01. Law Firms
Top Mesothelioma Law Firms in New York
Mesothelioma law firms have helped asbestos victims file thousands of mesothelioma lawsuits in New York. For years, some New York jurisdictions have ranked as top venues for asbestos cases. Specifically, New York City is one of the busiest places for asbestos filings. Experienced mesothelioma firms can help eligible victims file here.
Attorneys at these firms work on behalf of their clients throughout the entire lawsuit process. They often travel to meet with their clients, discussing cases in person and answering any questions.
Top mesothelioma law firms that have successfully represented many victims in New York include:
Why Should You Work With a New York Mesothelioma Lawyer?
Mesothelioma lawyers in New York can help patients and family members understand their legal options. These attorneys can help gather information and build strong cases. Their lawyers have access to resources and knowledge that can help win lawsuits. These law firms often have years of experience handling asbestos cases.
Their assistance can help ease the burden on mesothelioma patients. This allows patients to focus on things like treatment and spending quality time with loved ones.
Resources for Mesothelioma Patients
02. Filing Lawsuits
Filing Mesothelioma Lawsuits in New York
New York is one of the most active states in the country for asbestos cases. In 2022, New York City held its ranking as third in the country for the most asbestos-related cases. Reports have cited New York City as a top asbestos jurisdiction that may be favorable to victims.
In 2022, New York City alone had nearly 24% more mesothelioma filings than in 2021. Of the 283 asbestos cases filed that year, 146 cases were mesothelioma-related. This made New York City the second-highest place to file mesothelioma lawsuits in 2022.
The state also has high rates of mesothelioma diagnosis and mortality. From 1999 to 2019, 4,191 New York residents received mesothelioma diagnoses. From 1999 to 2020, there were 2,891 mesothelioma deaths in New York.
New Yorkers exposed to asbestos who develop a related illness can talk with experienced lawyers. They may be eligible for different types of litigation, like asbestos trust fund claims. Other people may also be eligible to file here, including some living out of state.
Who Is Eligible to File a Mesothelioma Lawsuit in New York?
People with asbestos-related illnesses, like mesothelioma, may be eligible for compensation in New York. This includes both residents and people living in other states. Military veterans who were stationed in New York may be eligible, too. Patients’ loved ones may also be able to file lawsuits.
Asbestos Exposure in New York
People may have experienced asbestos exposure throughout New York State. Many asbestos companies used the mineral at jobsites in various ways. This led to occupational exposure for many workers.
For instance, the Brooklyn Navy Yard was a prominent jobsite where asbestos exposure occurred. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was an active shipbuilding site until the 1960s. During peak production, it employed more than 70,000 workers.
These years were also peak years for asbestos use. Workers at this shipyard handled many asbestos-containing shipbuilding materials, like insulation and gaskets. Veterans and shipyard workers who were exposed may develop mesothelioma.
Another example of asbestos exposure in New York comes from the World Trade Center. The Twin Towers contained tons of asbestos. Toxins, including asbestos fibers, were released into the air during the 9/11 attacks.
The dust cloud from the buildings’ collapse settled miles away from Ground Zero. Thousands of people may have been exposed to asbestos.
