New York Mesothelioma Claims
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma in New York, you could be entitled to compensation for the harm you’ve endured. It can include money for your medical bills, lost income and benefits, pain and suffering and more. The very nature of your illness makes it likely that you have a solid case for significant compensation.
Mesothelioma patients typically develop their conditions years or even decades after exposure to a material known as asbestos. Many companies that used asbestos were aware that exposure could lead to severe diseases but continued to put workers and consumers at risk anyway. Today, many asbestos exposure victims are taking action to hold these parties accountable.
Attorney Joseph W. Belluck and the reputable legal team at Belluck Law, PLLC, are ready to help you do the same. We can help you file a mesothelioma claim in New York and demand the justice you deserve. We have decades of experience recovering money for asbestos exposure victims nationwide. Our lead attorney, Joe Belluck, has secured more than $1 billion for his clients during more than 35 years of legal service.
Contact our mesothelioma lawyer in New York to learn more about what we can do for you in a free consultation session.
Why Choose Us for Your Mesothelioma Claim?
Many people who receive a mesothelioma diagnosis are overwhelmed and unsure what to do next. If you are seeking medical treatment and concerned about what the future holds, the idea of taking legal action may seem nearly impossible. However, you don’t have to do it alone.
The compassionate and experienced legal team at Belluck Law, PLLC, can handle your mesothelioma claim on your behalf while you focus on life. When you hire us, you can rest assured that we have your best interests at heart.
Here are some examples of what makes sets our law firm apart:
- Extensive experience— we don’t just know the law, we have helped make the law that allows you and your family to get compensation
- Vast resources necessary to investigate your situation, build a solid case and fight relentlessly for justice on your behalf
- A long track record of success that includes more than $1 billion recovered for victims of mesothelioma
- National reputation and recognition for our advocacy on behalf of mesothelioma patients
- More than 35 years of legal experience
- Empathy and compassion toward our clients
- Powerful advocacy against our opponents
- Exceptional communication and consistent updates— every client gets Joe Belluck’s cellphone number.
- Connections to respected expert witnesses
- Numerous recommendations from satisfied clients and colleagues in the legal and medical profession
Types of Mesothelioma Claims
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma in New York, you may have multiple options for pursuing the money you deserve. Our knowledgeable mesothelioma attorney can help you by evaluating your situation and identifying all potential sources of compensation, which may include:
- Personal injury lawsuits – In a personal injury lawsuit, you file a civil claim against an individual or organization that caused or contributed to your illness. Depending on the circumstances, you could sue an asbestos company, a manufacturer of asbestos products or an employer that exposed you to asbestos at work.
- Workers’ compensation claims – If you were exposed to asbestos in the workplace, you might be entitled to benefits from a workers’ comp claim. Eligible workers can claim benefits regardless of whether their employers are at fault.
- Asbestos trust fund claims – Many companies that manufactured asbestos-containing products later filed for bankruptcy. In doing so, these companies were required to create trust funds for people harmed by asbestos exposure. If you developed mesothelioma due to the wrongful behavior of such a company, you could be entitled to compensation from an asbestos trust fund claim.
- Social Security Disability (SSDI) claims – If you are under 65 and mesothelioma has prevented you from working, you may be entitled to SSDI benefits due to a qualifying disability.
- Veterans Affairs (VA) claims – Veterans exposed to asbestos during their service in the military may be eligible for compensation through a claim with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
- Wrongful death lawsuits – If someone close to you dies from complications related to mesothelioma, you may have grounds for a wrongful death lawsuit. These claims allow surviving family members to pursue compensation for burial and funeral costs, lost household income and other losses.
Why Should You File a Mesothelioma Claim?
