Building Demolition Plans Delayed By Asbestos Removal

Demolishing a building requires careful planning and advanced engineering, especially when the building in question is located in an urban area. This was the case with New Orleans’ Claiborne Towers, which were slated for demolition to make way for the new University Medical Center. However, planners hit a snag when inspectors found traces of asbestos in the building, which meant the hazardous materials had to be removed before the US Department of Environmental Quality would approve the implosion. Exposure to asbestos, even trace amounts of it, can lead to mesothelioma, an aggressive and highly fatal form of cancer that is often only detectable in its later stages.

Even though the building was not inhabited, imploding a structure containing asbestos could have been extremely dangerous for anyone nearby. Most of the dust from the implosion would fall within 150 feet of the building’s footprint, according to experts, but some particles could travel up to six blocks. Therefore, workers have been carefully dismantling pieces of the building to avoid contaminating the air.

Air quality will be monitored before and after the implosion, and residents have been encouraged to close windows and turn off air conditioners around the time of the implosion. This may seem like an excessive amount of foresight, but doctors and researchers are still learning about the effects of asbestos exposure and how dangerous it can be to have even minimal contact with the substance.

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or have been exposed to asbestos, contact our Louisiana mesothelioma attorneys

today. You may also reach them at (504) 522-7885 to set up a free case review.

Asbestos Exposure And Workplace Hazards

In our last post we discussed the problems a local developer ran into when routine inspections showed traces of asbestos in a building scheduled for demolition. This meant the building had to be at least partially dismantled by hand to reduce the risk of asbestos exposure for local residents after the building was imploded. Even with the most advanced technology and precautions, handling asbestos-contaminated materials is a dangerous job. So what of the workers who come upon asbestos accidentally, or never knew they were in contact with it? For nearly 100 years, asbestos was a very common material used in buildings. It was not until the recent past that doctors linked asbestos exposure to a host of health problems, including lung cancers like mesothelioma.

Construction workers should be trained to recognize asbestos immediately and report it to a supervisor. Like any workplace hazard, vigilance on the part of the employer and the employee is the best way to avoid accidents. That said, if an employer is hiring people to work on an old building, boat or even car, that employer should conduct a thorough safety inspection to prevent exposure to hazardous materials. Symptoms of asbestos exposure often take decades to present themselves, but victims can seek damages if they can identify the source of their exposure. Unfortunately, this is often too late to avoid the damage this material can cause.

If you or a loved one developed mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure, contact our Louisiana mesothelioma lawyers today to learn more about your rights and options moving forward. We also offer free case reviews, and you can call us at (504) 522-7885.

Why are Military Members at a High Risk for Mesothelioma?

Exposure to asbestos fibers is the only known cause of mesothelioma. Over the years, the deadly lung cancer has hit America’s veteran population the hardest, especially those who served in the Vietnam and World War II.  That is because a large number of service members worked in shipyards during this time. Asbestos was a common shipbuilding material, and military members suffered daily exposure as part of their duties.

Navy veterans in particular suffered the highest levels of asbestos exposure. Locations such as boiler rooms, engine rooms and sleeping quarters contained dangerous asbestos levels. Even military staff located off the ships suffered second-hand exposure only to find out years later that they have mesothelioma. Second-hand exposure came from inhaling asbestos fibers from the clothes and hair of those who had first-hand exposure to asbestos.

What this means is that military members who served our county in the 1960’s and 1970’s are now finding out that they have mesothelioma. This type of cancer can lay dormant for several decades before symptoms manifest. It is common for patients and doctors to dismiss the symptoms for a far less serious condition such as influenza or bronchitis.

In most cases, there is someone responsible for asbestos exposure. While nothing can cure mesothelioma, an attorney can help victims get financial compensation to help with medical expenses and treatment. You can reach our office at 504-522-7885. We look forward to helping you if you think you have mesothelioma caused by asbestos exposure. Our website offers more information.

Can Children Develop Mesothelioma?