Residents of New York who lived in the following cities and towns have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against the companies responsible for their asbestos exposure:
- Afton, NY
- Albertson, NY
- Altona, NY
- Apalachin, NY
- Astoria, NY
- Auburn, NY
- Baldwin, NY
- Ballston Lake, NY
- Ballston Spa, NY
- Bardonia, NY
- Bay Shore, NY
- Bellmore, NY
- Binghamton, NY
- Bronx, NY
- Brooklyn, NY
- Buffalo, NY
- Campbell, NY
- Canandaigua, NY
- Cedarhurst, NY
- Centereach, NY
- Centerport, NY
- Cheektowaga, NY
- Cicero, NY
- Clifton Park, NY
- Commack, NY
- Corning, NY
- Cortlandt Manor, NY
- Croton-on-Hudson, NY
- Delanson, NY
- Dobbs Ferry, NY
- Dunkirk, NY
- East Elmhurst, NY
- East Northport, NY
- Elmira, NY
- Farmingdale, NY
- Floral Park, NY
- Flushing, NY
- Forest Hills, NY
- Glens Falls, NY
- Goshen, NY
- Greene, NY
- Greenville, NY
- Hagaman, NY
- Hamburg, NY
- Harriman, NY
- Hartsdale, NY
- Hilton, NY
- Holland Patent, NY
- Hudson, NY
- Huntington, NY
- Island Park, NY
- Jericho, NY
- Johnstown, NY
- Kings Park, NY
- Lake Pleasant, NY
- Le Roy, NY
- Little Falls, NY
- Liverpool, NY
- Lockport, NY
- Long Island, NY
- Lyons Falls, NY
- Macedon, NY
- Manhattan, NY
- Marcy, NY
- Maspeth, NY
- Melville, NY
- Modena, NY
- Monsey, NY
- Moravia, NY
- Mount Vernon, NY
- Napanoch, NY
- Natural Bridge, NY
- New Berlin, NY
- New Rochelle, NY
- New York, NY
- Niagara Falls, NY
- North Babylon, NY
- North Tonawanda, NY
- Ocean Beach, NY
- Oceanside, NY
- Ogdensburg, NY
- Olean, NY
- Olivebridge, NY
- Oneida, NY
- Orchard Park, NY
- Oswego, NY
- Owego, NY
- Peekskill, NY
- Poughkeepsie, NY
- Queens, NY
- Queensbury, NY
- Remsen, NY
- Ridge, NY
- Rochester, NY
- Rotterdam Junction, NY
- Sackets Harbor, NY
- Saint Johnsville, NY
- Salem, NY
- Schenectady, NY
- Sherburne, NY
- Shokan, NY
- Shrub Oak, NY
- Sidney, NY
- South Glens Falls, NY
- Springfield Gardens, NY
- Staten Island, NY
- Stephentown, NY
- Suffern, NY
- Syracuse, NY
- Treadwell, NY
- Utica, NY
- Victor, NY
- Wading River, NY
- Wallkill, NY
- Wantagh, NY
- Waterford, NY
- Watertown, NY
- Webster, NY
- Weedsport, NY
- West Babylon, NY
- West Sand Lake, NY
- Westbury, NY
- White Plains, NY
- Whitestone, NY
- Woodside, NY
- Yaphank, NY
- Yonkers, NY
Deadlines for Filing a Mesothelioma Lawsuit in New York
Various laws may affect asbestos lawsuit processes. For mesothelioma cases, clients may file personal injury or wrongful death lawsuits, which are subject to filing windows. These windows are set by laws called statutes of limitations.
Mesothelioma lawyers can explain these and any other considerations to clients. They can also help gather documentation about exposures and related illnesses. In some cases, they may also recommend filing other mesothelioma claims.
For instance, victims may be able to file against some companies’ asbestos trust funds. Alternate filing options have some different criteria than lawsuits. Clients and their attorneys can discuss all potential options before making any filing decisions.
Filing VA Claims in New York
Exposure is common among veterans because of the military’s frequent asbestos use. New York ranks in the top 10 states for largest veteran populations, with nearly 600,000 living in the state as of 2022. Many veterans have developed or are at risk for mesothelioma.
Veterans may qualify to file lawsuits against manufacturers of asbestos materials. Many of these materials and products were regularly used during military service. Beyond lawsuits, veterans with mesothelioma and their loved ones may have other legal rights.
For instance, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers benefits for veterans with asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma. New York asbestos lawyers can help veterans access any benefits they are owed.
03. Settlements and Verdicts
Mesothelioma Settlements in New York
New York mesothelioma clients have received compensation through asbestos verdicts and settlements. Mesothelioma compensation can help cover treatment costs and other expenses.
Compensation from settlements is received when parties settle a lawsuit outside of court. The average mesothelioma settlement ranges from $1 million to $1.4 million. But many mesothelioma settlements in New York have exceeded the average.
For example, a New York resident received a nearly $11.5 million mesothelioma settlement. She worked as a hairdresser, among other jobs. Various military workers also settled mesothelioma lawsuits in New York for an above-average payout.
