Attorney who proved one of the first Benzene Cases dies in Wichita

Gerald Michaud of Wichita, Kansas was a malpractice lawyer who took on some ground breaking cases.  He died at his home at age 76 of congestive heart failure.  One case that he had was a benzene case where he proved that it caused his client's cancer.  He got a verdict for that client.  Amount:  $34 million.

Source:  RedNova.com

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Benzene and Railroads and Shipyards

What does a railroad or shipyard have to do with Benzene? Other than the fact that benzene is found in many products there, the answer is FELA.  FELA is the Federal Labor and Employment Act.  This act basically is the workers compensation law that governs these workers.  FELA gives many workers the right to pursue a workers comp claim by using a lawsuit instead of the usual administrative state workers comp system.

If you are a shipyard or railroad worker this law basically gives you another option.  And using FELA is often to your advantage.

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Researchers work to make filters safer

Knowing whether the filter you use is still good has always been difficult.  You estimate how long you have used it and then compare that to federal standards.  Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a system that uses small sensors in the filters to tell you when the filters are no longer any good.

The sensors are able to react to different chemicals such as benzene and measure whether the filter is still good.

It's an interesting article.  Read it here... PittsburghLive.com

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FDA turns down Leukemia Drug

The FDA turned down a Johnson & Johnson application for a new experimental leukemia drug.  The drug was called tipifarnib.

Tipifarnib is an oral medication studied to treat acute myeloid leukemia in elderly patients who are not candidates for standard chemotherapy.

Source:  Reuters at Yahoo

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