In August 2021, Exactech® — a Florida-based medical-device manufacturer — recalled certain models of ankle, hip and knee replacement devices due to a range of potentially dangerous health issues relating to the devices failing or breaking down prematurely.
In short, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) identified several models of Exactech ankle, hip and knee replacements made with polyethylene inserts that were packaged in a way that exposed the inserts to too much oxygen. Due to the abundance of oxygen, the inserts broke down or failed prematurely while inside patients’ bodies.
Problems like these can lead to serious health
Continue Reading What to Know About the Exactech® Knee, Ankle and Hip Replacement Device Recall
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10 Top Occupations at Risk of Asbestos Exposure in 2022
Asbestos is a known health hazard and is highly regulated by both the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Damaged or worn-down asbestos-containing products may release fibers that can be inhaled or swallowed. Once asbestos particles get into the lungs or digestive system tissues, they can remain there forever.
Over time, asbestos fibers can cause mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer, as well as other deadly diseases.
“Although the use of asbestos and asbestos products has dramatically decreased in recent years, they are still found in many residential and
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History of Asbestos Pt. 1: Asbestos in the Ancient World
It’s hard to believe asbestos was only recognized to be toxic a little over a century ago. This is an organic mineral that was already being mined when the Great Pyramids were built, and yet for thousands of years humanity handled it without the slightest of precautions.
Today, we know asbestos is highly dangerous and the primary cause of mesothelioma, one of the most lethal cancers in existence. That bit of knowledge is a privilege of the modern era. We’re now blessed with the scientific and medical understanding to inform policies that, even a hundred years ago, would have
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U.S. Senate Passes Resolution to Designate ‘National Asbestos Awareness Week’
Simmons Hanly Conroy would like to thank Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Jon Tester (D-MT), as well as the other cosponsors in the U.S. Senate, for introducing and passing a Congressional resolution on Mar. 29, 2022 declaring April 1-7 “National Asbestos Awareness Week.” Resolution 561 aims to promote public awareness about the prevalence of asbestos-related diseases and the dangers of asbestos exposure.
For eighteen straight years, National Asbestos Awareness Week has provided the mesothelioma community with an invaluable platform to help educate the American public about the deadly health risks linked to asbestos exposure. Many people believe becoming ill
Continue Reading U.S. Senate Passes Resolution to Designate ‘National Asbestos Awareness Week’
April 1-7 Marks the 18th Annual Global Asbestos Awareness Week — Here’s What to Know
Every year, the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) dedicates the first full week of April to Global Asbestos Awareness Week (GAAW). ADAO’s 18th annual awareness campaign is set to begin on April 1 and will run through April 7.
For nearly two decades, ADAO has dedicated itself to generating much-needed awareness of the dangers of asbestos, preventing exposure to the carcinogen and leading the campaign to ban all use and imports of asbestos in the United States.
Designated a human carcinogen by the World Health Organization (WHO), asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was widely used throughout much of
Continue Reading April 1-7 Marks the 18th Annual Global Asbestos Awareness Week — Here’s What to Know
In the News: $26 Billion in Funding to Go to Communities Around the Country After Johnson & Johnson, Drug Distributors Finalize Opioid Settlement
In late February, the nation’s three largest drug distributors — AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health and McKesson — and drugmaker Johnson & Johnson agreed to finalize a $26 billion opioid settlement with states and local governments, resolving roughly 3,300 civil lawsuits.
The Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee (PEC) leading the opioid litigation on behalf of state and local governments, which includes Simmons Hanly Conroy Shareholder Jayne Conroy, released a joint statement, saying:
“We arrived at this moment after years of work by community leaders across the country who committed themselves to seeking the funds they need to combat the opioid epidemic. We must
Continue Reading In the News: $26 Billion in Funding to Go to Communities Around the Country After Johnson & Johnson, Drug Distributors Finalize Opioid Settlement
FDA Orders Philips Respironics to Improve Its Communications Regarding June 2021 Recall of Sleep Apnea Machines
On March 10, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an order to Philips Respironics — maker of ventilators, CPAP and BiPAP machines — to notify all patients about their recall of certain respiratory-care machines. Many individuals rely on these machines to assist them with difficulty breathing during sleep due to sleep apnea.
The Philips Respironics recall was originally announced in June 2021; however, to date, many users of the recalled devices remain unaware of the potential life-threatening health hazards associated with them. According to the FDA, which recently completed an inspection of the Philips Respironics plant where the
Continue Reading FDA Orders Philips Respironics to Improve Its Communications Regarding June 2021 Recall of Sleep Apnea Machines
10 Questions to Ask Your Mesothelioma Lawyer
If you were recently diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may feel overwhelmed by the number of difficult decisions your diagnosis now requires you to make. You may be confronting questions such as: Which mesothelioma doctor and treatment plan are right for me? How will I protect my family’s future and financial well-being? Should I hire a lawyer?
Choosing the right mesothelioma lawyer is an important step for you and your family — that’s why it’s vital you choose to work with someone you feel comfortable with and can trust.
By working with an experienced mesothelioma lawyer, you are giving yourself the
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Why I Filed a Mesothelioma Lawsuit
People who develop mesothelioma are often shocked and hurt to learn their disease was caused by exposure to asbestos and that their exposure could have — and should have — been prevented. It’s why after learning about their illness, many decide to file a mesothelioma lawsuit.