Because of its extremely long latency period, mesothelioma is normally associated with older individuals. The average age of a mesothelioma patient at diagnosis is 65, according to mesothelioma.com. However, there are reported cases of mesothelioma in children.

Children can develop mesothelioma from direct asbestos exposure in the home. A home with older building materials puts children at risk of airborne asbestos fibers. The child can inhale the deadly fibers, which attach to the child’s lungs and cause mesothelioma. A child can also develop mesothelioma through secondary exposure from an adult who had first-hand exposure to asbestos. The child can inhale the fibers from the adult’s clothes or hair, exposing itself to mesothelioma risk.

Mesothelioma is rare in children, so there is no special course of treatment than there is for adults with the cancer. As with adults, chemotherapy and radiation are recommended, but the outlook is still dim for children with mesothelioma.

You can usually trace asbestos exposure to a negligent party who failed to provide adequate warnings or protection from the deadly fibers. You can speak with one of our mesothelioma lawyers free of charge by calling 504-522-7885. Visit our website for more information about our law practice.

Mesothelioma’s Four Stages

A mesothelioma diagnosis is difficult to hear from your doctor. Your course of treatment will depend on what stage the cancer is in when the doctor discovers it. Doctors generally categorize mesothelioma into the following four stages.

Stage 1 means the cancerous tumor has not spread to the other organs and tissues in the body. In this stage, surgeons can usually remove the cancer. In stage 2, the cancer is bigger and has spread to the lungs or diaphragm. Surgical removal is sometimes possible is stage 2. In stage 3 mesothelioma, the cancer is in the chest, esophagus or lymph nodes and surgery is not effective. In stage 4, the mesothelioma has made its way throughout the body in the chest, abdomen, neck and bones. This is the most serious stage and life expectancy is extremely short. An early and proper diagnosis is key to a longer life expectancy.

Patients suffering from a mesothelioma diagnosis can usually pinpoint the time in their life when they were exposed to deadly asbestos fibers. Asbestos was a large occupational hazard in the past 50 years and employers failed to protect their workers from exposure. If that is the case with you or a loved one, call our office at 504-522-7885 to speak with a mesothelioma attorney. We offer a free and confidential case review.  Our mesothelioma website has more information on how we can help you.

Louisiana Mesothelioma Lawyers Explain The Long and Deadly History of Asbestos

Long before the 1970’s and 1980’s, asbestos has been responsible for lung disease and early deaths. The ancient Greeks marveled at its fire-retardant properties, which is why “asbestos” is Greek for “inextinguishable.” The Romans also used asbestos to fireproof their clothing and other textiles. The Romans also noticed that people who mined the asbestos developed a lung disease and died while they were still young.

Despite the link to lung sickness and death, asbestos grew in popularity and its use exploded during the Industrial Revolution. Factories in the United States used it in everything from shipbuilding materials to home insulation. What this meant is that workers were around asbestos on a daily basis often without adequate protection from its deadly fibers.

By the middle of the last century, more and more people began experiencing lung problems. Doctors found that these people worked with asbestos earlier in their lives. It was common for employers to expose their workers to asbestos even though the employers knew it was deadly. The federal government passed laws regulating asbestos use in the U.S., but there is no official ban on the material.

If you know someone exposed to asbestos that is now experiencing health problems, call our office at 504-522-7885 to speak with a mesothelioma attorney. We offer a free and confidential case review.  Our mesothelioma website has more information on how we can help you.

Louisiana Mesothelioma Lawyers Warn Of Asbestos After Natural Disasters

Louisiana is no stranger to natural disasters such as hurricanes and super storms. This region has experienced much of the same destruction that Super Storm Sandy caused on the eastern coast of the United States. In the wake of these natural disasters, there are massive amounts of debris littering the streets. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns residents about the potential asbestos risk in some of the debris.

Many residents volunteer to clear damaged buildings and debris. Unfortunately, what they do not realize is that some of the debris might contain deadly airborne asbestos fibers. If left alone, asbestos is usually not a danger. However, once disturbed anyone nearby can easily inhale the asbestos and contract mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis.

