Kazan Law Is Proud to Sponsor the 2021 International Mesothelioma Interest Group (iMig) Conference

Posted on February 11, 2021 by Staff

Kazan, McClain, Satterley & Greenwood, A Professional Law Corporation, is pleased to announce its Gold sponsorship of this year’s International Mesothelioma Interest Group (iMig) 15^th Biennial Conference, which will be virtual this year, from May 7-9, 2021.

iMig is an independent group of scientists and clinicians working to understand, cure, and prevent mesothelioma, a cancer for which there is currently no cure. iMig brings together researchers and physicians from all over the world to meet and exchange their research and knowledge. As a law firm that represents hundreds of victims of mesothelioma and their families that are impacted by this deadly disease, we share iMig’s goal to find a cure to this deadly disease.

Kazan Law has sponsored and attended iMig’s conferences each time since 2006 (Chicago) and travelled to Amsterdam (2008), Kyoto (2010), Boston (2012), Capetown (2014), Birmingham (2016), and Ottawa (2018). The 2020 conference in Brisbane was cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak and was rescheduled as this year’s virtual event.

In honor of mesothelioma victims and their families, Kazan Law is again funding the Young Investigators’ Award (YIA) at the iMig conference, as it has since 2008. Winners of the YIA award will each receive $1,000 and global recognition for their ongoing research. It gives us pleasure to acknowledge and support the work of these new scientists as they make new discoveries about mesothelioma and are proud to share brief videos of the 2020 winners, and the new 2021 winners, as they explain their award-winning work.

Out of the hundreds of papers submitted for presentation at the conference, Kazan Law is thrilled to have five abstracts of our own accepted this year for publication in the iMig conference collection of peer-reviewed abstracts. Look for our videos online as founding partner Steven Kazan describes the Law Firm’s work.

Kazan Law’s dedication to a medical cure is also demonstrated through the Kazan McClain Partners’ Foundation that has awarded more than $7 million in grants for mesothelioma medical research. Our foundation has further provided significant funding to the international efforts to ban asbestos use. The Foundation has again allocated $100k to fund grants to be awarded to iMig attendees, dedicated to mesothelioma research.

During these challenging times of sheltering in place and fighting COVID-19, Kazan Law continues its mission on behalf of victims of mesothelioma, as it has since 1974, and to bring to justice those companies whose deliberate disregard for the public’s health and safety has brought so much suffering to innocent victims and their families. If you have any questions about iMig, our Foundation, or the work of our firm, write to me at skazan@kazanlaw.com.

Kazan Law Partners Announce the Merger of Berkeley Law Foundation With the Allen E. Broussard Scholarship Foundation and the Launching of the Broussard-Phoenix Fellowship Program

Posted on November 5, 2020 by Staff

Steven Kazan , President of the Allen E. Broussard Scholarship Foundation, and Board Members Gordon Greenwood and Justin Bosl, are happy to announce that the Allen E. Broussard Scholarship Foundation has joined with Berkeley Law Foundation to establish the Allen E. Broussard Phoenix Fellowship Program. The Broussard Foundation board unanimously decided that all its funds will go to the Berkeley Law Foundation, which will handle selection of future scholarship awardees to students attending Berkeley Law School.

Justice Broussard, a distinguished Berkeley Law School alum, worked diligently to expand opportunities within the legal profession and to assist young lawyers in their pursuit of a career in the law. One of his most earnest goals was the diversification of the profession, and much of his work was aimed at ensuring that all minorities are given the opportunity to rise and “take a place at the table,” as he was fond of saying. The Allen E. Broussard Phoenix Fellowship grants will continue to honor Justice Broussard’s memory by continuing to promote diversity in legal education and the profession of law. To that end, we ask that all who would have considered contributions to the Broussard Foundation, donate to the Berkeley Law Foundation from now on.