“It was devastating when the doctors told me I had mesothelioma — for me and my family,” said Simmons Hanly Conroy client Forrest Wulf, who learned he had mesothelioma at 56-years-old.
Wulf was exposed to asbestos after working for 30 years in the construction industry as a general laborer and then
Continue Reading Why I Filed a Mesothelioma Lawsuit
Honoring the Legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.
This year on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, it’s important to honor the legacy of the man who spearheaded the Civil Rights Movement and whose teachings have inspired millions of Americans. Equally important is understanding how each person, company and organization can continue to build on his legacy, furthering the goals King famously outlined in his “I Have a Dream” speech.
Simmons Hanly Conroy is dedicated to its clients and employees and the local communities it serves. Since its founding in 1999, the firm has made it a priority to give back to the people and communities it represents.
As
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In the News: New York State Jury Finds Remaining Defendants Liable in Conclusion of New York State Opioid Trial
The landmark New York State opioid trial reached its conclusion on Dec. 30, 2021 after the jury found drugmaker Teva Pharmaceuticals and distributor Anda Inc. liable for helping to fuel the nation’s two-decade-long opioid crisis. The state jury spent nine days in deliberation.
The sprawling trial, which lasted more than half a year and originally included more than 30 companies as defendants, was the longest in the history of the New York Supreme Court, and the first opioid case in the nation to be heard before a state jury.
Speaking to the length of the trial, New York State Supreme
Continue Reading In the News: New York State Jury Finds Remaining Defendants Liable in Conclusion of New York State Opioid Trial
Cities, Towns and Local Communities Have Until Jan. 26 to Sign Up to Receive Access to Opioid Settlement Funds
As the countdown to the new year begins, the deadline for communities to join national opioid settlements with drugmaker Johnson & Johnson and drug distributors AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health and McKesson is quickly approaching.
States, counties, cities, towns, and other local communities have until Jan. 26, 2022 to sign on to join the settlement agreements reached with the four major drug and healthcare companies earlier this year (the deadline was recently extended from Jan. 2, 2022).
Already, thousands of communities have submitted forms to sign on to the settlement, and in the month since Thanksgiving, there has been a 300% increase
Continue Reading Cities, Towns and Local Communities Have Until Jan. 26 to Sign Up to Receive Access to Opioid Settlement Funds
New York State Jury Finds Manufacturer Teva and Distributor Anda Liable for Fueling Opioid Epidemic in New York State
Landmark opioid litigation trial results in a historic decision in favor of Suffolk County, Nassau County, and the state of New York
Court to rule on defendants’ responsibility for providing opioid relief resources for New York communities
Central Islip, New York — Today, in the landmark New York state opioid trial, the jury reached a historic verdict finding the defendants – opioid manufacturer Teva and distributor Anda – liable for fueling the opioid epidemic in Suffolk County, Nassau County, and New York State.
The jury found defendants responsible for creating and perpetuating the opioid epidemic by unleashing a flood of
Continue Reading New York State Jury Finds Manufacturer Teva and Distributor Anda Liable for Fueling Opioid Epidemic in New York State
In the News: Simmons Hanly Conroy Shareholder Jayne Conroy Delivers Closing Arguments in New York State Opioid Trial
Shareholder Jayne Conroy in the New York opioid trial courtroom set up in Touro College’s law school auditorium earlier this summer. The trial proceedings have since returned to Suffolk County State Supreme Court. (ALM Media/Used with permission)
As the New York opioid trial marches toward its conclusion after nearly six months of testimony, Suffolk County Supreme Court Justice Jerry Garguilo delayed the start of jury deliberations after remaining defendants objected to closing arguments made by plaintiff attorneys representing New York State and its two-hardest hit communities, Suffolk and Nassau Counties.
Originally scheduled to receive deliberation instructions on Monday Dec.
Continue Reading In the News: Simmons Hanly Conroy Shareholder Jayne Conroy Delivers Closing Arguments in New York State Opioid Trial
Judge Permits Two Controversial Opioid Sales Training Videos to Be Shown to Jury in New York State Opioid Trial
On Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021, the jury in the New York State opioid trial viewed two controversial internal sales-training videos from Teva Pharmaceuticals that had previously been under seal.
The jury’s viewing of the controversial videos came after months of scrambling on behalf of Teva, during which the company filed numerous appeals attempting to stop the clips from being seen by jurors, fearing that they could be “incredibly damaging” to their defense case.
Produced in 2006, the short videos feature famous scenes from two popular feature films: Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997) and A Few Good Men (1992).
Continue Reading Judge Permits Two Controversial Opioid Sales Training Videos to Be Shown to Jury in New York State Opioid Trial
Remembering U.S. Navy Veteran and Mesothelioma Warrior Frank Curre on National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
Dec. 7, 1941: “A day that will live in infamy,” remarked President Franklin D. Roosevelt the day after Pearl Harbor was attacked by some 350 Japanese fighter planes, driving the United States to join the Allied Forces in the fight against the Axis powers in the second world war.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the attacks on Pearl Harbor — a day on which thousands of American soldiers and civilians gave their lives while stationed at the sprawling military base in Oahu, Hawaii.
Frank Curre — who was only 17-years-old at the time of the attacks — survived
Continue Reading Remembering U.S. Navy Veteran and Mesothelioma Warrior Frank Curre on National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day