Simmons Hanly Conroy's Support Blog

Simmons Hanly Conroy’s support blog is a place for clients and families to find news, education, and inspirational stories about the following areas of litigation: mesothelioma and asbestos, dangerous drugs and devices, consumer protection and mass torts, personal injury and environmental litigation.

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Latest from Simmons Hanly Conroy's Support Blog

A startling new report shows how financially devastating the opioid epidemic has been for the people and businesses of Long Island. According to research from the Fiscal Policy Institute (FPI), Nassau and Suffolk counties suffered an estimated $16.6 billion in economic damages in 2016 and 2017—equivalent to roughly $22.4 million a day. That equates to a stunning 4.5 percent of Long Island’s gross domestic product (GDP). According to the report, 45,450 individuals on Long Island are currently living with opioid addiction. Those figures compound quickly for employers, who in 2017 suffered average costs of more than $5,000 per employee. Aggressive…
Sept. 26 is National Mesothelioma Awareness Day, a time for mesothelioma survivors and the asbestos-prevention community to come together to support victims and survivors and to recognize the serious long-term challenges ahead. Across the country and around the world, thousands of people are living with mesothelioma—thousands more are developing mesothelioma and don’t even know it yet. The key to fighting back is raising awareness so more people are educated about the disease and its only known cause: asbestos. A Day Dedicated to Mesothelioma Awareness Mesothelioma Awareness Day was first observed in 2004 on Sept. 26, which makes this the 16th…
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Let’s Get Ready to Race! Thank you for being part of the Miles for Meso community and the 11th Annual Alton Miles for Meso 5k Run & 3k Fun Run/Walk. Below is everything you need to know about attending the race. Packet Pickup Early packet pickup for registered participants will take place from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday at Simmons Hanly Conroy, located across the street from Marquette High School at 1 Court Street in Alton, Illinois. Race-day registration is from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Saturday at the registration tent located in Simmons Hanly Conroy’s main parking lot. If…
In a landmark judgement, Oklahoma judge Thad Balkman ruled on Monday, Aug. 26, that Johnson & Johnson is liable for playing a large role in sparking the state’s opioid crisis through its deceptive marketing practices. With thousands of opioid lawsuits still pending, and another major opioid trial set for October, Monday’s ruling could set a new precedent in the fight against irresponsible drug manufacturers. It is the first lawsuit in the United States to hold a pharmaceutical company responsible for one of the worst and most deadly drug epidemics in modern history. As a result of Judge Balkman’s ruling,…
Survivors of child sexual abuse in New York may yet have a shot at justice, thanks to a new law called the Child Victims Act, or CVA, which opens up the rules on filing sexual abuse lawsuits past a certain age. Within the past week, hundreds of survivors have stepped forward, bringing civil charges against individuals and institutions in the state of New York. Hundreds, if not thousands more are expected in the coming months. The growing amount of sexual abuse lawsuits have all come in response to the CVA. Effective Wed., Aug. 14, the law establishes a one-year…
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Moving forward after a mesothelioma diagnosis is a tremendous act of courage. Since she was first diagnosed in 2006, Julie Gundlach has fought for every day of her life. Nearing the 13th anniversary of her diagnosis, she is still battling and still sharing her amazing story with people across the country. This year, Julie and her family will once again come to Alton, Illinois on September 28 to take part in 11th Annual Alton Miles for Meso 5K Race & 3K Fun Run/Walk. The race and fun run/walk raise funds to help support mesothelioma patients like Julie access mesothelioma treatment…
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Moving forward after a mesothelioma diagnosis is a tremendous act of courage. Since she was first diagnosed in 2006, Julie Gundlach has fought for every day of her life. Nearing the 13th anniversary of her diagnosis, she is still battling and still sharing her amazing story with people across the country. This year, Julie and her family will once again come to Alton, Illinois on September 28 to take part in 11th Annual Alton Miles for Meso 5K Race & 3K Fun Run/Walk. The race and fun run/walk raise funds to help support mesothelioma patients like Julie access mesothelioma treatment…
The most traumatic part of sexual abuse is recounting it – having to live through it again when all you want to do is move on. You may have been told to stay quiet, or there was nothing you could do. But the truth is you may be able to take powerful legal action now that will allow you move on from your own pain and help protect children today. What is That Happened To Me? The sexual abuse lawyers at Simmons Hanly Conroy are helping to give child sexual abuse victims a voice by teaming up with internationally known…