Buildings constructed before 1980 are at the highest risk for materials containing asbestos. If you decide to help in clean-up efforts after a natural disaster, it is best to have protective gear such as safety glasses, mask or a respirator. Any level of asbestos in the air is dangerous, and it is best to leave the clean-up to professionals with proper training and equipment.

How Effective is Surgery for Mesothelioma?

Surgery is just one of the conventional methods that doctors use to treat mesothelioma patients. In addition to radiation and chemotherapy, surgery might be an option for someone suffering with asbestos cancer. Depending on the cancer’s stage, surgery can be done to relieve symptoms or to remove the cancerous tumor. However, in most cases the tumor is too advanced to remove entirely.

Some patients are too ill or weak for an extensive operation. In those cases, doctors will operate to relieve the discomfort caused by the tumor. If the patient is in good health, doctors will attempt to remove the tumor. Mesothelioma doctors debate the effectiveness of removing the tumor, however. Cancerous cells can easily spread throughout the body before surgeons remove the tumor. Because of this, critics do not think surgery is an effective treatment for mesothelioma.

Consult with your oncologist about all available treatment options for you or your loved one suffering from asbestos cancer. If someone is responsible for the asbestos exposure that caused the mesothelioma, a mesothelioma attorney can help. Call our office at 504-522-7885. We offer a free and confidential case review.  Our mesothelioma website has more information on how we can help you.

Does Your Doctor Have a Valid Medical License?

As a patient, you probably assume that your doctor has a valid medical license. However, if a doctor allows his or her medical credentials to lapse, it is practicing medicine without a license, which is a form of medical malpractice. Cases that are more serious occur when the “doctor” has no medical training at all and has criminal intent to sexually assault the victim.

In either case, the victim has options if their doctor does not have a valid license. It varies by state, but there are severe criminal penalties, which can include up to five years of prison time. On the civil side, the victim can sue the offender for medical malpractice if any harm occurs as a result. The lack of a medical license creates a presumption of negligent medical care. If the offender knowingly treated patients without a license, it is enough to justify punitive damages in some states.

It is not out of line to ask your treating physician if their medical credentials are current. If you are not comfortable with asking, a call to the state medical licensing board will give you the answer as well. If you do in fact suffer harm from a medical mistake, call our office at 504-522-7885 to speak with a medical malpractice lawyer. Feel free to visit our web page for more information about medical malpractice.

The Cost Of Asbestos Injuries Is On The Rise

Asbestos claims will cost insurance companies an additional $11 billion, according to a report at mesothelioma.com. Analyzing data from the A.M Best Company, insurance companies have already paid out over $50 billion in asbestos-related claims. The rising costs of insurance claims stemming from asbestos injuries shows no signs of slowing down, according to the report.

Insurance experts attribute the high cost of asbestos claims to the following:

• The long dormancy period of mesothelioma – it is often decades before symptoms develop after initial asbestos exposure
• The high success rate of asbestos injury lawsuits
• The high payout to asbestos victims and their families
• The large amount of people who suffered from asbestos exposure in the 1970’s and 1980’s

Asbestos victims should not have to spend their life savings dealing with mesothelioma. Patients can often trace their asbestos exposure to an employer or company that failed to warn them about deadly asbestos fibers. These negligent and careless parties should compensate mesothelioma victims and their families.

Call our office at 504-522-7885 to speak with a skilled mesothelioma attorney. We offer a free and confidential case review.  Our mesothelioma website has more information on how we can help you.

Hurricane Katrina: The Asbestos Aftermath

It seems like Hurricane Katrina happened a long time ago, but for the innocent victims exposed to asbestos during the aftermath of the storm, the effects will last the rest of their lives.

On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit the Louisiana-Mississippi border, and the city of New Orleans was never the same. Much of the city withstood the storm, but the flood waters from broken levies were devastating.

Rivers of water poured into New Orleans, flooding businesses and residences, many of them constructed with asbestos products. When the water receded and the arduous cleanup process began, thousands of volunteers, emergency workers and municipal employees were exposed to asbestos and other contaminated products.

