The number of people diagnosed with asbestos caused diseases in the U.S. continues to increase. Experts believe 60,000 mesothelioma deaths will occur between 2010 and 2030.

Work related injuries harm up to 14 million people annually, with harms including traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, amputations, burns, and electrocutions. Around 20,000 to 60,000 workers die each year from accidents, toxins, and violence at their jobs.

Millions of consumers and workers are injured each year because of defective products. Defects can occur when a product is designed poorly, when a product is manufactured in a manner that differs from the intended design, or when the product does not contain proper warnings or instructions. Defects can occur in automobiles, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, construction equipment, toys, and other goods.

Between 1.5 and 2 million elderly reside in nursing home facilities, with studies revealing that 44% have suffered some form of abuse. Many believe the actual number of residents suffering abuse is much higher. Neglect and abuse may result in serious emotional, physical, and financial harm

Paul & Hanley’s legal team has produced some of the most notable verdicts and highest settlements in the United States. Over 500 of our clients have each obtained in excess of 1 million dollars. Over 250 have recovered multi-million dollar recoveries.

Prognostic Indicators

Prognostic indicators are characteristics that researchers have found that are good indications of what a patients prognosis might be.  For instance, in one study, factors predictive of poorer survival among 337 patients with mesothelioma in Cancer and Leukemia Group B studies included:  poor performance status, chest pain, dyspnea (difficulty breathing), platelet (platelets are found in the blood and help stop bleeding) count greater than 400,000/µL, weight loss, serum lactate dehydrogenase level greater than 500 IU/L, pleural involvement, low hemoglobin (carries oxygen in red blood cells) level, high white blood cell count, and age older than 75 years.

Molecular indicators of prognosis have been studied by other groups.  Using the 12,000 U95 Affymetrix gene chip, one study developed a four-gene expression ratio test that was able to predict treatment-related patient outcome in mesothelioma independent of the histologic subtype (cell type) of the tumor.  Using similar technology, another study reported a 27-gene expression array for mesothelioma prognosis.  The gene classifier study showed the actual time to progression and survival of the test set with over 95% accuracy.

Clinical outcomes were independent of histology (cell type), and hereorgeneity of progression and survival in early-stage patients was well defined.  These studies imply that gene expression data in mesothelioma at the time of the initial biopsy may accurately predict clinical outcome.  Further validation in larger studies is required however to be sure of this.