الأربعاء، 31 أكتوبر 2018
الثلاثاء، 30 أكتوبر 2018
Getting the Right Diagnosis: Mesothelioma
People run the risk of developing a deadly condition through the inhalation of asbestos fibers. Due to the heat-transfer and heat-resistant properties of the material, asbestos was historically used in numerous products such as steam pipes, brake lining and various construction materials. Inhalation of asbestos fibers can lead to serious respiratory conditions such as asbestosis or mesothelioma.
When mesothelioma is misdiagnosed, however, individuals can face a worsening, fatal condition. The symptoms are not specific, which means that there are many other diseases that it mimics. An improper diagnosis can lead to delays in treatment and hurt your ability to survive.
Mesothelioma is a kind of cancer. For this reason, it is often misdiagnosed as other types of cancer. It may be misdiagnosed as lung cancer, for example, even though it's actually affecting the lining of the lungs, heart or abdomen.
What should you do if you think you've been misdiagnosed?
The first thing to do anytime that you have a serious diagnosis is to speak with another specialist for a second opinion. It is easy to diagnose a condition as another that has similar symptoms, but by seeing two doctors, you have a higher chance of getting the correct diagnosis faster. It is a good idea to have both doctors look at your test results and to verify them for you.
What are some symptoms of mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma causes many symptoms including:
- Fatigue
- Muscle weakness
- Pleural effusion
- Pain in the chest
- Wheezing
- Dyspnea
As you can see, nearly all of these symptoms can be attributed to other conditions. For that reason, it is vital that the medical provider takes your work history and listens to possible ways you could have been exposed to asbestos.
Your doctor should order numerous tests including blood-marker tests, X-rays, PET scans and MRIs. Biopsies are also helpful, because it is possible for the doctor to see the damage firsthand and to witness the type of scarring and damage that has occurred.
Mesothelioma has a poor prognosis, because it is normally not identified until it is advanced. The sooner you get a diagnosis, the better your chances are of survival. Depending on the stage of mesothelioma, there may be options to reduce or eliminate the cancer completely. In other cases, medical providers have the option of keeping you comfortable and extending your life for as long as possible with advanced treatment methods.
A misdiagnosis can put your life at risk when it comes to mesothelioma. If you're misdiagnosed, you have a right to speak up and be heard. Discuss your case with a skilled medical malpractice attorney.
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الاثنين، 29 أكتوبر 2018
الأحد، 28 أكتوبر 2018
السبت، 27 أكتوبر 2018
الجمعة، 26 أكتوبر 2018
الخميس، 25 أكتوبر 2018
Florida Supreme Court Reinstates Asbestos Verdict
The Florida Supreme Court recently reinstated an earlier verdict in favor of a Florida man whose mesothelioma is linked to cigarette filters and workplace asbestos exposure.
The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the $8 million verdict in favor of Richard DeLisle back in 2016 on the issue of the validity of expert testimony. The trial court had used one standard for expert testimony (the Frye standard), while a 2013 Florida law mandated the use of a different one (the Daubert standard). The Florida Supreme Court found that the 2013 law was unconstitutional, as it infringed upon the court's rights in choosing which evidentiary standard was appropriate for expert witness testimony.
The crux of Mr. DeLisle's case centered on his use of filtered cigarettes manufactured by the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company dating back to the 1950s, the filters of which contained asbestos for years. He was also exposed to asbestos on the job, having worked manufacturing asbestos-containing sheet gaskets for Crane Co.
He successfully argued to the trial court that the asbestos contained in the cigarette filters and in the sheet gaskets led to his mesothelioma.
As we've discussed in the past, mesothelioma is a type of cancer that occurs in the thin membranous lining around internal organs. It is an aggressive and deadly form of cancer. There are treatments for the various symptoms of the disease, but there is currently no cure. It can be in the pleura surrounding the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) or in the peritoneum surrounding the abdominal organs (peritoneal mesothelioma).
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الأربعاء، 24 أكتوبر 2018
الثلاثاء، 23 أكتوبر 2018
Toxic Metal Found in Jewelry Sold at Nordstrom Rack, Ross, and Papaya
The Center for Environmental Health has discovered that some jewelry made by Tracera and Vibe Sportswear brands are nearly 100% cadmium. Cadmium is a malleable metal known to cause cancer and targets the body's cardiovascular, renal, gastrointestinal, neurological, reproductive, and respiratory systems. Under the California's Proposition 65, businesses must inform consumers about significant exposures to chemicals that cause cancer or other reproductive harm.
In 2010, Chinese manufacturers were found to be making kids' jewelry out of cadmium. California law currently states that jewelry made for kids can not contain more than .03 percent cadmium. The metal had virtually disappeared from products sold in the US by 2012. No laws address cadmium in adult jewelry yet.
Most of the tainted items were sold at Ross, which has more than 1,400 stores in 38 states. According to the lab tests, 31 adult jewelry items were at least 40 percent cadmium, and most were more than 90 percent. A pendant from a necklace chain was 100 percent cadmium.
Steven Kim, an attorney representing Papaya, said the company has recalled the products where contamination was found and stopped buying from the manufacturer in China.
