Contact an experienced New Jersey mesothelioma lawyer if you were harmed by asbestos. New Jersey asbestos law firms can help you fight for compensation. New Jersey has a history of heavy industry and numerous job sites that used asbestos and affected thousands of families.
If you or a loved one have mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may be eligible for a large amount of compensation. Fill out our form to get a free Financial Compensation Packet. You’ll learn about the experienced mesothelioma lawyers in New Jersey, how to get paid in 90 days, how to file a claim for the asbestos trust funds, and more.
Understanding Asbestos Trust Funds
Asbestos trust funds were established by courts to ensure that victims of asbestos exposure receive compensation, even when companies try to evade liability through bankruptcy. These funds hold an estimated $30 billion to support mesothelioma patients and their families.
How They Work
- No Court Required: Unlike traditional lawsuits, accessing these funds doesn’t require you to go to court.
- Multiple Claims: You can potentially file claims with multiple trust funds, maximizing your compensation without leaving home.
By integrating this comprehensive understanding of asbestos trust funds with the resources available in our Financial Compensation Packet, you are empowered to take informed steps toward securing the compensation you deserve.
FREE Financial Compensation Packet
- Info on law firms that will recover your HIGHEST COMPENSATION
- Learn how to get paid in 90 days
- File for your share of $30 billion in trust funds
We are pleased to offer assistance to asbestos victims and their families in all areas of New Jersey, including:
Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, Elizabeth, Edison, Woodbridge, Lakewood, Toms River, Hamilton Township, Clifton, Trenton, Camden, Brick, Cherry Hill, Passaic, Union City, Old Bridge, Middletown, Franklin Township, Bayonne, East Orange, Gloucester, North Bergen, Vineland, Piscataway, Union Township, New Brunswick, Jackson, Wayne, Irvington, Parsippany-Troy Hills, Hoboken, West New York, Perth, Amboy, Howell, Plainfield, Washington Township, East Brunswick, Bloomfield, West Orange, Evesham, Bridgewater, Sayreville, South Brunswick, Hackensack, Egg Harbor, Manchester, Mount Laurel, North Brunswick, Kearny, Berkeley, Linden, Monroe Township, Marlboro, Teaneck, Manalapan, Atlantic City, Winslow, Hillsborough, Montclair, Galloway, Monroe Township, Ewing, Belleville, Freehold Township, Fort Lee, Pennsauken, Lawrence Township, Fair Lawn, Willingboro, Garfield, Westfield, Deptford, Long Branch, City of Orange, Livingston, Voorhees, Upper Saddle River, Millville, Mount Olive, Nutley, Rahway, West Windsor, Pemberton Township, Neptune, Lacey, Englewood, East Windsor, Ocean Township, Bergenfield, Bernards, Stafford, Hamilton Township, Paramus, West Milford, Mahwah, Wall, Randolph, Ridgewood, Bridgeton, and more.
New Jersey Asbestos Facts
- Between 1999 and 2017, 11,367 New Jersey residents died from a disease related to asbestos exposure.
- This makes New Jersey the state with the sixth-highest number of asbestos deaths.
- Nearly 8,200 of the deaths resulted from asbestos-related lung cancer, and over 2,000 were from mesothelioma.
- Ocean County has had the most asbestos deaths in the state.
- Industries that used asbestos began appearing in New Jersey during the late 1800s. Asbestos was used to protect against fire and heat.
- The heaviest use of asbestos in the state was from the 1940s to the 1970s, when federal regulations limited most uses.
Asbestos and Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive type of cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Approximately 3,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma every year. The damage caused by asbestos develops over many years, and most people get sick decades later.
Most people with mesothelioma encountered asbestos at work. Many industries, including several that employed people in New Jersey, used asbestos for decades. Workers handled or worked near asbestos and inhaled the harmful fibers.
Mesothelioma most often develops around the lungs and causes symptoms like chest pains, shortness of breath, and coughing. Peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the abdomen and causes pain, fatigue, swelling, and gastrointestinal symptoms.
Diagnosing mesothelioma presents significant challenges due to its symptoms’ resemblance to those of more common illnesses. This overlap can easily lead to misdiagnosis or delayed identification. Moreover, symptoms may not manifest until 20-50 years after initial asbestos exposure, making early detection difficult and complicating the potential for timely treatment.
