Find a Mesothelioma Lawyer in Brooklyn, New York
Asbestos exposure is the direct cause of mesothelioma, meaning anyone who is diagnosed with this rare cancer was exposed to asbestos at some point in their life. Most often, harmful business practices lead to exposure to asbestos. This means that asbestos exposure victims are typically deserving of compensation from the companies involved in manufacturing or using asbestos. If you live or work in Brooklyn, New York, you should know how to locate an experienced mesothelioma lawyer for your case.
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Top Mesothelioma Lawyers and Law Firms in Brooklyn
As a borough in the most populated city in the United States, Brooklyn has many options for local mesothelioma law firms and attorneys. Some personal injury law firms or lawyers will accept asbestos claims – even if they do not have extensive knowledge on these types of cases. One website mentions 27 lawyers specializing in mesothelioma or asbestos claims.
Although local law firms may seem like the most convenient option, it is not always true. National asbestos law firms are more equipped to navigate these specific cases. A nationally recognized asbestos law firm like Bullock Campbell Bullock & Harris, PC has more knowledge and resources to successfully help victims of mesothelioma.
Importance of Finding a National Asbestos Law Firm Licensed in Brooklyn
There are a few reasons why you should seek out a national asbestos law firm to take on your mesothelioma claim. The majority of lawyers working with a national law firm are licensed to practice in the state of New York, meaning they are qualified to accept cases located in Brooklyn.
Mesothelioma and asbestos claims are complex, as they often involve multiple jurisdictions. The cases are often heard by courts in the same jurisdiction as company headquarters – often in a different state than the site of exposure. If you were exposed to asbestos in Brooklyn, your case might not just involve this borough of New York City.
Hiring a national law firm is a crucial first step in filing a mesothelioma claim. National law firms are typically licensed in several states, which increase your chances of receiving appropriate mesothelioma compensation.
Most Mesothelioma Claims Involve Multiple Locations
As previously mentioned, mesothelioma cases often involve multiple locations. Mesothelioma claims are directed at any and all companies potentially responsible for a victim’s exposure to asbestos. These types of claims usually concern multiple companies because they may have been involved in the manufacturing of asbestos in certain materials or the distribution of asbestos-containing products.
Companies at-fault for asbestos exposure might have been associated with different stages of the asbestos production process. The various stages of the process might have taken place in different states, meaning the legal proceedings required to pursue these companies can span multiple states.
The different locations might be where you would file your claim – and yes, you can file mesothelioma claims in multiple locations against multiple companies. You may also file a claim in a state based on the company’s headquarters – or in the state where you specifically were exposed to asbestos.
Finding a national mesothelioma lawyer will help determine where you need to file your claim – whether it be in Brooklyn or across three different states. A local mesothelioma lawyer would be confined to Brooklyn, New York, and surrounding boroughs.
Due to the complexity and wide range of locations in mesothelioma cases, it is best to select a national law firm or lawyer to navigate all of your potential asbestos claims. Hiring a Brooklyn lawyer will most likely restrict you to just Brooklyn – and require you to hire lawyers in each state included in your claim. A national law firm offers the convenience and efficiency of having one attorney for all of your claims.
More Experience With Asbestos Legal Claims
Another reason to seek out a national mesothelioma law firm is they most likely have more experience with asbestos claims than local law firms.
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer with only 2,500 diagnoses annually. Due to the uncommonness of mesothelioma, only a few people are diagnosed in Brooklyn, New York each year – meaning only one or two victims may contact a local lawyer for guidance.
As a local lawyer receiving a couple of asbestos claims a year, it is impossible to compare their experience to a national asbestos attorney receiving mesothelioma cases regularly. National lawyers are contacted about mesothelioma and asbestos claims frequently, so they are constantly expanding their knowledge while working through the details of each case. They have endless opportunities to learn about all the potential and confirmed asbestos exposure sites in Brooklyn and throughout the United States.
National mesothelioma lawyers are experts in the legal process for asbestos claims. They have mastered the strategies used to determine a victim’s complete asbestos exposure history, which is required to file a claim against every corporation at-fault and seek the maximum payment amount for the victim and their loved ones.
Bullock Campbell Bullock & Harris, PC is a prime example of a top-tier national asbestos law firm. BCBH Law has a complete database of confirmed asbestos exposure sites all over the United States. By examining a mesothelioma victim’s history of employment, BCBH attorneys can identify the different exposure sites.
When searching for a lawyer to represent you in your mesothelioma or asbestos claim, a national mesothelioma law firm is the most advantageous option. National law firms have access to more cases, resources and often have more experience than lawyers confined to their local area.
Travel and Payment Not a Concern for the Victim
Contrary to popular belief, there are no fees or unnecessary travel associated with hiring a national law firm to represent you in your asbestos claim.