Although the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cautioned cleanup participators about exposure to the dangers of asbestos, work crews charged ahead anyway, demolishing buildings without appropriate work attire or using proper safety procedures for dealing with asbestos.

Researchers will not be able to pinpoint the exact toll asbestos had on the citizens of New Orleans during Katrina, due to the 20 to 50 year latency period of mesothelioma cancer.

If you discover you have mesothelioma, you are dealt a tragic fate. This debilitating disease can take your life and can take away any hope or dream you had for the future. If you have been contaminated by this invisible killer, you deserve just and fair compensation for your injuries. If you have been exposed to asbestos on a job site or in any other situation, please contact us today to learn what we can do for you. You can visit our website, or call our office at 1-305-476-7400 for a free case review from one of our Louisiana mesothelioma attorneys.

Asbestos Found In Cigarette Filters From The 1950’S

In the early 1950s, when scientific reports showed just how dangerous smoking could be, tobacco companies scrambled to add filters to most cigarettes, thinking consumers would be fooled into thinking this could be a solution.

In 1952, Kent Micronite cigarettes came equipped with a filter that removed particles out of the smoke; however, the Micronite filter contained asbestos fibers.  The asbestos in the filters were far more dangerous to consumers than tobacco smoke could ever be.

Cigarette companies made several attempts throughout the 50’s and 60’s to make smoking seem innocent and healthy. Philip Morris promised that an antifreeze chemical (diethylene glycol) in filters would take “the FEAR out of smoking.”

Even now filters don’t make cigarettes safe, though many still come wrapped in paper printed to look like cork — reminiscent of the carefree, ignorant era of inhaling.

This surprising asbestos discovery from the 1950’s is very alarming and could explain asbestos deaths in the past. It will be shocking to see what products scientists find riddled with toxic asbestos in the future.

If you discover you have been contaminated by asbestos, you need to know what your options are. Since you have been contaminated by this invisible killer, you deserve just and fair compensation for your injuries. If you believe you have been exposed to asbestos in any way, please contact us today to learn what we can do for you. You can visit our website, or call our office at 1-305-476-7400 for a free case review from one of ourLouisiana mesothelioma attorneys.

How To Identify Asbestos In Your Home

It is very important to protect your home and family from the dangers of asbestos, and it is not always easy to locate materials containing the toxic chemical. Generally, it is impossible to distinguish if a material contains asbestos simply by looking at it, unless it is labeled. If in doubt, treat the material as if it contains asbestos and leave it alone. You may want to have your home inspected for asbestos-containing materials by a professional if:

• You are planning to remodel your home (remodeling can disturb building materials)
• Your home has damaged building materials, such as crumbling drywall or insulation that is falling apart

A trained and accredited asbestos professional should take samples for analysis, because there could be an increased health risk if fibers are released.

Common materials that contain asbestos:

• Attic and wall insulation produced containing vermiculite
• Vinyl floor tiles and the backing on vinyl sheet flooring and adhesives
• Roofing and siding shingles
• Textured paint and patching compounds used on wall and ceilings
• Walls and floors around wood-burning stoves protected with asbestos paper, millboard, or cement sheets
• Hot water and steam pipes coated with asbestos material or covered with an asbestos blanket or tape
• Oil and coal furnaces and door gaskets with asbestos insulation
• Heat-resistant fabrics
• Automobile clutches and brakes

If you discover you have been exposed to asbestos, you need to know your options. Please contact us today at 1-504-522-7885 for a free case review from one of our Louisiana mesothelioma attorneys.  You can also visitour website to learn more about what our skilled team of professionals can do to help you.

Fire Results in Asbestos Hazard

The clean-up at a bike and ski shop was forced to stop last week when a substantial amount of asbestos was discovered in the debris left behind after a fire.

