Mesothelioma Attorney in New Jersey

New Jersey Mesothelioma Attorney

Mesothelioma is an aggressive and deadly cancer caused by exposure to asbestos – a naturally occurring mineral comprised of tiny fibers that, when ingested or inhaled, lodge inside the body and damage healthy tissue. It may take decades for the damaged cells to mutate into cancerous cells and spread throughout the body. Often, by the time patients begin to exhibit symptoms and receive a mesothelioma diagnosis, the chance of recovery is low.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure, contact the New Jersey mesothelioma attorney at Belluck Law, PLLC, immediately. The very nature of your condition makes it likely that you have a strong case for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and other losses.

At Belluck Law, PLLC, our legal team is ready to support you during this difficult time by pursuing the justice and the money you deserve. Founding attorney Joseph W. Belluck has a national reputation for aggressive advocacy, compassionate service and successful outcomes. Based on our track record and vast resources, Joe Belluck and his team have earned a reputation as the go-to firm for mesothelioma litigation.

Reach out to us today to learn more about how Joe and his team can help you after a mesothelioma diagnosis.

New Jersey Occupations that Commonly Get Exposed to Asbestos

Many New Jersey industries used asbestos in their manufacturing processes or products. As a result, New Jersey workers in the following fields are at particular risk of developing mesothelioma:

Mining – Asbestos mining in the United States ended in 2002, but not before thousands of miners were exposed to the dangerous mineral. Today, miners may still encounter naturally occurring asbestos on the job, such as in talc and vermiculite mines.
Manufacturing – The manufacturing industry often used asbestos because of its durability, heat resistance, and electrically insulating properties. Manufacturers of chemicals, plastics and building materials likely exposed their workers to asbestos on the job.
Shipbuilding – Asbestos was commonly used in shipbuilding to prevent fires. Shipyard workers and military servicemembers were often exposed to dangerous levels of asbestos.

Construction – Construction materials such as tile, insulation and shingles often contained asbestos. Construction workers who handled these materials were often exposed to asbestos fibers. This exposure continues today, as many older buildings still contain asbestos products.
Oil Refining – Because asbestos is resistant to heat, it was frequently used in oil refining processes due to the inherent combustibility of petroleum and its byproducts.
Railroad Construction and Maintenance – Asbestos was used in the production of locomotives and railroad parts, including insulation, brakes, gaskets and cabin materials. Railroad workers were exposed to asbestos through the manufacturing process and maintenance.

Can I Sue for Asbestos Exposure in New Jersey?

Yes, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit if you were exposed to asbestos on the job, in your home or while handling an asbestos-containing product.

Typically, a plaintiff must file a claim with the appropriate court that lays out how the asbestos exposure happened and which party or entity allowed the exposure to occur. A plaintiff must also show that asbestos exposure caused their mesothelioma or another asbestos-related health condition. However, because asbestos exposure is the only known cause of mesothelioma, this element is easier to prove than it is in many otherwise similar liability cases. Still, you should work with an experienced New Jersey mesothelioma attorney if you want to pursue the full and fair compensation you deserve.

Mesothelioma Causes

Asbestos exposure is the only known cause of mesothelioma. When asbestos fibers are inhaled or ingested, they become lodged within the body, often in the lungs or abdomen. Over time, these fibers cause scar tissue, inflammation and cell damage.

Certain risk factors are associated with developing mesothelioma, including:

Workplace exposure to asbestos – Asbestos was used in many industrial capacities for over a century, putting workers in a wide range of occupations at heightened risk of mesothelioma.
Household exposure to asbestos– Asbestos exposure at home could be caused by a family member who works with asbestos, products within the home that are made of asbestos or materials made of asbestos used in the construction of the house.
Family history of mesothelioma– Individuals with a family history of mesothelioma are more likely to develop mesothelioma themselves.

Mesothelioma Symptoms

On average, it takes 20 to 60 years for asbestos fibers lodged in the body to develop into malignant mesothelioma. Therefore, the symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until decades after a person’s original exposure to asbestos.

The symptoms a patient exhibits depend on the type of mesothelioma they suffer from. Patients with pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lungs, may experience the following symptoms:

Dry cough
Shortness of breath
Difficulty breathing
Fever

Fatigue
Unexplained weight loss
Difficulty swallowing

Patients with peritoneal mesothelioma, which occurs in the abdomen, may exhibit the following symptoms:

Swelling in the abdomen
Abdomen pain
Nausea
Vomiting

Constipation
Loss of appetite
Unexplained weight loss

Symptoms of mesothelioma often mimic those of other health conditions, so patients with mesothelioma are sometimes misdiagnosed. For example, pleural mesothelioma can be confused with the flu or pneumonia, while peritoneal mesothelioma may be mistaken for irritable bowel syndrome. That is why it is essential to see your doctor immediately if you are experiencing any of the above symptoms.

