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New Orleans Asbestos Blog

Cosmetics company is defendant in new talcum powder lawsuit

On behalf of Pourciau Law Firm posted in talcum powder on Wednesday, March 25, 2020.

Talcum powder was considered a faithful friend to people, protecting them from moisture-related problems like itching and rashes. Although the absorbent material has been a staple in American bathrooms from nearly a century, recent discoveries of hazardous dust within many types of the commercially available powder have led to health problems for its users.

More than 16,000 lawsuits have appeared in civil courts around the country as people with cancer and other serious health problems attempt to track them back to talcum powder contaminated with asbestos. The fibrous material was once used en masse in insulation and other industrial applications but has since been shown to cause mesothelioma, a rare but ravaging form of cancer that attacks the lining around the lungs or digestive system.

Falsified asbestos air tests lead to indictment for monitor

On behalf of Pourciau Law Firm posted in asbestos on Monday, March 9, 2020.

Asbestos used to be a household product as well as a household word. Now, it is more of a household term for a slow and silent danger. Physicians around the world seem to have agreed that asbestos is dangerous to people when the solid pieces become airborne fibers and enter the lungs.

The substance was never banned in the United States and still exists in many applications, perhaps most notably as insulation in homes and ships. Louisiana has a long history of producing, using and mitigating asbestos. This means that many people in the Bayou State have been exposed to airborne fibers for long enough that it may have serious health consequences.

Cancer screenings are coming to the Delta Region

On behalf of Pourciau Law Firm posted in lung cancer on Monday, March 2, 2020.

Lung cancer is a serious public health threat in Louisiana, the state with the highest rate of the disease in the country. One of the related problems is mesothelioma, a type of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs or other thoracic organs. This particular cancer has been associated with long-term exposure to asbestos in industrial or construction settings.

A new grant is allowing a cancer prevention and treatment center based in Baton Rouge to offer cancer screenings in Louisiana's Delta Region. These procedures can help identify lung cancer before symptoms appear, which can improve the prognosis for patients with this problem.

Shipyard workers faced asbestos exposure

On behalf of Pourciau Law Firm on Sunday, March 1, 2020.

Between 1930 and the middle of the 1970s, shipbuilders used asbestos materials for nearly every aspect of vessel building and repair. And why not? It was lightweight, cheap, flexible and strong. It resisted heat and fire, so it worked well for insulation. In fact, many flame-resistant gear, clothing and gloves contained asbestos. It seemed like a miracle.

When researchers made the connection between asbestos and a number of rare and deadly lung ailments, including mesothelioma, the U.S. placed heavy restrictions on its use. Tragically for many, too much damage already remained. Those who worked in shipyards, building or repairing ships, may have encountered exposure to asbestos and are now dealing with its painful aftermath.

New verdict directed against talcum powder distributor

On behalf of Pourciau Law Firm posted in talcum powder on Monday, February 24, 2020.

We always want to believe the everyday products we use are there to make our lives better. Something rarely goes wrong with a trusted product or service, and people have a recourse in the civil courts if they harmed when it does happen.

The last year has seen a variety of civil actions against the nation's leading manufacturer and distributor of talcum powder. This substance has long been seen as a hygiene aid, preventing excess moisture for women and children. However, recent accusations include the possibility it has been contaminated with asbestos, which has been long associated with increased rates in some types of cancer.

How can victims identify mesothelioma?

On behalf of Pourciau Law Firm posted in mesothelioma on Friday, February 14, 2020.

Mesothelioma is a serious issue that affects thousands of people in Louisiana and elsewhere in the United States. As is the case with many cancers and cancer-like ailments, it is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma without professional medical help, and it is also easier to treat it when it is caught early.

  • What are the risk factors for mesothelioma?

This disease, affecting the lining of the lungs or other thoracic organs, has been connected to chronic exposure to asbestos in the air. This rigid material can release crystalline fibers into the air when it is broken or disintegrated. These fibers can be inhaled and cause problems.

  • What are the early symptoms of mesothelioma?

Supreme Court ruling draws a line around asbestos lawsuits

On behalf of Pourciau Law Firm posted in asbestos on Tuesday, February 11, 2020.

We are lucky that asbestos does not show up as much as it used to in industrial applications, insulation and other places. But it is still around, and the effects linger for people who spent a chunk of their careers dealing with the substance. Now, Baton Rouge has limited descendants' abilities to claim benefits.

The Louisiana Supreme Court recently ruled that a previous settlement regarding a health problem related to asbestos precluded a later attempt to secure a survival action after the plaintiff passed away. The initial settlement occurred in 1985 after the plaintiff sought damages following a dozen years of work that involved the occupational exposure to asbestos.

New technology makes lung cancer surgery more effective

On behalf of Pourciau Law Firm posted in lung cancer on Wednesday, February 5, 2020.

Lung cancer is a serious problem in Louisiana. The Bayou State leads the nation in new cases of the disease, which may be connected to the level of pollutants in the environment from chemical factories and other facilities in the Mississippi River Valley.

People in the state are hoping that improvements in environmental quality will help reduce new cases of lung cancer. In the meantime, many people are still suffering due to the actions or inactions of companies that operate near their homes and communities.

State government sues company over health risks of talcum powder

On behalf of Pourciau Law Firm posted in talcum powder on Monday, February 3, 2020.

The jury may still be out on whether or not talcum powder causes health problems on its own. The absorbent substance has long been marketed as an option for feminine hygiene or baby care. But one problem with talcum powder that cannot be overstated is possible contamination by asbestos.

A state government is becoming one of the first to sue the producers and distributors of talcum powder and other substances that may have also contained asbestos. Many scientists and lawyers have argued that asbestos can become unsafe when it breaks down into fibrous particles, which can be inhaled and cause problems in the respiratory tract.