Asbestos and Mesothelioma Lawyers

TRUSTED ASBESTOS AND MESOTHELIOMA ATTORNEYS

When facing the challenges of asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma, having trusted legal guidance is paramount. Our team of seasoned attorneys in Philadelphia has extensive experience in asbestos litigation. Partner Larry Cohan and Attorney Brooke Kwatny and our team offer comprehensive support and unwavering advocacy for individuals and families affected by asbestos exposure.

With a track record of successful cases and a deep commitment to client satisfaction, our firm stands as a beacon of reliability and integrity in the legal community. We prioritize your well-being and strive to provide compassionate, effective representation throughout every stage of your legal journey.

COMPREHENSIVE ASBESTOS LITIGATION SERVICES

With decades of experience in asbestos litigation, Larry and Brooke possess the knowledge, skills, and resources necessary to handle even the most complex cases. We understand the nuances of asbestos law and stay up-to-date on the latest legal developments to provide our clients with the most effective representation possible.

Our comprehensive services encompass all aspects of asbestos litigation, from conducting thorough investigations and gathering evidence to negotiating settlements and representing clients in court. Whether you’re seeking compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, or pain and suffering, we are here to fight for your rights and pursue the justice you deserve.

KNOWLEDGEABLE PHILADELPHIA MESOTHELIOMA LAWYERS

Mesothelioma cases require specialized knowledge and experience to navigate effectively. Larry and Brooke have a deep understanding of the many ways clients can be exposed to asbestos, the science behind that exposure and the complexities of asbestos litigation, allowing us to develop strategic legal solutions tailored to the unique circumstances of each case.

With extensive knowledge of the sources of asbestos exposure and the companies responsible, we leverage our knowledge and experience to pursue the best possible outcome for our clients. Whether through negotiation or litigation, we are dedicated to achieving favorable results and securing the compensation our clients deserve.

UNDERSTANDING THE CANCER RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH ASBESTOS EXPOSURE

Asbestos exposure not only poses grave health risks but also significantly increases the likelihood of developing cancer, particularly mesothelioma. Mesothelioma, a rare yet aggressive form of cancer, primarily affects the lining of vital organs such as the lungs, abdomen, or heart. Our experienced attorneys comprehend the intricate link between asbestos exposure and cancer development, recognizing the profound and tragic impact it can have on individuals and their families.

In addition to mesothelioma, asbestos exposure has been associated with various other types of cancer, including lung cancer and ovarian cancer. The carcinogenic nature of asbestos fibers can instigate genetic mutations and disrupt cellular functions, heightening the susceptibility to tumor formation across different organs and tissues. It is imperative to acknowledge and address these cancer risks comprehensively, underscoring the urgency of legal advocacy for individuals affected by asbestos-related diseases. Our firm is dedicated to not only navigating the complexities of asbestos litigation but also shedding light on the critical connection between cancer and asbestos exposure, ensuring that our clients receive the support and compensation they rightfully deserve.

UNMATCHED RESULTS

Over more than four decades, firm partner Lawrence Cohan has obtained over $400,000,000 worth of verdicts and settlements on behalf of asbestos exposure victims, including:

• $8,000,000 jury verdict for a Philadelphia shipyard worker
• $2,000,000 jury verdict for a Delaware County asbestos worker
• First jury verdict on behalf of mesothelioma victim in Bucks County, PA
• First verdict of its kind against asbestos brake manufacturers

During my 40 years representing mesothelioma victims I’ve come to know the stories of these men and women who after their diagnosis experience a short but excruciating path to a certain death from this horrible disease. Seeing the pain of my clients and the effects on their spouses and children motivates me to continue to fight the corporate criminals and their companies who allowed these exposures to go on for decades without warning of the dangers they knew existed.

Lawrence Cohan

UNMATCHED EXPERIENCE

Partner Larry Cohan and attorney Brooke Kwatny have represented more than 4,000 victims of asbestos exposure, including those involving:

• Mesothelioma
• Lung cancer
• Other types of cancer
• Asbestosis
• Pleural thickening

Larry and Brooke’s clients have been exposed to asbestos at sea as well as at worksites throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and beyond:

• Foundries and Steel Mills: including Alan Wood Steel, Lukens Steel, Phoenix Steel, Standard Steel and US Steel (Fairless Hills).
• Manufacturing plants: including Allied Chemical, B.F. Goodrich, EI DuPont, General Electric, General Foods, Rohm & Haas, Scott Paper and Westinghouse.
• Power plants: including Peach Bottom Power Plant, Pennsylvania Power and Light, Philadelphia Electric Company, PSE&G, Salem Nuclear Plant and Three Mile Island.
• Oil Refineries: including Atlantic Richfield, BP, Getty, Gulf, Exxon, Shell and Sun Oil.
• Shipyards: including Brooklyn Navy Yard, Cramp Shipyard, New York Shipbuilding Corporation, Philadelphia Naval Shipyard and Sun Ship and Drydock.

In addition to the thousands of steelworkers Larry has represented for their claims of asbestos exposure, Larry and Brooke have represented clients exposed through their service in the military, as well as through civilian occupations, in trades ranging from machinists and steamfitters to electricians and HVAC workers. They have represented auto mechanics, factory workers and laboratory technicians. In addition, they have represented family members of these workers, who themselves became sick from the asbestos dust brought home on their loved ones’ clothing.

Our team at Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky ensures they stay abreast of all developments in the laws that can impact their clients’ recoveries. One of the most significant developments in Pennsylvania asbestos litigation occurred in the 2013 case of Tooey v. AK Steel Corporation, 81 A.3d 851 (Pa. 2013). In Tooey, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania held that workers who become sick with an asbestos-related disease are permitted to sue their employer. In Pennsylvania, an injured worker is not permitted to sue their employer for negligence but instead are limited to pursuing a claim under the Worker’s Compensation Act (“WCA”). However, under the WCA, the injured worker must bring the claim within 300 weeks of the date that caused the injury.  In cases of asbestos injuries, decades can elapse between the time of exposure and the time of diagnosis, and therefore it was impossible for Pennsylvania workers to bring a claim for asbestos injury under the WCA. In Tooey, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court recognized the unfairness of this proposition and held that in such cases, the WCA does not apply and the employee may bring a lawsuit against their employer.

UNMATCHED COMMITMENT

Larry began his involvement with the asbestos problem while a student at the University of Pennsylvania law school, as the head of the Penn Environmental Law Group, where he conducted the first research on the danger of asbestos in schools.

This research led him to clerk for the Honorable Harry A. Takiff, helping the Court create the first asbestos mass tort program in the country in 1979. A few years later, Larry was lead plaintiff’s counsel when he worked with the Honorable George Kelton to create a similar program in Bucks County.

Larry obtained the first plaintiff’s verdict in an asbestos case in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, with the first verdict of its kind against asbestos “friction” product defendants GE, GTE, and Eaton Cutler-Hammer Corporation.

He also testified before the Pennsylvania State House against proposed asbestos legislation which would have denied victims’ rights.

With Larry and Brooke and their capable team, Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky continues to fight on behalf of the innocent men and women afflicted by mesothelioma and other illnesses caused by asbestos exposure.

If you or a family member has become ill because of asbestos exposure, Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky is committed to obtaining all the results you need and deserve.