Seattle Mesothelioma Legal Issues Blog

Johnson & Johnson, maker of the famous talcum powder known by the brand name Baby Powder, has long denied any asbestos contamination of its products. They have maintained this claim during all of the civil suits brought against the company related to allegations of cancer in former Baby Powder users. Despite numerous losses in court, the company has staunchly denied all contamination allegations.

They have also refused to label their Baby Powder product as potentially contaminated as a way to mitigate their liability and better inform consumers about the risks associated with their products. Now, it appears that they are learning from their past mistakes.

Asbestos is a highly toxic material that has a high resistance to heat. It was a very popular material that was used widely in the construction industry in the United States for decades. It wasn't until the material was discovered to be very dangerous in the 1960s when its use was stopped.

The wide usage of asbestos in buildings in the first half of the 20th century has meant that many construction workers were exposed to the material. Since it can still exist in buildings today, it is possible for workers to be exposed if they are not using adequate protection.

A mesothelioma diagnosis is very serious and life changing. From the moment you are told you have this terminal condition, your life is likely going to revolve around treatments to try to do away with the cancer and help extend your life expectancy. It is important that you remember to live your best life despite this horrible diagnosis.

One of the most important things to do when you are told you have mesothelioma is to ask questions. Find out what treatments you need and how those might impact you. There are three common options that doctors usually turn to in these cases – surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.

If your parent suffers from mesothelioma, there is a very good chance that he or she developed the condition because of exposure to asbestos, a substance used in numerous industrial and household products for decades before the public learned that it led to high rates of cancer. In many cases, previous generations endured years upon years of regular exposure to asbestos without realizing the risks associated with it, often leading to severe illness later in life.

Of course, just like any other injury, if a person develops mesothelioma because of the negligence or direct action of another party, it is usually worth considering a personal injury claim to compensate the victim fairly and relive the weight of lost income and medical expenses. If your parent developed mesothelioma because of asbestos exposure, then the party that exposed your parent may still hold legal liability for the illness.