Pennsylvania Mesothelioma Lawyer

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    What Is a Pennsylvania Mesothelioma Lawyer?

    A mesothelioma lawyer is an advocate for victims of asbestos exposure and their families. They have legal expertise in personal injury cases and litigation and understand the asbestos industry and where and how people get exposed.

    The population of Pennsylvania has seen a lot of asbestos exposure and resulting illness over the last several decades. Lawyers in the state dedicated to mesothelioma cases help these victims investigate the source of exposure, gather evidence to make a case, and seek a settlement or jury verdict to recover damages.

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    Our Pennsylvania Mesothelioma Lawyer

    Pennsylvania mesothelioma lawyer Dave Halpern helps victims of asbestos exposure in the state seeking justice. More than 17,000 people in Pennsylvania died from asbestos-related diseases between 1999 and 2017. Those victims and their families have rights and legal options.

    For more information on Dave Halpern, including past cases he’s won, please visit our Meet Dave Halpern page. Contact us if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or asbestos-related lung cancer. Please use our Free Consultation form to get in touch and ask important questions.

    Where Is Asbestos Found in Pennsylvania?

    The mountains of eastern Pennsylvania contain 37 natural deposits of asbestos, one of the highest numbers in the northeast. Four mines once operated in these deposits, mining asbestos. Area coal mines also have asbestos deposits.

    In addition to natural deposits, the state is home to a number of industries and workplaces that used asbestos. One of these, the BoRit Asbestos Site in Ambler, is now an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-designated Superfund site.

    Operated from the early 1900s through the 1960s, BoRit was a disposal area for asbestos materials from a nearby plant. The waste pile covers over two acres and has been capped with funds from the EPA.

    These are just a couple of examples of where asbestos can be found in Pennsylvania. Most people exposed to asbestos over the years handled it or worked around or near the material on the job.

    Some of the workplaces in the state known to have used asbestos include:

    • Allied Chemical, Philadelphia
    • Alcoa, Pittsburgh
    • Hammermill Paper, Erie
    • Sun Oil, Chester, Marcus, and Hook
    • LTV Steel, Pittsburgh, and Aliquippa
    • Reading Iron Works, Reading
    • Sharon Steel Company, Sharon
    • Standard Oil Company, Philadelphia
    • Carnegie Natural Gas Company, Pittsburgh
    • Pennsylvania Railroad Company, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh
    • Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, Philadelphia
    • Quaker State Metals, Lancaster
    • Scott Paper Company, Philadelphia and Chester
    • Jones and Laughlin Steel Works, Pittsburgh

    Pennsylvania has a long industrial history, especially in steel. The high-heat environment of a steel mill required strong safety protocols. For many years this meant using asbestos to insulate furnaces and protect workers from heat and fire. Before the risks were well known, many steelworkers were exposed to fibers from asbestos materials that had become damaged or worn.

    Who Needs a Pennsylvania Mesothelioma Attorney?

    Anyone diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or lung cancer related to asbestos in the state needs a Pennsylvania mesothelioma attorney. If you have not been diagnosed but worked in one or more jobs or workplaces considered high-risk for asbestos exposure, talk to a lawyer:

    • Steel mills
    • Mines
    • Construction sites
    • Carpenters
    • Electricians
    • Plumbers
    • Insulators
    • Firefighters
    • Power plants and refineries
    • Railroads
    • Shipyards
    • Workers on ships, including U.S. Navy veterans
    • HVAC technicians and installers
    • Boiler workers
    • Auto mechanics
    • Industrial manufacturing plants, including chemical, paint, textile, paper, and others

    What if I Don’t Think I Worked with Asbestos?

    You may also be at risk for exposure if you live or work in an older building. Many schools and government employees, for instance, work in buildings constructed with asbestos insulation. When it crumbles over time, it releases fibers into the air where workers can inhale them.

    Scranton School District officials, including the superintendent, were charged with child endangerment in late 2020 because of asbestos. A grand jury determined they knew about asbestos and lead in several schools for years but failed to protect students or staff. Instead, they tried to hide what they knew about dangerous materials.

    Older homes in Pennsylvania may also contain asbestos in materials, including flooring, adhesives, ceiling panels, wallboard, siding, roofing, and insulation. Any damaged asbestos material or renovation work can lead to exposure.

    What Can a Pennsylvania Mesothelioma Lawyer Do for Me and My Family?

    Fighting a company or local government over asbestos exposure can be an uphill battle if you lack expertise and a legal background. Many people end up with a diagnosis of mesothelioma without knowing exactly where or when they were exposed.

    A Pennsylvania mesothelioma lawyer is a valuable ally in seeking information and justice for yourself or a family member exposed to and made ill by asbestos. The right attorney can do several things to help:

    • Investigate your exposure to find out where you contacted asbestos and the company or individuals responsible
    • Track down the company that made asbestos materials you worked with, even if it no longer exists in Pennsylvania or anywhere
    • Find relevant asbestos trust funds
    • Work with medical experts to connect asbestos exposure to your diagnosis
    • Start a lawsuit to help you recover damages for things like medical expenses
    • Negotiate a settlement to get damages sooner
    • Litigate in court if necessary to get a jury verdict
    • Provide expert advice, guidance, and an advocate who is on your side and knows asbestos and the state of Pennsylvania

    What Should I Look for in a Pennsylvania Mesothelioma Attorney?

    Many lawyers and firms advertise that they can help victims of asbestos exposure, but they are not all the same. Look for these important factors when choosing an advocate. They should have:

    • A license to practice in Pennsylvania and experience in the state
    • A main, if not sole, practice focus on asbestos cases
    • Verifiable past wins for similar clients
    • Time to answer your questions in a free initial consultation
    • The time and resources needed to resolve your case
    • Fees you can afford, preferably a contingency payment plan

    Use our easy contact form for a Free Initial Consultation with Pennsylvania mesothelioma lawyer Dave Halpern, a leading advocate for asbestos victims’ rights. If you or a family member have suffered because of asbestos exposure in the home or on a Pennsylvania job site, he can answer your questions, provide expert advice, and represent you in legal action against those responsible.

    Visit the following pages for asbestos and mesothelioma information in your city:

    Sources

    1. http://www.asbestosnation.org/facts/asbestos-deaths/pa/
    2. https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2005/1189/pdf/Plate.pdf
    3. https://cumulis.epa.gov/supercpad/SiteProfiles/index.cfm?fuseaction=second.Cleanup&id=0301842#bkground
    4. https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/scranton-school-officials-charged-hiding-lead-asbestos/2548623/
    Get In Touch. No Commitment. With Our Pennsylvania Mesothelioma Law Firm
    Phone (800) 505-6000