Berkeley Law Foundation will continue activities previously carried out by Broussard Scholarship Foundation, including grants to support the Alameda County Office of Education Philip A. Harley Mock Trial Competition for high school students, the Alameda County Courts’ Annual Law Day event and luncheon that celebrates law and social justice each year, and is attended by judges and students from public schools in Alameda County, and be represented on the Court’s Law Day Committee, by Steven Kazan, founding and managing partner of Oakland’s Kazan, McClain, Satterley & Greenwood, a professional law corporation.

Please direct any questions you may have regarding this change to Steven Kazan at skazan@kazanlaw.com or Holly Baldwin at hbaldwin@stanfordalumni.org.

Asbestos Recall Issued for 33,000 Bottles of Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder

Posted on October 19, 2019 by Staff

Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder took yet another hit recently amid concerns over asbestos contamination. On October 18, 2019, Johnson & Johnson issued a recall of over 30,000 bottles of their baby powder in the United States due to asbestos contamination.

FDA Discovers Asbestos in Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder Sample

This recent recall was prompted after the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) discovered asbestos contamination in samples of the baby powder that they had purchased online. FDA Commissioner Dr. Ned Sharpless assured the public that they are dedicated to protecting public health and take these results seriously. Furthermore, he reports that the FDA will continue to test talc-based cosmetic products for asbestos to protect the public from the potential health risks of asbestos, which includes cancer.

The public should note that the FDA upholds the integrity of their testing. When handled and tested at the FDA, standard operating procedures were followed and, according to spokesperson Lyndsay Meyer, there is no evidence of cross-contamination.

What to Do If You Have a Recalled Bottle of Baby Powder

Consumers in possession of any Johnson’s Baby Powder labeled with lot #22318RB, should immediately discontinue the use of the product and either contact Johnson & Johnson directly for a refund or call Kazan Law so we can collect it for future testimony. Due to numerous findings of asbestos in talc based baby powder, it is recommended that consumers use corn starch and not talc based powders.

Furthermore, users of this product or other talc-based products who have experienced a mesothelioma diagnosis should contact an experienced mesothelioma attorney at Kazan Law to learn more about their legal options. Kazan Law has handled many talc mesothelioma cases, including the groundbreaking first talc mesothelioma verdict which resulted in a $117 million judgment.

The Problem with Asbestos

Talc and asbestos are natural minerals that can be found mixed together in their natural states, raising the risk of cross-contamination and exposure to the public of a known carcinogen.

In 2018, a Reuters report revealed that Johnson & Johnson knew for decades that its baby powder products were contaminated with asbestos and deliberately did not share the information with the public.

Help from an Experienced California Mesothelioma Attorney

Cosmetic companies like Johnson & Johnson have a duty to only put products on the market that they know to be safe. They must adhere to specific health and safety standards. When they do not, the lives and well-being of innocent consumers could be at risk.

These companies should be held liable for the damages they cause and Kazan Law has won record setting verdicts against Johnson & Johnson and others. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, do not hesitate to call Kazan Law at 1-888-887-1238 or complete our online contact form to schedule your consultation today.

Kazan Law Wins $12 Million in Compensatory Damages Against J&J and Colgate in Talc Trial

Posted on June 13, 2019 by Staff

Earlier this year, Denyse Clancy and Joseph D. Satterley, partners at Kazan Law, secured $12 million in compensatory damages on behalf of Patricia Schmitz in a jury trial against Johnson & Johnson and Colgate-Palmolive. Schmitz has mesothelioma, a rare type of cancer that only occurs after a person has been exposed to asbestos, and the California jury agreed that her disease was a result of using various products containing talc.

Recent revelations have brought to light the fact that various products containing talc also contained harmful asbestos, and that the companies manufacturing these products were aware of the danger but continued to market their products in spite of the risk to consumers. Some of the talc-containing products Ms. Schmitz used included Johnson & Johnson baby powder, Colgate’s Cashmere Bouquet, and Avon’s Night Magic.

This is the third consecutive victory for Kazan Law in litigation regarding talc products causing cancer. In 2018, Ms. Clancy and Mr. Satterley obtained a $117 million verdict against J&J in New Jersey, and they secured a $29.5 million verdict against the company in Alameda County, California.

