Johnson & Johnson

Johnson & Johnson facing multiple investigations

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Kentucky residents who used baby powder made by Johnson & Johnson may have been exposed to asbestos. There are roughly 13,000 plaintiffs with claims against the company, and it is also under investigation by multiple government agencies. The Securities and Exchange Commission and the Justice Department have both issued subpoenas after juries awarded millions to plaintiffs in California and New Jersey.

In addition, the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions is also conducting an investigation into what the company may have known. Johnson & Johnson issued a statement saying that the investigations were based on information that was not accurate. Furthermore, it claims that news reports withheld information that is already available to the public. It further claims that lab testing over several decades has proven that its baby powder is safe to use.

The company’s stock price fell 1.4 percent in reaction to the news. Johnson & Johnson’s stock fell 17 percent after reports about asbestos in its baby powder first came out. According to the senate committee member, there is concern that the company may have tried to mislead the public and cover up evidence of potential harm to consumers. Both men and women could face health issues if they used the product.

Individuals who were exposed to asbestos in the home or at work may be at a higher risk of cancer or other health issues. An attorney may help a person show a direct link between health ailments and exposure to asbestos. This may be done by obtaining lab tests, calling expert witnesses or reviewing a plaintiff’s medical records. If a claim is successful, an individual may be entitled to compensation for medical bills and other related costs.

medical diligence

Working with asbestos requires a lifetime of medical diligence

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Working certain jobs means incurring different levels of risk for injuries and illnesses. People who drive all day as part of their job have an increased risk for experiencing a motor vehicle collision. Those who have worked as shingle manufacturers, roofers, insulation professionals or in pipe fitting, construction and a host of other careers, have a specific concern that they will have to be mindful of for the rest of their lives.

Unlike certain occupational risks, like falls from a height, the risk in this situation does not end when someone leaves a job. Instead, it could take years or decades for the person to even know they have an issue. The risk here is mesothelioma related to asbestos exposure. Individuals exposed to asbestos have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma or other serious medical conditions related to asbestos.

Simply ending the exposure will not decrease someone’s overall risk for developing these conditions. Instead, workers who found themselves exposed to asbestos in their career will need to monitor themselves for the symptoms of mesothelioma for the rest of their lives.

Mesothelioma is deadly, but it takes a long time to grow

Many of the deadliest cancers are fast growing. Individuals may barely have time to recognize their symptoms before the cancer progresses to higher and more difficult-to-treat stages. Mesothelioma, on the other hand, can take several decades to develop.

People can find themselves suddenly showing early symptoms of lung issues 20 or 30 years later. Because of how long it takes for mesothelioma to develop in those exposed to asbestos, constant vigilance from them, their loved ones and their medical professionals is necessary.

No one who has had workplace exposure to asbestos should assume they have a clean bill of health just because they have gone many years without medical issues. They should still watch for issues with breathing, pain in the chest or back, and other symptoms associated with mesothelioma.

Even if the company is out of business, you still have rights

A common concern for individuals facing a diagnosis of mesothelioma is the fact that their former employer is no longer in business. Many companies only last for the lifetime of one executive. Others end up going out of business because of improper practices or lawsuits from former employees.

Just because a company is no longer in operation doesn’t mean that you don’t still have the right to compensation. It just means that you may have to take a few extra steps to connect with the compensation that you deserve.

Speaking with an attorney who has a thorough understanding of mesothelioma cases and the rights of those exposed to asbestos at work in Kentucky is a good first step. An attorney can likely connect you with resources and evaluate your case for strengths. From compensation funds to lawsuits, there are many options available to those reeling from an unexpected mesothelioma diagnosis.

Stage 4 mesothelioma

Stage 4 mesothelioma: symptoms, treatments

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Pleural mesothelioma, caused by the inhalation of asbestos into the lungs, has four stages with stage 4 being the final and deadliest. At this stage, the malignant mesothelioma tumors have spread beyond their point of origin into the chest walls, the bones and perhaps several organs, including the liver, prostate and lining of the heart. Louisville residents should know that the median life expectancy for those with stage 4 mesothelioma is 12 months.

The symptoms of stage 4 mesothelioma include shortness of breath, pain in the chest and abdomen, chronic fatigue and difficulty swallowing. Patients may experience severe weight loss, muscle atrophy and anemia. They may also cough up blood or build up fluids in the chest and abdomen.

Stage 4 mesothelioma is difficult to treat because patients are usually too weak to withstand aggressive surgeries. Surgeons, while unable to remove all tumors, may remove those that are affecting breathing and causing pain. Chemotherapy and immunotherapy are also possible. Many patients receive palliative care and sometimes defy the odds, living for several years longer than doctors projected.

There is no official stage 4 for peritoneal mesothelioma, which affects the protective lining of the abdomen and composes roughly 20 percent of all mesothelioma cases. Once the tumors have spread from the lining, though, treatment becomes just as difficult as with stage 4 pleural mesothelioma.

Many develop mesothelioma through the use of products containing asbestos and through exposure to asbestos in old buildings. Workers with the condition may file for workers’ compensation benefits, which cover medical expenses as well as a percentage of lost wages. If someone’s negligence was to blame for their exposure, victims may instead file a personal injury claim. This is where having a lawyer to consult with might be beneficial. Victims may let their lawyer handle all negotiations.

Why You Should Hire Satterley & Kelley, PLLC for Your Asbestos Case

If you’re diagnosed with mesothelioma or a family member died because of it, you may be entitled to compensation for what you’ve endured.

You need a law firm with experience representing victims taking legal action against the asbestos industry. Satterley & Kelley lawyers have helped mesothelioma victims for more than 20 years.

We have relationships with the best experts in the world to assist us in proving not only what caused your injury but the physical, emotional, psychological, and financial harm you suffered.

Our attorneys will give your case the full investigation it deserves. We never assume your case will settle, so we don’t take shortcuts. Every mesothelioma case is unique. Satterley & Kelley will carefully analyze the facts of your case and decide on and execute an effective strategy that can provide you with the most compensation possible.

Your Local Mesothelioma Law Firm 

If you or a loved one are diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, you should understand your rights to compensation and how exercise them.

Experienced Satterley & Kelley’s, PLLC, asbestos injury lawyers can discuss your situation and help you recover compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and the pain and suffering you’ve endured. Schedule a free initial consultation at our Louisville office by calling us toll-free at 855-385-9532 or completing our online contact form today.