Mesothelioma Lawyers: New York
New York City is one of the top cities for handling mesothelioma lawsuits and claims in the United States. There are a number of procedures for managing these claims, making these lawyers experts in asbestos settlement litigation.
Filing a Mesothelioma Claim in New York
In 2019, New York was the second-most-popular jurisdiction for mesothelioma lawsuits, handling about 6% of the claims in the United States.
The asbestos laws and regulations in New York are among the strictest in the nation, intending to protect citizens from the harmful effects of the asbestos that was used in copious amounts in the state during the two-hundred-year span between the 1800s and 1970s.
Asbestos wasn’t regulated in the United States until the 1970s when reports of harmful exposure to asbestos linkage to mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis began to surface.
History of Asbestos Exposure in New York
New York is an industrial hub in many respects. Many of these industries used asbestos on a daily basis, including textile mills, factories, power plants, manufacturing plants, and shipyards.
The workers in these industries were exposed to dangerous amounts of asbestos and many of them went on to develop harmful asbestos-related medical conditions like mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis years later.
Power plant workers and workers from the Brooklyn Navy Yard banned together to bring claims to New York judges. Due to the extreme number of cases (850 and 600, respectively), the judge ruled to consolidate all the cases together for a speedier process.
If you or a loved one served in the military and were exposed to asbestos in New York, developing mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses, you can file a claim with the New York Veteran’s Association.
Some instances of widespread asbestos exposure include the predecessor of the Johns Manville Corporation who mined anthophyllite from Staten Island to use in asbestos insulation manufacturing. This insulation was then distributed throughout the state of New York and the rest of the country.
New York is lucky enough to have several specialized medical facilities for treating mesothelioma. These facilities include New York University – Longone Medical Center, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Mount Sinai Hospital.
Mesothelioma Law Firms with offices in New York
These specific attorneys understand the regulations and the specifics of the state, giving you the best possible representation for your case.
These large firms can give you specialized advice based on your case and can advise you on which state you should file your claim. Just because you were exposed to asbestos in New York does not always mean that is where you must file your claim.
Local law firms may not have the expertise or connections that can help you get the maximum payout. Larger firms have more resources and knowledge of how mesothelioma claims work throughout the country and how they can best advocate for you and your family.
Some of the national mesothelioma firms include Cooney & Conway, Weitz and Luxenberg, Nemeroff Law, Simmon Hanly Conroy, and Galiher DeRobertis & Waxman. They specialize in cases in New York and can give you the best possible representation.
Several of these firms have offices in New York City which is convenient for many people in the state. In case there still isn’t an office close enough to you, these large firms have the resources to come to you. They won’t charge you for travel expenses, which saves you some money.
New York Lawsuits
In 2017, $75 million was awarded to Marlena Robaey. She suffered from mesothelioma due to secondary exposure from her husband who worked closely with asbestos for years in his career. This is an incredibly large settlement and one of the biggest in the state.
In 2008, the family of a former electrician for the Brooklyn Navy Yard was awarded $2.25 million from a New York jury due to the electrician developing mesothelioma.
The family of another former electrician for the same company was awarded $22 million.
While these stories are representations of the highest payouts from mesothelioma lawsuits, most lawsuits in the state of New York are actually settled outside of court and most law firms often secure at least a million dollars for their clients.
Asbestos Laws and Regulations in New York
Asbestos was used widely in building materials and distributed among different industries for decades because of the mineral’s high flame resistant qualities and insulating properties.
As reports and studies about the connection between asbestos exposure and serious medical conditions such as asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer surfaced, lawmakers were forced to respond with regulations and safety standards. These regulations did not begin until the 1970s.
In New York, there are several main regulations including the NYC Asbestos Control Program which oversees New York City’s set of asbestos laws, 10 NYCRR Part 73 which sets regulations for training asbestos abatement workers including safety training, 12 NYCRR Part 56 which involves public safety regulations, and Part 364 which outlines disposal guidelines.
When it comes to risky and difficult asbestos management in older buildings and facilities, it’s best to seek council from the NYC Asbestos Control Program. They have trained professionals who are qualified to advise on asbestos management plans and can help coordinate removal if necessary.
It’s incredibly important to remove and dispose of hazardous asbestos-contaminated materials safely, to reduce the risk of spreading the hazardous dust and fibers.
Mesothelioma attorneys are there to help you secure the maximum settlement due to a company’s negligence. They will advocate for you and help you claim the settlement you and your family deserve.