Asbestos Exposure

June 18, 2014

Chevron and Texaco Named in Asbestos Exposure Lawsuit

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 filed a wrongful death claim against Chevron and Texaco based on asbestos exposure that took place while the victim was working for the defendant companies. The plaintiffs allege that their loved one contracted mesothelioma and died from the asbestos exposure. Now the family is seeking to recover damages and court costs.

Asbestos exposure can be fatal and may not be detected for years, even decades after exposure. Many victims will not learn of their asbestos exposure until they have contracted mesothelioma, a deadly asbestos-related cancer. Our Boston mesothelioma attorneys are dedicated to representing individuals and families who are impacted by this fatal disease. We will take the time to uncover the facts of your case, work to identify all responsible individuals and entities, and pursue maximum compensation on behalf of mesothelioma victims and their families. In addition to providing strategic advocacy in mesothelioma cases, our firm is abreast of asbestos-related claims and legal developments in Massachusetts and nationwide.
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June 10, 2014

Contractor Faces Jail Time for Causing Asbestos Exposure

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

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 is released. The special agent in charge of the local EPA’s criminal enforcement program said the “sentence should serve notice that EPA and its partner agencies remain committed to protecting communities through tough enforcement of the nation’s environmental laws.”

Contractors, construction companies and building owners have certain obligations when it comes to preventing asbestos exposure. Victims who are exposed to the deadly fibers could potentially take legal action to recover monetary compensation for damages in the event that an individual or company fails to live up to its duties to limit the risk of exposure. A Boston mesothelioma lawyer can help those who have been exposed.
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June 2, 2014

Mesothelioma Still Toxic Decades After Exposure

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

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 fact, there is no decline at all in the risk that mesothelioma will develop even after 40 years have passed since exposure occurred.

The long latency period of asbestos can make it more difficult for victims to recover compensation from those responsible for exposing them to this dangerous toxin. An experienced Boston mesothelioma lawyer should be consulted by those with asbestos-related health conditions for help understanding their legal options and pursuing a damage claim.
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May 30, 2014

Asbestos Still Poses Risk at Old County Hospital Site

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

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. Officials are trying to work out plans for the old building, while remaining wary of toxins and hazards that could be kicked up through demolition and renovation efforts. The hospital suffered fire damage and has been crumbling for years. It has also been a fascination of ghost hunters and carries a mystique for residents and visitors.

Now, the Old Colony Planning Council is identifying and exploring potential options for the building and property site. The organization is working on a report that will be presented in December. While some potential uses for the building may increase revenue, create a renewal of the space, and preserve a historical landmark, officials must remain wary of the potential dangers of asbestos exposure. Our Boston mesothelioma attorneys are committed to protecting the rights of individuals who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. We are also abreast of legal issues and other developments related to asbestos exposure.
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May 18, 2014

Urban Renewal Project Includes $247,000 for Asbestos Removal

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Asbestos lurks in structures throughout Boston’s metropolitan area and the state of Massachusetts. The threat of exposure has created an incentive for government agencies as well as legislators to invest in clean-up to protect residents and workers. In a revitalization effort in Holyoke, the Environmental Protection Agency is providing the city with $247,000 to clean up hazardous materials at the former Hart Will Combing Factor on Appleton Street. The public has been invited to hear the city’s plan to clear the asbestos through safe removal processes.

Efforts to clean-up this building and others like it are taking place throughout the state. The clean-up was ordered after an analysis released by an environmental infrastructure company revealed high levels of toxicity and hazardous materials. Our Boston mesothelioma attorneys understand the significant risks posed by properties with asbestos contamination. For victims, the exposure can be immediate and the onset of mesothelioma may not be detected for years or decades. Despite clean-up efforts, asbestos exposure continues to pose a threat and onset of the dangerous cancer.
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May 10, 2014

Boston Builders Fined by DEP for Failing to Safely Remove Asbestos

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Though the risks of asbestos exposure are well-documented, there continues to be the potential for exposure in Boston and nationwide. City, state, and federal regulations are in place to limit the risks of exposure and to ensure that individuals and entities remain accountable when handling or removing asbestos. In a recent case that demonstrates the very real risk of modern asbestos exposure, a building company and its owners were fined $37,625 by the state Department of Environmental Protection for failing to follow safe and legal asbestos removal procedures.