Protecting Your Rights after a Talc-Related Injury

If a doctor has diagnosed you with mesothelioma and you have used products that contained talc in the past, there are certain steps you should take to protect your rights. Be sure to make a list of any products in the past that have contained talc and the approximate dates of use. Some products that have tested positive for asbestos include:

Blush
Eye shadow
Baby powder
Crayons

Next, call an attorney as soon as you can, and be sure not to accept any money from the manufacturer until you have had a chance to retain a lawyer to represent you.

Call Us Today to Schedule a Free Consultation with a Talc Litigation Attorney

Johnson & Johnson, Colgate-Palmolive, and other companies that put dangerous products on the market need to be held accountable for the harm they have caused consumers. If you have developed mesothelioma that you believe may be linked to the use of products containing talc, you should contact an experienced attorney immediately.

Since 1974, the lawyers of Kazan Law have been helping people hurt by asbestos exposure obtain compensation for their disease-related losses. To schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced talcum powder attorney, call our office today at 888-887-1238 or contact us online.

Kazan Firm Wins $29.5 Million Mesothelioma Verdict Against Johnson & Johnson

Posted on March 13, 2019 by Staff

Paralleling a similar verdict won in April of 2018, a California jury recently awarded clients of Kazan Law damages totaling $29.5 million. The landmark verdict represents compensatory damages that Kazan clients Teresa Leavitt and her husband, Dean McElroy, suffered as a result of the mesothelioma Mrs. Leavitt contracted from exposure to the asbestos in Johnson’s Baby Powder – arguably the baby powder gold-standard for many decades. The couple is represented by a legal team made up of attorneys from both Kazan, McClain, Satterley & Greenwood, PC, and Levy Konigsberg, LLP.

The Defendants, Responsibility, and Damages

Those defendants ordered to pay the $29.5 million verdict include three entities:

Johnson & Johnson (J&J)
Johnson & Johnson Consumer, Inc.
Cyprus Mines Corporation (Cyprus) – a talc supplier

The jury determined after extensive deliberation, that J&J bore 98 percent of the responsibility for Mrs. Leavitt’s injuries and that Cyprus bore the remaining 2 percent of responsibility. The verdict includes $22 million for Mrs. Leavitt’s past and future pain and suffering caused by the mesothelioma, $5 million for her husband’s spousal damages, which are also known as loss of consortium and loss of services and society, and $2.5 million for economic damages, including medical expenses and lost earnings.

Jury’s Findings

The jury’s findings on several important elements ultimately led to the final verdict in favor of the couple:

Mrs. Leavitt’s use of Johnson’s Baby Powder was a substantial cause of her mesothelioma.
J&J and Cyprus failed to provide adequate warning regarding the dangers of asbestos, such as that found in their talc.
J&J intentionally withheld information regarding the risks associated with the talc found in their famous baby powder.

Supporting Evidence

Evidence in support of this verdict included multiple internal documents issued by both J&J and Cyprus that prove both defendants knew – as early as the 1960s – that the talc used to manufacture Johnson’s baby powder and Johnson and Johnson’s Shower to Shower products contained asbestos. In response to their initial discovery of this dangerous fact, J&J – and some other manufacturers of talcum powder – opted out of replacing the tainted talc with an alternative substance like cornstarch and, instead, implemented a testing mechanism that couldn’t detect the asbestos and, thus, attempted to absolve themselves of potential fault. The jury saw through this attempt.

The evidence presented mirrored evidence from the April 2018 case. It was, however, the first J&J talc-related trial to be completed following reporting from the New York Times and Reuters that established J&J’s long-term awareness of the asbestos issue and its decision to keep the information from both the public and government regulators.

Representation

The plaintiffs, Teresa Leavitt and Dean McElroy, are represented by a legal team that includes Joseph Satterley and Denyse Clancy of Kazan, McClain, Satterley & Greenwood, PC, of Oakland, California, and Moshe Maimon of Levy Konigsberg, LLP, based in New York and New Jersey.

Call Kazan Law Today to Schedule a Free Case Evaluation with a Talcum Powder Lawyer

To schedule a free case evaluation with an attorney, call Kazan Law today at 888-887-1238 or contact us online.

