New York Asbestos Lawyer

New York Asbestos Lawyers Representing Clients in New York City, Manhattan, Bronx & the Greater NY Area

Asbestos products as early as the 1920s, asbestos use in industrial and commercial goods remained widespread until individual states and the federal government began placing progressive restrictions on the substance from the 1970s through the 1980s.

Asbestos exposure often leads to aggressive forms of cancer, specifically mesothelioma and lung cancer, the symptoms of which are typically not evident for 25 to 50 years after contact with asbestos; many workers exposed to asbestos as it was being phased out of regular use may only now show symptoms of its effects or may not even be aware that they are ill. If you or a family member developed mesothelioma or lung cancer that may be linked to asbestos, a New York asbestos attorney can help you through this challenging experience and fight for the financial peace of mind you need.

With over 25 years of experience, The Williams Law FIrm has helped numerous mesothelioma victims receive the compensation they deserve. Our skilled New York asbestos attorneys, investigators, and client-focused staff are distinguished advocates for workers across numerous local industries. We also have the financial resources to go to trial if necessary. Unlike other firms that settle for less or refer cases out, we have successfully resolved countless asbestos cases throughout New York and recovered Millions* for our clients. Let us work to get you the same results.

New York Asbestos Resources

• What Is Asbestos?
• What Are the Symptoms of Asbestos Exposure?
• What Is an Asbestos Attorney?
• Types of Asbestos Exposure Lawsuits
• What Is the Asbestos Lawsuit Process?
• History of Asbestos Use in the United States
• What Are the Dangers of Asbestos Exposure?
• How Are People Exposed to Asbestos?
• New York Asbestos Litigation
• Asbestos Laws and Regulations in New York
• Asbestos Exposure in New York
• Statute of Limitations on Asbestos Lawsuits in New York
• How Much Is an Asbestos Exposure Claim Worth?
• Contact a New York Asbestos Attorney Today

What Is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that is a known human carcinogen. Once valued for its strength and fire resistance in consumer and construction materials, many countries banned asbestos for presenting an unreasonable risk of harm. The U.S. has yet to ban asbestos, however, despite its known ties to serious illnesses. When inhaled, asbestos dust and fibers can remain inside the body – causing or contributing to life-threatening illnesses.

Types of Asbestos

The two types of asbestos minerals are serpentine and amphibole. Serpentine asbestos accounts for about 95% of all asbestos currently in U.S. buildings. It is often found in insulating materials, cement, drywall, brakes, and flooring tiles. Amphibole asbestos, the least-common type, is needle-like in structure. Serpentine asbestos is the more dangerous form, as it can more easily fracture into minuscule fibers and become airborne.

What Are the Symptoms of Asbestos Exposure?

Exposure to asbestos could lead to the fibers lodging in your lungs or other parts of the body. Over time, the asbestos particles could cause serious illnesses, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer.

• Chronic, dry cough
• Trouble breathing
• Chest pain
• Unexplained weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Trouble swallowing
• Abdominal pain
• High blood pressure
• Swelling in the face or neck

The symptoms of asbestos exposure are unique in that they generally do not arise for at least 10 years – and up to 70 or 80 years – after a victim’s initial exposure. Diagnosing an asbestos-related condition often takes a physical exam and chest x-ray. At The Williams Law Firm, P.C., we help people with mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases recover compensation. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a New York mesothelioma lawyer.

How Can a New York Asbestos Lawyer Help?

A New York asbestos attorney is a trained professional who specializes in representing people with asbestos-related illnesses. Asbestos lawyers file civil claims against those responsible for exposing victims to this harmful mineral. These include companies, manufacturers, distributors, employers and property owners.

An asbestos lawyer could help you as a plaintiff in New York by filing a lawsuit on your behalf. Your lawyer can handle all the elements necessary to obtain compensation, such as identifying the defendant and listing your damages. Your lawyer will understand the related laws in your state and how to help you with each step of seeking justice. A New York asbestos lawyer can make the legal process less complicated while improving your chances of recovering compensation.

Types of New York Asbestos Exposure Lawsuits

The type of lawsuit will depend on how and where you suffered asbestos exposure. If you were performing job-related tasks at the time, you could file a personal injury lawsuit against the employer or company. If the property contained asbestos, the owner of the land may owe you compensation through a premises liability lawsuit. You might have a product liability lawsuit, however, if your illness stemmed from contact with a product containing asbestos. Finally, you could have a wrongful death lawsuit if you are filing on behalf of a deceased loved one. To learn more about the different types of asbestos lawsuits, reach out to an asbestos attorney in New York.

Asbestos Lawsuit Process and Timeline

Filing an asbestos lawsuit in New York starts with an investigation by an attorney to determine who is legally responsible. Your lawyer will collect any available evidence against the at-fault party. Then, your New York asbestos attorney will file a lawsuit with the civil courts in the correct county before your state’s deadline. Your case will then go through settlement negotiations with an insurance provider and/or a trial.

What is the Statute of Limitations for Asbestos Lawsuits in New York?

The statute of limitations, or deadline to file a claim, is three years from the date of the plaintiff’s diagnosis for an asbestos lawsuit in the State of New York. You have two years from the date of someone’s death if you are filing a wrongful death claim.

What is the “Discovery Rule” for Asbestos Cases?

