Mesothelioma Lawyers Blog

May 13, 2014

Aggressive Mesothelioma Surgery Remains Controversial

As one of the most aggressive forms of cancer, patients of mesothelioma are often willing to try anything, even new or experimental treatments. One aggressive form of mesothelioma treatment has been the subject of debate as medical experts continue to debate the effectiveness of a clinical trial. According to some opponents, the trial failed to show any benefits to the extremely complicated form of surgery, known as extrapleural pneumonectomy. For many doctors, the operation is no longer favored over more traditional therapies and has been replaced with a less radical operation.

Understanding the complicated methods and treatment procedures can be overwhelming for patients and their loved ones. While you may have different treatment options available, it can be difficult to assess the risks, benefits, and costs. Our mesothelioma attorneys in Boston understand the struggles faced by mesothelioma patients and their families. A diagnosis of mesothelioma is extremely emotional and may create additional burdens and hardship for your family beyond medical care and treatment. As advocates of patients, we work to identify underlying causes of exposure and will pursue necessary compensation to help cover treatment, care, and your family needs through this difficult time.
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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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May 5, 2014

Revered Brandeis Professor Dies of Mesothelioma

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Mesothelioma is one of the most dangerous and deadly forms of cancer. Patients are often given just months to live after a mesothelioma diagnosis. While there are treatment options available, families and loved ones of mesothelioma patients are often forced to face the inevitable. In another tragic mesothelioma case, a revered Brandeis English professor lost his life to mesothelioma. The professor was known for his passionate contributions to the literary community and dedication to his students.

According to The Boston Globe, the teacher and writer examined politics and literature and made his life’s work from making sense of politics and the economy with a particular focus on post-Civil War era works. He died in March in his Cambridge home of mesothelioma. Our Boston mesothelioma attorneys are committed to representing victims and families who have been impacted by asbestos exposure and mesothelioma. We will take a strategic approach to review your medical case, identify responsible entities, and pursue the compensation you and your family need and deserve. We are also abreast of mesothelioma-related news and developments in Boston and throughout Massachusetts.
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May 1, 2014

Mesothelioma Litigation: Battling the Bare Metal Defense

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

The so-called “bare metal defense” is gaining traction in mass tort asbestos actions throughout the country.

Mesothelioma litigation defendants are finding that in some cases, they can successfully argue they should not be held responsible for damages caused by asbestos-containing elements of their product, because they did not manufacture or distribute those specific elements. They assert no duty to warn with respect to a third-party’s asbestos-containing insulation or replacement components.
Our
New England mesothelioma lawyers recognize the problem with this argument is that the asbestos-containing elements of those products were considered essential. To assert that the defendants didn’t know those parts of their product contained asbestos or that the asbestos wasn’t dangerous is a serious stretch, and one that allows culpable manufacturers to escape responsibility for the irreparable harm caused to so many people.

Unfortunately, some courts have been buying it. In Massachusetts, a Superior Court judge overseeing the case of Whiting v. Alfa Laval Inc. granted a summary judgment to two defendants in a case where a plaintiff widow alleged her husband had died due to exposure to asbestos-contaminated products while in the Navy. The defendant, in that case a manufacturer of valves and turbines used on Navy ships, asserted it had no duty to warn of the potential dangers arising from equipment that it neither manufactured nor supplied. Defendants cited favorable rulings by both the California and Washington Supreme courts.
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April 28, 2014

Alcoholism Drug May Fight Mesothelioma Tumors

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

As patients diagnosed with mesothelioma hold out hope, doctors, researchers and other medical professionals are seeking various treatments to fight the progression of the deadly cancer. In recent findings, a drug approved by the FDA for the treatment of alcoholism may have the ability to fight off malignant mesothelioma tumors as well. Any effective cancer fighting measures could have the impact of improving and prolonging life for a victim. Mesothelioma continues to be one of the most aggressive forms of cancer and is often unresponsive to traditional therapies.

Mesothelioma is one of the deadliest forms of cancer and is caused by asbestos exposure. Victims may have been exposed to asbestos years or even decades before they learn that the asbestos has led to a cancer diagnosis. Our Boston mesothelioma attorneys are dedicated to protecting the rights of victims and helping patients recover maximum coverage after asbestos exposure. We will investigate your case, identify potential sources of exposure and pursue compensation from responsible entities. Our priority is helping victims recover the financial compensation they deserve and in raising awareness to prevent future cases of mesothelioma.
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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 12, 2014

More Companies Asking for Information about Asbestos Cases

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Asbestos litigation has been ongoing for years and has become contentious as more and more people fall ill because of exposure to asbestos and as more companies are driven into insolvency when they are unable to pay victims’ claims. Because of the ongoing legal controversies, some companies have taken a more aggressive approach to protecting their balance sheets and fighting asbestos plaintiffs seeking monetary damages.

As the Democrat & Chronicle Reports, one particular company is fighting to obtain information about asbestos plaintiffs to determine the extent of the company’s actual responsibility for damages. The fight spearheaded by this company is becoming more heated and others are joining in. The controversy underscores the importance of hiring an experienced Boston mesothelioma lawyer to ensure that you take the right legal steps to make a legitimate case so you right to damages does not come under attack.
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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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