Mesothelioma Update

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2005-03-03T16:58:00.000-08:00

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Sen. Spector Wants Asbestos Compensation Fund

2005-01-19T06:08:00.000-08:00

Sen. Arlen Specter the incoming chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee wants to hold a hearing next week to establish a national fund for the compensation of asbestos victims.

Specter, a Pennsylvania Republican, hoped to get the bill approved by committee and onto the floor of the Senate by "late January or early February". "I think it is important to move ahead," he said.

There were still many questions to be answered including, how much money would go into the fund, and under what conditions claimants could revert to the court system.

$23 Million Fine and Prison Sentences for Asbestos Fraud

2004-12-24T08:37:00.000-08:00

As reported in the previous post on this site, prosecutors were seeking severe penalties against a father and son convicted of fraud. They achieved their goal.

U.S. District Court Judge Howard Munson sentenced the son, Alexander Salvagno, to 25 years in federal prison. His father, Raul, 72, was sentenced to 19 1/2 years.

The Salvagnos have also been ordered to pay $23 million in restitution. Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Benedict said their actions were among the "longest, most serious environmental crimes in United States history."

For the entire story: Asbestos Fraud

Massive Asbestos Fraud Case

2004-12-22T09:44:00.000-08:00

Federal prosecutors are asking for more than $21 million dollars in restitution from the owners of a New York state based company. Raul and Alexander Salvagno, owners of AAR Contractor Inc., were convicted in March and prosecutors have identified more than 1,500 victims.

The Salvagnos were convicted of fraud and also of violating the Federal Clean Air Act and Toxic Substance Control Act. "Former employees testified the company took shortcuts on cleanups and falsified tens of thousands of tests over the course of a decade of wrongdoing."

There is no way of knowing how many individuals were exposed to asbestos particles as a result of the negligence and fraud of these individuals.

For the entire story: Asbestos Fraud

Asbestos in Wash Killed Mother

2004-12-17T11:28:00.000-08:00

In an article by Daniel Davies, for the Western Mail (England), Cheryl Williams died of cancer after breathing in asbestos while washing her husband's overalls. Mrs. Williams reportedly washed her husband's work clothes every night and began by shaking out the dust. The asbestos fibres that she shook out are believed to be the cause of the mesothelioma that ultimately caused her death.

3500 people die in Great Britain every year from mesothelioma and asbestos related lung cancer and approximately two thirds of all mesothelioma deaths are cause by asbestos.

For the complete story: Asbestos Cancer
For another similar story see Asbestos and Mesothelioma

Pleural Effusions: A Possible Mesothelioma Warning Sign

2004-12-14T18:38:00.000-08:00

Woodland Hills, CA—The Law Firm of Lewis & Schonick has released a new report on pleural effusions, which are a possible warning sign of mesothelioma. The following article was written by Eric N. Scholnick, Attorney at Law
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Pleural effusion, which is an excess of fluid on the pleura, or lung lining, is not an uncommon medical finding, and is ordinarily not a cause for extreme concern. However, for persons with past exposure to asbestos, pleural effusions may be extremely significant, and should be treated with caution.

Pleural effusion is a common sign of malignancy, or cancer, including lung cancer and mesothelioma, a form of cancer for which the only known cause is asbestos exposure. Patients with past exposure to asbestos, who are diagnosed with pleural effusion, can have the fluid analyzed for cancer cells. Frequently, a diagnosis of cancer can be made just on the basis of analysis of pleural fluid.

Mesothelioma cancers can originate in the lung lining, or in the stomach, or peritoneum. A frequent symptom in both types of mesothelioma is rapid buildup of fluid. If you, a loved one, or a friend has a past history of asbestos exposure, such as from Navy or shipyard exposure, and is experiencing rapid fluid buildup in the chest or stomach, medical testing should be done immediately, to determine the presence or absence of cancer.

It is frequently the case that persons with fluid buildup in the chest or stomach choose not to seek medical evaluation. The attitude often seen is that people don't want to know if they're sick. This attitude is understandable, but erroneous. Prompt medical attention, and diagnosis, may be the difference between life and death.

Persons with past histories of asbestos exposure who are diagnosed with pleural effusion, or fluid buildup in the chest or stomach, can only benefit from prompt medical attention. Even with a past history of asbestos exposure, most pleural effusions are benign, or non-cancerous. A person with benign pleural effusion who goes in promptly for medical evaluation, and is told the effusion is non-cancerous, achieves a peace of mind unknown to the person who ignores the fluid buildup. If lung cancer is diagnosed following a pleural effusion, there is an increasingly high rate of successful treatment, if the lung cancer is diagnosed in its early stages. With respect to mesothelioma, early detection is absolutely essential to any chance of life-extending treatment.