National law firms, like BCBH Law, work on a contingency basis, meaning you, the victim, do not pay any costs or fees to gain legal representation. Your lawyer will be paid if you win your case. Mesothelioma compensation is divided amongst the victim, their family and their legal team. If the court rules in your favor, your lawyer will receive a percentage of the compensation, and you will not have to pay a dime to receive the very best legal help.
Just as payment is not required, neither is travel. National mesothelioma lawyers have an abundance of knowledge on mesothelioma cases, including exposure sites, locations of company headquarters, laws and statues in each state and more. Your national mesothelioma lawyer will handle every detail of your case, from taking your case to trial to traveling to your meetings in Brooklyn and everything in between.
The perks of hiring a national mesothelioma law firm are no upfront fees and no unnecessary travel. You will never be expected to pay an unreasonable amount or fly across the country to sign paperwork. As a mesothelioma patient, your priorities are resting, receiving treatment, and enjoying time with loved ones. Focusing on your mesothelioma lawsuit takes precious time away from those priorities. National asbestos lawyers understand the severity of mesothelioma and the burden it can be on the victim and their family, which is why they are respectful of your time and efforts.
Top Asbestos Lawsuit Verdicts in Brooklyn, New York
There have not been any notable asbestos verdicts in Brooklyn, New York in recent years, but a neighboring New York borough’s civil court has awarded hundreds of millions of dollars to asbestos exposure victims.
In 2013, five men, formerly working as steamfitters, plumbers and construction workers, filed an asbestos claim against two separate boiler companies – Burnham Commercial and Cleaver-Brooks. They claimed the companies were responsible for their occupational asbestos exposure, which later developed into cancer. A Manhattan Supreme Court jury declared the national companies acted with reckless regard for human life and ordered them to pay $190 million in damages to the victims and their families. At the time, this was the largest asbestos verdict in the city.
Years later, in 2018, a man, who worked on demolition projects of single-family homes in Brooklyn during the 1970s and 80s, sued three companies – A.O. Smith Corp., Burnham Commercial and Peerless – claiming they were responsible for his pleural mesothelioma. The demolition work included ripping out boilers coated with highly toxic asbestos fibers manufactured by the three companies. A Manhattan jury delivered the $60 million verdict after nine weeks of courtroom litigation.
The following year, in 2019, a former Brooklyn woman sued Johnson & Johnson alleging the use of their Baby Powder product led her to develop mesothelioma. The victim was not well enough to attend the trial, but her husband testified, stating she lathered on the famous Baby Powder daily for decades.
She stopped using Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder when the couple saw a TV commercial about the potential links between talc and cancer in 2015. Eliminating the Baby Powder from her routine did not deter her cancer, as she was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2016. After filing the lawsuit in 2017, a Manhattan jury delivered the $325 million verdict in May of 2019 – awarding $25 million in compensatory damages and $300 million in punitive damages.
How to File a Mesothelioma Claim in Brooklyn, New York
The first step to filing a mesothelioma claim in Brooklyn, New York is finding a qualified lawyer to handle the case. Finding such an attorney removes much of the burden from the victim. They’ll handle the paperwork, communicate with the lawyers for the defendant companies, and move your claim through the process.
The next step of a mesothelioma claim in Brooklyn, New York is filing the case at the local courthouse. New York City Civil Court is located in the heart of Brooklyn.
The complete steps for mesothelioma claims are:
- Find a mesothelioma lawyer
- Meet with your legal team
- Go through your history of exposure to asbestos
- File your mesothelioma claim
- Go through a full review of your work history, exposures, and evidence of malpractice from at-fault companies
- Provide a deposition
- Discuss a potential mesothelioma settlement
- Take the case to trial, hopefully for a favorable verdict
Many cases don’t make it to trial. Mesothelioma settlements are common as the defending companies don’t want to pay exorbitant verdict amounts. They prefer to settle, and the victims can get payment much quicker this way.
Asbestos Exposure in Brooklyn, New York
Exposure to asbestos was a frequent occurrence in Brooklyn during the 20th century. Many industries incorporated the cancer-causing mineral into many products and materials, leading to countless people being exposed. Asbestos exposure is the only known cause of mesothelioma, the rare form of cancer that could take 50 years to develop.
Some of the confirmed sites of asbestos exposure in Brooklyn, New York are:
- 106th Infantry Armory
- 33rd St. Boiler House
- All Service Laundry
- American Machine and Foundry Company
- American Manufacturing Company
- American Molasses Company of New York
- American Railway Express Company
- American Tobacco Company
- Brillo Manufacturing Company
- Bristol-Myers Company
- Bust Terminal Company
- Columbia Chemical Works
- Devoe And Reynolds Company, Incorporated
- Eclipse Box and Lumber Company
- Flatbush Hygienic Ice Company
- George W. Baker Shoe Company
- Gutta Percha and Rubber Manufacturing Company
- International Steam Laundry Company (laundry plant)
- Kentile, Incorporated
- Maimonides Medical Center
- Metropolitan Works
- New York Naval Shipyard
- Paul Weidman Brewing Company
- Rutherford and Barnes
- S. Liebmann’s Sons Brewing Company
- Schaefer Brewery
- Thomson Meter Company
- Title Guarantee and Trust Company
- U.S. Naval Shipyard
- United States Post Office Building
- USS Bon Homme Richard (Brooklyn Navy Yard)
- Valentine and Company
- Viking Iron Works, Incorporated
- William Randall and Sons
- YMCA
A complete list of asbestos exposure sites in Brooklyn, New York can be found on our asbestos exposure sites database here.
