Thursday, February 7, 2013

Mesothelioma & Asbestos Report


The mesothelioma lawyers at the Simmons Law Firm have gathered some of this week’s headlines, offering information on asbestos exposure, mesothelioma research, and support. 
  • Asbestos Found in Little Rock, Arkansas 
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has conducted asbestos testing in Conley Park and the former North Little Rock Auto Salvage Center. The North Little Rock Salvage Site, which operated from 1953 to 1989, was used as a vermiculite processing facility. The vermiculite came from a mine located in Libby, Montana, which was later found to be infected with asbestos. The EPA is reporting that some asbestos contamination has been found in both the old processing plant as well as parts of the surrounding area.
  • Meso Research Foundation Continues Mission to Eradicate Mesothelioma 
Throughout the year 2011, the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation continued its efforts towards increasing awareness of mesothelioma cancer and increasing funding towards the development of new mesothelioma treatment advancements. In addition to funding its research programs, the foundation’s many efforts included providing patient service programs, advocating in Washington for funding, and leading local-centric awareness campaigns in cities, towns, and states around the United States. The Simmons Firm is proud to support the Meso Foundation.
  • Asbestos-Warning Signs Alert Buffalo Residents 
Residents of a Buffalo apartment complex were alarmed when asbestos-warning signs were suddenly posted at their Marine Drive Apartment building. The signs, which were initially posted without any further notice, left residents wondering if they were at risk for asbestos exposure. These warnings were a result of asbestos materials being found and removed from the apartment complex in August. The warning notices also confirmed the possible presence of asbestos containing materials being present throughout the building, including floor tile, linoleum, plaster ceilings, heating pipes and caulking. Officials are noting that currently only common areas, the boiler room and the maintenance room are affected. 
  • PHOTOFRIN® for Mesothelioma Treatment Receives FDA Approval 
Pinnacle Biologics, Inc., a bio-pharmaceutical company, has received FDA approval for an Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) for their product PHOTOFRIN® (porfimer sodium). Pinnacle will evaluate the current clinical data, in hopes to bring this important treatment option to patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma. 
  • Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization Announces Honorees:  Dedicated to providing education, advocacy and community initiatives for asbestos victims, the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) has announced its honorees and keynote speaker for the 8th Annual International Asbestos Awareness Conference. The event, which will be held March 30 to April 1, 2012 in Los Angeles, CA, will bring together experts, activists and asbestos victims in one single forum. The focus of which is to enhance asbestos awareness, education, treatment, and collaboration. The Simmons Firm is proud to support ADAO.
Posted on 1:38 PM | Categories:

Mesothelioma Information and News


The mesothelioma lawyers at the Simmons Law Firm have gathered some of this week’s headlines, offering information on asbestos exposure, mesothelioma research, and support. 
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has conducted asbestos testing in Conley Park and the former North Little Rock Auto Salvage Center. The North Little Rock Salvage Site, which operated from 1953 to 1989, was used as a vermiculite processing facility. The vermiculite came from a mine located in Libby, Montana, which was later found to be infected with asbestos. The EPA is reporting that some asbestos contamination has been found in both the old processing plant as well as parts of the surrounding area.
Throughout the year 2011, the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation continued its efforts towards increasing awareness of mesothelioma cancer and increasing funding towards the development of new mesothelioma treatment advancements. In addition to funding its research programs, the foundation’s many efforts included providing patient service programs, advocating in Washington for funding, and leading local-centric awareness campaigns in cities, towns, and states around the United States. The Simmons Firm is proud to support the Meso Foundation.
Residents of a Buffalo apartment complex were alarmed when asbestos-warning signs were suddenly posted at their Marine Drive Apartment building. The signs, which were initially posted without any further notice, left residents wondering if they were at risk for asbestos exposure. These warnings were a result of asbestos materials being found and removed from the apartment complex in August. The warning notices also confirmed the possible presence of asbestos containing materials being present throughout the building, including floor tile, linoleum, plaster ceilings, heating pipes and caulking. Officials are noting that currently only common areas, the boiler room and the maintenance room are affected. 
Pinnacle Biologics, Inc., a bio-pharmaceutical company, has received FDA approval for an Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) for their product PHOTOFRIN® (porfimer sodium). Pinnacle will evaluate the current clinical data, in hopes to bring this important treatment option to patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma. 
  • Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization Announces Honorees:  Dedicated to providing education, advocacy and community initiatives for asbestos victims, the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) has announced its honorees and keynote speaker for the 8th Annual International Asbestos Awareness Conference. The event, which will be held March 30 to April 1, 2012 in Los Angeles, CA, will bring together experts, activists and asbestos victims in one single forum. The focus of which is to enhance asbestos awareness, education, treatment, and collaboration. The Simmons Firm is proud to support ADAO.
Posted on 1:37 PM | Categories:

