01. Law Firms
Top Mesothelioma Law Firms in New Jersey
People in New Jersey harmed by asbestos-related illnesses can get help from dedicated mesothelioma law firms. Lawyers at these firms understand the history and impact of asbestos exposure in New Jersey. These lawyers can help people trace the companies responsible for exposures that caused victims’ diseases.
Asbestos attorneys have filed hundreds of lawsuits on behalf of New Jerseyans. They have the resources and experience to build strong asbestos lawsuits seeking compensation.
Mesothelioma lawyers work diligently to secure compensation for asbestos victims. They also help provide a sense of reassurance and peace of mind. Law firms can take the legal concerns that come with asbestos illnesses off victims’ shoulders. This help allows victims to put their energy into treatment and spending time with loved ones.
Resources for Mesothelioma Patients
02. Filing Lawsuits
Filing Mesothelioma Lawsuits in New Jersey
Mesothelioma law firms can help file lawsuits for asbestos victims in New Jersey. Residents in more than 100 New Jersey cities have filed lawsuits against asbestos companies. These cases relate to the manufacture, use or sale of products that contained asbestos fibers.
Attorneys can also help make claims against asbestos trust funds. Bankrupt companies create these trusts to compensate people harmed by asbestos.
Mesothelioma diagnoses and deaths in New Jersey are among the highest in the nation. From 1999 to 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 2,964 mesothelioma diagnoses. Within the state, Middlesex County is one of the top 10 jurisdictions in the country for mesothelioma filings.
Who Is Eligible to File a Mesothelioma Lawsuit in New Jersey?
New Jersey residents who develop asbestos illnesses from occupational and secondary exposures may be able to file personal injury lawsuits. Families may file wrongful death lawsuits if loved ones pass from mesothelioma.
Asbestos Exposure in New Jersey
New Jersey manufacturing plants, shipyards, oil refineries and power plants posed asbestos risks for workers. The Johns-Manville factory was one of the biggest sites for asbestos exposure in New Jersey. The asbestos manufacturing facility opened in 1912, and the town of Manville was named after it. At the company’s peak during World War II, around 4,500 people worked at the plant.
The average employee had 30 years of service with Johns-Manville. Many breathed asbestos fibers into their lungs regularly. More than 16,000 lawsuits were pending against the asbestos producer when it filed for bankruptcy in 1982.
New Jersey residents living in the following towns and cities have filed mesothelioma lawsuits to seek compensation from asbestos manufacturers and distributors:
- Asbury Park, NJ
- Basking Ridge, NJ
- Bayonne, NJ
- Belford, NJ
- Bellmawr, NJ
- Belvidere, NJ
- Bergenfield, NJ
- Bernardsville, NJ
- Bloomfield, NJ
- Boonton, NJ
- Brick, NJ
- Carneys Point, NJ
- Chatham, NJ
- Cherry Hill, NJ
- Clifton, NJ
- Columbus, NJ
- Cranford, NJ
- Deptford, NJ
- Dover, NJ
- East Brunswick, NJ
- Edgewater Park, NJ
- Edison, NJ
- Egg Harbor Township, NJ
- Emerson, NJ
- Flemington, NJ
- Forked River, NJ
- Franklinville, NJ
- Galloway, NJ
- Gloucester City, NJ
- Great Meadows, NJ
- Hackensack, NJ
- Hamilton, NJ
- Hammonton, NJ
- Harrington Park, NJ
- Harrison, NJ
- Hightstown, NJ
- Hoboken, NJ
- Howell, NJ
- Iselin, NJ
- Jersey City, NJ
- Kearny, NJ
- Lakewood, NJ
- Linden, NJ
- Little Falls, NJ
- Little Silver, NJ
- Lumberton, NJ
- Lyndhurst, NJ
- Manasquan, NJ
- Manchester Township, NJ
- Mantua, NJ
- Marlboro, NJ
- Marlton, NJ
- Medford, NJ
- Mercerville, NJ
- Middlesex, NJ
- Middletown, NJ
- Midland Park, NJ
- Millville, NJ
- Monroe Township, NJ
- Montclair, NJ
- National Park, NJ
- Newark, NJ
- North Arlington, NJ
- North Bergen, NJ
- Northvale, NJ
- Ocean City, NJ
- Ocean Grove, NJ
- Paulsboro, NJ
- Pemberton, NJ
- Perth Amboy, NJ
- Pittsgrove, NJ
- Randolph, NJ
- Red Bank, NJ
- Ringoes, NJ
- Rutherford, NJ
- Saddle Brook, NJ
- Saddle River, NJ
- Sewell, NJ
- Shiloh, NJ
- Somers Point, NJ
- Swedesboro, NJ
- Teaneck, NJ
- Toms River, NJ
- Trenton, NJ
- Turnersville, NJ
- Union, NJ
- Upper Saddle River, NJ
- Ventnor City, NJ
- Warren, NJ
- Westville, NJ
- Whiting, NJ
- Woodstown, NJ
- Wrightstown, NJ
Deadlines for Filing a Mesothelioma Lawsuit in New Jersey
To file an asbestos lawsuit, people should speak to an experienced lawyer. A lawyer can help people meet any deadlines to preserve their claims. Mesothelioma attorneys can also do the time-consuming work of lawsuit preparation. Their tasks include investigating claims, gathering evidence and recommending compensation options.