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Asbestos-related diseases have taken the lives of thousands of fathers and grandfathers. This Father’s Day, Simmons Hanly Conroy wants to honor the legacy of those who left loving families behind and wish strength to those who are still fighting this terrible, preventable disease. Mesothelioma is an incurable cancer caused by asbestos. The prognosis for mesothelioma is grim. Treatment options cost a tremendous amount, both physically and financially, and many patients live less than a few months after diagnosis. The shock and sadness are impossible to imagine. For a father, personal fears quickly give way to real questions: what will my…
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Asbestos-related diseases have taken the lives of thousands of fathers and grandfathers. This Father’s Day, Simmons Hanly Conroy wants to honor the legacy of those who left loving families behind and wish strength to those who are still fighting this terrible, preventable disease. Mesothelioma is an incurable cancer caused by asbestos. The prognosis for mesothelioma is grim. Treatment options cost a tremendous amount, both physically and financially, and many patients live less than a few months after diagnosis. The shock and sadness are impossible to imagine. For a father, personal fears quickly give way to real questions: what will my…
Almost 12 years ago to the day, in the town of Abu Sarnak, Iraq, then-32-year-old Staff Sargent Travis W. Atkins made an instantaneous decision that would save the lives of three other American soldiers. On a roadside, his combat team was searching insurgent fighters for weapons. Suddenly, one of the men engaged Atkins in hand-to-hand combat. As they struggled, he discovered the man was wearing a suicide vest and trying to detonate it. Atkins fought but could not prevent the man from triggering the vest. Without hesitation, he tackled the suicide bomber to the ground and wrapped him in a…
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Last week, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) released information about the “largest prescription opioid enforcement effort ever undertaken.” Armed federal agents carried out search warrants and arrested dozens of medical professionals in connection with the illegal distribution of prescription drugs, a driving factor of the opioid epidemic. It is estimated that more than 130 people die each day in the United States after overdosing on opioids. The takedown was orchestrated by the Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid (ARPO) Strike Force, which was created to investigate health care fraud and illegal opioid prescriptions in the region. The charges…
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Many people are well aware of the influence powerful corporations have on legislation, but what happens when many of the bills introduced by elected representatives are actually written by lobbyists? Each year, hundreds of bills are drafted by special interest groups with little more than a “fill-in-the-blank” for the legislator to sign. Such bills are then introduced with few, if any substantive changes made. Known as copycat or model legislation, corporate-sponsored bills routinely strike down laws that protect consumers or enact new rules preventing consumers from taking action. By commanding the language in bills sponsored by an elected official,…
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As the number of sexual abuse victims continues to grow, Pope Francis finally signed a new Vatican law that at least partially addresses the sexual abuse of children in the Roman Catholic Church. The law only applies to Vatican City and its associated institutions and diplomats. The legislation requires officials in Vatican City to report allegations of sexual abuse directly to the Vatican. Under the new law, the failure to report allegations of abuse will result in removal from office, a fine of roughly $5,615 and up to six months in the Vatican’s prison. Although it is intended to serve …
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The story of how George Dreith III was exposed to asbestos is an all-too-common tragedy. The story of how he responded to his mesothelioma diagnosis is a tale of hope and strength. George’s zest for life and composure during his final year forever marked his Illinois community, who still fight for asbestos prevention each year in his name. George was raised in a hardworking family in Alton, Illinois. His father was an aircraft mechanic, his mother worked at a dry cleaners, his uncle labored in the steel industry and his grandfather was in manufacturing. These diligent men and women…
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In October 2011, at the young age of 29, what Mike Mattmuller thought was just shortness of breath turned out to be a devastating diagnosis: Mike had a rare and aggressive cancer known as mesothelioma. That same year, Mike was one of approximately 3,000 Americans diagnosed with this incurable form of cancer caused by asbestos exposure. The news hit Mike and his wife, Jessica, hard. Upon diagnosis, many mesothelioma patients have a bleak prognosis, with often only 12 months or less to live. This is due to the fact that many mesothelioma patients are not diagnosed with the disease until…