Philadelphia, PA 19103
- $50 Million Recovered
- Serves Clients Nationwide
- Rated in the Top 10 Asbestos and Mesothelioma Trial Lawyers
Philadelphia Mesothelioma Lawyer
Table Of Contents
Philadelphia mesothelioma lawyers focus on asbestos litigation and have expertise in asbestos laws in Pennsylvania. The most skilled mesothelioma lawyers in Philadelphia are part of the top nationwide law firms, equipped with the knowledge and resources needed to manage claims in Pennsylvania.
Written by Joe Lahav, Esq. | Edited by Walter Pacheco | Last Update:
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Why Hire a Philadelphia Mesothelioma Lawyer?
Philadelphia families facing a mesothelioma diagnosis can work with experienced local attorneys who understand Pennsylvania’s legal landscape and industrial history. These attorneys are familiar with the state’s extensive asbestos exposure sources, including the region’s steel mills, Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, construction sites and manufacturing facilities that operated throughout the 20th century.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Local Philadelphia mesothelioma lawyers offer personalized attention and can meet in person with clients throughout the legal process, which many families find valuable during this difficult time. They understand Pennsylvania state courts, have established relationships with local medical experts and can efficiently gather evidence from regional sources.
Nationwide Asbestos Law Firms Serving Philadelphia
Philadelphians can also choose from established national mesothelioma law firms, such as Weitz & Luxenberg and Simmons Hanley Conroy, that have successfully handled cases throughout Pennsylvania for decades. These firms understand the state’s unique legal environment, including the 2-year statute of limitations and specific court procedures that can impact case outcomes.
- $26 Billion Recovered Overall Verdicts & Settlements
- $13 Billion Recovered for Asbestos Victims
- Rated #1 by U.S. News & World Report for 2022
- $10.3 Billion Recovered
- Serves Clients Nationwide
- Rated a Tier 1 Law Firm in 2022 by U.S. News & World Report
The advantage of working with national firms lies in their ability to commit substantial resources to each case, including dedicated investigative teams and access to top medical experts who specialize in asbestos-related diseases. These firms have the financial backing to pursue cases against the largest corporations and can handle multiple aspects of compensation simultaneously, such as filing lawsuits while also pursuing trust fund claims and other benefits.
$30B+ IN TRUST FUNDS AVAILABLE
Find the Right Attorney for You
When filing a mesothelioma claim, the right legal representation is everything. We’ll connect you to a top lawyer who will help you secure financial compensation.
Find an AttorneyAsbestos Exposure in Philadelphia
Exposure to asbestos in Pennsylvania has primarily occurred in industrial settings such as manufacturing plants and shipyards.
Locations of Pennsylvania Asbestos Exposure
- Asbestos plants: Ambler, a suburb outside of Philadelphia, was home to an asbestos product manufacturing plant. Many workers, their families and residents got sick from exposure connected to the asbestos in Ambler, PA.
- Chemical plants: Facilities like Allied Chemical Plant and Koppers Chemical Plant used asbestos fireproofing materials, which put workers at risk.
- Metal works: Metal-producing plants, such as Alcoa Aluminum, Bethlehem Steel and LTV Steel, used asbestos in protective clothing and other products because of the high temperatures.
- Power plants: Power generation plants, such as New Castle Power Generating Station, Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant and Beaver Valley Nuclear Power Plant, used asbestos in electrical panels, arc chutes, firebricks and other equipment and structures.
- Shipyards: The U.S. Navy once required the use of asbestos on ships, and Philadelphia-area shipyards, such as the Navy Yard and Penn Shipyard, installed asbestos on ships.
Asbestos exposure in these facilities put workers and their families at risk of direct and secondary asbestos exposure.
Expert Take
Carl Money: Common Mesothelioma Cases in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania and, Western Pennsylvania, we have an office in Pittsburgh and that’s like the capital of the steel mill industry. And so for many, many years, I represented steel mill workers, in Ohio and some in Pennsylvania. And all those cases are very similar. Every asbestos containing product known to man is in a steel mill, and so you’re going to have, with regard to Pennsylvania, you’re going to have a lot of steel mill cases, big industry cases.
