January 31, 2008
We do not get involved with cases in Canada. So I can’t comment directly on what effect this new law concerning asbestos might have. We have seen and do handle cases for Canadian residents and residents from around the world relating to asbestos exposure. Many of the ships built in Canada or the UK (for example) have been built with asbestos laden parts from the US. That connection will often allow you to file a claim in the US for contracting an asbestos related disease such as lung cancer or mesothelioma.
I digress though. Here is a quote about the new regs in Ontario.
New Ontario regulations dealing with the handling of asbestos could affect insurers’ costs should asbestos be the subject of a claim.
Regulation 278/05, which came into effect on Nov. 1, 2005 (the final two sections kicked in on Nov. 1, 2007), governs all work that disturbs or is likely to disturb asbestos-containing material (ABM) in provincially-regulated buildings.
Source: Canadianunderwriter.ca
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Posted by Dave Austin
January 28, 2008
According to this article an epidemic in asbestos related diseases is ongoing and expected to continue in South Africa.
Dozens of South Africans still die of asbestos-related diseases every year, despite the closure of asbestos mines in the mid-1980s.
…
Dr Shahieda Adams, a medical specialist in occupational and environmental health, said although the government was trying to prohibit the use and manufacture of asbestos, the fibre had a long latency period and problems could manifest only years after people were exposed to it.
She told Weekend Argus that in some cases it could take up to 30 years for the disease to manifest.
“That’s why we still see people dying today. We are actually hitting the asbestos epidemic now. And, on top of that, people in the Northern Cape are still exposed to secondary pollution from asbestos as a result of the fibre being used in their homes and buildings and to insulate structures in that area.”
Read the rest of the Story Here
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Posted by Dave Austin
January 27, 2008
Some success in Washington. Not not Washington DC, not even Washington State. A story about an asbestos factory that is being demolished. The town depended on the factory for many jobs, BUT at the same time it’s products were killing the very same workers. Sound familiar? Yup sounds like Libby Montana and WR.Grace.
Here’s the story:
Demolition of the Cape Insulation factory in Washington, which made products from asbestos, is nearly complete – and ready to become part of a 40-acre brownfield site for housing and commerce.
For many years the factory was a source of income for families in the area, but it also left many suffering from the effects of inhaling deadly asbestos fibres.
Compensation claims for asbestos-related disease are still being processed.
Source: SunderlandEcho.com
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Posted by Dave Austin
January 25, 2008
In the UK recently a decision was reached by NICE (The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) to allow more patients to have access to this drug, which can extend life expectancy and reduce symptoms. This is a good decision that will serve to really help families and patients dealing with mesothelioma.
(NICE) issued guidance on Alimta(R) (pemetrexed), the only licensed treatment for malignant pleural mesothelioma – a form of lung cancer resulting from exposure to asbestos. Alimta is recommended only in patients who have WHO performance status of 0 or 1, who are considered to have advanced disease and for whom surgical resection is considered inappropriate.
Following a two-and-a-half year approval process, which included two appeals, the guidance means that primary care trusts (PCTs) will be able and obliged to fund pemetrexed for all NHS patients with mesothelioma for whom the treatment is suitable. The most recent appeal has been dismissed on all counts.
It was hoped that access to this treatment across England, Wales and Northern Ireland would consistently be available last year when, following a lengthy review process, NICE made a landmark decision to change its position and recommend Alimta for the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma[1] . However, appeals were submitted against the NICE recommendation and the process was subsequently further delayed by several months. Such delays are significant for patients with mesothelioma who have a life expectancy of between only 8 and 18 months[2]. Although there is no cure for mesothelioma, Alimta can increase life expectancy and bring symptom relief and improved quality of life.[3]
View the full Press release at MedicalNewsToday.com
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Posted by Dave Austin
January 24, 2008
Probably here in the states as well.
Here’s the quote from the paper in Australia…
It’s predicted the full impact of asbestos related diseases might not be felt for another decade.
The Asbestos Disease Research Foundation is projecting the problems will peak by 2017 with many people yet to feel the full effects
Chairman and former Premier Bob Carr says we’re yet to see the worst of it.
