New Yorkers are still constantly struggling from exposure to asbestos even years after laws have been put in place to regulate the asbestos hazardous materials and to promote its removal.

Although these laws are a step in the right direction, decades of using asbestos in the construction industry have exposed New Yorkers for years to come. New Yorkers may have been exposed years ago and only recently developed illnesses from the asbestos exposure due to latency periods, or they were exposed during construction or demolition of buildings that used asbestos in the manufacturing process.

What is asbestos litigation?

Asbestos litigation is a unique personal injury lawsuit. These lawsuits are often against companies that exposed their workers to asbestos and as a result the workers developed illnesses such as mesothelioma or lung cancer. Since these cases often involve more than one worker being exposed and becoming sick, often these lawsuits are class-action lawsuits.

What is the New York City Asbestos Litigation (NYCAL)?

The NYCAL accelerates severe cases where the people exposed to asbestos have developed mesothelioma or lung cancer. These urgent cases are often heard and completed in less than one year.

Who can be held legally responsible in an asbestos lawsuit?

Many different types of people can be held responsible. A few examples include, manufacturers or suppliers of asbestos products, contractors, property owners, and employers.

What type of evidence is needed in an asbestos lawsuit?

In order to prove the case, the plaintiff must show evidence that they were exposed to asbestos on the job and that exposure caused them to develop an asbestos-related illness. They could prove this by showing that the defendants were negligent when it came to job safety or using safe products in manufacturing.

What types of compensation can be won through asbestos litigation?

Sufferers of asbestos-related illnesses and disabilities can be awarded personal injury compensation for pain and suffering, their loss of wages and future wages, and medical bills and expenses. Spouses and children of a deceased person who died due to an asbestos-related illness may be entitled to much more compensation for wrongful death.

What should you look for in an asbestos attorney?

You should look for an attorney who not only has extensive experience with asbestos cases, but one that uses contingency fee contracts. A contingency fee contract means that the attorney receives their money as a percentage of the money recovered in the case. So if the attorney does not win the case, then they are not owed any money.