Those are the cases that you generally have there if you’re talking of Philly on the East Coast, then you’re gonna have shipyard cases and big industry there, industrial facilities. I’ve handled, I mean, all kinds of different cases. I’ve power plants, all kinds of different things throughout the state.
Those are the cases that you generally have there if you’re talking of Philly on the East Coast, then you’re gonna have shipyard cases and big industry there, industrial facilities. I’ve handled, I mean, all kinds of different cases. I’ve power plants, all kinds of different things throughout the state.
Occupations & Industries Known for Asbestos Exposure in Philadelphia
Philadelphia jobs and industries known for exposing workers to harmful materials include chemical plants, power plants, shipyards, landfills and mining sites. These job sites often involved high-temperature environments or materials that easily caught fire.
Asbestos is naturally resistant to heat and chemical corrosion. It was also cheap, which is why companies used it to prevent fires. Occupational exposure is the most common way people encounter dangerous amounts of asbestos.
Philadelphia Occupations Associated with Asbestos Exposure
- Asbestos mining
- Construction jobs
- Chemical plant worker
- Insulation worker
- Landfill worker
- Manufacturing jobs
- Metal worker
- Power plant worker
- Shipyard worker
Unfortunately, Philadelphia workers in these jobs have developed mesothelioma from exposure to asbestos fibers. Asbestos lawsuits in U.S. courts can hold the companies that made asbestos products responsible when those products injured workers or their loved ones.
If you or a loved one have been exposed to asbestos, a mesothelioma lawyer can help you take legal action and recommend the right type of claim to file. This might include a mesothelioma lawsuit or filing claims with asbestos trust funds. In some cases, both types of claims may apply. A lawyer can guide you through your legal options and help you get the compensation you deserve.
Secondary Asbestos Exposure
Secondary exposure to asbestos happens when workers accidentally carry the mineral’s fibers home. The fibers travel on clothes, shoes, hair, skin and tools. A parent giving their child a hug or a spouse doing their loved one’s work laundry can lead to exposure. When this happens over time, it can put people at risk of getting sick.
Getting exposed to asbestos in this way can cause the same serious health problems as working with asbestos directly. The tiny asbestos fibers get stuck in the lungs and their lining, which can lead to diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma.
Though it can still happen, secondary asbestos exposure was a bigger worry in the past. This was especially true before the introduction of asbestos regulations in the 1970s. Many spouses and children of people who worked with asbestos developed mesothelioma because of exposure at home.
Asbestos in Philadelphia Schools
In August 2023, the School District of Philadelphia and the City of Philadelphia reached a settlement agreement over how to handle asbestos in schools. The school district had filed a lawsuit the year before over a law governing how the city manages asbestos. The agreement involves more asbestos inspections and transparency.
The district has reinspected 277 schools for asbestos since October 2021. In May 2023, state lawmakers requested $5 billion over five years to address the crisis. Discoveries of asbestos in numerous Philadelphia schools made national headlines in 2020. About a dozen schools closed between 2018 and 2020, bringing attention to the risks and costs involved in removing the asbestos.
How to Find the Right Philadelphia Mesothelioma Lawyer
To find the best mesothelioma lawyer in Philadelphia, residents can look up firms online and use free consultations to learn more about the firms. Once you’ve narrowed down your options, consider the positives and negatives of each firm to make a balanced decision.
Finding a Philadelphia Mesothelioma Attorney
- Search online: Search for nationwide law firms that have dealt with cases in Pennsylvania. Some of these top firms have law offices in Philadelphia. Check their websites to learn about their experience and success rate.
- Consultations: The top firms offer a free consultation to learn more about your diagnosis and asbestos exposure. Ask questions about their experience and get a sense of the lawyer’s expertise. Pay attention to how well they communicate during this meeting.
- State knowledge: Hire a lawyer familiar with Pennsylvania’s laws and courts who has filed claims for other Pennsylvanians. They will know the best way to file your claim.
- Expertise: Seek a lawyer who understands the complexity of asbestos cases. Choose a firm that specializes in mesothelioma claims with a strong track record of success.
- Empathetic: It’s important to find a lawyer who can understand the challenges your family is facing. You want an attorney who is patient and compassionate and can explain complex legal matters in simple terms.
