New Jersey Mesothelioma Lawyers

Filing a Mesothelioma Claim in New Jersey

New Jersey is a hub of asbestos litigation, with many mesothelioma claims filed annually. The state has a long history of asbestos-related injuries and deaths. The Middlesex, NJ, jurisdiction saw 77 mesothelioma claims filed in 2022, an increase of more than 20% over the prior year.

Individuals filing mesothelioma and other asbestos injury claims are overwhelmingly male. The average age of a plaintiff is 74 years of age. If you have a possible claim, speak with a New Jersey mesothelioma attorney to have your case evaluated and establish your legal rights. 

New Jersey Mesothelioma Lawsuit Statute of Limitations

New Jersey’s mesothelioma statute of limitations for asbestos personal injury claims is 2 years from the date of diagnosis, and 2 years from the time of death for wrongful death claims. Individuals considering legal action should consult an attorney as soon as possible. 

Patients with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses who have missed this statute of limitations may still have legal options, however. An experienced asbestos attorney can advise you of exceptions that may apply to your case or find that your case should be filed in another state with different regulations based on where your asbestos exposure took place or where the defendants in your case are located. Choosing an experienced asbestos lawyer ensures you have the support you need while seeking compensation for medical expenses, lost wages or wrongful death.

Importance of Hiring a Mesothelioma Lawyer in New Jersey

A New Jersey mesothelioma attorney will review your information, determine the legal standing of any asbestos-related claims and then gather the necessary evidence to support your case. An experienced New Jersey mesothelioma lawyer understands the nuances of local cases and influencing factors. 

Local law firms have extensive knowledge about asbestos exposure sites within the state. They are also well-versed in state regulations governing occupational safety and personal injury claims. 

New Jersey injury attorneys have knowledge about defendants in prior cases and experience working with state and regulatory and oversight offices, including the New Jersey Health Department, Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Labor & Workforce Development. This is invaluable when filing a personal injury claim.

Mesothelioma Law Firms Practicing in New Jersey

Several well-respected mesothelioma law firms operate in New Jersey. Attorneys at these firms are intimately familiar with the state laws and regulations. Additionally, their local offices make consultations and other legal appointments convenient for patients with asbestos-related illnesses. 

Middlesex County hears most of the asbestos lawsuits in New Jersey. Camden County handles the next highest number of cases. According to the New Jersey Superior Court’s Case Management Manual for Asbestos Cases, this distribution is likely the result of the industrial nature of these locations. 

Top Asbestos Firms in New Jersey

The offices of Weitz & Luxenberg in Cherry Hill, for example, are convenient for residents of South Jersey. The attorneys at Meirowitz & Wasserberg, with a local Newark office, have more than 30 years of combined experience serving as premier New Jersey asbestos lawyers.

Northern New Jersey residents also have access to national mesothelioma lawyers in New York City. Firms such as Simmons Hanly Conroy and Weitz & Luxenberg have New York offices. The latter successfully secured a $43 million award in a mesothelioma case against Algoma Hardwoods Inc. that went to trial.  

Nationwide Mesothelioma Law Firms Serving Clients Outside New Jersey

A number of nationwide firms specialize in asbestos-related litigation. These offices frequently recover significant awards for clients. Many have experience with claims against New Jersey companies that exposed workers to asbestos.

There are many advantages to working with a law firm with nationwide experience. For example, people with asbestos-related illnesses may have been exposed to asbestos in multiple locations. Alternatively, they may currently live in a location other than where the exposure occurred. In these situations, a nationwide mesothelioma attorney can help with filing a claim in the correct jurisdiction.

Notable Asbestos Verdicts Awarded to New Jersey Workers

Top mesothelioma law firms frequently secure significant verdicts for New Jersey workers. The average settlement falls between $1 million and $1.4 million. However, patients who take asbestos-exposure claims to court can often secure larger sums through a jury trial.

New Jersey courts have handed down awards as high as $750 million dollars for punitive damages against companies, such as Johnson & Johnson, that repeatedly exposed individuals to dangerous products. Other companies hit with large penalties include Johns Manville and Union Carbide Company. 

Industries in New Jersey Known for Asbestos Exposure

Industrial job sites were the primary sources of asbestos exposure in New Jersey. Boiler manufacturers, automotive companies and shipyards are frequently held accountable for their failure to protect workers.

Asbestos exposure and corresponding cases of mesothelioma occurred in multiple New Jersey locations, such as Hamilton Township, Millington, Newark and Trenton. According to the Centers for Disease Control, Gloucester and Camden Townships had mesothelioma rates approximately twice the state average between 2016 and 2020. Many veterans were also exposed at the Naval Weapons Station Earle and Naval Air Engineering Station Lakehurst.

New Jersey Companies That Exposed Workers to Asbestos

Several prominent New Jersey companies have found themselves liable for asbestos-related injuries to workers. For example, courts have repeatedly held Johnson & Johnson responsible for damages related to the talc in its powder products. The company has offices located in New Jersey. 

The Johns Manville Corporation was an early contributor to asbestos exposure. The company sold asbestos-containing insulation and construction products through the 1970s despite increasing rates of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases among employees and their family members. 

Litigation caused the company to declare Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1982. Johns Manville established two trust funds for claims as part of that process.

New Jersey Asbestos Laws and Regulations

New Jersey has state laws covering asbestos exposure in addition to federal regulations. The New Jersey Asbestos Control and Licensing Act established the laws and regulations that companies must follow in the state. 

Four state departments enforce these crucial state regulations. The New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development protects New Jersey workers from asbestos exposure. The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs certifies asbestos safety technicians and enforces asbestos regulations in schools through an asbestos and lead unit. 

Regulation of asbestos management, disposal and transportation within the state falls to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. The New Jersey Department of Health performs site audits and oversees asbestos in schools.

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