At-Risk Occupations for Brooklyn Workforce
Asbestos was a key component of the industrial progress America achieved throughout the 20th century. The hazardous mineral was used in various elements of construction, automobiles and much more. The companies and industries using the asbestos materials knew of the risks but did not properly protect their workforce. Most reports of asbestos exposure originate from asbestos-heavy job sites.
Since the YMCA, Brooklyn Navy Yard, local Navy shipyard, local post office, lumber company, and laundry facility all included asbestos at some point, anyone who worked at these locations or spent time there as a customer might’ve been exposed. These are just a few examples of people at risk in Brooklyn, New York.
Other high-risk occupations for the Brooklyn workforce include:
- Construction work
- Insulation work
- Railroad workers
- Electrical workers
- Plumbers
- Pipefitters
- Electrical plant workers
- Gas plant workers
- Power plant workers
Brooklyn Asbestos Laws and Regulations
As recently as the beginning of 2024, companies were importing asbestos into the United States. Chrysotile asbestos was the only of the six types of asbestos still being used in select industries, namely in chlor-alkali plants for the making of diaphragms for chlorine production.
However, the Environmental Protection Agency in March 2024 banned the use of chrysotile asbestos, marking a significant moment in the country’s ongoing war with asbestos exposure. The ban prevents anyone from importing, manufacturing, selling, distributing, or using chrysotile asbestos. The ban allows chlor-alkali plants still using chrysotile asbestos a few years to transition to an alternative for chlorine production.
All other industries – including construction and automotive assembly – have found substitutes for asbestos. The mineral was valued for its durability and resistance to heat, which protected wires, insulation and other building components from damage.
There are no specific asbestos laws or regulations in Brooklyn, New York. The state of New York only lists one regulation for asbestos: all work disturbing asbestos must be performed by trained and certified professionals. Asbestos professionals must abide by the official guidelines for asbestos containment and abatement.
The full New York State Asbestos Regulation is accessible on the State Department of Health website.
Governing Bodies Overseeing Asbestos in Brooklyn, New York
New York’s State Department of Health is the main governing body overseeing asbestos in Brooklyn and the other New York City boroughs. The national regulatory body for asbestos is the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Other governing bodies overseeing asbestos in Brooklyn, New York are:
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration – Protects workers from asbestos exposure by defining limits on how much asbestos can be in a workplace’s air
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation – Regulates the transportation and disposal of debris to a solid waste landfill after an asbestos abatement and removal project
- New York City Department of Environmental Protection – Governs asbestos handling, including abatement and removal, in the city of New York
- New York State Department of Labor – Licenses and certifies companies and workers to do asbestos work, and keeps a record of all asbestos projects in Brooklyn, New York
According to the Department of Health, the following occupations are certified to handle asbestos:
- Asbestos handler
- Restricted asbestos handler
- Air sampling technician
- Inspector
- Management planner
- Operations and maintenance
- Supervisor/contractor
- Project monitor
- Project designer
Statute of Limitations for Asbestos Claims in Brooklyn, New York
Statute of limitations is a law limiting the amount of time a victim has to file a claim. In New York, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is three (3) years. The statute of limitations for wrongful death claims is two (2) years.
Typically, the time window begins immediately after someone is wronged. Mesothelioma and asbestos cases are an exception as the cancer does not develop until decades after exposure. With mesothelioma and asbestos claims, the statute of limitations begins once the victim is diagnosed with mesothelioma, or after the victim dies and the family can file a wrongful death lawsuit.
Delaying any type of legal action risks the window for the statute of limitations closing. The best way to ensure the process runs smoothly is to find a national mesothelioma lawyer to take on the case. Your attorney will initiate the process as soon as possible to ensure you receive compensation.
A local lawyer might not know the specific statute of limitations or how it is different for mesothelioma cases than other personal injury claims. Find a lawyer with experience working with asbestos exposure victims; even better, prioritize a law firm dedicated to mesothelioma cases.
The national law firm of Bullock Campbell Bullock & Harris is available to discuss your diagnosis and exposure history. The attorneys at this top mesothelioma law firm are licensed to help people living in Brooklyn, New York.
Contact the mesothelioma attorneys at BCBH Law for legal guidance in your Brooklyn asbestos claim.
New York Mesothelioma Laws & Law Firms by City
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