More Bad News for J&J as It Gets Hit with Federal Subpoenas from SEC and DOJ

Posted on February 21, 2019 by Staff

The bad news just keeps coming for Johnson & Johnson. As we blogged about in January, in late 2018, Reuters issued a report that alleged that internal documents uncovered in the course of litigation indicate that Johnson & Johnson was aware of the fact that its talc contained asbestos for several decades. In late February, the company announced that it received subpoenas from both the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the U.S. Justice Department (DOJ) in relation to litigation involving alleged asbestos in its talc-based Baby Powder product line.

According to J&J, this is the first time that the company has disclosed that is has received subpoenas from federal agencies and that it intends to fully cooperate with them. In addition, the company stated that the federal inquiries “are related to news reports that included inaccurate statements and also withheld crucial information.”

You May Be Entitled to Significant Compensation

If you have used Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder or other talc-containing products and developed mesothelioma, it’s possible that you are legally entitled to significant compensation. In 2018, our law firm secured a $117 jury verdict on behalf of a lifelong baby powder user who developed mesothelioma. According to lead trial attorney Joe Satterley, “Johnson & Johnson and its supplier Imerys knew since the 1960’s that the talc used in Johnson’s Baby Powder contained asbestos, and that this might cause the companies to face litigation risks forty years in the future. Now, just as Johnson & Johnson’s confidential documents predicted, my client, a lifelong baby powder user, developed mesothelioma.”

Call Kazan Law Today to Schedule a Free Case Evaluation with an Attorney

If you or a family member has been diagnosed with mesothelioma after exposure to talc or otherwise, you should speak to a lawyer as soon as possible. The mesothelioma attorneys of Kazan Law have been helping mesothelioma victims and their families since 1974 and will review the facts of your case at no cost to you. To schedule your free case evaluation with a lawyer, call our office today at 888-887-1238, fill out the contact form on this page, or utilize our live chat widget.

Reuters: J&J Continued to Sell Talc Products for Years Despite Being Aware of the Risks

Posted on January 31, 2019 by Staff

Talc baby powder asbestos mesothelioma An explosive report filed by Reuters late last year alleges that internal documents show that Johnson & Johnson was aware of the fact that its baby powder contained cancer-causing asbestos for decades. According to the news agency, an examination of records that were made available in the course of litigation indicates that the J&J’s raw talc powder sometimes tested positive for asbestos. In addition, these documents suggest that the company’s executives, lawyers, doctors, and mine managers all worried about the issue but failed to disclose it to regulators or the general public.

Reuters explained that the evidence of what the company knew and when it knew it finally came to light after people who suspected that their cancer was related to talc use hired attorneys who had experience representing workers that had been exposed to asbestos. Reuters reported that those attorneys knew from their earlier work that talc producers often tested for asbestos and demanded to see J&J’s records.

No Safe Levels of Exposure

According to the World Health Organization, there is no safe level of asbestos exposure. While it is certainly true that not everyone who is exposed to asbestos develops cancer, even a limited amount of exposure over time is sufficient to trigger the disease. Furthermore, there is a long latency period between exposure and adverse effects. In the case of mesothelioma, the latency period can be as long as 50 years. This means that even if current Johnson & Johnson talc products are not contaminated with asbestos, people can still get cancer from contaminated batches from decades ago. As a result, if you have developed mesothelioma or any other form of cancer that could be linked to asbestos and used products containing talc at any point in your life, you should discuss your case with an attorney as soon as you can.

Plaintiffs Have Recovered Significant Compensation

In recent years, plaintiffs have successfully sued Johnson & Johnson and Imerys, linking the use of its products to both mesothelioma and ovarian cancer. Just last year, the lawyers at Kazan Law won a $117 million verdict on behalf of 45-year old mesothelioma victim Steven Lanzo. According to lead trial attorney and Kazan Law partner Joe Satterley, “Johnson & Johnson and its supplier Imerys knew since the 1960’s that the talc used in Johnson’s Baby Powder contained asbestos, and that this might cause the companies to face litigation risks forty years in the future. Now, just as Johnson & Johnson’s confidential documents predicted, my client, a lifelong baby powder user, developed mesothelioma.”

