New Jersey Mesothelioma Attorney
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that poses serious health risks to victims who are exposed. Asbestos fibers can get lodged in the body and cause cancer. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness, contact a New Jersey mesothelioma attorney right away. The lawyers at the Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Hasson, P.C. can help you and your family understand your legal rights and pursue justice and fair financial compensation for your losses during this difficult time.
Where Can Asbestos Be Found? Well-Known Contamination Sites
Before its carcinogenic properties were discovered, asbestos was a popular material used in many different capacities throughout the United States, especially for building and construction. Asbestos can still be found today in many older homes and businesses. It may also be present in certain products accidentally, such as talcum powder and vehicle brake pads.
It is especially common for workers to be exposed to asbestos on the job in certain industries, such as construction, manufacturing, industrial, plastics, oil and gas, and shipbuilding. Currently, some of the most well-known contamination sites in New Jersey are:
- Celanese Plastics, Belvidere
- Cosden Chemical Coatings
- DuPont Chemical
- Hess Oil and Chemical
- Heyden Chemical Corporation
- Johns-Manville Products Corporation
- National Gypsum Company
- Naval Weapons Station Earle
- New Jersey Power and Light Company, Dover
- Rutgers University, Newark
- Tennaco Chemical Company, Belleville
- Todd Shipyard, Hoboken
- Toms River Chemical Corporation
- Unarco
- Union Plastics Corporation, Hillside
Asbestos exposure is a higher risk during renovation or demolition projects, where workers are knocking down old walls that may or may not contain asbestos. There is no safe amount of asbestos exposure. Even a small amount can lodge within the lining of the organs, such as the lungs and abdomen, and eventually cause cancer and other serious health problems. If you believe you were exposed to asbestos at work, contact our New Jersey mesothelioma lawyer to determine if you have a valid claim.
What Is the Connection Between Asbestos and Mesothelioma?
Cancer caused by asbestos is called mesothelioma. Mesothelioma forms after years of tiny asbestos particles irritating tissues within the body, eventually creating scar tissue and tumors that can be malignant. The symptoms of mesothelioma typically do not appear for 10 to 70 years after the victim’s initial exposure to asbestos. Symptoms can include chronic cough, chest pain or tightness, trouble breathing, and fatigue.
Although there is currently no known cure for mesothelioma, victims may be able to manage pain and extend their life expectancies with medical care. Most doctors recommend a multimodal treatment approach: a combination of surgery to remove most of the cancer and radiation or chemotherapy to eliminate any remaining cancer cells. Aside from mesothelioma, asbestos can also cause asbestosis, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, pleural effusion, pleural plaques and other health problems.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Damages?
It is possible to hold one or more parties liable for asbestos exposure and mesothelioma in New Jersey. If a person or entity reasonably should have identified the risk of asbestos exposure and taken steps to protect others, such as employees at a workplace, that party could be liable for failing to do so. If an employer negligently did not provide personal protective equipment in places where asbestos exposure was a foreseeable risk, for example, the employer could be liable if an employee develops mesothelioma.
Employers and corporations are common defendants in mesothelioma claims in New Jersey. Other parties that may be financially responsible for your illness are product manufacturers and distributors, contractors, property owners, and the government. Holding someone liable for asbestos exposure can result in financial compensation for your present and future losses, including medical expenses, lost wages, lost quality of life, funeral and burial costs, and pain and suffering.
Help is available if you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. Discuss your mesothelioma or asbestos claim with an experienced and compassionate attorney in New Jersey at the Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Hasson, P.C. Contact us online or by calling (201) 928-0300 to schedule a free consultation today.