Mesothelioma Law Blog

If you have recently been diagnosed with an asbestos-related condition, you may be wondering if you should take legal action against those who have harmed you. A valid claim could result in compensation for medical bills, lost wages, loss of earning capacity and other damages.

Every situation is different, and it often helps to involve a professional when trying to determine your best path forward. However, there are generally three types of people who can file valid legal claims for asbestos-related damages.

The link between asbestos and mesothelioma is undeniable. For many years, scientists have known that asbestos exposure can cause the rare cancer. However, this link gets muddied once talc producers get involved.

As Chemical Watch recently reported, this is because asbestos isn’t a single mineral. Instead, it’s a group of minerals that share some key features. Because these minerals are known to cause cancers like mesothelioma, companies need to keep them out of their products, which is why Johnson & Johnson, along with some other companies, have fought the government’s efforts to expand its definition of asbestos.

It can be difficult for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. Its symptoms often resemble those of other, more common respiratory diseases. So, how can you know if you have mesothelioma, the flu or something else?

The truth is that there's no easy answer. Certainly, since asbestos exposure is the leading cause of mesothelioma, your doctor may ask about your exposure to asbestos. But the work doctors do to identify mesothelioma is often done in stages.

In recent months, the world has learned a great deal about the link between talc products and mesothelioma. This owes largely to the reports that Johnson & Johnson knew for decades that its baby powder contains asbestos. Naturally, Johnson & Johnson denied the reports.

However, a recent study in the American Journal of Medicine may have undercut the health giant's denials. This study looked at 85 mesothelioma victims and supports the idea that repeated talc use may cause cancer.