A demolition examiner discovered asbestos in the debris and, as a result, reported his findings to the Department of Health. The debris from the fire at the Castle Rock Bike and Ski Shop remained untouched for a few weeks before removal began. The building was constructed in 1976, when it was still common to use materials that contained asbestos, known for its sturdiness and fire-resistant qualities. Though the health department confirmed that asbestos was indeed disturbed during the blaze, the source of the toxic material was not apparent. There is a possibility that the firefighters responding to the Castle Rock fire may have been exposed to the material during the initial response to the blaze, though Fire Chief Art Morales reports that he does not know whether or not that was the case.

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer or other forms of asbestos-related disease, contact us today at 1-504-522-7885 for a free case review from one of our Louisiana mesothelioma attorneys.  You can also visit our website to learn more about what our skilled team of professionals can do to help you.

Scientists Agree with the EPA’s Asbestos Findings in Montana

A panel of scientists agreed that an EPA study in Montana is accurate in regards to the risks associated with even a small amount of asbestos exposure.

In the town of Libby, Montana, hundreds have already died of asbestos-related diseases caused by exposure to vermiculite from the mines of W.R. Grace and Company, a company best known for manufacturing Zonolite insulation. Many have described the environmental situation in Libby as the worst environmental disaster in the history of the United States.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been working on the asbestos problem in Libby since 1999. Ten years later, in 2009, EPA administrators issued a unique and urgent public health emergency declaration on Libby. Experts say it will take time for the declaration to be absolved, considering mesothelioma’s long latency period. It is likely that more people will be diagnosed with mesothelioma throughout the next few decades as a result.

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer or other forms of asbestos-related disease, contact us today at 1-504-522-7885 for a free case review from one of our Louisiana mesothelioma attorneys.  You can also visit our website to learn more about what our skilled team of professionals can do to help you.

Secondhand Asbestos Case Awards Woman the Justice She Deserves

A lawsuit involving a woman dying of asbestos-caused cancer has resulted in an award of $1.1 million.

Phyllis Granville, 89, was unknowingly exposed to asbestos when she handled her husband’s work clothes, who worked as a tile installer for many businesses. Before the 1970s, tiles often contained asbestos.

Granville made her case against over a dozen defendants, many companies who both manufactured and sold asbestos-containing materials. Granville told the court that she never expected that washing her husband’s asbestos-covered clothes would result in spending her last years with a painful and deadly disease like mesothelioma.

This trial is one of a growing list of cases filed by individuals who did not have direct exposure to asbestos but rather suffered due to another party’s negligence. This kind of exposure often affects older women who spent much of their married lives caring for the needs of their working class husbands.

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer or other forms of asbestos-related disease, contact us today at 1-504-522-7885 for a free case review from one of our Louisiana mesothelioma attorneys.  You can also visit our website to learn more about what our skilled team of professionals can do to help you.

Medical Breakthrough Could Help Conquer Cancer

At the University of Pennsylvania, scientists believe they have made a potentially huge breakthrough in cancer treatment.  The concept of what scientists are calling an “immunity passport” would allow the body to recognize unfamiliar items normally used during cancer treatment.

Scientists produced the “passport” to evade cells that work innately to eliminate items that do not belong there. Dennis Discher, University of Pennsylvania Chemical bimolecular professor, said the passport was a way “to get past the immune cells that act like customs officers, border immigration that sort of want to remove things that are foreign from things in the body.”

“It’s a piece of plastic. A small plastic bead and then the immune cells recognize this plastic as belonging in the body,” stated Discher.

Discher believes this breakthrough will help doctors get closer to more effective cancer treatment, and will ultimately help conquer all kinds of cancer, including malignant mesothelioma. If you or a loved one has mesothelioma cancer from exposure to asbestos, contact Harrell Nowak now at 1-504-522-7885 for a free case review, or visit our website to learn more about what our skilled attorneys can do for you.

Where You Get Cancer Treatment Could Increase Chances of Survival

A study at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center found that patients who were cared for at hospitals that concentrate on a specific kind of cancer are 15 percent less likely to die from the cancer than patients who were treated at facilities that experience lower numbers of the same cancer type.