If you or a loved one has received a mesothelioma diagnosis in Philadelphia, an experienced attorney can help. A Philadelphia mesothelioma lawyer at a nationwide firm can file your claim in Pennsylvania or another jurisdiction depending upon the details of your individual case.
Philadelphia Mesothelioma Law Firms
Philadelphia families facing a mesothelioma diagnosis can find multiple reputable law firms in and around Pennsylvania. It is important to consider a nationwide mesothelioma law firm because they are well-informed about the most suitable state in which to file your claim.
- $50 Million Recovered
- Serves Clients Nationwide
- Rated in the Top 10 Asbestos and Mesothelioma Trial Lawyers
- $500 Million Recovered
- Serves Clients Nationwide
- Rated a “Hall of Fame” law firm by The Legal 500
- $26 Billion Recovered Overall Verdicts & Settlements
- $13 Billion Recovered for Asbestos Victims
- Rated #1 by U.S. News & World Report for 2022
- $10.3 Billion Recovered
- Serves Clients Nationwide
- Rated a Tier 1 Law Firm in 2022 by U.S. News & World Report
- $7 Billion Recovered
- Serves Clients Nationwide
- Rated a National Tier 1 Firm by U.S. News & World Report in 2022
National firms have the resources to travel to you, which is important for patients who don’t feel up to traveling. These firms also offer virtual meetings for patients undergoing cancer treatment that compromises the immune system.
One of the top nationwide mesothelioma law firms, Meirowitz & Wasserberg, has an office in Philadelphia. Located in the Logan Square neighborhood, their office sits in the heart of downtown Philadelphia.
The firm has recovered more than $200 million for their clients, and their lawyers have received multiple honors. For example, The National Trial Lawyers named Daniel Wasserberg a Top 100 Civil Litigator and a top 10 asbestos lawyer.
Nationwide firms have the expertise and resources necessary to sue major corporations that exposed people to asbestos. They have seasoned lawyers licensed to practice in the right state for your claim. They also have asbestos investigators and mesothelioma experts who work hard to win your case.
What Is It Like Working With a Philadelphia Mesothelioma Lawyer?
Working with a Philadelphia mesothelioma lawyer involves meeting in person and over the phone to discuss your case. Your lawyer will ask for information to help your claim, give updates on your case and advise when to settle or go to trial.
Mesothelioma lawyers understand you are coping with cancer treatment. They make the legal process smooth for your family by taking care of every legal aspect. This includes collecting evidence, filing court documents and negotiating with defendants on a settlement.
Asbestos Litigation Steps
- Talk to an asbestos attorney: Find a good mesothelioma lawyer in Philadelphia or one who has handled cases in Pennsylvania. They can explain your legal rights and options to file a claim.
- Eligibility assessment: The lawyer will assess your case to determine if you can file a legal claim. They’ll ask about your work and medical history and details about past asbestos exposure.
- Filing claims: If you are eligible to file a claim, your lawyer will start the process. They may determine that you qualify for a lawsuit or trust fund claim. Some cases qualify for both.
- Discovery phase: An important part of the legal process involves discovery of evidence. Your lawyer will gather medical records, work records and other documents as evidence for your case.
- Resolution: Settlements resolve most mesothelioma cases, which means most cases don’t go to trial. Your attorney will negotiate with the defendants until you get fair compensation. However, if they can’t agree, your case will go to court, and a judge or jury will decide.
It usually takes about 12 to 18 months for a mesothelioma lawsuit to reach a resolution, but claims with asbestos trust funds often resolve faster. Your mesothelioma lawyer will advocate for your legal rights and fight to get the compensation you deserve. While your lawyer works on securing compensation, you can focus on getting the best mesothelioma treatment in Pennsylvania.
How Do I Know If I’m Eligible for Compensation?
An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can let you know if you may be eligible for compensation. To determine your potential eligibility, they will ask about where you have worked and when you were exposed to asbestos. They’ll also ask about your medical history and your malignant mesothelioma diagnosis.
Your lawyer will investigate the places you’ve worked and the asbestos products you were exposed to. They will collect evidence, testimony from former co-workers and work records to prove your case. All these documents help to justify your eligibility for compensation.
Undergoing mesothelioma treatment while filing a legal claim might seem like too much to take on, but your lawyer will take care of every detail. While your lawyer works on securing compensation, you are able to focus on treatment and spending time with your family.
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