Below is a sampling of New York settlements achieved on behalf of those exposed to asbestos:
- $12.5 million for a 74-year-old asbestos abatement worker and painter
- $7.1 million for a 66-year-old operating engineer
- $6.8 million for a 53-year-old Navy worker and machinist
- $6.1 million for a 67-year-old Navy worker and plumber
- $4.7 million for an 84-year-old insulator and construction worker
- $4.7 million for a 71-year-old Navy worker and insulator
- $4.3 million for a 73-year-old Air Force veteran, boilermaker and plumber
- $3.3 million for a 63-year-old tile setter and police officer
- $3.1 million for a 77-year-old Army veteran and nuclear power engineer
Mesothelioma Verdicts in New York
Juries or judges may award verdicts when cases are brought to trial. The average mesothelioma verdict is $2.4 million. But like settlements, New York mesothelioma verdicts have often been higher than the average amount.
- In 2017, a New York City jury awarded a peritoneal mesothelioma patient $75 million. The patient had experienced secondary asbestos exposure from her husband. He worked with asbestos products, and she laundered his work clothes. As a hobby, she also worked on vehicles with her husband. Her exposure may have occurred from gaskets and other asbestos auto parts. The verdict was reduced, but it was initially a record-setting amount in New York.
- In 2018, a Navy veteran was awarded $40 million. As a boilermaker, he handled asbestos gaskets manufactured by Goodyear. He later developed mesothelioma. The New York jury held Goodyear liable for the patient’s illness.
- In 2022, the family of a mesothelioma patient received a verdict of $15 million. The New York case was against multiple defendants, including Kaiser Gypsum Company Inc. The patient once worked as a construction worker. He frequently handled asbestos-contaminated joint compound. In 2019, he was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma.
Anyone who has developed mesothelioma may be eligible for compensation. Patients and their families can talk to a mesothelioma attorney about filing options in New York.
Note: Each lawsuit is different, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome in the future. Contact a reputable New York mesothelioma lawyer to understand how much compensation you may be eligible to receive.
04. Asbestos Laws
New York Asbestos Laws & Regulations
New York follows federal laws for asbestos use and abatement. The state also has its own specific asbestos laws and regulations. Some of these laws apply to asbestos management and others to asbestos litigation.
For asbestos management, various departments handle different types of regulations. These departments include:
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, which defines asbestos waste and regulates asbestos waste transportation.
- New York State Department of Health, which regulates the training of abatement workers and safety training providers.
- New York State Department of Labor, which regulates hazards to public safety and health during the removal of asbestos materials.
New York has also established laws related to asbestos litigation. Some of these laws have helped make the state a popular jurisdiction to file in.
New York Laws Affecting Asbestos Litigation
New York state and some of its cities have laws and procedures that impact asbestos-related lawsuits. The purpose of these laws is to help New York courts manage the high number of cases it handles and to have judges experienced in asbestos litigation oversee cases.
- Case Management Orders (CMOs): Various New York courts follow CMOs. These CMOs establish scheduling and other procedures to expedite the filing process. A CMO may also allow courts to group similar cases to process them faster.
- Comprehensive Insurance Disclosure Act (CIDA): Under this law, defendants (companies) must disclose any insurance agreements to plaintiffs (victims). This may make it hard for companies to claim lack of coverage to meet compensation requirements. CIDA may help plaintiffs during settlement negotiations.
- Deferred dockets: Several courts in New York have created inactive dockets for asbestos exposure victims with conditions that cause negligible impairments. The dockets preserve victims’ claims for if and when a more serious condition develops.
- New York City Asbestos Litigation (NYCAL) court: New York City created this court to exclusively handle asbestos claims in the city. NYCAL has various procedures in place to streamline cases and provide judicial expertise.
New York has many laws in place that may impact how asbestos cases are handled. It’s helpful for victims to work with attorneys who understand these nuances. Mesothelioma lawyers can explain any New York laws in the state that may impact the lawsuit. They can also recommend specific filing jurisdictions and options.
Asbestos Litigation Trends in New York
Over the years, New York has gained a reputation for being pro-plaintiff in many asbestos cases. Statistics show that more people are choosing to file mesothelioma lawsuits in New York. This may be related to favorable laws and past lawsuit outcomes.
New York asbestos exposure victims may feel encouraged by the state’s lawsuit trends. Still, navigating asbestos laws can be difficult. Working with mesothelioma lawyers can make the process easier from start to finish.
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