“I was not another case file. I was a person and they cared about what the end result was going to be.”

– Robert

“I know it was a lot, but I don’t think I’ll ever fully understand the amount of time, effort, expertise, etc. that went into finishing this job. When I was given the opportunity to find legal help, it was a true relief to hear that you would take the case.”

– Amy

“Without your skill, patience and confidence this very difficult case could never have been successfully concluded. You made me proud to be a lawyer.”

– John

“I’m definitely amazed with your knowledge of this whole business of asbestos and mesothelioma.”

– Thomas

View All Results

About Mesothelioma Claims in New Jersey

New Jersey has long been an industrial powerhouse and, unfortunately, that means it also has a history of asbestos exposure that leads to mesothelioma. Many of the state’s largest employers used asbestos in their products or manufacturing processes for decades, exposing hundreds of thousands of people in New Jersey to this toxic material.

Approximately 120 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed each year in New Jersey, according to the New Jersey Department of Health. Many of these patients are entitled to compensation for the harm they’ve suffered through no fault of their own.

Depending on how you were exposed to asbestos, you could have multiple sources for compensation, including:

A personal injury suit against your employer or the company that manufactured the product you were exposed to
A claim against a mesothelioma trust set up by a bankrupt asbestos company
A workers’ compensation claim
Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits

Mesothelioma Diagnosis

To diagnose mesothelioma, a doctor may conduct a physical examination of the patient, look into the patient’s medical and employment history and order blood tests to rule out other diseases. Some of the tests and evaluations a doctor may use include:

X-rays – An X-ray may be ordered to look for abnormalities such as fluid build-up or tumors in the lungs, abdomen or other areas in the body.
Computed tomography (CT) scans – A CT scan provides detailed 3D images of organs, tissues and tumors.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – MRI uses radio waves to create detailed images of the body. A doctor may use an MRI to further evaluate abnormalities in the body and determine how far the mesothelioma has progressed.
Positron emission tomography (PET) scans – In a PET scan, patients ingest radioactive glucose, which brightens cancer cells compared to normal cells. A PET scan can help a doctor identify tumors and measure progression.
Biopsies – In a biopsy, a doctor collects a tissue sample from the body to be tested for evidence of cancer cells.

New Jersey Mesothelioma Statute of Limitations

If you are considering filing a mesothelioma lawsuit, you need to know about New Jersey’s statute of limitations. Under New Jersey law, personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the injury or, in cases of illnesses such as mesothelioma, of the diagnosis. If you miss the two-year deadline, your lawsuit will likely be dismissed, and you will lose your chance to seek compensation in court.

Pleural

The most common and aggressive form of mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the lungs. The one-year survival rate for pleural mesothelioma is 73 percent, with a typical post-diagnosis life expectancy of 18 months.

Peritoneal

This type of mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the abdomen. Approximately 15 to 20 percent of mesothelioma cases are peritoneal mesothelioma. Due to recent advancements in treatment, the one-year survival rate for patients with peritoneal mesothelioma is 92 percent, which is higher than the one-year survival rates of other types of mesothelioma.

Pericardial

This type of mesothelioma forms in the heart’s lining. On average, patients diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma live for only six months following a diagnosis.

Testicular

Occurring in less than 1 percent of all cases, testicular mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the testicles. While it is less deadly than the other forms, there is a high likelihood of recurrence.

How We Can Help You with Your Mesothelioma Case in New Jersey

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, attorney Joe Belluck and the legal team at Belluck Law, PLLC, can help you by:

Explaining your legal options for pursuing compensation
Investigating the circumstances of your exposure to asbestos
Consulting with medical experts about your diagnosis and prognosis
Gathering helpful evidence, including necessary documentation such as employment and medical records
Filing your mesothelioma claim with the appropriate company, insurer, or court
Negotiating a fair settlement
Representing you in court if it becomes necessary to get you the maximum compensation

Our New Jersey Mesothelioma Experts Are Standing by to Help You

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, Belluck Law, PLLC, is prepared to advocate for you during this difficult time. Our legal team has the experience, resources and skill to help you pursue the compensation you deserve.