Reinstein: "Asbestos: The Cost in Dollars and Lives”

Workplace Injury Law & Advocacy Group “Asbestos: The Cost in Dollars and Lives” Chicago, Illinois July 26, 2012 LINDA REINSTEIN Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) President/CEO and Co-Founder linda@adao.usReinstein 7.26.2012

ADAO Memorial Dedication Larry 1945 – 2012 Mesothelioma Victim United StatesReinstein 7.26.2012

ALAN REINSTEIN former ADAO President Mesothelioma VictimReinstein 7.26.2012 May 2005 May 2006

Education. Advocacy. Community.Reinstein 7.26.2012 www.adao.us

Asbestos is a Proven Human Carcinogen and There is No Safe Level of ExposureReinstein 7.26.2012

“Victim”: The Only Word that Describes • A patient, living or deceased, who was diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease • Person exposed to asbestos • Family member of those exposed or diagnosed • DecedentReinstein 7.26.2012

Convoluted Path from Exposure to Diagnosis •1. Latency Period is 10 – 50 years from Exposure to Diagnosis •2. Confusing and Indirect Medical History Inquiries •3. Common Symptoms • Slight persistent cough • Chest pain • Difficulty breathing • Pleural effusion •4. Uncommon Asbestos-Caused Diseases • Mesothelioma (Pleural and Peritoneal) • Cancers • Pleural Plaques • Asbestosis

How Small is Asbestos? 2-3 rice grains 20,000 Asbestos Fibers 5-6 human hairsReinstein 7.26.2012

Notable Persons Exposed to Asbestos• Steve McQueen, Actor• Warren Zevon, Musician• Merlin Olsen, NFL Player, Los Angeles Rams• Malcolm McLearen, Musician and Manager• Hamilton Jordan, Chief of Staff under President Carter• Admiral Elmo Zumwalt, Chief of Naval Operations• Richard Hernstein, Author• Paul Gleason, Actor• Bruce Vento, U.S. Representative Reinstein 7.25.2012

The Collateral Damage Asbestos • New Patient Profile • Woman • Under the age of 50 • Environmental or Take-Home Exposure • 10,000 annual asbestos-caused deaths in the USA • 107,000 annual asbestos-caused deaths globally • 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed each year within the United StatesReinstein 7.26.2012

Alan’s mesothelioma medical expenses exceeded $1,000,000

President’s Cancer Panel “Construction workers were found to be 11 times more likely to develop mesothelioma, due to asbestos exposures at the site.”Reinstein 7.26.2012

Occupational Diseases are Not an Accident The International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health 2012 by Joe LaDou • Occupational diseases affect 1 in 5 Americans • However, only 1 in 20 victims receive workers’ comp benefits • Those with occupational cancer, less than 1 in 100 workers receive benefits • The costs of workers’ compensation are largely evaded by state agencies and private insurers by amending state laws or cost shifting • Because workers’ compensation is a state by state basis, there is no central authority, which leads to “self-perpetuating bureaucracies” that are “interested only in redesigns as opposed to reform”Reinstein 7.26.2012

The True Cost of Disability and Death “For each life lost, a shattered family is left behind” • Physical • Financial • Emotional • PsychosocialReinstein 7.26.2012

“Perfect Storm” of Chaos • Diagnosis • Treatment • Burden of proof • Processing compensation claims • Delayed compensation • State lawsReinstein 7.26.2012

Reinstein 7.26.2012

Occupational Exposure Under the Steps of the CapitolReinstein 7.26.2012

“As many as 35 million homes and businesses are insulated lethal asbestos- tainted vermiculite.” “Ten years ago, then EPA investigator Kevin McDermott crawled through an attic in Manchester, Wash., confirming the presence of 130 bags of asbestos-containing Zonolite insulation.”Reinstein 7.26.2012

Environmental Exposure: Natural and Man-made Disasters W.R. Grace Vermiculite Mine Joplin, MO Libby, MTReinstein 7.26.2012

Catastrophic Fallout of 9/11 September 11, 2011 StudyReinstein 7.26.2012

Linda@adao.us

Reinstein 7.26.2012

“Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people tochange the world. In fact, it is the only thing that ever has.” Margret Meade Linda@adao.us

Reinstein: "Asbestos: The Cost in Dollars and Lives”

by Linda Reinstein on Jul 27, 2012

Accessibility

Categories

Upload Details

Usage Rights

Statistics

Reinstein: "Asbestos: The Cost in Dollars and Lives” Presentation Transcript