In our last post, we talked about the increasing "industry losses" that are occurring due to asbestos-related lawsuits. However, much of that post -- and, indeed, the source material for that post -- was dedicated to the perception asbestos-related lawsuits have. The implication is that asbestos lawsuits have a good chance of being successful, and thus anybody who has been significantly exposed to asbestos should seek such a lawsuit. As a result, asbestos lawsuit costs are up and payouts to plaintiffs are increasing.
Combination of treatments shows positive results for mesothelioma
Being diagnosed with mesothelioma can be devastating. It is caused by exposure to asbestos and may go undetected for decades. People who have this rare form of cancer often learn that the disease is slow to develop but can be very aggressive by the time of diagnosis. Many mesothelioma victims pass away within months after they are diagnosed because the cancer may have already spread to other organs or tissues.
Report says that industry losses to asbestos lawsuits increased
According to a new report by A.M. Best & Co. (a statistical organization), the financial losses felt by U.S. industry as a result of asbestos-related lawsuits increased in 2012 by 12 percent. That shows a stark change to what happened in 2011, when losses related to such lawsuits declined 31 percent.
Workers, residents face health risks of asbestos violations
Working in certain jobs can put employees at risk of developing serious work-related illnesses. This can be especially true for workers who have been exposed to asbestos on the job. For decades, it has been known that the mineral can do catastrophic damage to a person's health if it is inhaled or ingested. But despite this knowledge, many employers still fail to properly warn employees of these risks and protect them from exposure.
Man alleges that joint compound paste led to mesothelioma
For decades, companies all across the country manufactured and sold products containing asbestos. While it has long been known that asbestos exposure can lead to serious and fatal illnesses, many of these companies kept this information under their hats. They did not warn consumers that a product contained asbestos, and if they did, they failed to appropriately warn them of the dangers associated with the toxic fiber.
The dangers of asbestos for Navy members (and other ship workers)
As Veterans Day has come and gone, many people in North Carolina -- and all around the country -- honored and thanked the hundreds of thousands of people who have served in the military. Many of these veterans, both young and old, served in the Navy and, as a result, they may spend a lot of time on ships of all sizes and classifications.
Congresswoman's lawsuit sparks debate over smoking and asbestos
On this blog, we often discuss the fact that companies and manufacturers have known for decades that products with asbestos can pose a serious threat to a person's health. Airborne asbestos can enter a person's lungs and do some serious damage, causing a person to develop various types of cancer, including lung cancer.
Mesothelioma claims the life of oil refinery operator
Mesothelioma is a devastating and fatal disease. Too many people develop this form of cancer after being exposed to toxic levels of asbestos. Any person can come into contact with the deadly substance, but it disproportionately affects those who spent years working with or around asbestos without knowing the dangers associated with the mineral.
Razed warehouse now considered an asbestos threat
It's jarring to think about it now, but there was a time in the not-too-distant past where asbestos was an integral part to the structure of a building. The material had so many desirable traits: it was fire-resistant, it was strong, it was relatively cheap and it boasted a number of other favorable elements to building construction.
Plumbing and heating company owner accused of asbestos violations
There are certain dustries in which workers should be well-versed in how to safely handle and dispose of asbestos. These employees are generally in construction, plumbing or transportation industries and often work with materials that were made using asbestos. Therefore, they should know how dangerous it is. This can be especially true when it comes to contracting companies tasked with removing asbestos from a building.
Mesothelioma could have come from any of hundreds of sources
Asbestos was once hailed as something of a miracle product. It appeared in all sorts of applications, and was renowned for its ability to resist fire. However, reliance on the substance ultimately was too good to be true. Over time, people in North Carolina and around the country -- around the world, in fact -- began to develop mesothelioma and other fatal diseases attributable to asbestos exposure.
Scientists may have found new test for pleural mesothelioma
One of the most difficult aspects of treating patients with mesothelioma and other forms of lung cancer that doctors face is obtaining an accurate picture of the severity of the disease. Traditionally, doctors will look at patients' lymph nodes to determine what stage a cancer is in. Once doctors determine what stage a cancer is in, they will use this information to development a treatment plan.
