New staging of mesothelioma tumors may predict outcome

A recent study indicates that a new physician staging processes by weight and volume of mesothelioma tumors may be helpful in predicting outcome. Mesothelioma is a fatal rare tumor and almost always associated with exposure to asbestos fibers. The development of mesothelioma commonly is diagnosed decades after the initial exposure to asbestos fiber.

Defense Firm Prohibited From Seeking Unfettered Medical Discovery

A defense firm, that had a “custom” of seeking unlimited medical discovery in workers’ compensation claims, was barred from utilizing that litigation tactic. The NJ Appellate Division affirmed the trial level decision of The Honorable Emille R. Cox, Supervising Judge of Compensation that prohibited requests for unlimited medical data.

Senator Patrick Leahy Calls For Greater Transparency by Asbestos Companies

Statement of Senator Patrick Leahy Ranking Member, Judiciary Committee Hearing on “The Need for Transparency in the Asbestos Trusts”

Today the Judiciary Committee meets to discuss legislation that purports to promote more transparency in asbestos trusts.  Before we get into a detailed discussion about the merits of the proposed legislation, I want to make sure we all remember why we are here today.  For decades, millions of American workers were secretly poisoned.  Men and women who worked in our Nation’s factories, shipyards, mines and construction sites, and service members in the military, unknowingly inhaled air that was laced with asbestos—a substance so harmful that an individual can become critically ill simply by breathing.

Workers’ Compensation and the Cancer Moonshot 2020

Official portrait of Vice President of the United States . (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

An exciting initiative, Cancer Moonshot 2020, is under underway establishing a coalition, of academics and insurers to work together to find a cure for cancer by the year 2020. Historically too many occupational exposures have resulted in the development of cancer. Participation by the entire workers’ compensation system in this new venture would create an exciting opportunity to advance worker health, reduce costs and strengthen the social remedial benefit program.

Fraud: Two South Jersey Corporations and Five of Their Officials Charged With Stealing Nearly $600,000

Acting NJ Attorney General John J. Hoffman and the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor (OIFP) announced today that two South Jersey corporations and five of their officials have been indicted in an alleged workers compensation fraud scheme that bilked nearly $600,000 from an insurance carrier.

FACT Act Hearing US Senate Wed Feb 3, 2016 10am ET

Witness List

Hearing before the

Senate Committee on the Judiciary

On

“The Need for Transparency in the Asbestos Trusts”

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Dirksen Senate Office Building, Room 226

10:00 a.m.

Coffee Workers at Risk for Lung Disease

Today's post is shared from cdc.gov

Roasted Coffee Beans

Obliterative bronchiolitis, an irreversible form of lung disease in which the smallest airways in the lung (the bronchioles) become scarred and constricted, blocking the movement of air, was previously identified in flavoring manufacturing workers and microwave popcorn workers who were occupationally exposed to diacetyl (2,3-butanedione) or butter flavorings containing diacetyl. Now, NIOSH research finds that workers at coffee processing facilities may also be at risk.