The intent of this article is not to scare anyone; rather, the intent is to increase awareness of a potentially dangerous situation, and to help people overcome fear of medical treatment. If you have past asbestos exposure, and are experiencing a fluid buildup in your chest or stomach, please don't wait for a life-threatening situation to develop. Overcome your fear and go see a doctor immediately. Chances are it'll turn out to be nothing to worry about (which will be highly reassuring), but, in the event the pleural effusion is malignant, you will greatly increase the chances of successful treatment by having the condition diagnosed early. Either way, you win...and so does your family.

Persons with a past history of asbestos exposure, found to have asbestos-related lung disease, or cancers, including lung cancer and mesothelioma, may be entitled to money damages.

More information can be found at the official Web site of The Law Firm of Lewis & Scholnick ( http://www.lsasbestoslaw.com ) The Web site contains informative articles on topics such as mesothelioma treatments, symptoms, palliative care and more. For more information on mesothelioma treatments, please see http://www.lsasbestoslaw.com/medical-treatment.html , and for more information on L&S litigation results, please see http://www.lsasbestoslaw.com/results.html.

For more: Mesothelioma Cancer

Settlement Reached in Asbestos Case

2004-12-13T06:01:00.000-08:00

John Mangalonzo writing for The Sweetwater News reports that a civil lawsuit filed on behalf of a Wisconsin man who died of asbestos-related cancer was settled out of court over the weekend.

According to the attorneys, the settlement is in excess of $1.5 million.

The family of Walter Flatoff had filed a $6 million civil suit against Georgia Pacific and Bondex. Mr. Flatoff died in 2003 after a lengthy fight with mesothelioma. The court was told that exposure to asbestos particles in the air increases the risk of developing malignant mesothelioma.

For more on the story:Mesothelioma Lawsuit

Sen. Arlen Specter wants Action on Asbestos Bill

2004-12-11T17:41:00.000-08:00

WASHINGTON

Susan Cornwell writing for Reuters News reports that Sen. Arlen Spector hopes to produce a bill early in 2005 to create a national fund to compensate asbestos victims.

"I'm looking to have a bill prepared early on," the Pennsylvania Republican told Reuters outside the Senate. "There is a real sense of urgency about this bill."

Spector also said,"There is an ongoing crisis with many companies on the edge of bankruptcy on asbestos, and thousands of people with mesothelioma, which is a deadly disease, not being compensated because their companies are in bankruptcy," he said.

For the entire story: Mesothelioma Help

Asbestos Illness Costs to Top $32 Million

2004-12-11T17:11:00.000-08:00

In a story for the Billings Gazette, Jennifer McKee reports that medical costs over the next five years could run as high as $90 million, for people sickened by asbestos exposure in Libby but were more likely to be $32.2 million. For years, Libby was home to a vermiculite mine. The vermiculite was tainted with a particularly dangerous kind of asbestos, a mineral that causes lung disease and mesothelioma cancers.

Hundreds of people in the Libby area have died from asbestos related diseases. Many more are still sick from exposure to the asbestos.

For the rest of the story: Asbestos Cancer

Man Reaches $4 million Deal in Asbestos Lawsuit

2004-12-11T16:46:00.000-08:00

Brian Brueggemann (bbrueggemann@bnd.com), writing for the Belleville News-Democrat says that a 78 year old Chicago-area man, Luke Lindau, has settled several law suits including two against Georgia-Pacific and Bondex after developing mesothelioma cancer.

Lindau claimed that he developed mesothelioma while working as a painter and drywall supervisor. Asbestos found in joint compound was stated as the cause of the mesothelioma.

Lindau's attorney, Scott Hendler of Texas, Hendler declined to specify the settlement amounts with Georgia-Pacific and Bondex, but he said the settlements with them and other defendants "should approach $4 million."

For the rest of the story: Mesothelioma Lawsuit

Michigan Home Owners Face Asbestos Dangers

2004-12-10T10:06:00.001-08:00

Detroit Free Press Staff Writer, Hugh McDiarmid reports that residents who lived near a former vermiculite processing plant in Dearborn, will get "guidance, advice and resources", according to federal and state officials. However the estimated 700,000 Michigan homeowners that have deadly vermiculite insulation in their homes will get no help.

More than 206,000 tons of vermiculite went through the Dearborn factory between 1966 and 1988, with much of it being made into Zonolite insulation. Vermiculite insulation is typically loose-fill, and is pebble-like in appearance, often light brown and shiny. When disturbed, the vermiculite releases asbestos fibers into the air. When inhaled, the fibers lodge in the lungs and often cause Mesothelioma cancer.