Mesothelioma & Asbestos Information


As part of our commitment to offering news and information concerning asbestos exposure and mesothelioma, the mesothelioma lawyers at the Simmons Firm have rounded up some of this week’s headlines.
  • Recent Mesothelioma Treatment Innovations:
    This Brigham and Women’s Hospital article outlines a few innovative treatment options in respect to mesothelioma. Intracavitary chemotherapy, photodynamic therapy, immunotherapy, brachytherapy, and alternative medicines are among the mesothelioma treatment options discussed in the article.
  • Mesothelioma Patients Chosen to Review Federal Funding Program
    Three mesothelioma patients, nominated by the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation and accepted through the Department of Defense (DoD), will serve as consumer reviewers for the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP). Funded and directed by the DoD, the CDRMP distributes research funding for diseases that disproportionately affect veterans. The goal of this consumer review panel is to ensure that the needs of those veterans affected by mesothelioma are recognized.
  • ADAO's 8th Annual International Asbestos Awareness Conference Scheduled:
    The ADAO will host its 8th annual asbestos awareness conference, “Asbestos: An International Public Health Crisis,” from March 30 – April 1, 2012. Bringing together leaders from around the globe, the focus of the conference is to discuss how asbestos has impacted public health, the environment, and the economy. The Simmons Firm is proud to support ADAO.
  • Asbestos Exposure Danger in Yakima Valley
    After a fire destroyed two restaurants in Yakima Valley, WA last spring, residents have become aware of the presence of asbestos in a number of the area’s older buildings. Scheduled building demolition projects that may require the removal of asbestos include the Safari and El Conquistador restaurants as well as the Eisenhower High School.
  • Asbestos Exposure and the Dangers of Home Improvement
    This ABC report warns against the hidden dangers of home improvement. Due to its one-time popularity as a favorite building material, many older homes were constructed with asbestos. Because asbestos exposure is directly linked to mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos related diseases, people who decide to take on “do-it-yourself projects” may place themselves at risk.
Please note that if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, the mesothelioma lawyers from the Simmons Law Firm are here to offer guidance, information and legal counsel. We are committed to helping families affected by mesothelioma and are a leading supporter of mesothelioma research throughout the country. For more information, call our law firm today for a free consultation at 1-866-468-8631 or contact us online.
Posted on 1:36 PM | Categories:

Mesothelioma & Asbestos News Report


As part of our commitment to helping families affected by mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases, the mesothelioma lawyers at the Simmons Firm are offering information on asbestos exposure, mesothelioma diagnosis, and treatment options.
  • Potential Therapy for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma:
    A chemotherapy drug has been granted Orphan Drug Designation for the possible treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma. As a ‘novel synthetic compound,’ the drug, CBP501, has been approved for use in combination with Cisplatin. Phase II of this trial was completed in October 2011 and approved in January. Results of this trial should be released this summer, and they may lead to a larger phase III trial.
  • ATSDR: Guide on Asbestos Exposure:
    The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) offers information on asbestos, asbestos exposure, and asbestos related illness. This guide from the ASTDR is intended to help people understand the types of illnesses asbestos may cause and provide advice on where to look for additional help and information.
  • ADAO Goes To Washington:
    The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) will hold an educational senate briefing, Asbestos: The Impact on Public Health, the Environment, and the Economy. In addition to the briefing, the group of ADAO representatives will meet with government officials with the hopes of offering critical asbestos information, encouraging bipartisan collaboration, and addressing the threat of asbestos.
  • Mesothelioma Treatment Research:
    Researchers at the Asbestos Disease Research Institute in Sydney, Australia are reporting that they may have found a possible “Tumor Marker” in patients suffering from mesothelioma and other asbestos related cancers. These markers, which are found in blood or tumor tissues, may offer evidence as to how aggressive the disease is, which in turn may ultimately offer insight into better treatment options.
  • Asbestos Found in Nursing Home:
    Parts of a Lehigh Valley, PA nursing home have been shut down after officials discovered high levels of asbestos. While the material was not found to be airborne in any of the patients’ rooms, the nursing home’s maintenance shop, carpenter shop, break room and a storage room have tested positive.
  • Asbestos Removal Complete at DOE Site in Ohio:
    A project to remove asbestos from a Department of Energy (DOE) process building near Piketon, OH has been completed. The removal process was the first step in a decontamination and decommissioning process that will result in the demolition of the building.
Posted on 1:35 PM | Categories:

Mesothelioma & Asbestos News Report


As part of our commitment to offering news and information on asbestos exposure and mesothelioma, the lawyers at the Simmons Firm have rounded up some of this week's headlines.
  • Additional Mesothelioma Funding through DoD:
    Mesothelioma will again be included on the list of diseases eligible for research funding through the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program (PRCRP). The disease first became eligible to receive funding in 2008 due to the disproportionate rate by which military personnel are affected by mesothelioma. Since this time, the DoD has funded $5.8 million in mesothelioma research.

  • Treatment of Mesothelioma Based on Extent of the Cancer:
    This article by the American Cancer Society offers information on mesothelioma treatment options. According to the article, “Mesothelioma can be hard to treat, no matter the stage of the cancer” For this reason it becomes important to understand the goal of the treatment before it begins. In addition to the stage of the disease, the patient’s health and preferences also help the doctor determine the type of treatment available.

  • Increasing Asbestos Awareness One Signature at a Time:
    The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) and Canadian Voices of Asbestos Victims (CVAV) have seen success from their petition drive advocating increased awareness of the dangers of asbestos exposure. Currently the petition has received support from more than 500 individuals and 40 organizations. Visit the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization for details or to sign the petition.

  • Cause of Lung Cancer in Non-Smokers:
    This article looks at the causes and effects of lung cancer in non-smokers. After smoking, the causes of cancer can include secondhand smoke, exposure to radon gas, exposure to carcinogens at work, and air pollution. While the leading cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is exposure to radon gas, the workplace as a source for exposure to carcinogens, like asbestos and diesel exhaust, has also attributed to a number of diagnoses.

  • Industrial Site Being Cleared of Asbestos:
    Demolition work and asbestos removal at an industrial site in Norristown, Pennsylvania is expected to be completed by midsummer. The site, which was purchased as a possible relocation spot for the Norristown Sewage Treatment plant, is currently contaminated with asbestos. The asbestos removal and demolition work is being conducted by the Environmental Consulting Inc. (ECI) of Norristown.
Posted on 1:35 PM | Categories:

Meso Foundation Awards $100,000 to Five Mesothelioma Research Projects


I’m pleased to share that the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation recently announced funding for five mesothelioma research grants.
Having seen first-hand the deadly impact this disease can have on patients and their families, my colleagues and I understand the critical need for research dollars for mesothelioma. Thanks to the work of the Meso Foundation that need is being fulfilled, but not fast enough. Every year 3,000 new Americans are newly diagnosed with mesothelioma, which is a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos fibers.
A cure can’t come quick enough.
The foundation awards funding based on a rigorous peer-reviewed process. This means that all projects are reviewed and ranked by the members of the organization’s Science Advisory Board. The five were selected from a pool of 42 applicants.
This year’s projects include:
  • A study attempting to combine all genomic data of ten different pleural mesothelioma tumors and discover which genes are truly meaningful in disease treatment.
  • A study investigating how important proteins in the immune system are involved in regulating the response of mesothelioma cells to chemotherapy.
  • A study of WT1 peptide/MHS complexes and their use as a possible antigen that would help the immune system detect and kill mesothelioma cells.
  • A review of three experiments of BAP1 to character how the loss of BAP1 may cause mesothelioma to become more vulnerable to targeted therapy approaches.
  • A project to identify and validate miRNAs as novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets diffuse in malignant peritoneal mesothelioma.
The five new grants bring the total number of grants funded by the Meso Foundation to 76 for a cumulative total of $7.6 million in funding. As the Meso Foundations highest cumulative donor, the Simmons Firm has been a proud supporter of the foundation since it started more than ten years ago. However, until a meso cure is found, more support is needed. No one deserves to suffer through a mesothelioma diagnosis.
For more information on these grants and more visit the Foundation’s website.
Posted on 1:34 PM | Categories:

