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Providing reliable and up- to-date news stories and information on asbestos and mesothelioma

MESOWATCH


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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mission-statement-nbsp">Mission Statement&nbsp;</h2>



<p>At MesoWatch, our goal is justice and peace for you and your loved ones. Our team covers everything from legal news to novel medical advancements with a focus on your needs. We go beyond just sharing information, working to connect you with trustworthy, vetted sources that can help you move forward no matter which stage you are currently dealing with. Our methods prioritize data-driven science and a down-to-earth explanation of the medical and legal system.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-who-we-are-nbsp">Who We Are&nbsp;</h2>



<p>MesoWatch is an advocacy group that consists of vetted attorneys, healthcare professionals, and writers working to support mesothelioma patients. We connect patients and their families with resources that empower them to make the best choices available. Our work uses the power of data to find new information and pathways for those who are dealing with mesothelioma, and we are constantly updating our content to reflect the latest research in the field.</p>



<p>At MesoWatch, we understand that a mesothelioma diagnosis from asbestos exposure can be devastating. Your situation feels unjust, frustrating, and difficult to move forward. We speak with people like you every day, so we understand your needs and options.</p>



<p>We&#8217;re here to listen to your story and see how we can help. It&#8217;s our goal to see you in control of your situation, finding your way forward post-diagnosis. We act as a resource and support system to help you through this difficult situation, guiding you to medical and legal aid.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-our-focus">Our Focus</h2>



<p>We believe that companies should be held accountable for the harm that they&#8217;ve caused. For this reason, we aim to connect patients to the full range of resources they&#8217;re entitled to, helping ease the burden of a mesothelioma diagnosis.</p>



<p>At MesoWatch, we cover <a href="https://mesowatch.com/asbestos/">asbestos</a>, <a href="https://mesowatch.com/talcum-powder/">talc</a>, and the diseases that stem from them. Our coverage focuses on legal reporting, medical research, and policy. You’ll find detailed information about things like court cases, criminal charges for safety violations, the latest studies on diagnostic and therapeutic techniques, as well as government regulations and international standards.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-we-can-help-you">How We Can Help You</h2>



<p>MesoWatch provides <a href="https://mesowatch.com/mesothelioma/support/">support and resources that help mesothelioma patients</a> and their family members.&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>We can help you:</strong></p>



<ul>
<li>Find medical information on <a href="https://mesowatch.com/mesothelioma/symptoms/">mesothelioma symptoms</a>, causes, treatment, and more</li>



<li>Deal with the injustice of company negligence that led to your diagnosis</li>



<li>Gain control of your situation and move forward with support from professionals who understand your condition</li>



<li>Find legal resources that can help you and your family&#8217;s position in the future</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-medical-review-board">Medical Review Board</h2>



<p>Our content team analyzes the latest research and reports on breaking news in the field. Our writers emphasize well-researched material sourced from scientific journals and other reputable sources.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Content is then reviewed by our team of medical professionals and researchers who have extensive knowledge about all topics covered. This ensures that you get the most accurate information to help you make the right treatment decisions for you and your family.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-legal-review-board">Legal Review Board</h2>



<p>We recruited our legal review team to join our mission of helping patients understand their legal and financial options. Every member of our team reports on the most up-to-date cases and laws that may impact patients and families battling asbestos-related diseases.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Our writers work to ensure that our audience receives the best information to help them understand their rights, as well as the most relevant legal findings that may impact their case moving forward. Legal review is conducted by lawyers who understand the complexities of the field. In both the medical and legal fields, accuracy is our top priority.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-writing-policies-nbsp">Writing Policies&nbsp;</h2>



<p>As a watchdog group, we pride ourselves on only sharing accurate information that you and your loved ones can depend on. Our team of writers includes lawyers, doctors, clinical researchers, and journalists.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>We rely on a simple, straightforward approach to writing, so you can understand all of the relevant details no matter how complex they may seem. Our review process places extra effort on accuracy, relevancy, easy-to-understand content, and consistency with current research trends.&nbsp;</p>



<p>We pride ourselves on providing data-driven journalism that investigates the full scope of mesothelioma. We aim to equip our readers with factual information to help them make the best decisions for themselves and their loved ones.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-meet-our-team">Meet our Team</h2>



