On August 1, 2022, international communities will join together to commemorate the 11th annual World Lung Cancer Day — a global grassroots initiative that aims to celebrate, honor and support individuals who have been impacted by the world’s deadliest cancer.
Each year, the world is invited to participate in, commemorate and support World Lung Cancer Day by raising awareness about lung cancer and encouraging overall lung health practices like preventive care screenings. Social media postings related to lung health are also encouraged.
World Lung Cancer Day was introduced in 2012 by the Forum of International Respiratory Societies to bring awareness
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Following the Incredible Example of Judge Luther W. Simmons on Juneteenth 2022
In 2021, at long last, Juneteenth became a federal holiday in the United States when President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law after unanimous Congressional support.
Rightly so, as the day serves to commemorate one of the most important historic milestones in the history of the United States: the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. Today, Juneteenth is a day for honoring the struggles faced by Black men and women across the United States and committing to initiatives that drive forward progress in equity and equality.
That’s why today, Simmons Hanly Conroy is proud to shine
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History of Asbestos Pt. 3: Asbestos in the Industrial Age
For thousands of years, asbestos remained in the margins of ancient society, bewildering onlookers with its magical properties while concealing its more harmful ones. But as civilization matured, so did its use of asbestos.
In our previous installments, we learned how ancient and medieval societies used this mysterious, naturally occurring mineral to protect cremated remains, clean fabrics, mystify travelers and, more strangely, besiege castles. But what about the uses for which asbestos is known today — such as insulation, roofing tiles, brake pads and cement? And why does asbestos seem to target workers?
The appeal of asbestos as a mineral
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History of Asbestos Pt. 2: Asbestos in the Middle Ages
In our last post on the history of asbestos, we explored how ancient civilizations made use of this seemingly unassuming fibrous mineral. We saw how evidence of asbestos mining could be traced back thousands of years to before the construction of the Great Pyramids, and how records of its many health hazards could be found as early as the Roman era.
For most of that ancient history, though, asbestos was used for one of two purposes — to isolate ashes in ceremonial cremations (due to its fire-resistant properties) or to wow visitors from foreign lands as a party trick.
There
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Today We Honor Veterans on the 78th Anniversary of D-Day
On June 6, 1944, when the Allied Forces stormed the beaches of Normandy, France, it marked a critical turning point in World War II. Overwhelmed by the invasion, Nazi forces retreated back to the Seine River. The Allies accepted their official surrender less than a year later.
The pivotal invasion was dubbed “Operation Overlord,” but many people refer to this consequential battle as “D-Day” or the “Battle of Normandy.” Today, D-Day is remembered and observed in many of the ally nations, including the United States, the United Kingdom and France.
D-Day is observed not only because it kicked-started the liberation
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On Memorial Day, We Remember and Honor Brave Mesothelioma Warriors
The last Monday of May means far more than just a day off from work and a long weekend. May 30th is Memorial Day — a time to remember all the fallen American soldiers who lost their lives in service to the United States.
In the United States, Memorial Day dates back to the Civil War, when ordinary American citizens took it upon themselves to place flowers by the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers who had been killed in battle.
While many Americans now associate Memorial Day with parades, hot dogs and backyard barbecues, it’s important that all of
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What to Know About the Exactech® Knee, Ankle and Hip Replacement Device Recall
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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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