The study also found that individuals were 12 percent less likely to die from their cancer when cared for at a center designated by the National Cancer Institute, where more physicians are experts and many new innovative therapies are accessible.

Prior research indicates that this is true not only for a specific type of cancer but for other forms as well. Therefore, patients with special types of cancer like mesothelioma could profit from pursuing treatment at major cancer facilities with experts who specialize in handling asbestos cancer.

Decisions on what types of mesothelioma cancer treatments to undergo and where to get those treatments are between patients, their families and their doctors.  Our Louisiana mesothelioma attorneys secure financial compensation so that treatment decisions are based only on what is in the best interest of the patient, not the cost. Contact our Louisiana mesothelioma lawyers at 1-504-522-7885 to review the merits of your case and to discuss what options may be available to you.

Three Executives Face Prison Time for Asbestos Violations

In California, three men who supervised a nonprofit organization are facing prison time after being charged with violating state and federal asbestos laws. The three executives in charge of the nonprofit organization Firm Build each pled guilty to one felony count of breaking the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants.

As supervisors of Firm Build, the men were responsible for making sure that the safety and health of the students being trained was top priority. Instead, the executives used nine high school students to remove asbestos from a contaminated building, and they were negligently exposed to asbestos fibers during the removal process. The students were not instructed to wear protective gear and did not use safe asbestos removal procedures. According to California state law, only licensed, trained professionals are allowed to handle or remove asbestos.

U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California, Benjamin Wagner, hopes the jail time serves as a warning to others.

“Exposing student workers and subcontractors at a construction site to hazardous asbestos without any precautions, and doing so in order to cut corners and save money, is more than reckless — it is criminal.”

Contact our Louisiana mesothelioma lawyers if you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer or other asbestos-related diseases. We offer free consultations and represent clients on a contingency fee basis, so you will not owe us any fee unless we obtain the compensation you deserve.

Why Are Military Members At A High Risk For Mesothelioma?

Exposure to asbestos fibers is the only known cause of mesothelioma. Over the years, the deadly lung cancer has hit America’s veteran population the hardest, especially those who served in the Vietnam and World War II.  That is because a large number of service members worked in shipyards during this time. Asbestos was a common shipbuilding material, and military members suffered daily exposure as part of their duties.

Navy veterans in particular suffered the highest levels of asbestos exposure. Locations such as boiler rooms, engine rooms and sleeping quarters contained dangerous asbestos levels. Even military staff located off the ships suffered second-hand exposure only to find out years later that they have mesothelioma. Second-hand exposure came from inhaling asbestos fibers from the clothes and hair of those who had first-hand exposure to asbestos.

What this means is that military members who served our county in the 1960’s and 1970’s are now finding out that they have mesothelioma. This type of cancer can lay dormant for several decades before symptoms manifest. It is common for patients and doctors to dismiss the symptoms for a far less serious condition such as influenza or bronchitis.

How To Avoid Asbestos Exposure

There is no cure for mesothelioma, which means that prevention is crucial to avoiding the fatal lung disease. Preventing mesothelioma means avoiding asbestos exposure, even in small doses. The U.S. Occupational and Health Administration (OSHA) has specific regulations pertaining to asbestos exposure in the workplace. If you work in an industry with a risk of asbestos exposure, your employer should provide warnings and take action to minimize asbestos exposure.

For non-occupational asbestos exposure, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends the following to protect yourself from asbestos exposure:

• Do not sweep, vacuum, sand or scrape any surfaces that you think might contain asbestos
• If you discover asbestos in your home, have trained professionals remove it
• Stop smoking – studies show that smokers have a far greater risk of developing mesothelioma compared to non-smokers
• Have your doctor check for mesothelioma in your regular check-ups

Mesothelioma is one of the most painful and difficult forms of cancer to treat. You can have mesothelioma for decades and not even know it. Unfortunately, many mesothelioma patients contracted the lung cancer because their employers failed to warn them or take proper precautions to minimize exposure to deadly asbestos fibers.