Mesothelioma and Asbestos Updates for April


The mesothelioma lawyers at the Simmons Firm have brought together some of this month's headlines, offering information on asbestos exposure, mesothelioma research, and support. 
  • Proposed Budget Cuts Could Impact Public Health:
    As reported by the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), “The U.S. Administration has announced a new budget that will significantly decrease funding for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other government agencies.” Cutting the EPA’s budget by 1/3, the impact of these cuts may result in a reduction in critical environment and health programs, halt updates to existing protective guidance, and eliminate the fibers program activities. In their posting, the ADAO warns that more than 10,000 Americans die every year from preventable asbestos-caused diseases, and is concerned of the negative impact these cuts will have on the health and safety of the American public.

  • Hidden Killer Campaign:
    In effort to raise continued awareness about the negative effects of asbestos exposure, The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched an awareness campaign entitled the “Hidden Killer.” According to the HSE, research indicates a number of tradespeople, including plumbers, electricians, joiners, tradesmen, and construction workers, are uninformed about the risks they face. The objective of the Hidden Killer campaign is to raise awareness of the risks of asbestos and to encourage tradesmen to take positive action in educating and protecting themselves.

  • Optimism Surrounding Pleural Mesothelioma Treatment Case Study:
    During a recent case study, a patient with Stage II pleural mesothelioma responded positively to chemotherapy prior to surgery. While it is important to note this is not a typical response, it demonstrates the potential ability of chemotherapy to eradicate the tumor.

  • Mesothelioma Victims Deserve Better Than Wasteful Legal Maneuvers:
    This Los Angeles Times article reviews the tactics used by asbestos industry lawyers. Citing the case of Michael Hiltzik, a Marine veteran and mesothelioma patient, the article asks the question, “Did asbestos industry lawyers deliberately drive Johnson to his death by putting him through a brutal series of depositions so their clients would save money?” According to the Los Angeles Times, Johnson’s family, lawyers and doctors believe that defense attorneys intentionally used “’delay tactics and stalling,’ in the expectation that he would die before he reached the finish line.”

  • Fred Couples Designates Portion of the Presidents Cup Proceeds to the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation:
    Fred Couples, a 15-time PGA TOUR event winner and six-time Champions Tour event winner, recently designated $25,000 of the proceeds from The Presidents Cup golf tournament to the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (Meso Foundation). The President Cup does not offer a cash prize to participants. Instead, team captains allocate certain portions of the proceeds to charitable causes. The Meso Foundation is a leading organization, dedicated to eradicating mesothelioma as a form of life ending cancer. In addition to funding peer-reviewed mesothelioma research, the Meso foundation offers personalized and up-to-date information to patients and their families.

  • Crucial Supreme Court Ruling in "Take-Home" Asbestos Case:
    An Illinois Supreme Court ruling offers a mesothelioma law firm, the Simmons Firm, a chance to prove in court that a railroad had a duty of care to a Granite City woman who died of cancer. The women allegedly died of asbestos related cancer after her husband brought home toxic dust on his work clothing. According to Ted Gianaris, a partner in The Simmons Firm, "The implications are great and very important.” This ruling upholds precedence in Illinois case law that employers have a duty to warn the immediate family members of their employees who are at risk of being exposed to asbestos.
Posted on 1:34 PM | Categories:
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