Call Kazan, McClain, Satterley & Greenwood Today to Schedule a Free Consultation

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma after using talc-based products, you should speak to an attorney as soon as you can. Since 1974, the lawyers of Kazan Law have been helping mesothelioma victims obtain the compensation they deserve and have the skill and experience required to bring your case to the best resolution possible. To schedule a free case evaluation with one of our attorneys, call us today at 888-887-1238 or contact us by filling out the form on this page or by using the live chat widget.

What to Look for When Researching Mesothelioma Law Firms

Posted on December 17, 2018 by Staff

Kazan Law Mesothelioma Lawyers If you’ve found yourself on this page, chances are that you are looking into mesothelioma law firms, either for yourself or for a loved one who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma. As you’re probably well aware, mesothelioma is a specific type of cancer that only occurs after a person has been exposed to asbestos. Due to federal and state law, people who have been exposed to asbestos and develop mesothelioma are entitled to compensation.

Unfortunately, obtaining compensation is not as simple as letting your employer know that you have mesothelioma and collecting a check. While it’s patently unfair, victims often have to jump through certain hoops to get the compensation they deserve. In addition, the way that your claim is handled can have a significant impact on the amount of compensation you ultimately recover.

For this reason, it’s highly advisable for anyone seeking compensation for mesothelioma to retain the services of a mesothelioma law firm to represent them during the claims process. Not surprisingly, there is no shortage of law firms and attorneys that all claim to be the best in the business for your claim. So how are victims supposed to make an informed choice? Fortunately, there are objective factors that can help you make the right decision. Here are a few of the things that you should look for when researching a mesothelioma law firm.

Experience Counts

Mesothelioma cases are very different from other areas of law, which is why certain law firms choose to focus only on handling these kinds of claims. For this reason, it’s highly advisable for anyone seeking mesothelioma representation to retain an attorney who specializes in mesothelioma claims, as opposed to a generalist personal injury or product liability attorney. Look for a firm with many years of experience in the field and that only represents people with mesothelioma.

The Firm Should Do the Heavy Lifting

As a person suffering from mesothelioma, you should not be expected to handle your claim on your own when you have retained a law firm to represent you. Before you choose a mesothelioma law firm, you should make sure that they will handle every aspect of your claim on your behalf. They should come to you for meetings, research your exposure to asbestos, request and review your medical records, and handle any communications with Asbestos Bankruptcy Trust Funds, insurance companies or claims administrators on your behalf.

You Should Never Pay Up-Front

If a law firm ever asks you for money before agreeing to take on your mesothelioma case, walk out of the office or hang up the phone immediately. The overwhelming majority of qualified mesothelioma law firms work on a contingency fee-basis, which means that they will only get paid if you recover compensation. If you do not, you will not owe the law firm anything. This type of arrangement incentivizes law firms to get you as much compensation as possible and ensures that your lawyer has a reasonably strong belief that you have a case.

Case Results

Finally, you should look at a firm’s previous case results. While past results are no guarantee of future success, previous settlements and awards can give you a pretty good idea as to how good a firm is at helping clients maximize the compensation they receive. While obtaining the maximum compensation available will not cure the disease, it can help you and your family achieve financial security and feel that justice has been done.

Call Kazan Law Today to Schedule a Free Case Evaluation with a Mesothelioma Lawyer

If you or a loved one has mesothelioma, there’s a good chance that you or your family member is entitled to compensation. Remember, mesothelioma only occurs as a result of exposure to asbestos and the asbestos companies have an absolute duty to protect their customers and the public from such exposure. At Kazan Law, we are committed to helping mesothelioma victims and their families obtain the compensation to which they are entitled by seeking the largest possible settlement or award on your behalf. To schedule a free case evaluation with one of our experienced mesothelioma lawyers, call our office today at 888-887-1238 or contact us online.

