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Do women diagnosed with mesothelioma survive longer than men?

We recently published a SlideShare discussing mesothelioma, and better response to treatment and longer life expectancy among women diagnosed with the disease. Please view the slides to learn more.

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    Woman blames mesothelioma on Johnson & Johnson baby powder

    South Carolina consumers trust companies to provide safe and effective products. When these expectations are violated, an individual’s safety, health and well-being may be at risk. An out-of-state woman is currently seeking $28 million from Johnson & Johnson, claiming that baby powder contaminated with asbestos caused her to develop mesothelioma.

    The woman claims that she used Johnson & Johnson brand baby powder for around 40 years. Testing of one of her bottles of baby powder revealed that there were 25,000 fibers of asbestos in every gram of talc powder. This amounted to 6 million individual fibers in a single bottle. Her suit alleges that she was routinely exposed to this asbestos over the course of her decades of use, which ultimately caused her cancer.

    Both Johnson & Johnson and its co-defendant, Imerys Talc America, deny these claims. Instead, they insist that her mesothelioma must have spontaneously developed. It is not clear if they have any evidence from her medical records or health history to support this claim.

    This is not the first or only lawsuit that Johnson & Johnson is facing over its baby powder. Hundreds of other women are also pursuing claims, accusing the company of producing unsafe products that it advertised as both effective and safe. While the majority of these suits involve claims of ovarian cancer, mesothelioma is also cited in some.

    Cancer of any type is devastating, but victims who develop mesothelioma usually do so not because of their own actions or a genetic predisposition, but because of negligent asbestos exposure. Victims in South Carolina often find that compensation can help address the financial, physical and emotional damages of their illness. However, since most must demonstrate negligence from years if not decades ago, keeping important records regarding exposure, doctors visits and more can be helpful.

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      Pathologist testifies during victim’s mesothelioma lawsuit

      Baby powder was once largely comprised of talc, a substance that is frequently contaminated with asbestos. In the past, this type of talc baby powder was a commonly-used substance by many in South Carolina, and now some residents may be developing devastating health consequences. Exposure to asbestos is known to cause the deadly cancer mesothelioma.

      A pathology expert recently testified in an out-of-state courtroom on behalf of a woman suing Johnson & Johnson. Her suit claims that the company’s talc-based baby powder caused her to develop mesothelioma, which leaves victims with an average life expectancy of about two years. It is generally accepted that it takes about 10 years from the time of exposure to the development of mesothelioma tumors.

      During court, the pathologist explained that mesothelioma tumors are a type of signal tumor. Signal tumors indicate a specific cause for a cancer, and as he explained, mesothelioma’s is a signal for exposure to asbestos. He did state that in extremely rare cases certain other natural fibers could sometimes cause a person to develop mesothelioma, but that the real cause is almost always asbestos.

      With limited life expectancy and considerable medical bills along the way, victims who develop mesothelioma often feel extremely disheartened. However, compensation for South Carolina victims may be possible. Holding companies accountable through the careful actions of a civil suit not only help victims address the financial side of their damages, it can also force the companies to make necessary changes that protect future consumers from suffering similar outcomes.

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        EPA ignores those most at risk for mesothelioma

        Analyzing the potential of asbestos exposure for high-risk workers is essential for keeping them safe on the job. Unfortunately, those who are most likely to encounter asbestos will be left out of the Environmental Protection Agency’s new risk analysis strategy. Leaving these workers out of the equation could put more people in South Carolina at risk for developing mesothelioma, a deadly cancer associated with exposure to asbestos.

        Legacy asbestos is a serious problem for firefighters, electricians, plumbers, roofers and other blue-collar workers. This toxic substance was once commonly used as an insulator and for other building projects, so when it comes time to replace old tiling or tear down walls, the fibers can easily end up in the air. Inhaling those fibers can have serious medical consequences. Although the EPA is currently looking at the ongoing use of asbestos and other toxic chemicals, it says it will not consider the risks associated with legacy asbestos, blue collar workers or the ways in which new uses might hurt these people.