There are numerous reasons you should file a mesothelioma claim if you were exposed to asbestos in New York. With a successful case, you can:
- Cover your medical expenses – Medical costs begin piling up for many mesothelioma patients before they have even been diagnosed with the condition. Diagnostic procedures like imaging scans, biopsies and endoscopic surgeries can cost thousands of dollars. The costs of treatment, hospital stays and travel and accommodation can push these expenses into the tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars. A mesothelioma claim can give you the compensation needed to cover these costs.
- Support yourself while you cannot work – As mesothelioma progresses, many patients struggle to work or care for As a result, some patients are forced to miss time at work or even give up on their careers entirely. With a successful claim, you can obtain compensation for lost wages.
- Get the resources you need to plan for the future – Mesothelioma can leave patients with chronic conditions and extensive medical needs for years. The money from a mesothelioma claim can help you cover projected losses in your earning potential, pay for the medical care you will need in the future and avoid leaving your loved ones in debt.
- Recover compensation for subjective losses – Medical bills and lost wages are far from the only consequences of a mesothelioma diagnosis. Patients and their loved ones commonly experience life-changing personal losses, such as physical pain, psychological suffering and lost quality of life. Each of these subjective losses may be compensable through a mesothelioma claim.
- Hold employers and corporations accountable– A mesothelioma claim allows you to hold the parties responsible for your condition accountable for their actions. No amount of compensation can erase your condition, but with a successful claim, you can demand that these entities compensate you for what they took from you.
How to File a Mesothelioma Claim
The steps for filing a mesothelioma claim vary depending on the details of your situation and which sources of compensation you pursue. However, most mesothelioma claims in New York involve the following four steps:
- Step 1: Evaluate eligibility – Your first step should be determining whether you are fundamentally eligible to file a claim. You should speak with our experienced attorney to understand your legal options.
- Step 2: Gather evidence – If you are eligible to file a mesothelioma claim, the next step is gathering supporting evidence. That could include medical documentation of your diagnosis and treatment and proof of your work and employment history, which an attorney can help you collect.
- Step 3: File the claim – Once you have the evidence and documentation you need, your attorney can file the appropriate claims on your behalf, which may include insurance claims, workers’ comp claims and disability claims. If you have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit, your attorney can file your case in the appropriate court.
- Step 4: Settle or sue – After you have filed your claims, you will have the chance to negotiate with the other party. If you agree to a settlement, you can sign the agreement and obtain your compensation. If the other side refuses to make a reasonable offer, your attorney may recommend taking the case to court.
How Long Does a Mesothelioma Claim Take?
No two mesothelioma cases are exactly alike, and the timeline of your case will vary considerably based on several factors. If you have a claim against an asbestos trust fund, you may walk away with a settlement within months. However, your case could take much longer if any of the following circumstances apply:
- Your condition requires extensive and costly medical care.
- There are many potentially liable parties.
- The other side denies liability or attempts to blame you.
- You must take your case to court to demand compensation.
- You try to file a claim without the help of an attorney.
Statute of Limitations for Mesothelioma Claims in New York
New York’s statute of limitations on personal injury cases gives you just three years to file a lawsuit for mesothelioma caused by asbestos exposure. This three-year period typically begins on the date of your diagnosis. If you do not file within the appropriate window, the court can and likely will dismiss your suit. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can manage these deadlines and avoid the common missteps that could damage your case.
Who Pays Compensation for Mesothelioma Claims?
Depending on the circumstances, any of the following parties or entities may be liable for paying compensation in a New York mesothelioma claim:
- An asbestos mining or manufacturing company
- Construction companies that use asbestos materials
- Asbestos company bankruptcy trust funds
- Insurance companies, such as workers’ comp providers
- Employers that did not warn workers of the presence of asbestos or take necessary precautions
- Local governments that fail to remove asbestos in public areas
- The Social Security Administration (SSA) or the VA
Our Firm Is Ready to Help with Your New York Mesothelioma Claim
If you have questions or concerns about your mesothelioma claim in New York, contact Belluck Law, PLLC, today. We can provide straightforward answers and evaluate your case at no charge when you contact us for your free case review.