For more, click Mesothelioma Help

Hubby's Clothes Gave Her Cancer

2004-12-10T10:06:00.000-08:00

A report in the Daily News by staff writer Don Singleton states that a Queens NY housewife is suing the Port Authority because she contracted Mesothelioma Cancer from washing her husbands clothes.

59 year old Elizabeth Holdampf, of Bellerose is suffering from mesothelioma, a form of cancer often caused by exposure to asbestos. Even though she never worked with asbestos, Mrs. Holdampf washed her husbands asbestos-contaminated clothes for more than 30 years according to their lawyer.

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer often caused by exposure to asbestos.

For more information click Mesothelioma Cancer

Latest Treatments for Mesothelioma

2004-12-08T19:16:00.001-08:00

Latest Treatments for Mesothelioma

According to 'Cancer Wise', a publication of the MD Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas researchers are studying whether chemotherapy before surgery and radiation can deter tumor recurrence in patients with mesothelioma.

The study builds on the success of a previous clinical trial at M. D. Anderson that included surgery called extra pleural pneumonectomy (EPP), which involves removal of the affected lung and lining of the chest, followed by a highly specialized form of radiation therapy known as Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT).

The new multi-center study, will recruit 77 patients nationwide, and take place in:

* Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York
* University of Chicago, Chicago
* Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore
* Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit
* University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
* Brigham and Women’s University, Boston

Katherine Pisters, M.D. and principal investigator on the study at M. D. Anderson says the study will involve EPP, post-operative IMRT and the chemotherapy drugs pemetrexed (Alimta®) and cisplatin.

For more information: Mesothelioma Treatment

Research Offers Hope of Cure for Mesothelioma

2004-12-08T19:16:00.000-08:00

Research Offers Hope of Cure for Mesothelioma
November 25, 2004

West Australian researchers have discovered a new treatment regime for Mesothelioma. Mesothelioma cells were transplanted into a laboratory mouse. The mouse was then given a chemotherapy drug called coramsine along with a combination of drugs to stimulate the immune system.

The mouse fully recovered from mesothelioma and built up immunity to further tumours. University of Western Australian researcher Richard Lake said the mouse not only recovered from mesothelioma but rejected subsequent attempts to grow another tumour.

For more Information: Mesothelioma Updates

Wife to Continue Husband's Battle with Mesothelioma

2004-12-04T19:10:00.000-08:00

Wife to continue husband's battle
Published on 04 December 2004
A QUEST for compensation begun by a man suffering from asbestos-related cancer has now been taken up by his widow in response to his final wishes.

Bill Smart, from Swavesey, died on October 23, aged 67, from mesothelioma, which is caused by exposure to asbestos dust. Following the disease's diagnosis in March 2003, he was advised to seek private compensation from the insurers of his former employers.

Mr Smart, who received support and advice from staff at Papworth Hospital, worked from 1953-1968 as a carpenter and joiner for Primes of Cambridge, where he was exposed to the dust while building flume cupboards for laboratories.

Solicitors, who are asbestos experts, took on the case, but have been unable to trace Primes' insurance company.

Now Mr Smart's wife Jenny, who is being assisted by a close family friend, hopes News readers might be able to help. "We are looking for someone who might have worked in the office or had an injury at work and might remember who the insurers were," she said.

The company, which carried out shop-fitting, was based in Burleigh Street, Cambridge, before moving to St Andrew's Road, Chesterton. It ceased trading in 1976.

Mr Smart, a grandfather-of-six, was highly regarded by people in Swavesey where he lived his whole life, and his funeral at St Andrew's Church was attended by 450 mourners.

He will be remembered for many things, particularly his building of a replica Big Ben for the village's Millennium celebrations. He was an active member of the Swavesey and District Branch of the Royal British Legion and produced scenery for the local RADSOC (Review and Drama Society). He had also been a member of the parish council and parochial church council.

"Bill was so fit and had never had anything wrong with him in his life until last year," said Mrs Smart, who enjoyed a holiday in South Africa with her husband in January.

"I asked him how he felt about his illness, and he said he just felt he had been robbed of his retirement and the rest of his life."

If anyone is able to help, please call Jo Stagg on (01223) 434417/ newsdesk on (01223) 434437.

* The Observer reported last month how insurers are concerned about footing the bill for illnesses linked to asbestos.

It reported that the insurance profession had put the future cost of asbestos-related diseases from £8bn- £20bn, which represents 80,000 - 200,000 new claims over the next 30 years.

Cambridge Newspapers Ltd : Winship Road. Milton. Cambridge

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