Nordstrom spokeswoman Emily Sterken said the company is reaching out to the vendors to "make them aware of the situation and get more information on these items."
The manufacturers had no comment.
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الاثنين، 22 أكتوبر 2018
الأحد، 21 أكتوبر 2018
السبت، 20 أكتوبر 2018
الجمعة، 19 أكتوبر 2018
الخميس، 18 أكتوبر 2018
الأربعاء، 17 أكتوبر 2018
الثلاثاء، 16 أكتوبر 2018
California Judge Declares Mistrial in Johnson & Johnson Asbestos Case
A weeks-long trial regarding the presence of asbestos in Johnson & Johnson cosmetic talc products recently ended abruptly after five days of deliberations and the substitution of two alternate jurors. In that time, jurors became hopelessly deadlocked, leading California State Court Judge Margaret Oldendorf to declare a mistrial in her Pasadena courtroom.
The plaintiff in this case had claimed she developed mesothelioma after years of using and inhaling Johnson & Johnson talc products, in particular the company's signature baby powder. Her argument was that the company's most memorable product contains talc laced with asbestos. She was seeking $29 million in compensatory and punitive damages.
Johnson & Johnson's talc supplier, Imerys Talc America, was originally a codefendant in the case, but reached a confidential settlement to exit just prior to the beginning of jury deliberations. Several other high-profile asbestos/talcum powder cases have also resulted in hung juries this year, with similar results happening in cases in South Carolina and in Los Angeles.
There are still other Johnson & Johnson talc cases pending on this issue, however, with one in Los Angeles County, and the other in New Jersey. In addition to the pending cases, there have been precedent-setting, multimillion-dollar verdicts entered against the company in high-profile cases. A case out of New Jersey earlier this year, for example, resulted in a $117 million verdict in favor of a plaintiff who successfully argued that inhaling asbestos-contaminated Johnson & Johnson products for years caused his mesothelioma.
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الاثنين، 15 أكتوبر 2018
الأحد، 14 أكتوبر 2018
السبت، 13 أكتوبر 2018
الجمعة، 12 أكتوبر 2018
Cycling Weekly Awards 2018: voting terms and conditions
You are voting for the winners of the Cycling Weekly Awards 2018 in the following ten (2) categories: BEST CHARITABLE …Continue reading »
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الخميس، 11 أكتوبر 2018
Health Literacy Month: High-Risk Occupations with Asbestos Exposure
October is Health Literacy Month. This week, we will be focusing on occupations that often have a high-risk of asbestos exposure.
What are the High-Risk Occupations?
Most asbestos exposure happens to those who work or have worked in an industrial environment. The following occupations may have been exposed to asbestos at some point in their career:
· Auto mechanics-asbestos is used in brake linings and clutches
· Construction workers-asbestos was incorporated into fireproofing and many building materials, including roof shingles, pipes, siding, ceiling and floor tiles, and joint compound
· Drywall installers-asbestos was in the taping compounds that were used to cover and smooth the taping that covered the seams between sheets
· Electricians-asbestos was commonly used as insulator in wiring and in high-voltage switchgear and motors; and electricians typically worked around joint compound and fireproofing
· Firefighters-exposed to an array of construction materials and compounds while fighting fires in older buildings, as well as wearing asbestos suits to prevent injury
· Insulators-install or remove asbestos pipe covering, asbestos block insulation or asbestos cement
· Longshoremen and shipbuilders-exposed to massive levels of asbestos while unloading asbestos fiber and other asbestos containing cargo or while constructing and repairing vessels
· Mining operations-asbestos is a common contaminant
· Plumbers and pipefitters, steamfitters-asbestos gaskets and packing and the insulation used on the pipes they were repairing
· Railroad workers-asbestos was used in insulation, brake linings and in other areas
· Sheet metal workers-asbestos was common in construction materials as well as protective gear
· Brickmasons and boilermakers- asbestos in gaskets, rope, insulation and refractory mortars and cement used to insulate boilers and furnaces and associated piping
· Teachers-asbestos dust in the classroom from worn, damaged or disturbed building materials or from teaching art classes that utilize asbestos materials
Our Asbestos Lawyers and Your Legal Rights
If you or a loved one was recently diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, we may be able to pursue a case on your behalf. Our law firm has over 35 years of experience and no other office can match our legal team's ability to take a case through trial and receive the same results. Our record of success includes numerous multimillion-dollar settlements and verdicts on behalf of clients throughout the nation. We know that time is of the essence and with that in mind, we dedicate ourselves to securing a trial date as quickly as possible and pursuing the compensation our clients deserve. Contact us today.
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الأربعاء، 10 أكتوبر 2018
الثلاثاء، 9 أكتوبر 2018
FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, halts Essure Distribution
The FDA informed Bayer that the Essure birth control device will not be sold or distributed after this year. In April, the FDA took actions to restrict the sale of the device while they assessed the safety and effectiveness of it after many were experiencing serious side effects. Side effects of women who had the device implanted include perforation, fainting, device migration, and fluid buildup in the blood.
