Construction Workers Allegedly Develop Mesothelioma From Asbestos Exposure

Case Overview

This case involves asbestos-related workers compensation litigation. Over 20 construction workers working under the same contractor in Iowa alleged that they developed mesothelioma from exposure to asbestos-contaminated materials during long-term projects. A pulmonary pathology expert was sought to review these claims, the pathology reports, and exposure history and issue an opinion as to whether the plaintiffs 1) contracted mesothelioma and 2) contracted mesothelioma secondary to their workplace asbestos exposure.

Questions to the Pediatrics expert and their responses

Please describe your experience reviewing pathology reports and exposure history for asbestos as it relates to pulmonary mesothelioma.

I am internationally recognized in cytopathology and pulmonary pathology, specifically as it relates to mesothelioma and asbestos-related disease. I am currently working with two large firms dealing with mesothelioma, asbestos-related carcinoma, and asbestos-related lung disease. I have been working with firms for over 12 years and I have reviewed hundreds of such cases. I have testified in at least 15 depositions related to asbestos and mesothelioma and have also testified in court cases that were successfully won. I published extensively on mesothelioma and pleural-related disease, particularly in cytology (only because this is my primary area). I do have extensive knowledge in differentiating mesothelioma from other differential diagnoses such as adenocarcinoma, squamous carcinoma, and sarcoma based on morphology, special and immunostains. I issue preliminary opinions based on reports when I am provided with complete information. Otherwise, I request additional material to do the necessary testing.

About the expert

This expert has 23 years of experience as a pathologist. She gained her MB in medicine and surgery at Ain Shams University, Egypt. She then completed her internship at Ain Shams University, Egypt, her residency in anatomic and clinical pathology at William Beaumont Hospital, and two fellowships in neurosurgery and cytopathology at Henry Ford Hospital and Wayne State University/Detroit Medical Center respectively. This expert is board certified in anatomic and clinical pathology and cytopathology. She is currently a professor of pathology, the director of the cytopathology fellowship program, and a staff pathologist at an Ohio medical university.