The general personal injury deadline in New York gives a plaintiff three years from the date the cause of the injury accrued to file a claim. Due to the delayed nature of asbestos-related symptoms, however, the discovery rule applies to these cases. Rather than having three years from the date of exposure, plaintiffs have three years from the date of illness diagnosis to file.

History of Asbestos Use in the United States

Asbestos is the name applied to a group of fibrous minerals that became desirable to a number of industries thanks to their low cost, high strength, resistance to heat, lack of electrical conductivity and bonding abilities.

Asbestos timeline in the U.S.:

• 1920s: COMPANIES BECAME AWARE THAT ASBESTOS EXPOSURE HAD SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS
• 1940s-1960s: ASBESTOS USE PEAKED IN THE U.S., ESPECIALLY THE CONSTRUCTION, AUTOMOTIVE, SHIPPING, OIL, AND GAS INDUSTRIES
• 1970s-1980s: FEDERAL RESTRICTIONS ON ASBESTOS ARE IMPLEMENTED
• 1989: THE EPA ISSUES AN ASBESTOS BAN AND PHASE OUT RULE
• 1991: THE ASBESTOS BAN IS OVERTURNED UNDER THE PREMISE THAT IT WOULD BE “TOO DIFFICULT” TO REMOVE ASBESTOS FROM ALL BUILDINGS AND PRODUCTS THAT MAKE USE OF IT

Today, some specific asbestos-containing products are banned, and the use of asbestos in goods that have not historically contained asbestos is also barred. Many products can still legally carry trace amounts of asbestos.

What are the Dangers of Asbestos Exposure?

Asbestos becomes a health risk when its fibers are inhaled and accumulate in the lungs. Over time, asbestos particles contribute to the cell mutations that can cause two types of cancer:

• MESOTHELIOMA
• LUNG CANCER

The dangers of mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancer are compounded by the fact that their symptoms take decades to become evident and are shared by other more common medical conditions. In most cases, asbestos exposure victims are not diagnosed with mesothelioma or lung cancer until the condition is in an advanced stage, which is why having a qualified New York asbestos lawyer on your side is vital to obtaining maximum compensation for exposure.

How Are People Exposed to Asbestos?

Occupational asbestos exposure is the most common source of mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancer, but contamination can occur by other means as well. In recent years, for instance, the debris left behind by natural disasters such as Hurricane Sandy has posed an acute asbestos exposure risk.

Many people have developed mesothelioma or lung cancer following asbestos exposure in their homes. Because asbestos fibers are prone to sticking on clothing and are easily transferred to others, family members of individuals who worked directly with asbestos have also become ill due to second-hand asbestos exposure.

Read more about:

• NEW YORK AIRCRAFT WORKERS ASBESTOS EXPOSURE ATTORNEY
• AIR CONDITIONING WORKERS ASBESTOS EXPOSURE ATTORNEY
• NEW YORK DEMOLITION WORKER ASBESTOS EXPOSURE ATTORNEY

Filing an Asbestos Lawsuit in New York

New York is a common place for asbestos lawsuits due to a high rate of exposure. The courts in New York are familiar with these lawsuits. They will delay the litigation of an asbestos case until the plaintiff’s condition and injuries have progressed. They accelerate trials for terminally ill plaintiffs each year. They also group similar cases together for greater efficiency. For more information about asbestos litigation in New York, speak with a seasoned New York asbestos attorney.

New York Asbestos Laws and Regulations

New York State has enacted many laws to help protect the public from asbestos exposure. These include Industrial Code Rule 56, which controls how workers handle and dispose of materials containing asbestos. New York City also has its own Asbestos Control Program and set of laws for worker safety training and public protection.

Compensation for Asbestos Exposure Victims In New York

If asbestos exposure gave you a life-threatening illness, you could be eligible to recover financial compensation. A successful settlement or verdict could pay for losses such as medical bills, disability expenses, home care, lost wages, lost quality of life, pain and suffering, emotional distress, mental anguish, loss of consortium, travel costs, and funeral and burial costs if a loved one died. The value of your claim will depend on your unique losses.

Asbestos Trust Funds

If the party that exposed you or a loved one to asbestos is now out of business or bankrupt, you could still recover through a state or federal asbestos trust fund. Companies and organizations set aside money in trust funds to use as compensation for victims who cannot recover from at-fault parties for asbestos exposure. Asbestos trust funds currently contain about $30 billion collectively. Discuss the possibility of a lawsuit with a New York asbestos lawyer from The Williams Law Firm, P.C. today. Call (855) 575-6376 for a free consultation with an asbestos attorney.

Free Consultation With an Asbestos Lawyer in New York

If you or a family member was diagnosed with mesothelioma, or if you or a loved one developed lung cancer that may have been caused by asbestos exposure, contact The Williams Law Firm, P.C. for your free case consultation. Our team and award-winning New York asbestos attorney welcome clients from Manhattan, the Bronx, Queens, Staten Island, and nationwide. To schedule your free meeting at The Williams Law Firm, P.C., call us today at (855) 575-6376.

The Williams Law Firm, P.C.

245 Park Ave. 39th Floor, Suite 71
New York, NY 10167
Local: (855) 575-6376
Toll Free: (855) 575-6376

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Client Review: 5/5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

My experience with the Williams Law Firm has been very professional and has always kept me up to date on my pending asbestos case. Although I live in Florida and unable to travel, my attorney Patrick Moroney arranged for a 5-day deposition very close to my home. Thank you, Williams Law Firm.

– Fred Morris