According to reports, the Town and Country Builders located in Whitinsville were under inspection in December 2012 by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The agency found that the building company had improperly removed 100-feet of insulation pipe that contained asbestos from a multi-family residential property. Failing to safeguard the premises and failure to follow regulations could have put residents at risk of asbestos exposure. Our mesothelioma plaintiff attorneys are dedicated to helping asbestos exposure victims protect their rights. We will investigate mesothelioma diagnoses to determine the original source of exposure and to hold responsible individuals and entities accountable.
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April 25, 2014

Japanese Study Finds Chemo Still Best Treatment for Mesothelioma

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Worldwide, medical researchers and scientists continue to pour over records and data to develop new approaches for treating the deadly cancer mesothelioma. According to a new study published by a team of Japanese researchers, chemotherapy combined with cisplatin and pemetrexed continue to be the most effective treatment for mesothelioma patients. Despite efforts to develop new and more effective drug combinations, results indicated that chemo proved to be more effective than other forms of treatment.

One of the reasons researchers are desperate to find other forms of treatment is because the prognosis for mesothelioma patients is so grave. Most patients who are diagnosed with the deadly cancer are only given months to live. New drugs and treatments are a desperate attempt to challenge the bleak cancer prognosis and to give victims and their loved ones hope. Our Boston mesothelioma attorneys are dedicated to helping victims maximize compensation after asbestos exposure. We understand the difficult and complex nature of these cases and are committed to reducing the number of asbestos-related cancer cases in Massachusetts and nationwide.
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April 20, 2014

Mother Survives Mesothelioma for 8 Years After 15-Month Prognosis

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Mesothelioma is one of the deadliest forms of cancer and the majority of patients are given a bleak diagnosis. While most patients will seek some kind of treatment, others will be given a very short time to live and focus on pain relief and comfort. One mesothelioma patient is bringing hope to others nationwide, as she has survived 8 years beyond her 15-month prognosis. This case is garnering national attention, as the patient wants others to focus on hope and recovery as well.

While litigation cannot give you your life back or take away a cancer diagnosis, it can help you regain financial stability and seek justice against negligent entities that are responsible your condition. Our Boston mesothelioma attorneys have extensive experience representing individuals who suffer from asbestos-related cancer, including mesothelioma. We understand that these cases are complicated and that most families do not want to spend their days in litigation; however, our priority is helping victims recover necessary compensation and preventing future cases of exposure.
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April 15, 2014

Prevalence of Asbestos Means Decades of Litigation

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Asbestos has a very long history of use, with new research indicating that it dates back to at least the late 1100s. Unfortunately, asbestos has been proven to significantly increase the risk of serious medical problems including lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestos.

Those who are exposed to asbestos in old buildings or in other old materials using asbestos could become very sick. Breathing in asbestos particles can result in scar tissue forming on the lungs that, over a period of decades, will develop into the life-threatening lung conditions that have been linked to the asbestos silicate fibers. Those who are exposed to asbestos may be able to take legal action with the help of a Boston mesothelioma lawyer to recover compensation from the manufacturer or others responsible for the exposure.
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April 7, 2014

Asbestos Awareness Week Focuses on Asbestos Impact

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Asbestos Awareness Week takes place each year at the beginning of April. In 2014, the 10th Annual Asbestos Awareness Week ran from April 1- April 7. Asbestos Awareness Week is presented by the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) and it involves a multi-pronged campaign designed to both raise awareness of asbestos-related medical problems and to prevent further exposure in the future that could have deadly effects.

Drawing attention to the problems of asbestos is important because many people are unaware that this deadly substance still exists in common products and may be found in as many as 80 percent of older buildings built before the mid-1970’s. Exposure to asbestos has serious potential consequences and could cause a rare cancer called mesothelioma, as well as lung cancer, asbestosis and other medical conditions. Victims can take action with the help of a Boston mesothelioma lawyer, but hopefully with broader awareness, fewer people will be exposed and get sick.
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