The story is sadly familiar: Workers unknowingly were exposed to asbestos while at a mechanic shop, shipyard or at an array of other potential places and contracted mesothelioma decades later, ultimately dying from the cancer. What about those people’s families? They are also at risk. Asbestos got on their loved one’s clothes, in vehicles and on shoes. While giving a hug or while doing laundry, they were easily exposed to the same carcinogen as they would be at a mechanic shop or shipyard in a process known as secondhand or take-home asbestos exposure. (more…)

Last week Hillshire Brands Co. was found responsible for the death of Mark Lopez, 60, from mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure caused by the company. (more…)

California is one of the few states in the country that hears take-home or secondhand exposure cases, when a worker transfers asbestos fibers from work through clothing, tools, vehicle, etc., as MyMeso has previously reported. Earlier this month, a California Court of Appeals voted against expanding asbestos liability in take-home exposure lawsuits beyond the scope of precedent. (more…)

While most people think of mesothelioma as a deadly occupational cancer, increasing recognition is being given to family members who are exposed to asbestos secondhand, when a worker transfers asbestos fibers from work to home through clothing, tools, vehicle, etc. In the United States, California has opened the door for secondhand exposure—also known as take-home exposure—compensation, and asbestos victims in the United Kingdom who were exposed through family members are urging the government to acknowledge them by campaigning for compensation, according to the BBC. (more…)

The U.S. Court of Appeals’ 11th Circuit is remanding a Florence, Alabama, woman’s take-home asbestos exposure case back to district court to settle a dispute over the amount of damages to be awarded, according to AL.com. (more…)

The Arizona Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments next month in a take-home asbestos exposure case, according to Legal Newsline.

The plaintiffs, Ernest V. and Mary Quiroz, allege Ernest’s father was exposed to asbestos at work and brought asbestos fibers home on his clothing, which exposed his family to the carcinogen as well. Health risks occur when asbestos fibers become airborne and are either inhaled or ingested. Ernest contracted mesothelioma, an asbestos-related cancer affecting the lining of the lungs, heart or abdomen, and died in 2014.  (more…)

In the state of California, family members can now more easily sue loved ones’ employers for their own, secondhand asbestos exposure leading to the development of mesothelioma. Last week the California Supreme Court ruled to allow lawsuits against employers filed on behalf of family members who have contracted an asbestos-related disease secondhand from a relative.

(more…)