In addition to taking Essure off the market, the FDA has ordered Bayer to conduct a post-market surveillance study to better evaluate the safety of the device. In the past, the FDA also required Bayer to place a warning on the box and include a checklist to help women decide if the device is right for them and inform about potential risks. Since these actions, they have seen a 70% decrease in sales and distribution of the device in the U.S.
Commissioner Gottlieb states in the press announcement published July 20, that they will continue to "remain vigilant" and "continue to monitor adverse events." Patients who have the device currently should consult their doctor immediately if they think they are experiencing a serious side effect.
Medical Device Safety Action Plan
The FDA's Medical Device Safety Action Plan claims to "encourage innovation to improve safety, detect safety risks earlier, and keep doctors and patients better informed." Steps of the Action Plan are:
- Establish a robust medical device patient safety net in the United States
- Explore regulatory options to streamline and modernize timely implementation of post-market mitigations
- Spur innovation towards safer medical devices
- Advance medical device cybersecurity
- Integrate the Center for Devices and Radiological Health's (CDRH's) premarket and post-market offices and activities to advance the use of a Total Product Life Cycle (TPLC) approach to device safety
Beyer Halting Sales of Essure
Beyer issued a press release stating that they would stop selling Essure in the U.S. for "business reasons," but that their confidence in the safety of the device had not changed. Despite countless serious injuries, being required to include a black box warning, and other FDA actions, they say that the decision to halt sales is not due to the devices serious side effects or the mandate from the FDA, but the declining sales over the past few years.
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الاثنين، 8 أكتوبر 2018
الأحد، 7 أكتوبر 2018
الجمعة، 5 أكتوبر 2018
الخميس، 4 أكتوبر 2018
Health Literacy Month: Prevent Asbestos Exposure
October is Health Literacy Month. Each week, we will be focusing on topics related to facts about asbestos and how to protect yourself and your loved-ones from exposure. This week is all about preventing asbestos exposure.
What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a naturally-occurring, fibrous mineral once used in many products due to its strength and ability to resist heat, as well as insulate. Asbestos was used for decades in textile products, automotive parts, home and commercial buildings, naval ships, and more. If asbestos is disturbed, the fibers become airborne resulting in inhalation or ingestion. There is no "safe" level of exposure to asbestos; even minimal levels can cause the following asbestos-related diseases: mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, and other cancers.
Asbestos Exposure in the Workplace
Asbestos exposure is common among those who work in the trades or do manual labor. Discuss your work history with your doctor if you fall into one of the high risk categories listed below. This will keep your doctor on the alert for symptoms of asbestos-related diseases, which often take decades to develop after the initial asbestos exposure.
Below are Some Important Facts Regarding Asbestos and Exposure:
· Always remember that asbestos is a known carcinogen that has not been banned in the US.
· Understand where asbestos might be in your home and workplace.
· Review the EPA Asbestos Dos and Don'ts for the Homeowner
· Never test, remove or even sweep up asbestos yourself! Contact your EPA regional office for a list of licensed asbestos professionals in your area.
For additional information, check out our full list of infographics on places where asbestos is often used, the different types of asbestos, and asbestos-related illnesses.
Our asbestos attorneys have helped asbestos victims for over 35 years. If asbestos exposure has affected you and you are suffering from an asbestos-related disease, contact our team of asbestos attorneys to learn more about how we can help you.
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الأربعاء، 3 أكتوبر 2018
الثلاثاء، 2 أكتوبر 2018
Is the EPA Failing to Monitor Asbestos in Schools?
An internal Environmental Protection Agency watchdog group says that the agency is failing in its mission to monitor asbestos in schools across the country.
As part of a 1986 federal law, the EPA is responsible for monitoring the status of asbestos in school and removing asbestos in school buildings. Unfortunately, the agency is now shifting resources - both manpower and funding - away from the initiative, even though the threat of contamination remains.
The Office of the Inspector General of the EPA, an independently funded internal watchdog and safety group, says that the EPA isn't doing nearly enough to adequately look out for asbestos in schools, citing the Dallas regional office as an egregious example. That office neglected to perform any checks at all throughout the Southwest region of the U.S. between 2012 and 2016.
Many regional and state EPA offices have eliminated funding for the school asbestos oversight program altogether, or are so understaffed and underfunded that they only perform inspections after receiving a particular complaint or allegation of non-compliance with federal regulations regarding asbestos contamination or abatement.
As we've written in the past, asbestos is a carcinogenic material that was commonly used in fireproofing and for other industrial uses up until it was banned over 30 years ago. It has been linked to numerous health problems, diseases and conditions, including mesothelioma, asbestosis and several types of cancers.
It is particularly important to ensure that school buildings are free from asbestos contamination to avoid exposing young children to its harmful effects. These budget and manpower cuts make it extremely difficult for that to occur.
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الاثنين، 1 أكتوبر 2018
Greg Van Avermaet: ‘Valverde deserves this title – you should not bring up the past’
The reigning Olympic champion says that the new rainbow jersey wearer displays "pure talent"
“Alejandro Valverde deserves this title,” Olympic road race champion Greg Van Avermaet has said after the world championships in Innsbruck, …Continue reading »from Cycling Weekly https://ift.tt/2RhgS5p