Understanding both the specific symptoms and the broader diagnostic challenges is crucial for those at risk, as it underscores the importance of seeking specialized medical advice if exposure to asbestos is suspected.
How to File a Mesothelioma Claim in New Jersey
Because asbestos exposure is almost always negligent, you can take legal action to seek compensation if you have mesothelioma. A mesothelioma attorney in New Jersey can help you take one or more of the following actions:
- File a mesothelioma personal injury lawsuit
- Make a claim with an asbestos trust fund
- File a mesothelioma wrongful death claim
- Claim VA benefits
Your lawyer can help decide which type of asbestos claim to make. You could be eligible for one or more. They will then take all the steps necessary to ensure the best outcome and that you get the compensation you deserve.
Steps for Filing a Lawsuit
- Initial Consultation: Start by contacting a mesothelioma attorney for a free case evaluation. They can determine the viability of your case and guide you on the best legal path.
- Evidence Collection: Your attorney will gather crucial evidence, such as your work history, details of asbestos exposure, and medical diagnosis. This step is vital to build a strong case.
- Filing the Claim: Once the evidence is collected, your attorney will file the legal claim on your behalf, targeting those responsible for your asbestos exposure.
- Negotiation and Settlement: The majority of mesothelioma cases are resolved through settlements. Your attorney will negotiate to secure the best possible settlement without going to trial.
- Trial Proceedings: If a settlement cannot be reached, your lawyer will represent you in court, presenting your case before a judge and jury to seek a favorable verdict.
Filing a mesothelioma claim can be a complex process, but with the right attorney by your side, you can navigate the legal system confidently.
Will an Asbestos Lawsuit Be Filed as a Class Action or Individually?
When considering an asbestos lawsuit, a crucial question is whether it will proceed as a class action or be filed individually.
Today, it’s uncommon to see mesothelioma lawsuits pursued as class actions. The reason for this is straightforward: individual lawsuits generally yield more substantial compensation for victims and their families. Class actions, while beneficial for certain types of lawsuits, often distribute a settlement among many claimants, which can reduce the amount each person receives.
By filing individually, your case receives focused attention from your legal team. This approach ensures that your specific circumstances are carefully considered, increasing the likelihood of obtaining the maximum possible compensation. This compensation is vital in covering expenses such as cancer treatment, caregiving, and other related costs.
In summary, if you are pursuing an asbestos lawsuit, it’s more advantageous to file individually rather than as part of a class action. This method not only prioritizes your unique case details but also aims to secure better financial outcomes for you and your loved ones.
Finding an Experienced Mesothelioma Lawyer in New Jersey
To take any legal steps to hold asbestos companies liable, you need an expert asbestos attorney. Look for a New Jersey lawyer with proven experience working with and winning for mesothelioma clients.
Choose a lawyer who is part of a large, national firm. A local lawyer can be a great help, but they need the backing of a big firm with extensive resources. Large asbestos firms use experts, investigators, and other resources to find evidence, prove your asbestos exposure, and build a strong case.
Working with a seasoned mesothelioma legal team offers several tangible benefits:
- Product Identification: They can help identify the asbestos-containing products you were exposed to, which is crucial for building your case.
- Holding Companies Accountable: These lawyers have the expertise to hold the responsible companies accountable for your illness, ensuring justice is served.
- Securing Compensation: Pursuing life-changing compensation is a priority, helping you cover treatment costs and secure your family’s financial future.
Importantly, over 99% of mesothelioma lawsuits result in settlements. This means that many clients may never have to step foot in court, reducing stress and allowing you to focus on what truly matters—your health and well-being.
What Are the Costs Associated with Hiring an Asbestos Attorney?
When considering legal representation for asbestos exposure, understanding the financial commitment is crucial. Many asbestos attorneys offer a client-friendly payment structure known as a contingency fee arrangement.
Key Points to Consider:
- No Upfront Costs: Most asbestos lawyers do not require any initial payment, making it accessible for clients to secure legal representation without financial barriers.
- Contingency Fee Basis: This arrangement implies that attorneys will only receive payment if they successfully secure compensation for the client. Typically, their fee is a predetermined percentage of the settlement or court award.
- Risk-Free Consultation: Prospective clients often benefit from free initial consultations, allowing them to explore their legal options and the strength of their case without any obligation.
In summary, hiring an asbestos attorney often involves no immediate expenses, ensuring that pursuing justice doesn’t come with financial strain upfront.