Kazan Law Receives 8th Guardian of Justice Award from Alameda County Bar Association

Posted on October 26, 2018 by Staff

Kazan Law Award For the eighth consecutive year, Kazan Law has received the Guardian of Justice award from the Alameda County Bar Association’s Volunteer Legal Services Corporation (VLSC).

The award, presented to Kazan Law on Oct. 25, is given to firms that have demonstrated the highest commitment to providing legal services to low-income people in Alameda County. “We greatly appreciate this award and we are honored to support VLSC, which works tirelessly to ensure that the scales of justice remain in balance,” said Steven Kazan, founding, senior and managing partner at Kazan Law.

VLSC provides free legal assistance to Alameda County’s low-income population by mobilizing volunteer attorneys to provide pro bono service. VLSC matches trained volunteer attorneys, paralegals and law school graduates with low-income clients in need of critical legal services—services such as ensuring that a child has a safe and stable home, shielding a patient from financial ruin, or protecting a parent’s right to custody and visitation. VLSC is the largest provider of pro bono legal services in the county.

VLSC created the Guardians of Justice campaign so that large firms, small firms, local businesses, solo practitioners, and individuals can help VLSC bridge the justice gap in our community. Guardians of Justice help:

Sustain and enhance our current programs, including 30 legal clinics a month in the areas of family law, domestic violence; bankruptcy, guardianship, and landlord-tenant disputes.
Provide training, mentoring and malpractice insurance to our dedicated volunteer attorneys, paralegals, and law school graduates.
Develop additional programs to meet the existing and growing need for legal services in Alameda County.

Kazan Law advocates for the rights of people exposed to asbestos through the negligence of often big and powerful interests, and the firm supports a legal system that protects all community members equally.

Kazan Mcclain Partners’ Foundation to Be Recognized by Stanford University for Donations to Cancer Research

Posted on September 21, 2018 by Staff

Stanford Donation Kazan Law Kazan McClain Partners’ Foundation is proud to announce that Stanford University plans to include the foundation’s name on the donor recognition wall of the university’s new hospital, which is scheduled to open in 2019.

Through the generous donations of Kazan clients to the Kazan McClain Partners’ Foundation, the foundation gave a total of $800,000 to Stanford University Cancer Institute from 2012 through 2016. The donation was part of the Campaign for Stanford Medicine, which raised funds for new cancer treatments, the new hospital and biomedical innovations.

The foundation would like to express its deepest thanks to clients Martin Grigg and his late wife Rose-Marie Grigg, Nancy Karidis-Koepke and her late husband Harold Koepke, and Timothy and Caroline Vest for their enormous contributions. The Grigg, Karidis-Koepke and Vest family names also will be listed on the donor recognition wall of Stanford’s new hospital.

“We were honored to help our clients support Stanford’s cancer research in the hopes that other families may be spared the ravages of mesothelioma in the years to come,” said Steven Kazan, treasurer of Kazan McClain Partners’ Foundation and founder of Kazan Law.

The donor recognition wall, which will be a permanent fixture in the main atrium of Stanford’s new state-of-the-art hospital, will honor individuals and organizations that made gifts of $100,000 or more during the Campaign for Stanford Medicine.

Steven Kazan is one of the nation’s preeminent and most experienced asbestos litigation attorneys. For the past 44 years, he and the law firm he founded have represented hundreds of injured workers suffering from asbestos-related mesothelioma in some of the most high-profile cases in history, against Johns-Manville, Fibreboard, Johnson & Johnson, and others.

Steven’s groundbreaking work has helped victims and their families redress the wrongs done to them, and his work has prompted changes in asbestos law that benefit victims. He is also active in helping to improve workplaces through education and legislative advocacy.

In 1994, Steven and his firm established the Kazan McClain Partners’ Foundation Inc. to support institutions that fight for the little guy and provide funding for mesothelioma research. To date, the foundation has given out more than $20 million in grant money to help make a difference in people’s lives. The foundation has worked with University of Chicago researchers to fund pleural mesothelioma research, which was presented at the International Mesothelioma Interest Group conference in May 2018. The foundation also supports thoracic cancer programs at UCSF and Stanford.

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