        Public comments criticizing the EPA’s risk analysis strategy came from unlikely sources — such as physicians and public health officials — who usually do not weigh in on such matters. These individuals and groups expressed their concern over the planned policies, which they say ignores many of the possible situations in which individuals might be exposed to one of 10 chemicals. The EPA has said that it does not plan to consider all of the possible ways in which an exposure might occur, which could lead to looser regulations that ultimately put more people at risk.

        Mesothelioma is a devastating cancer that is known to be caused by inhaling asbestos fibers, and victims often develop it after exposure at their place of work. When South Carolina employers know that their workers will be handling asbestos, they must provide adequate warning, training and safety gear. If they fail to do so, victims of mesothelioma may be able to hold them responsible through the careful actions of a civil court claim.

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          Suffering from mesothelioma? Your employer might be to blame

          The narrative around asbestos is fraught with corporate interests and influence. Before the public understood the associated risks, many corporations were fully aware of the dangers but chose to conceal that information. Even now, some South Carolina businesses limit the information they give their employees about asbestos. For them, it is all about minimizing the chance that they will have to pay compensation. But for workers, it is a potential for developing mesothelioma.

          In many ways, asbestos seems like an ideal substance. It is lightweight and durable, and it is also extremely resistant to changes from chemicals or heat. These seemingly wondrous properties made it a popular addition to many products, including insulation, drywall, car parts, fireproofing products and more. However, once businesses realized the serious health implications of asbestos, they should have discontinued its use and provided adequate information to their workers. Unfortunately, this never happened.

          The health effects of asbestos exposure and inhalation — such as mesothelioma and lung cancer — were purposely suppressed. Workers in construction, manufacturing and many other industries were exposed to this deadly substance for years or even decades without any idea that they were at risk. Perhaps even more upsetting is the inadvertent exposure to their families, as asbestos fibers can easily travel on a person’s body or clothing.

          Concealing important safety information from South Carolina workers is not just upsetting, it is wrong. Countless men and women are now suffering from serious health issues such as mesothelioma because of this behavior, and some may be unsure of where to turn. After all, the effects of mesothelioma can take years or decades to develop, so most victims do not have much documentation of their exposure when they go to seek compensation. This is why working with an experienced counsel when going up against large companies is so important.

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            Victim settles mesothelioma claim with Colgate-Palmolive

            Baby powder is frequently associated with the company Johnson & Johnson, but many other brands produce and distribute this product. Colgate-Palmolive is another such brand, and it recently settled a claim that its baby powder products caused mesothelioma for an out-of-state man. This outcome could be good news for victims in South Carolina who are considering pursuing compensation for their own injuries.

            The details surrounding the 67-year-old man’s story are not clear, as he never had the opportunity to tell his story during court proceedings. This is because he reached a settlement with Colgate-Palmolive shortly before they were set to go to trial. However, basic details of the case are available.

            According to his claim, the victim developed mesothelioma because of Colgate-Palmolive’s dangerous product. At some point in his life, he had inhaled baby powder that was talc-based and contained cancerous fibers. It is not clear when or over what period of time this occurred, or how long it took the cancer to develop.

            It is not uncommon for large companies to choose to settle cases such as this, as they can exercise more control on the information that is released, such as details of the case and the amount of the settlement. Settling is also typically cheaper than fighting accusations in court. However, this should not deter anyone in South Carolina who would like to seek compensation after receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis. In many cases, negligent companies can be held responsible for their irresponsible actions that led to the serious harm of consumers and/or workers.

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              Is a cure for mesothelioma on the horizon?

              We recently published a Slideshare discussing a hopeful new treatment for mesothelioma patients. Please view these slides to learn more.

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                Mesothelioma victim wins millions in Johnson & Johnson case

                Johnson & Johnson is almost synonymous with baby products, and an untold number of families in South Carolina use their products on a regular basis. Unfortunately, their popular baby powder product may not be as safe as the company claims. One consumer developed mesothelioma after many years and thousands of applications, and recently won $25.75 million in damages.

                The woman claims that she used Johnson & Johnson brand baby powders for years before developing cancer. As a frequent bowler, she typically dusted both her hands and her bowling shoes with the powder. Her suit also asserts that she used the company’s baby powder to help fight diaper rashes when her children were little. Court experts estimated this amounted to at least 10,000 individual uses.

