Louisville Personal Injury Blog

Does gender have an impact on mesothelioma?

On behalf of Satterley & Kelley PLLC on Friday, September 21, 2018.

When the Louisville doctors diagnose you with a disease, they determine your survival rate and how your treatment using several factors. They could figure it out through your age, past medical conditions, how long you have had the disease and various other conditions. It plays a large role into whether you require simple surgery or periods of chemotherapy.

However, one major factor in determining your survivability rate and treatment is your gender. As it turns out, there is a significant difference between how often men and women survive or obtain mesothelioma. It is crucial to understand what advantages each side has when it comes to this cancer.

Company sued for alleged asbestos exposure

On behalf of Satterley & Kelley PLLC posted in mesothelioma on Friday, September 14, 2018.

Some people in Louisville may be following the trial in which Johnson & Johnson is defending against a woman's claim that the talc in their baby powder caused her mesothelioma. On Sept. 4, her attorneys introduced an email from 2000 in which the now-deceased regulatory affairs manager with Luzenac America talked about how to increase confusion about whether or not talc was a carcinogen. The company mined talc and was later bought out by another company that is a co-defendant.

Lawsuits have been filed by hundreds of women throughout the country saying the baby powder caused their ovarian cancer. In this case, the woman alleges that she developed mesothelioma because of asbestos in the baby powder.

Why it may be time to worry about asbestos exposure again

On behalf of Satterley & Kelley PLLC posted in asbestos on Friday, September 7, 2018.

For many years, it wasn't uncommon for asbestos, a material known for its high heat resistance capabilities, to be used in various residential and commercial structures in Louisville, many other parts of Kentucky and throughout the rest of the United States. Since asbestos fibers have also been linked to serious and potentially fatal respiratory diseases, this material has been severely restricted or widely banned in many countries. However, a new EPA rule could alter some of the existing limitations in place that govern how asbestos can be used.

Since 1989, new uses for asbestos in the United States have been banned, although certain uses for this material prior to 1989 are still permitted. The law also prohibits the use and sale of certain asbestos-containing products, such as specialty paper and rollboard. The most recent EPA action concerning asbestos, referred to as a Significant New Use Rule, or SNUR, would allow manufacturers of new products containing this material to seek approval on a case-by-case basis.

Exposure to asbestos and the development of mesothelioma

On behalf of Satterley & Kelley PLLC posted in mesothelioma on Thursday, August 30, 2018.

Kentucky residents who have worked in industries that use or have used asbestos may be at risk for mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure. According to a number of studies, inhaling or swallowing asbestos fibers can potentially lead to a variety of cancers and other illnesses, such as an incurable breathing illness known as asbestosis.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer reported in 2009 that all types of asbestos are a cause of mesothelioma. The research was updated in 2011 as scientific evidence showed overwhelming proof of the link between asbestos and cancer. No matter what type or fiber length, all asbestos is carcinogenic for humans. The reason for this is that once the asbestos fibers are inhaled, the body is unable to get rid of them. As a result, the fibers build up in the abdomen or the lungs over time and may begin to cause cancerous changes to these body elements.

Understanding the types of mesothelioma

On behalf of Satterley & Kelley PLLC on Thursday, August 30, 2018.

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer caused by direct and indirect exposure to asbestos. There is no known cure for the disease, but early diagnosis and treatment options make for better odds of beating mesothelioma.

There are around 3,000 mesothelioma diagnoses in the U.S. every year, most of which are people who were exposed on the job. Mesothelioma most commonly forms around the lungs (70%) and around the abdomen (20%). It can also form in the lining of the heart and testicles, though this is rare.

Beware of New Asbestos Products in the Market

On behalf of Satterley & Kelley PLLC posted in asbestos on Monday, August 27, 2018.

Recently, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a proposed rule, which would allow the EPA to approve new uses for asbestos, if those applications pass a risk-assessment test. While asbestos has never been completely banned from use in the United States, numerous regulations have been enacted since the 1970s banning some uses and restricting others. While there may be some asbestos products on the market today, there are very few and it is unlikely that you or a loved one will experience any harmful exposure to a new asbestos product.

Asbestos exposure is not safe: Review our Mesothelioma resource

On behalf of Satterley & Kelley PLLC posted in mesothelioma on Thursday, August 23, 2018.

Recent headlines have downplayed the risks of asbestos exposure and loosening rules could allow more asbestos building products into the country. Yet there is only one known cause of mesothelioma, an aggressive and difficult to treat cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, peritoneum and heart: asbestos exposure.

In Kentucky, there were various worksites and employers who knowingly exposed workers to dangers. It doesn't take working directly with asbestos either. Spouses who launder clothing over years or children who ride in dusty cars or wear a work jacket can also breathe in enough of the fibers to later develop mesothelioma. Certain household products have also been known to contain it, such as baby powder.

Safe driving tips for Louisville residents

On behalf of Satterley & Kelley PLLC posted in car accidents on Tuesday, August 21, 2018.

Nationwide has provided a few safe driving tips that can apply to almost any situation, and even if most drivers think these tips are basic, they are still worth going over again. The first tip that Nationwide gives is to stay attentive at all times. Cellphones are a major source of distraction, but so is eating, adjusting the radio and any other activity that takes drivers' eyes off the road.

Speeding is dangerous as well; among other things, it gives drivers less time to react to emergencies and increases the severity of accidents. All impaired driving must be avoided, including driving when one is drowsy or has had a couple drinks. A "buzzed" driver can still be tested at a sobriety checkpoint and possibly be arrested.

Effective methods to avoid automobile crashes

On behalf of Satterley & Kelley PLLC posted in car accidents on Tuesday, August 14, 2018.

Accidents can happen on Kentucky roads at any time without any warning. Fortunately, there are things that a person can do to lower his or chances of getting into a car wreck. Individuals who are drowsy or who have alcohol in their system should not drive as it can slow their reaction time. It is also a good idea to avoid distractions such as eating, putting on makeup or using a cellphone while a car is in motion.

Before driving, it is a good idea to check the vehicle for any signs of damage. If a vehicle is not properly maintained, it can have an impact on how well it steers, accelerates and brakes. While a person may be able to take steps to avoid causing an accident, that individual cannot control the actions of others. By engaging in defensive driving tactics, it may be easier to account for what others do on the road.

Study shows that new teen drivers more likely to cause accidents

On behalf of Satterley & Kelley PLLC posted in car accidents on Wednesday, August 8, 2018.

Kentucky parents who have children nearing driving age may be interested to learn that teens are most at risk for causing car accidents within their first few months of having a driver's license. According to a new report, teens are eight times more likely to crash or experience a near-miss collision within the first three months of obtaining their licenses.

For the study, researchers monitored 90 teens and 131 parents in Virginia. The study period lasted from when the teens received their learner's permits to the end of the first year of having their driver's licenses. In order to monitor the participants, the vehicles were equipped with two dash cams that recorded both the road and the driver. Furthermore, software recorded each vehicle's braking and speed.

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