastating prognosis, he filed a personal injury lawsuit against the automotive companies whose parts he worked with on the grounds of strict product liability, negligence, and fraud. Though the companies asked for the case
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Asbestos Lung Cancer Victim Awarded $38 Million by New York Jury
August saw the end to a long journey to justice for a 66-year-old asbestos lung cancer victim. The immigrant and former boiler worker and his wife were awarded $38 million in damages by a New York jury that agreed that commercial boiler manufacturer Burnham LLC was liable for his illness, despite his extensive history of
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Hawaiian Mesothelioma Researchers Identify Key Protein
Though it has long been known that malignant mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos, the mechanism behind the rare form of cancer’s development has remained a mystery. This month a group of researchers from the University of Hawaii published a study that may hold the answer to that question.
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Auto Parts Companies Ask to Be Excused from Mesothelioma Lawsuit
Many auto parts were once made with asbestos, and as a result, auto mechanics and those exposed to auto parts are at particular risk for malignant mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. When Ronald Carpenter died of malignant mesothelioma after a long career as a truck driver, his widow filed a claim against multiple asbestos companies,
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Johnson & Johnson Accuses Mesothelioma Victim of False Joinder
In July of 2021, Ann Greenberg filed a mesothelioma lawsuit against Kolmar Laboratories, Inc., a company used by Johnson & Johnson to manufacture its talc powder products. A day later she added Johnson & Johnson to her complaint, accusing both of negligence in exposing her to asbestos. Though Johnson & Johnson accused her of false
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Boiler Manufacturer Can’t Quash Punitive Damages Claim from Mesothelioma Victim
When mesothelioma victim Kevin Burns filed a personal injury case against boiler company Burnham LLC, he included punitive damages in his claim. The company responded by filing a motion for partial summary judgment to dismiss that portion of the complaint, but this week the Supreme Court of New York denied their request, noting that the
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Court Says World Trade Center Worker’s Mesothelioma Lawsuit Can Proceed
When Kenneth Last was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma, it was no mystery as to where his exposure had come from. He had worked as a sub-contracted employee at the World Trade Center when it was under construction, and he blamed his exposure on general contractor ALCOA’s use of asbestos-containing materials where he had worked. Though
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Massachusetts Legislators Weigh Closing Loophole That Has Barred Mesothelioma Claims
The legislators in the state of Massachusetts are considering a change to a law that has effectively blocked mesothelioma victims from seeking justice from companies that exposed them to asbestos. The state courts currently must adhere to a construction tort statute of repose that places a six-year limit on construction-related asbestos claims.
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Teachers Who Feared Mesothelioma File First Amendment Class Action Suit
Teachers are among those most at risk for malignant mesothelioma, a fact made painfully clear in Philadelphia, where a teacher was diagnosed with the rare and deadly cancer. Multiple school buildings have been shut down for remediation and the issue is a growing concern. This week it was revealed that the Philadelphia school district docked
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Conference Attendees Hear Details of Mesothelioma Breath Test Study
For asbestos-exposed individuals, the specter of mesothelioma is always lurking in the background. Every cough or discomfort raises alarm bells that it could be the first sign of a deadly diagnosis. Researchers have been exploring the utility of a screening breath test to help allay these fears and provide an early detection tool. They reported on their
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Judge Rules Mesothelioma Worker’s Lawsuit Against Avondale Shipyard Can Proceed
Felton Robichaux’s malignant mesothelioma diagnosis came after years of working as a land-based insulator and carpenter at Avondale Shipyard. He filed suit against the company and the shipyard responded by seeking dismissal of the case. Though they argued that his claim under state law was precluded by the rules of the Longshore and Harbor Workers’
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Validity of 2009 Mesothelioma Staging Study Confirmed
Back in 2009, the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer presented a model they’d developed to help stage malignant mesothelioma cases. Since then, additional data has been added to the model’s database to continue enhancing its accuracy. This week, the group’s members attending its annual conference in Singapore learned that the model is
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Court Denies Asbestos Company’s Motion to Overturn $35 Million Mesothelioma Verdict
In November of 2022, mesothelioma victim James McWilliams heard a New York jury order a valve manufacturer to pay him $35,000,000 in damages, including $23 million for past and future pain and suffering. The defendant, Jenkins Bros., filed a motion to order a new trial or revise a verdict they called “clearly excessive.” Last month
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Jury Takes Just 20 Minutes to Award Mesothelioma Victim’s Family $40 Million
In January of 2020, Bruce Torgerson succumbed to malignant pleural mesothelioma after an 18-month battle. He left behind two adult children, grandchildren, and a wife who was suffering from Alzheimer’s. Late last month, a 12-person jury in Cook County, Illinois awarded his survivors $40,750,000 in damages from three companies that they blamed for having negligently
