Blog: Firm News
- Washington U-Haul facility fined $231,000 fine for mesothelioma endangerment
Mar 4, 2025
In February 2025, the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) fined U-Haul $231,000 for exposing workers to asbestos at a Spokane facility. The fine was issued because U-Haul failed to follow safety protocols when knowingly putting their employees at risk. The issue began in 2019 when U-Haul bought a former K-Mart building and started renovating without testing for asbestos. The building, which is nearly 60 years old, had vinyl floor tiles containing asbestos...Read More - EPA finalizes historic ban on chrysotile asbestos
Jul 12, 2024
On March 18, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a final rule prohibiting the ongoing use of chrysotile asbestos, the only known form currently used or imported in the United States. Often called white asbestos, it is often used in the chloralkali industry to create chlorine and treat water. This new ban is the first rule finalized under the 2016 amendments to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), a chemical safety law that...Read More - What is the timeline for an asbestos-related mesothelioma claim?
Mar 27, 2023
There is often a significant time lapse between when someone gets exposed to mesothelioma at work and when they get diagnosed by a doctor. Mesothelioma is a particularly slow-growing type of cancer. It is common for people to go 30 or even 40 years between their workplace asbestos exposure and the onset of noticeable symptoms. Oftentimes, people will find that the company that exposed them to asbestos might not even be in business anymore by...Read More - Treatment options for mesothelioma in Pennsylvania
Apr 21, 2021
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that occurs in the heart, lung, or stomach lining, causing shortness of breath and chronic cough. People who have been exposed to asbestos, a natural heat-resistant substance, are at a higher risk. Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma in Pennsylvania have several treatment options. Surgery Surgery attempts to completely or partially remove the tumors and reduce pain in early stages of cancer. Patients get referred to a specialist based on the type...Read More - Crucial questions to ask when diagnosed with mesothelioma
Oct 29, 2020
It is devastating news for the ill or their family to receive a mesothelioma diagnosis by an oncologist. Receiving such traumatic news can leave victims and family members unable to get their thoughts together. While it does not need to happen at the time of the diagnosis, patients and family members will have questions specific to their diagnosis, but there may be some broader questions that need to be addressed too. Doing this enables families...Read More - Asbestos, and who may be exposed to it
Aug 25, 2020
Asbestos is a mineral once widely used in building materials due to its flexibility and resistance to heat and electricity. Since the 1970s, the government has curbed its use due to health concerns. It is no longer mined and processed, and the EPA has banned it in products like paper and flooring felt. If you own an old home in Pennsylvania or work as an auto mechanic, though, there’s still a danger of being exposed...Read More - Mesothelioma: Things to know about end-of-life care
Feb 14, 2020
If you’re one of many Pittsburgh residents who are currently taking care of a loved one who is terminally ill, you no doubt have days when you feel fatigued, sad or completely overwhelmed. It’s important to stay closely connected to others in Pennsylvania or beyond who can relate to your experiences and provide encouragement and support, as needed. The thing about Mesothelioma and other terminal illnesses is that treatment is palliative in nature, meaning it...Read More - What to do and not do if you encounter asbestos in Pittsburgh
Jan 3, 2020
Many Pennsylvania residents are in the final stages of mesothelioma and other types of cancer, with loved ones and care providers doing their best to help them achieve as high quality a life as possible in the time they have left. Have you or a loved one worked in a Pittsburgh factory, steel mill, shipyard, old school building or other location that is a high risk for asbestos exposure? Perhaps, you live in one of...Read More - Beware of possible asbestos in your Pittsburgh home
Nov 26, 2019
Pittsburgh is a treasure trove of beautiful architecture, from its famous bridges and stairs throughout the city to thousands of old, brick homes built many decades ago. If you are fortunate enough to own one of these homes, it is likely a delight to your family and friends, especially those who have a special interest in home design and construction. Sadly, there is often a hidden danger in these homes and others in nearby Pennsylvania...Read More - What is secondary asbestos exposure?
Aug 30, 2019
You’ve likely heard the dangers of second-hand cigarette smoke? If you’re a baby boomer or older, you can probably recall a time when not many people knew smoking cigarettes was bad for their health. A few decades ago, that news hit the headlines after scientists and health experts confirmed that smoking cigarettes can cause lung cancer and other illnesses. In fact, you don’t even have to be the one who smokes the cigarettes because the...Read More