How Much Compensation Can I Get for a Mesothelioma Claim?
Compensation in mesothelioma claims and lawsuits varies depending on individual factors. These include your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and the degree of liability of the defendants.
On average, mesothelioma settlements range from $1 million to $1.4 million, while verdicts can be significantly higher, typically between $5 million and $11.4 million. However, these values can fluctuate based on numerous factors, such as the severity of the illness and the duration of asbestos exposure.
An experienced attorney can find every expense this illness costs you to maximize your compensation. Some examples of New Jersey asbestos lawsuits illustrate the amount of compensation available to victims who have the right lawyer:
- $90 Million for Johns Manville Workers. In 2014, families of eleven Johns Manville workers who died from mesothelioma received more than $90 million. Several companies that supplied Johns Manville with asbestos were held liable in the lawsuit.
- $2.38 Million for Factory Worker. A New Jersey jury awarded Willis Edenfield’s family over $2 million after he died from mesothelioma in 2010. He worked in a factory with asbestos supplied by Union Carbide.
- $10 Million for Boiler Worker. William Rhodes developed mesothelioma after working with boilers and handling asbestos insulation. A Middlesex County jury awarded Rhodes and his wife $10 million to be paid by Universal Engineering and other defendants.
These examples demonstrate that while average figures provide a baseline, individual case results can vary widely, underscoring the importance of skilled legal representation in achieving fair compensation.
Where Was I Exposed to Asbestos in New Jersey?
One of the most important reasons to work with an experienced mesothelioma lawyer is to find out where you encountered asbestos. New Jersey has many industries and workplaces that used asbestos and exposed workers. These are just some examples.
Johns Manville
The first asbestos-related lawsuits in the country arose in New Jersey as early as the 1920s. One major employer, asbestos producer Johns Manville, suppressed medical data connecting asbestos to serious health conditions for 50 years.
When the (Environmental Protection Agency) EPA began reporting in the 1970s that a link existed, Johns Manville claimed no such data had been published before 1964.
However, Johns Manville possessed information regarding the dangers of asbestos as early as the 1930s while continuing the production of asbestos-containing materials.
The company had a large manufacturing plant in Manville, Somerset County. The plant is now closed, but workers were exposed to asbestos while it operated.
Johns Manville declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1982 after thousands of victims filed lawsuits against it in New Jersey and other states.
Vermiculite Processing
W.R. Grace operated a vermiculite mine in Libby, Montana, that supplied processing facilities with asbestos-contaminated materials for decades. Workers were exposed to asbestos in vermiculite facilities across the country that received shipments of Libby vermiculite.
New Jersey plants received tons of shipments from the W.R. Grace mines. One of these, in Wayne, New Jersey, was eventually declared a Superfund site by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It has since been remediated.
Other New Jersey Businesses Associated with Asbestos
Along with Johns Manville, many other businesses have been associated with asbestos, including the following:
Plants
- Campbell’s Soup Plant
- General Motors Plant
- Squibb Pharmaceutical Plant
- Johnson & Johnson Plant
- American Cyanamid Chemical Plant
- OC Berlin Plant
Schools
- Central Region High School (Bayville)
- Berkeley Heights Elementary School
- St. Catherine of Siena (Caldwell)
- Cherry Hill High School
- Clifton High School
- Bergenfield High School
- New Milford High School
- Ridgewood High School (East Orange)
- Rumson Elementary School (East Orange)
- Lyndhurst High School
- Plainfield High School
- Rahway High School
- NJ Training School ( Totowa)
- Totowa Memorial School
- Edinboro State Teachers College
- Cooper Medical Center
Hospitals
- New Jersey State Hospital (Ancora)
- New Jersey State Hospital (Avenel)
- All Souls Hospital
- John F. Kennedy Hospital
- Lakehurst Naval Hospital
- Morristown Memorial Hospital
- Nyack Hospital
- Princeton Hospital
- Somerset Hospital
- Holy Name Hospital
Additional Businesses
- Public Service Electric & Gas Co. Generating Station
- U.S. Pipe & Foundry
- Pennsylvania Reading Seashore Lines
- Exxon (Linden)
- American Standard Inc.
- Arc Mercer, Inc.
- Claridge Hotel
- Atlantic City Electric Co.
- Atlantic City Convention Hall
- Haddon Hall Hotel
- John Sykes Co.