“That will mean 6,400 cases mesothelioma of in NSW, 21,000 nationally before the epidemic subsides in 2060.”
http://www.livenews.com.au/articles/2008/01/21/Australia_is_yet_to_see_the_worst_of_asbestos_diseases
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Posted by Dave Austin
January 21, 2008
From CNNMoney.com:
Par Pharmaceutical Companies Inc.’s (NYSE:PRX) proprietary products division said Tuesday it has acquired the exclusive licensing and commercialization rights to Onconase from Alfacell Corp. (NASDAQ:ACEL)
Onconase is a drug used in the treatment of inoperable malignant mesothelioma currently in Phase III development.
Basically just an announcement as to an exchange of rights in marketing this drug.
Source: CNN.com
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Posted by Dave Austin
January 21, 2008
Cases where someone gets mesothelioma from second hand exposure are more common than you might think. I remember cases involving people exposed to the drywall paste, insulation that was put into a child home and spouses exposed through laundry.
A Tennessee father’s mesothelioma lawsuit is the latest in a series of cases testing the waters of secondhand asbestos exposure as a viable legal concept. Amanda Satterfield filed a lawsuit against ALCOA, Inc., and Breeding Insulation Co. Inc., back in 2003. In the suit, she claimed that she had developed the deadly cancer, mesothelioma as a result of childhood exposure to asbestos that was brought home on the person and clothing of her father, Doug Satterfield. The elder Satterfield hauled asbestos for ALCOA for many years.
Amanda Satterfield died of mesothelioma on January 1, 2005. Her father was named executor of the estate and the lawsuit continued. She spent the last two years of her life, and her father the next two years of his, battling the legal system to win justice for his daughter. The lawsuit has dragged on for more than four years in the Tennessee legal system with dismissals, appeals and reversals.
The case was dismissed in the lower court and appealed. Now the Tennessee Supreme Court gets to decide whether the case can go forward.
Source: Asbestos.com
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Posted by Dave Austin
January 19, 2008
I am posting this link because of the type of work that this man did. He has the classic work profile for being exposed to asbestos.
– Sanding pipes in boiler rooms.
– Low ventilation and probably minimal protection when he was working.
Here is a quote from the article.
He worked in boiler rooms sanding down pipes lagged with asbestos.
…
“We came into contact with asbestos on a regular basis. Most of the buildings had boiler rooms lagged with asbestos.”
Dr Jacqueline Elder, a pathologist at the Countess of Chester Hospital, carried out a post-mortem examination and recorded the cause of death as mesothelioma.
She said plural plaques were evident in the lungs and he had suffered with ischaemic heart disease.
Source: The Standard
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Posted by Dave Austin
January 11, 2008
Madison County was once listed as a “judicial hellhole”. Nice huh. That is usually a result of a business group naming it as a bad place to be sued. Why, because verdicts are often high. Another reason why places get these kind of names is because they might be an easy place to file a lawsuit. Now that is often a strategy used in class actions. I personally think it is less useful when you are dealing with an individual case. When you have an individual case the individual has to establish a connection with the county forum. Sometimes that can be down by proving that some exposure occurred there.
One of the steps to preparing an asbestos case whether it be a mesothelioma case, lung cancer, or asbestos is to find out where the person was exposed to the asbestos OR where the company is that created the asbestos. Once you establish this link, then you get an idea where to file the lawsuit.
OK so there has been an increase in asbestos cases in Madison county: Does that mean anything?
BY JENNIFER K. HASAMEAR
News-Democrat
EDWARDSVILLE –
While the number of the class-action lawsuits filed in Madison County has declined dramatically in the past five years, asbestos cases have increased by more than 100 since 2006.
The number of class actions filed in 2007 stood at seven last week, which was up from the three filed in 2006. But in 2003, 106 class-action lawsuits were filed in Madison County.
In 2007, 444 asbestos cases were filed, an increase of more than a third from the 325 filed the previous year.
There are a few things going on here. It may be that there will be an increase in asbestos lawsuits and that may be simply because the population of people exposed to asbestos is also getting older. And some are only now old enough to have the cancer develop. It also simply could be an anomaly because it does seem as well that the numbers of asbestos cases across the country have gone down. Time will tell.
“As to asbestos, if you look back to 2001-2003, there were approximately 800-900 asbestos cases filed per year,” Callis said. “In 2006 and 2007, it is close to half of those previous years, so I believe the trend is still decreased filings in asbestos.”
Link to Full article: http://www.bnd.com/homepage/story/210526.html
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Posted by Dave Austin
