Asbestos Defense Litigation

Asbestos cases need to be thoroughly studied. This involves identifying asbestos-containing products and finding potential defendants. This can include gathering information from family members, coworkers, members, abatement workers, and reviewing records.

Cetrulo LLP served as national and Regional Defense Liaison Counsel for asbestos litigation dockets. We manage these dockets and coordinate with local attorneys to achieve an efficient, cost-effective defense strategies.

Asbestos Product Identification

Asbestos can be found in a variety of building materials, including cement products, paints, and floor tiles. It can also be found in artex, adhesives, doors, insulation, and adhesives. It is difficult to tell if a material contains asbestos or not simply by looking at it. A certified environmental surveyor can conduct an inspection to determine the presence of asbestos.

When asbestos fibres become airborne, they're small and light - meaning they can travel long distances even through doors or windows. Once they reach the lungs they could cause serious health issues. Asbestos is most dangerous when it is damaged and releases deadly fibres into the air. This is why it's very crucial that building materials never be disturbed or removed unless they are properly labeled and supported by a professional inspection.

Due to the lengthy latency between exposure and disease the process of obtaining evidence-based discovery in an asbestos lawsuit is extremely difficult. In addition there are significant issues regarding the admissibility of the plaintiffs' experts and testimony on the causal connection between asbestos exposure and the onset of disease.

In these types of situations asbestos defense lawyers are often able to successfully argue for summary judgement in the absence of a factual foundation. For instance, imagine that plaintiff Paul was involved in a multi-vehicle collision in New York City. But, Arvada asbestos lawsuits Links to an external site. doesn't have information regarding the date and location of the accident, the cars involved, or any other facts that might support the conclusion that defendant David is responsible for his injuries.

A New York mesothelioma attorney with experience in this area is recommended. They will look over the details of the case and any expert reports or other documents to determine whether or not summary judgment is the right remedy. New York mesothelioma law firms such as Weitz & Luxenberg, Cooney & Conway and Simmons Hanly Conroy are able to assist their clients with this process. Asbestos law firms that are nationwide can assist their clients in filing their claims in the most advantageous jurisdiction. This may include the State of New York or a federal court in New York City.

Asbestos Disease Identification


Asbestos is no longer mined in the United States. However, it is still present in products and buildings manufactured before 1989. These products release fibers into the air when they deteriorate. They can be breathed in. These fibers can trigger a variety of types of lung disease.

Lung diseases caused by asbestos exposure include asbestosis, mesothelioma and pleural disease. Inhaling these fibers can cause many symptoms, including chest pain, fatigue and breath shortness. These symptoms could not be apparent until years after exposure to asbestos.

All forms of asbestos including chrysotile are carcinogenic for humans. Exposure to asbestos causes lung cancers and larynx, as well as ovaries. It can also trigger a type of mesothelioma in the linings found in body cavities like the heart, stomach and tests. Mesothelioma can be difficult to identify, as it has a long latent period and has many symptoms that are comparable with other conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis and sarcoidosis.

The most likely to suffer from asbestos-related diseases are those who directly with the substance or were exposed to a significant amount of environmental toxins. This includes boilermakers, construction workers and shipyard workers. Additionally, there are railroad and U.S. Navy vets and those who assisted in cleaning up after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Some of the symptoms of the people who suffer from these conditions include breathing difficulties coughing, chest pain and chest pain.

A doctor can determine whether a patient suffers from an asbestos-related illness by looking at the patient's medical history, work history and family background. X-rays and CT scans can identify an asbestos-related illness. Patients with asbestosis are encouraged to have a yearly lung function test. This will help monitor their condition. This test can detect asbestosis ' progression and also identify other health issues that could be associated with the disease. Patients suffering from this condition must also be vaccinated regularly to prevent the onset of other respiratory illnesses like psoriasis. The EPA has a TSCA Hotline as and an asbestos Ombudsman who can provide more information and assistance.

Asbestos Database Development

Asbestos is made up of fibrous minerals. It was widely used in the construction and industry due to its strength, fire retardant and corrosion resistance properties. Inhaling asbestos particles can trigger various health issues such as mesothelioma, which is lung cancer as well as other organs, and neurological disorders. These illnesses can be seen for in 30 years or more.

In many asbestos cases, there are multiple defendants and a complex discovery. This is often complicated when the asbestos-related products that are involved in a particular case cannot be identified. To identify each asbestos product the need for forensic experts along with various investigative tools and methods, such as interviewing former colleagues, obtaining invoices and delivery documents and taking samples at home and work. The type of asbestos -- amosite, chrysotile, or crocidolite, must be identified.

We have extensive experience in protecting companies in the asbestos industry. This includes product manufacturers, distributors and suppliers as well as contractors. Our team has been the National Coordinating Counsel and Trial Counsel for numerous asbestos litigation clients, and we have defended these companies in numerous jurisdictions across the nation. We also serve as Defense Liaison Counsel for several of the states' asbestos dockets, which we manage local and regional counsel to ensure consistent and cost-effective defense strategies as well as results.

Our national strategy to manage the asbestos defense has successful and, in a number of instances, has decreased legal costs by millions of dollars in comparison to the costs companies paid when being represented by other firms. Courts across the country have recognized our unique and aggressive approach in managing asbestos cases.

We are also experienced in the defense of massive toxic tort lawsuits filed against pharmaceutical companies and industrial chemicals and Petrochemicals. These lawsuits are based on the claim that exposure to these chemicals can cause illnesses such as occupational asthma, restrictive and obstructive pulmonary disorders, and a variety of neurological disorders.

Medical Expert Witnesses

Medical expert witnesses in asbestos cases are vital due to the fact that many signs of asbestos exposure can be confused with other illnesses such as emphysema or other forms of lung cancer. It is essential that lawyers have access to these experts who can help distinguish the different diseases and show the way each disease is the result of different types of exposures.

Often, the best evidence for this is the medical records of asbestos victims. X-rays, CT scans and biopsy samples are typically available to examination. However, in order to make the most of this information, it's important to have medical experts who are able to analyze the information and make a decision on probabilities, causation and other issues.

The medical experts involved in asbestos cases are usually very well-known and have testified in dozens or even hundreds of other cases. This credibility increases their credibility before jurors. Furthermore, the experience of these doctors in preparing for testimony ensures that they are able to anticipate questions from the defense team and how to present their findings to the judge.

It is important to have both medical and scientific experts present their opinions on the various causes of asbestos-related diseases. It is not sufficient to prove that the mesothelioma sufferer is a victim. It must be shown that the asbestos victim exposed her to carcinogens and the reason smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma.

Expert witness fees can account for an enormous portion of overall expenses associated with asbestos cases. It is therefore crucial that the defense attorney is capable of quickly identifying and choose the best expert witness for a particular case.

We represent manufacturers, material suppliers distributors, and property owners in asbestos cases in state and federal courts across the country. Our team of dedicated and experienced lawyers are proficient both defensively and offensively in asbestos litigation. Contact us today to find out how our firm can assist you.