New York Mesothelioma Lawyers

Why Work With a New York Mesothelioma Lawyer?

New York mesothelioma lawyers are experts on the laws and court rules related to asbestos litigation in the state. They also have extensive knowledge of the job sites and companies involved in New York asbestos exposure. These attorneys can help you understand your rights and legal options.

“One of the big differences between somebody relatively new to handling asbestos cases vs. folks doing this for a while is once you’ve developed information about the various companies that manufacture asbestos-containing products, you know what questions to ask,” New York-based lawyer Samuel Meirowitz tells The Mesothelioma Center. “You know what products are the most dangerous and why they’re the most dangerous.”

New York asbestos attorneys are among the most experienced in the nation because of the volume of cases they handle. According to a leading industry report, New York was among the top 5 states for asbestos lawsuit filings in 2022. These filings include personal injury lawsuits and wrongful death lawsuits. New York mesothelioma lawyers also help people file asbestos trust fund claims.

Asbestos Exposure in New York

New York is No. 5 in the U.S. for mesothelioma and asbestosis deaths. About 180 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed each year in the state. Asbestos exposure is the primary cause of mesothelioma. 

Experts attribute the state’s high ranking to its rich industrial and manufacturing history. New York is often called the birthplace of the asbestos manufacturing industry. Military bases, shipyards and naval vessels docked in New York exposed veterans as well. Veterans in the state may file VA claims for benefits and they have access to VA health care.

Schools, historical buildings, public housing and private homes in New York were also built with asbestos-containing construction materials. Working, living and attending classes in these buildings puts people at risk of asbestos exposure. Firefighters and other emergency response professionals encounter asbestos in these old buildings and people were also exposed to asbestos in 9/11 dust.

New Yorkers who develop asbestos-related diseases have several options in the state for specialized treatment. Some of the most renowned New York mesothelioma treatment centers include Mount Sinai Hospital, NYU Langone Medical Center and Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Michelle Marshall

Verified Asbestos.com Survivor

Survivor Story

Michelle worked in New York City’s historic Empire State Building in the 1980s during a major renovation project. It often left a thin dust film on her desk. It was the same desk where she often ate the lunch she packed and brought from home. Asbestos was a major material in the construction of the famed New York City landmark and is the primary cause of mesothelioma.

Michelle Marshall

Verified Asbestos.com Survivor

Read Michelle’s Story

New York Industries Known for Asbestos Exposure

New York has an extensive industrial history. Its factories, textile mills, power plants, manufacturing plants and shipyards used many asbestos products daily. The workers employed at many of these facilities were exposed to dangerous amounts of asbestos.

New York shipyards, including Bethlehem Steel, exposed many workers and veterans to asbestos. Many products throughout ships used the mineral  because it prevented fires on vessels and was resistant to corrosion from seawater. 

Manufacturing was another significant source of asbestos exposure in New York. Many manufacturing companies added asbestos to products because it made them stronger, heat-tolerant and less likely to corrode.

New York Companies That Exposed Workers to Asbestos

Asbestos exposure in New York traces back through more than a century of the state’s history with a range of companies involved in industries such as manufacturing, chemical production and metal works. A predecessor of the Johns Manville Corporation began using anthophyllite mined in Staten Island to manufacture asbestos insulation in 1858. Asbestos use spread to a variety of industrial applications in New York and beyond throughout most of the 20th century.

Many of these companies operated throughout the U.S. but had headquarters in New York. For example, Union Carbide operated an asbestos mine in California until 1985 but its headquarters were in New York City. Other major asbestos companies located in New York include GAF Corporation, National Gypsum Co. and Garlock Inc. 

Some workers at these companies later developed asbestos-related diseases. To help cover the costs of treatment, lost wages and other expenses related to their medical conditions, a number of these workers and their families hired New York mesothelioma lawyers to help them seek compensation.

Mesothelioma Law Firms Practicing in New York

Mesothelioma patients in New York may benefit from  experienced asbestos law firms with offices throughout the state. Well-known firms with offices in New York City, for example, include Weitz & Luxenberg, Cooney & Conway and Simmons Hanly Conroy.

A top mesothelioma attorney can secure the maximum value of your case. They have the experience and reach to help you get justice against the companies that exposed you or your loved one to asbestos.

Top Asbestos Firms in New York

Weitz & Luxenberg, for example, is a top New York City mesothelioma law firm. Based in New York City, the firm’s asbestos attorneys help clients throughout the state. National firms like Simmons Hanly Conroy also have offices in New York. These mesothelioma lawyers specialize in asbestos litigation and understand both federal asbestos regulations and New York state statutes.

According to a KCIC 2023 industry report, many New York residents file their claim in the state. However, it’s not in every resident’s best interest to file there based on the circumstances of their individual case, for example if asbestos exposure occurred somewhere else or if the company responsible is headquartered in another state. 

Firms that practice nationwide know the best state in which to file a given claim. New York residents with mesothelioma can benefit from a nationwide asbestos law firm with experience in different types of cases in nearly every state. 

Nationwide Asbestos Law Firms Outside of New York

Seeking assistance from a nationwide firm can help people pursue a claim elsewhere. If your asbestos exposure took place outside of New York, or if the accountable company has its headquarters in another state, your attorney may advise you file in another state.

If you can’t travel to a New York law office, top lawyers will travel to clients throughout the country to conduct interviews and depositions, and they won’t charge you for their travel expenses. They can also conduct virtual or phone meetings when health concerns make in-person meetings challenging.

How to Find the Right New York Asbestos Attorney

Finding the right asbestos attorney involves careful consideration to select the best legal representation for your case. You want to find a firm that has secured compensation in other cases like yours in New York. 

Good firms discuss their track record of success. Look for one that has handled claims with similar details to yours. This may involve cases stemming from the same job site or lawsuits listing the same asbestos companies that may be liable for your exposure.

Attorneys at Meirowitz & Wasserberg, for example, represented James Petro in his claim against several asbestos companies including Mario & DiBono, which supplied asbestos-containing fireproofing spray. New York asbestos lawyers Danny Kraft, Kush Shukla and Stacy Pulido secured $28.5 million for Petro at trial.

Asbestos Verdicts Awarded to New York Workers

Many asbestos claims settle out of court in New York. A select few go to trial and may result in substantial verdicts.

New York mesothelioma lawyers have obtained settlements worth more than a million dollars for their clients. They have also secured 6-figure payouts from asbestos trust funds.

New York Asbestos Laws and Regulations

New York has enacted a number of laws and regulations to promote safe handling and removal of materials containing asbestos. The New York State Asbestos Law, known as Industrial Code Rule 56, protects the public from exposure to asbestos.

Additionally, New York City has its own set of asbestos laws known as the NYC Asbestos Control Program. Other laws involving asbestos appear in the New York Compilation of the Rules and Regulations. The Department of Labor’s Asbestos Control Bureau enforces asbestos laws, inspects asbestos projects, responds to complaints and shuts down work if violations are found.

These resources help New Yorkers learn about asbestos laws in their state. They also help them understand their rights if they’ve gotten sick from asbestos exposure. 

New York is home to some of the strictest asbestos laws and regulations in the country, a result of the extensive amount of asbestos used throughout the state from the 1800s through the 1970s. It wasn’t until the 1970s that the U.S. government began enacting laws and regulations to limit the use of asbestos. Implementation of these laws took time, which meant many people were still heavily exposed throughout the 1980s and 1990s.

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