After someone is diagnosed with mesothelioma, their next step is usually to attempt to determine when and where they were exposed to the asbestos that ultimately caused their disease. For some, this is easy: they can point to a specific place of employment or workplace task at which they were exposed to asbestos or asbestos products. For others who have never worked directly with asbestos, however, determining the source of exposure can be much more difficult.
Paternity issues delay division of damages in asbestos lawsuit
Recently, a judge ruled that two women who claimed to be the daughters of a deceased man could intervene in a widow's lawsuit against several companies she claims were responsible for the man's death from cancer. Now, a jury is tasked with dividing the damages awarded in the lawsuit among the three women.
Widow files asbestos lawsuit against multiple companies
The wife of a man who recently passed away from an asbestos-related illness has filed a personal injury lawsuit against more than a dozen companies that she says were responsible for exposing her husband to the asbestos fibers that ultimately caused his disease and death.
Conoco Phillips appeals asbestos award
An appeal filed by oil giant Conoco Phillips is reportedly set to begin later this month. The company filed the appeal after it was ordered to pay more than $15 million in damages to a former employee who had been exposed to asbestos during his employment with the company, ultimately causing him to be diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Could surgery provide more accuracy in mesothelioma diagnoses?
Although mesothelioma has been affecting people for several decades, doctors and researchers still have much to learn about the deadly disease. For example, one of the standard diagnostic tests for pleural mesothelioma often returns a false negative result, delaying the critical treatments that patients need to survive.
EPA sues contractor over improper asbestos removal
The United States Environmental Protection Agency recently filed a lawsuit against a contractor over claims that the company failed to remove toxic asbestos materials before demolishing a former gunpowder plant in New Jersey. According to the lawsuit, the company's failure to act is in violation of the Clean Air Act and the National Emission Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants.
Man wins mesothelioma suit despite short period of exposure
Because mesothelioma usually takes several decades to develop, it can be difficult to identify when and where you were exposed to asbestos. This, in turn, can make the process of filing, litigating, and winning a mesothelioma lawsuit that much more difficult. But in one recent case, a plaintiff was able to pinpoint the work that exposed him to asbestos and caused him to be diagnosed with mesothelioma more than 40 years later, despite the fact that his exposure lasted just 67 days.
As Joplin cleanup continues, asbestos remains a concern
When a massive tornado hit Joplin, Missouri, earlier this year, it brought with it 200 mph winds. As the half-mile tornado tore through the town, it damaged more than 8,000 buildings destroyed, including homes, business, and other structures.
Judge vacates record asbestos verdict
A judge has granted the motion of two chemical companies to vacate the record-setting asbestos verdict that was awarded in a case against them earlier this year. The reason for the reversal was an alleged conflict of interest between a defendant company and the judge who oversaw the original asbestos trial against that company.
