In the case of Williams Sr. et al. v. Placid Oil Co., recently weighed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, an asbestos manufacturer’s bankruptcy effectively derailed the plaintiff’s claim for damages. In a split decision, the appellate court held that because the plaintiff was an “unknown…
In civil matters, there are two primary types of compensation: Compensatory and punitive. Both ultimately go to the plaintiff if he or she wins the case, but they serve very different purposes. Compensatory damages are those awarded to compensate the victim for the direct costs suffered – ie., medical bills,…
With a strong science and academic foundation, Boston has been at the forefront of medical advancements, research, and treatment breakthroughs. Brigham and Women’s Hospital is a leader in mesothelioma diagnosis and treatment and has continued to persevere on behalf of its patients. Currently, the hospital is the most prestigious treatment…
Mesothelioma is an aggressive and deadly form of asbestos-related cancer. Treatment options will vary depending on the individual circumstances of the patient and how early it is detected. Peritoneal mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that attacks the lining of the abdomen. Scientists in Nebraska have published research results,…
Throughout the history of labor in the United States, many industries have been known to expose workers to risk and disease. According to a recent case, a man was diagnosed with mesothelioma based on asbestos exposure when he worked in the oil industry. After a painful death, the victim’s family…
An April 2014 study published in PLOS One reviewed the possible impact of copper-enhanced disulfiram on pleural mesothelioma cells. Research on the impact of the medication was conducted at the Karmanos Cancer Institute at Wayne University, and the findings showed that the drug could potentially be effective at treating mesothelioma.…
A contractor whose construction company exposed employees and the public to asbestos will spend six months behind bars for violations of the Clean Air Act. The contractor will also pay a $10,000 fine, will face six months of home confinement, and will be on probation for three years after he…
There are at least 87 different mesothelioma clinical trials underway in 2014, yet surveys show that 85 percent of all cancer patients are either unaware of or unsure whether participation in a clinical trial is an option. According to the Huffington Post, 75 percent of those unaware of the potential…
Researchers recently conducted a study on the risk of developing mesothelioma a full four decades after having been first exposed to asbestos. Unfortunately, the study showed that it is not possible to outlive the risk of mesothelioma because a long latency period does not diminish the toxicity of asbestos. In…
Massachusetts’ oldest structures may be more likely to contain asbestos. According to the Boston Globe, the hospital that provided care to young victims of tuberculosis for decades continues to pose a risk of asbestos exposure. The Plymouth County Hospital was shut down in 1992 and still sits idle and decaying.…