<p>Our team is dedicated to providing informative and engaging content. We want to not only be an authoritative source of information but a trusted ally in your pursuit of justice and understanding.&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>Dr. Patti Shelton</strong>&nbsp;reviews medical information on the site for accuracy. She holds both a Doctor of Medicine degree as well as a Bachelor’s degree in neuroscience from the University of Washington in Seattle. Her work focuses on communicating scientific information to the public and helping make complex concepts understandable so that patients can make their own informed decisions. She also teaches anatomy and physiology courses at the college level.</p>



<p><strong>Katie Duquette, Esquire</strong>, edits our legal and medical content. She works as a clinical research coordinator in neurology at Thomas Jefferson University and received her law degree in 2016 from Villanova University School of Law. She is a licensed attorney in the District of Columbia.&nbsp;</p>



<p>After choosing to pursue a career in health and medicine, she was recently accepted into medical school at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. She has been published in legal journals and acted as the business and legal editor for Villanova’s&nbsp;<em>Environmental Law Journal</em>. She has also assisted with preparing numerous articles for publication in the fields of biology, psychiatry, nutrition, law, and business.</p>



<p><strong>Jennifer de Lyon Stralka</strong>, Esquire, is a licensed attorney with a background in environmental, corporate, and product liability law with a special focus on asbestos litigation. She received her law degree from Vermont Law School in 2004, and her undergraduate degree in 2001 from Rutgers University. Jennifer has been published in several law journals and is a former professor of legal writing at Vermont Law School. She is passionate about using her skills and experience to help mesothelioma victims fight for the justice they deserve.</p>
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About Us


<p>For patients diagnosed with the aggressive <a href="https://mesowatch.com/mesothelioma/">cancer mesothelioma</a>, the choice of surgical treatment has always been a complex decision. Historically, the radical surgery to remove an entire lung (extrapleural pneumonectomy or EPP) was considered the standard. However, a <a href="https://www.clinical-lung-cancer.com/article/S1525-7304(23)00223-1/fulltext" class="broken_link">groundbreaking analysis</a> from a renowned Italian cancer center challenges this conventional approach, suggesting that less invasive, lung-sparing procedures may offer superior survival rates.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-retrospective-study">The Retrospective Study</h4>



<p>The <a href="https://mesowatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Long-Term-Survival-Analysis-of-Pleural-Mesotheliom.pdf">study retrospectively examined nearly two decades</a> of mesothelioma surgeries performed between 2003 and 2020. Researchers analyzed the medical records of 243 patients who underwent various surgical interventions, ranging from curative to palliative procedures.</p>



<p><strong>Three primary surgical techniques were evaluated:</strong></p>



<ul>
<li><strong>Pleurectomy/decortication (P/D):</strong> Removal of the lung lining while preserving the lung itself.</li>



<li><strong>Extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP):</strong> Complete removal of the affected lung.</li>



<li><strong>Partial pleurectomy or biopsy (PP/B):</strong> Less aggressive procedures.</li>
</ul>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-survival-advantage-of-lung-sparing-surgery">Survival Advantage of Lung-Sparing Surgery</h4>



<p>After accounting for factors such as gender and year of operation, the study&#8217;s findings were compelling. Patients who underwent the lung-sparing P/D surgery demonstrated a remarkable 10-year survival rate of 16%, significantly higher than those who had PP/B (1.8%) or EPP (0%).</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="850" height="565" src="https://mesowatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/lung-sparing-study.png" alt="Ten-year overall survival according to the type of resection. This chart from SEER compares ten-year survival rates for Pneumonectomy, Pleurectomy, and Biopsy. " class="wp-image-2634" srcset="https://mesowatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/lung-sparing-study.png 850w, https://mesowatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/lung-sparing-study-300x199.png 300w, https://mesowatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/lung-sparing-study-768x510.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Ten-year overall survival according to the type of resection. This chart from SEER compares ten-year survival rates for Pneumonectomy, Pleurectomy, and Biopsy. </figcaption></figure>