This legal assistance helps residents affected by asbestos file personal injury or wrongful death lawsuits. The state has statutes of limitations that affect these types of lawsuits. This means a lawsuit must be filed within a certain amount of time after diagnosis or death.
Lawyers can help asbestos victims explore all their legal options. It is best to speak to a lawyer as soon as possible to preserve all options. This may include asbestos trust fund claims. A New Jersey mesothelioma law firm can help identify appropriate funds, determine eligibility and file with the trust.
Filing VA Claims in New Jersey
In 2022, nearly 280,000 veterans were living in New Jersey. Historically, military service has carried significant asbestos exposure risks. As a result, service members from the Navy, Marines and other military branches have developed asbestos illnesses.
Veterans with service-related asbestos diseases may qualify for monthly benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). They may also be able to file lawsuits against asbestos companies or make trust fund claims. Asbestos law firms can help veterans and their loved ones understand their options and handle the filing process for both VA benefits and asbestos lawsuits.
03. Settlements & Verdicts
Mesothelioma Settlements in New Jersey
New Jersey mesothelioma lawyers have secured compensation for many asbestos victims. Lawsuit settlements can help cover the costs of treatment for asbestos cancers and other conditions.
A settlement is an agreement between a victim and an asbestos company to end a lawsuit in exchange for a sum of money. Other companies being sued may also choose to settle as part of a separate agreement. New Jersey residents have received millions in compensation through lawsuit settlements.
Some details from New Jersey mesothelioma settlements include:
- $6 million for a 64-year-old Navy veteran and plumber
- $4.6 million for a 66-year-old Navy veteran and insulator
- $4.6 million for a 68-year-old boilermaker
- $4.3 million for an 81-year-old Army veteran, foreman and yard worker
- $4 million for a 52-year-old machine operator
- $3.8 million for a 54-year-old steel worker
- $3.6 million for a 65-year-old Navy veteran and boiler operator (Bethlehem Steel Shipyard)
- $3.5 million for an 81-year-old construction worker and contractor
- $2.9 million for an 82-year-old Army veteran and plumbing/heating business owner
- $2.9 million for a 60-year-old steamfitter and mechanical engineer (World Trade Center)
Mesothelioma Verdicts in New Jersey
Asbestos victims have gotten compensation through verdicts in New Jersey. If a victim wins at trial, a judge or jury determines the verdict amount. Example verdicts include:
- $90.5 million for families of mesothelioma patients: A New Jersey court heard testimony from 11 families of people who died of mesothelioma. Their cancers were linked to asbestos used at Johns-Manville. The judge awarded the families for their losses.
- $2.4 million for the family of a Union Carbide worker: This case involved a man who worked for over 40 years at a Union Carbide plant that used asbestos and later died of mesothelioma. His wife won a wrongful death lawsuit she filed after his death.
In general, mesothelioma verdicts average around $2.4 million.
Note: Each lawsuit is different, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome in the future. Contact a reputable New Jersey mesothelioma lawyer to understand how much compensation you may be eligible to receive.
04. Asbestos Laws
New Jersey Asbestos Laws & Regulations
Despite health hazards, asbestos use has not been completely banned in the United States. Although federal laws are in place, New Jersey has implemented its own laws to regulate asbestos.
Several state agencies have specific powers to monitor asbestos removal and handling. New Jersey legislators also enacted a state asbestos ban in 2019. The law, enacted as NJ A4416, prohibits the sale and distribution of products containing asbestos in New Jersey.
New Jersey Laws Affecting Asbestos Litigation
New Jersey also has laws and protocols related to asbestos litigation:
- Components made by third parties: In 2020, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that equipment makers and distributors can be held responsible for failing to warn about asbestos in product components. The ruling includes replacement components, even if made or supplied by a third party.
- Take-home exposure liability: Take-home exposure refers to asbestos brought home on a worker’s clothing and skin, putting people in the household at risk. Some states may limit liability to a worker’s spouse. But the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that it may extend beyond a spouse in certain circumstances. This ruling may empower more people to pursue compensation going forward.
An experienced asbestos lawyer in New Jersey can explain how these laws may apply to individual cases.
Find Mesothelioma Doctors, Lawyers and Asbestos Exposure Sites Near You