                Although asbestos — which causes the dangerous cancer mesothelioma — is not an ingredient in baby powder, experts believe that the mineral talc is to blame. Talc is usually mined in close proximity to asbestos, and cross-contamination is not necessarily uncommon. Johnson & Johnson claims that none of its baby powder has contained any asbestos since the 1970s, and does not believe that its product is to blame for the development of cancer.

                This woman is not alone in her claims, though. Another out-of-state woman and her husband filed a suit on behalf of the man, who developed mesothelioma after using talcum-based baby powder for decades. They were awarded $117 million, but the company is appealing the decision. Another case is currently being fought in South Carolina after thousands of women allegedly developed ovarian cancer from using baby powder.

                Consumers should be able to safely use products as advertised without fear of cancer or other ill-effects. Sadly, many people have developed mesothelioma from using asbestos-tainted products, and must suffer the emotional and physical trauma for the rest of their lives. Seeking compensation from companies that disregard safety in lieu of profits can help victims achieve a sense of justice, and may also force these companies to implement changes that protect future consumers.

                Source: CNN, “Johnson & Johnson hit with $25.75 million verdict in talc-asbestos case“, Jen Christensen, May 24, 2018

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                  Mesothelioma: Did your job make your sick?

                  The United States is definitely a country that was built upon the labor of its citizens. Whether you live in beautiful South Carolina or another part of the nation, it is logical to assume that somewhere nearby, you can find active signs of labor or vacant structures that give glimpses of industries that closed their doors long ago. Perhaps you have served on a ship in the U.S. military or worked in a textile mill. The fruits of labor can be seen throughout the nation. Sadly, however, so can the downsides, such as those now suffering from mesothelioma or other illnesses caused by asbestos exposure.

                  You may have experienced symptoms before you received an official diagnosis that mesothelioma, a rare cancer, had taken hold inside your body. You likely were unaware that you had ingested microscopic fibers from asbestos in your workplace. As years passed, those fibers may have developed into the illness that now causes you to cough and suffer from chest pain and other bodily discomfort.

                  Science has shown that no amount of exposure to asbestos is safe. That’s why there are regulations obligating employers to inform workers of potential hazards when they are aware of them on the job. It is also your employer’s responsibility to provide proper training and equipment to help keep you and co-workers as safe as possible.

                  It is tragic that many people suffering from mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases in South Carolina and throughout the nation worked for employers who were well aware of the dangers but failed to fulfill their legal obligations to keep their workers safe. Many of these situations have led to litigation. If you would like to discuss a particular issue with someone well versed in the laws that govern such matters, you can request a consultation with Richardson, Patrick, Westbrook & Brickman, LLC.

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                    Support is available for those suffering asbestos exposure injury

                    The dangers associated with naturally occurring fibrous materials known as asbestos were not always so widely known. In fact, many industries regularly used asbestos in construction and to manufacture various products. Asbestos has flame retardant properties that made it a desirable component in the manufacture of insulation and other types of materials, sometimes even including clothing. Asbestos exposure continues to pose great risks to workers and residents in South Carolina and beyond.

                    The use of asbestos is greatly restricted nowadays; however, many older homes and buildings or products still contain the microscopic particles that can get lodged in a person’s lungs, causing irreparable damage that often leads to fatal illness. People suffering from such illnesses often remain unaware of their diseases until long after their initial asbestos exposures took place. Those who worked in shipyards, refineries or textile factories are at high risk for such illnesses.

                    Thankfully, medical science now provides the tools necessary to help diagnose asbestos-related illnesses. The first signs of illness often include chronic chest discomfort, unexplained coughing or severe fatigue. Once a formal diagnosis is made, palliative treatment can be provided to help a patient find relief for his or her symptoms.

                    Many asbestos exposure incidents lead to litigation. Such incidents are often preventable and determined to have been caused by one or more parties’ negligence. Richardson, Patrick, Westbrook & Brickman, LLC, has successfully guided many South Carolina asbestos injury victims through the process of seeking legal accountability against those deemed responsible for their suffering.

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