- California Oil
- Owens Corning Fiberglass
- Allied Chemical Corp.
- Bakelite Co.
- Union Carbide Building
- Monsanto Chemical Co.
- Hercules Powder Co.
- Bell Telephone
- Cadillac Dog Food
- Camden Courthouse and Jail
- American Stores Company
- Charles S. Woods Company
- Samuel Miller Center
- Wecoline Products Company
- Mitronics Hi-Temp
- Bordentown Reformatory
- United Gas Improvement Company
- E.I. Du Pont De Nemours Powder Company
- New Jersey State Reformatory For Women
- International Nickel Company
- Forstmann and Huffman Company
- Fritzsche Brothers Inc.
- Federal Telephone & Radio Corporation
- Stewart Hartshorn Company
- Fuchs Lang Manufacturing Company
- Hungerford Electric Manufacturing Company
- Unimatic Manufacturing Company
- Fucho and Lang Manufacturing Company
- Bridgeton Condensed Milk Company
- P.S. Sewaren Generating Station
- Heyden Chemical Corporation
- Hammerschlag Manufacturing Company
- Koppers Coke
- Theobald Animal Products Refinery
Shipyards
- Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock
- New York Shipbuilding
- Naval Weapons Station Earle
- Bethlehem Steel Shipyard
- Todd Shipyard
Asbestos Laws in New Jersey
Asbestos laws vary by state and address both how lawsuits proceed and keeping residents and workers safe from ongoing exposure.
Statute of Limitations on Mesothelioma and Asbestos Lawsuits
- Although there is no set statute for asbestos lawsuits in New Jersey, plaintiffs must follow N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2a:14-1 et seq.; the personal injury law for the statute of limitations.
- This mandates that the lawsuit must be filed within two years of discovering the asbestos-related disease or within two years from when it should have been reasonably discovered.
- In the instance of a wrongful death lawsuit, the same statute applies. However, in New Jersey, the personal injury statute must not have expired before the date of the victim’s death.
Secondhand Asbestos Exposure and Take-Home Duty
Secondhand asbestos exposure occurs when a worker inadvertently brings asbestos fibers home, exposing members of the household. This typically happens when fibers stick to their clothing. Many women developed mesothelioma after laundering their husbands’ contaminated work clothing.
Through lawsuits, mesothelioma lawyers in New Jersey have argued for take-home duty. This refers to the responsibility of companies to warn workers and their families of the risks of secondhand exposure.
Thanks to the victims who sued, and their asbestos attorneys, New Jersey recognizes take-home duty in secondhand asbestos exposure cases. The precedent case involved a woman who died from mesothelioma after secondhand exposure from her husband, who worked at Exxon Mobil.
Asbestos Safety Laws in New Jersey
The New Jersey Department of Health and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Affairs are responsible for implementing asbestos laws and regulations in the state.
For asbestos in public school buildings, the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs regulates asbestos and its remediation.
- To do any sort of asbestos-related work in New Jersey, you must first obtain the proper training and certification.
- Any school in New Jersey that was built using asbestos-containing materials must maintain an approved asbestos management plan.
- Although homeowners in New Jersey can remove asbestos without approval or licensing, contacting a professional is highly recommended.
- For any type of demolition, renovation, or asbestos-abatement work, you must be licensed to work around asbestos before starting the project.
- Wastes containing more than 1% of asbestos must be encapsulated, labeled, and disposed of at an approved New Jersey waste management location.
For more specific information and in-depth details regarding asbestos rules and regulations in New Jersey, contact the New Jersey Department of Health’s Indoor Environments Program at 609-826-4950.
Mesothelioma Treatment in New Jersey
It’s important to act fast when taking legal action for mesothelioma. It is even more important to get expert medical care as soon after a diagnosis as possible.
In New Jersey and nearby New York City, mesothelioma patients have access to specialists at top cancer centers:
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey
- The Tisch Cancer Institute at Mount Sinai
- The Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center at Columbia University
- The Perlmutter Cancer Center at New York University Langone Medical Center
These world-class cancer treatment centers offer mesothelioma specialists, cutting-edge treatments, and access to clinical trials.
Great people. Helped my family through our meso diagnosis.
– Donald H.
Getting Mesothelioma Legal Help in New Jersey
Get our free Financial Compensation Packet for information on the top mesothelioma and asbestos lawyers in your area. For questions and assistance, feel free to contact us at 800-793-4540.