<p>Lead author <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Riccardo-Orlandi" class="broken_link">Dr. Riccardo Orlandi </a>emphasized, &#8220;Lung-sparing P/D should be the preferred approach whenever feasible, offering comparable or superior long-term outcomes compared to more radical procedures, without the associated risks.&#8221;</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-insights-and-implications">Key Insights and Implications</h4>



<p>The study found that patients who had the P/D surgery <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1556086415302227" class="broken_link">lived significantly longer </a>than those who had the EPP:</p>



<ul>
<li>Patients undergoing P/D surgery had a median survival of 27.5 months, versus 19.8 months for those undergoing EPP.</li>



<li>Surgical advancements and the integration of multimodal treatments have likely contributed to improved survival rates over time.</li>



<li>The study challenges the long-held belief that EPP, with its high risks and lower survival outcomes, should be the standard approach.</li>
</ul>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rethinking-aggressive-surgical-strategies">Rethinking Aggressive Surgical Strategies</h4>



<p>While EPP was once considered the best chance at removing all visible tumors, studies like the <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(11)70149-8/fulltext" class="broken_link">MARS trial</a> point to a shift away from aggressive tumor removal strategies. Now, the focus is on achieving optimal cytoreduction that allows for effective multimodal treatment in specialized centers.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-role-of-high-volume-surgery-centers">The Role of High-Volume Surgery Centers</h4>



<p>The study underscores the importance of seeking treatment at experienced, high-volume academic hospitals with multidisciplinary teams. As Dr. Orlandi states, &#8220;Curative surgery should only be performed in highly selected patients at specialized centers, where tailored surgical approaches can optimize outcomes.&#8221;</p>



<p>This pioneering study adds to the evolving debate over the best surgical approach for mesothelioma. The data suggests that less invasive, lung-sparing surgeries may not only extend survival but also improve quality of life by preserving lung function. As research progresses, these insights will be invaluable in guiding treatment decisions and providing mesothelioma patients with the most effective and personalized care possible.</p>


Study Finds Lung-Sparing Surgery Improves Mesothelioma Survival


<p>A jury has handed up a <a href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240516955528/en/">verdict of $15 million against R.T. Vanderbilt Holding Company Inc.</a> on behalf of the family of a man who <a href="https://mesowatch.com/lawyers/lawsuits/wrongful-death/">died of mesothelioma following asbestos exposure</a>. </p>



<p>Jurors also determined that the family of Nicholas Barone of Milford, Conn., who worked at a General Electric plastics facility in Pittsford, Mass., in the 1960s, is entitled to punitive damages. Therefore, the ultimate verdict amount could be higher.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-details-of-barone-s-asbestos-exposure">Details of Barone’s Asbestos Exposure</h2>



<p>While Barone was working as a chemical engineer at the GE plant, the company purchased hundreds of bags of talc from International Talc and dumped them into hoppers as part of the plastics-making process. The talc came from a pit in upstate New York, known as the Arnold Pit, known to have been <a href="https://mesowatch.com/talcum-powder/talc-asbestos/">contaminated with asbestos</a>.</p>



<p>R.T. Vanderbilt purchased International Talc in 1974 and continued the product line, making it responsible under Connecticut law for Barone’s death in 2023 at age 81.</p>



<p>Before he died, Barone gave deposition testimony, which the jury heard on May 8-9.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Barone testified he was in the vicinity when plant operators added talc to a mixture, sometimes on the platform with them and sometimes just beside the machine.&nbsp;</p>



<p>He described the plant as a dusty work environment and said he never wore any breathing protection, nor did the company offer any. Barone also testified he would clean the rooftop collection areas, which could be very dusty if there was a clog.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-measure-of-justice-for-the-family">“A Measure of Justice” for the Family</h2>



<p>Barone attended the United States Military Academy at West Point and served in the U.S. Army. He earned a chemical engineering degree from Worcester Polytech and was a father of three.</p>



