Danziger & De Llano

10/27/2026

After pleurectomy/decortication surgery for mesothelioma, recurrence is common — 79% of P/D patients see it return, with a median disease-free interval of 9.8 months. But local recurrence dominates (85%), far more contained than after EPP. And when recurrence occurs, repeat surgery in the right cases reduces the risk of death by more than half. Read more →

Mesothelioma recurrence after pleurectomy/decortication (P/D): 79% long-term recurrence, 85% local pattern, 9.8-mo DFI; Paajanen 2026 Brigham cohort N=436.

10/26/2026

If someone in your family worked in a U.S. shipyard during World War II or the Cold War era, mesothelioma risk was not theoretical — it was embedded in the trade. Insulators, pipe fitters, boilermakers, and welders faced the highest documented exposure levels. Here is the facility-by-facility exposure map across more than 25 named shipyards. Read more →

Shipyard workers have the highest mesothelioma risk. Learn which jobs face exposure, VA benefits, trust funds, and how to file a claim.

10/26/2026

Mesothelioma symptoms can be difficult to recognize because they often appear 20 to 50 years after asbestos exposure and may resemble common illnesses.

Pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the lungs, can cause persistent coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue, and unexplained weight loss. Peritoneal mesothelioma, which affects the abdominal lining, may cause stomach pain, swelling, nausea, and changes in bowel habits.

People with a history of asbestos exposure, particularly in construction, shipyards, factories, or military service, should inform their doctor and discuss appropriate testing if symptoms develop.

For more information and patient resources, visit mesocare.org.

10/26/2026

Hearing a mesothelioma prognosis can be frightening, especially when viewing general statistics. While it is often reported that about half of patients live 9 to 12 months after diagnosis, this average is pulled down because many cases are caught at a late stage.

An individual's prognosis depends heavily on three key factors:
Stage: How far the cancer has spread.
Cell Type: Epithelioid cell types generally respond better to treatment than sarcomatoid cell types.
Overall Health: A patient's fitness and ability to undergo treatment.

10/26/2026

Billions of dollars have been set aside in asbestos trust funds to compensate individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Learn how these trust funds work, who may qualify, and how your asbestos exposure history could affect your eligibility for compensation without going to trial.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness, contact Danziger & De Llano for a free case review to explore your legal options.

10/26/2026

If you're a veteran diagnosed with mesothelioma from military asbestos, the VA pays $3,938.58 per month at a 100% disability rating in 2026 — and that's automatic once service connection is established. The five-step claim process typically takes three to five months for terminal illness cases. You can file VA benefits, asbestos trust fund claims, and a civil lawsuit at the same time. Read more →

Filing a VA disability claim for mesothelioma from military asbestos — Form 21-526EZ, nexus letter, C&P exam, and 100% rating at $3,938.58/mo.

10/23/2026

If you've ever wondered whether the asbestos industry knew — they did, by October 1964 at the latest. That's when Dr. Irving Selikoff presented two studies to 400 scientists: 86% of insulation workers had asbestosis on X-ray, lung cancer struck at 7× the expected rate. The industry's response was 'protests and threats' that suppressed press coverage. Then they consumed another 37% of all the asbestos America ever used anyway. Episode 30 of The Asbestos Podcast. Listen →

Selikoff presented lung cancer at seven times the expected rate to 400 scientists in 1964. Industry protests and threats kept it out of the press.

10/23/2026

What if a tiny detail in a biopsy could make mesothelioma harder to diagnose?

A new study reveals an important discovery that could help pathologists recognize this aggressive cancer.

Researchers examined 41 pleural mesothelioma tissue samples using a special diagnostic stain called Merlin.

They discovered that Merlin wasn't always completely absent from cancer cells.

In fact, 38 percent of cases showed partial Merlin loss, a pattern that could be overlooked.

When researchers counted both partial and complete loss, diagnostic sensitivity reached 91 percent, while specificity remained at 100 percent in the study.

These findings highlight why careful biopsy interpretation and multiple diagnostic tests are so important.

If you're undergoing evaluation for mesothelioma, ask your medical team about specialized pathology testing.

And if you've received a mesothelioma diagnosis, Danziger & De Llano can help you understand your legal rights.

10/23/2026

If you've been diagnosed with mesothelioma and regularly used talcum powder — J&J's third bankruptcy attempt was dismissed in March 2025, returning roughly 67,000 cases to active litigation. The EU's chemical safety agency recommended classifying talc as a presumed carcinogen in July 2025 — Commission decision pending. Over $2.5 billion in verdicts were returned in 2025 alone. Read more →

How the Red River dismissal, the Avon appeal, the Imerys bankruptcy and the FDA's withdrawn testing rule reshaped talc-asbestos litigation in 2025-2026.

10/22/2026

After a mesothelioma diagnosis, families become targets. Predatory lawyers, fake cure promoters, and trust-fund fraud schemes all show up at the worst possible moment. Knowing the 7 red flags can protect you from people designed to exploit exactly this. Read more →

Mesothelioma scams target families with predatory lawyers, fake cures, and trust-fund fraud. Learn 7 red flags and how to verify anyone before you trust them.