<p>“We are enormously grateful to the jurors who heard this case and who, through their verdict, are providing some measure of justice for Nick’s family,” said attorney <a href="https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Flinkprotect.cudasvc.com%2Furl%3Fa%3Dhttps%253a%252f%252fdobslegal.com%252fperson%252fbenjamin-braly%252f%26c%3DE%2C1%2C2Q8BUo0mQCMi5CG92QXwwfyxFiWByS8SOIFGjIk-PwG_G-YMg_8_-EkpkChSJOjhg9Lx62HkX7mH5j15jqTlY4bW2W4PSZ_R_cfqRVAZc_GcHArdH3k%2C%26typo%3D1&amp;esheet=54001147&amp;newsitemid=20240516955528&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=Benjamin+Braly&amp;index=2&amp;md5=b2121e494778eebe941c331ff42085fb">Benjamin Braly</a> of Dean Omar Branham Shirley in a press release.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Braly and the firm&#8217;s <a href="https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fdobslegal.com%2Fperson%2Fsam-iola%2F&amp;esheet=54001147&amp;newsitemid=20240516955528&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=Sam+Iola&amp;index=3&amp;md5=92eb62088619fc30002717e9e3f86035">Sam Iola</a> and Brian Kenny of Early Lucarelli &amp; Sweeny represented Mr. Barone’s widow, Kathryn, at trial.</p>



<p>Punitive damages in the case will be determined at a later date.</p>


Jury Awards $15M in Mesothelioma Verdict Against R.T. Vanderbilt


<p>The<a href="https://dobslegal.com/2024/05/08/wisconsin-appellate-court-sides-with-mesothelioma-victims-family-increases-verdict-to-13-4-million/"> Wisconsin Court of Appeals</a> has increased the award from $6.9 million to $13.4 million for the family of a steamfitter who died of mesothelioma in 2018 due to asbestos exposure at the Pabst Blue Ribbon brewery in Milwaukee.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>Gerald “Jerry” Lorbiecki worked in the brewery&#8217;s bottle house during the 1970s. A 2021 jury determined that Pabst failed to protect employees based partly on evidence that Lorbiecki was <a href="https://mesowatch.com/exposure/">exposed to asbestos</a> while working on pipes in the bottle house.</p>



<p>Lawyers for the family also pointed out a 1986 OSHA violation citing the company for asbestos fibers falling from exposed piping in the employee break room. Lorbiecki and other workers weren’t free from exposure even while eating lunch.</p>



<p>The jury award was $26.5 million, which included $20 million in punitive damages. However, the trial court lowered that amount to $6.9 million, citing statutory limits in Wisconsin.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-pabst-said-in-its-appeal">What Pabst Said in its Appeal</h2>



<p>Pabst appealed the verdict, claiming there was insufficient evidence that unsafe conditions at the brewery caused Lorbiecki’s illness.</p>



<p>The company also asserted that the court improperly admitted evidence of allegations in three prior lawsuits brought by other Pabst workers <a href="https://mesowatch.com/mesothelioma/diagnosis/">diagnosed with mesothelioma</a>.</p>



<p>In addition, Pabst argued that the court should not have allowed the question of punitive damages to reach the jury because the family’s attorneys failed to show that the company knew its contractors were removing asbestos contrary to OSHA rules.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pabst-s-arguments-fail">“Pabst’s Arguments Fail”</h2>



<p>However, in its May 7 ruling, the appeals court concluded that “Pabst’s arguments fail” and instructed the circuit court to increase the punitive damages. This brought the Lorbiecki family’s award to $13.4 million.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>The ruling noted that Pabst&#8217;s corporate representative did not dispute that asbestos materials were delivered and used at the site, including during Lorbiecki&#8217;s time there.</p>



<p>The ruling stated that attorneys for the family &#8220;presented clear and convincing evidence that before Gerald&#8217;s work at Pabst, it was aware of the dangers of asbestos, and yet workers were unsafely exposed to disturbed asbestos.&#8221;</p>



<p>The court also stated that the mesothelioma claims other Pabst employees filed against the company were similar enough to Lorbiecki’s to be relevant.</p>



<p>“We are happy to see the court side with the Lorbiecki family,” said attorney Jonathan Holder with Dean Omar Branham Shirley, LLP, the law firm representing the family, in a press release. “During the trial, the jury understood by our evidence that there was a serious lack of concern about the brewery workers’ wellbeing and health. We are glad the appellate court agreed.”</p>


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