Families searching for New York mesothelioma attorneys are facing an overwhelming and deeply personal situation. Many have never worked with a law firm before and are unsure how asbestos lawsuits, trust funds, and legal deadlines work in New York.
We spoke with Attorney Daniel P. Blouin, a partner at Simmons Hanly Conroy’s New York office, about how he helps individuals and families pursue justice after a mesothelioma diagnosis.
As a lead mesothelioma trial attorney, Daniel has secured hundreds of millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements, bringing extensive courtroom experience to every case he handles.
In this Q&A, Daniel explains who is most at risk of asbestos exposure, how New York mesothelioma attorneys help families, and what to look for when choosing a lawyer.
Who is at risk of asbestos exposure in New York?
New York’s industrial past put thousands of people at risk. Asbestos was used everywhere — in construction, shipbuilding, manufacturing, power generation, you name it — so anyone who worked in these industries could have been exposed. I’ve represented construction workers who built Manhattan high-rises, laborers on bridges and tunnels, tradesmen on subway projects, electricians, plumbers, boiler workers, and shipyard employees at places like the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
Veterans, especially U.S. Navy veterans, face a high risk of exposure too, since asbestos was common on ships and in shipyards. And exposure doesn’t just affect workers.
I’ve handled cases where spouses became sick from washing contaminated work clothes, and even children were exposed from hugging a parent covered in asbestos dust. Secondary exposure is real, and for many families, the risk doesn’t become clear until a diagnosis shows up decades later.
How do New York mesothelioma attorneys help families?
In all cases, we start by having extensive meetings with clients to discuss their goals in representation and life experience. We will guide each client through the entire process.
In many cases, we file a mesothelioma lawsuit against the companies responsible for the asbestos exposure. These are typically manufacturers, suppliers, or distributors of asbestos-containing products, not small businesses. This is about making sure the corporations that knowingly put workers and families at risk of asbestos exposure answer for their actions.
Even if a client doesn’t know how they were exposed, we can determine it by carefully reviewing their work history. Nobody knows their story better than they do, so we start there with questions like, “Where did you work? What kind of equipment did you use? What job sites were you on?”
From there, we dig into product records, corporate documents, prior testimony, and our firm’s extensive asbestos product databases. Proving asbestos exposure decades later requires experience and preparation.
We connect the dots between job sites, specific products, and the companies that manufactured or supplied them. In many cases, we uncover exposure sources clients never would have suspected.
What qualities should I look for when choosing a mesothelioma attorney in New York?
When choosing a mesothelioma attorney, experience should be at the top of your list. These cases are complex and often involve exposure that happened long ago. You want to ask whether the attorney has handled cases like yours before, whether they’ve taken cases to trial, and what kind of results they’ve secured for other clients. A strong track record shows they know how to prepare a case and stand up to major corporations if necessary.
Resources also matter. Asbestos cases require investigators, access to product databases, and the ability to uncover old corporate records. Well-established mesothelioma law firms in New York should have the team and tools to build your case properly.
Finally, you’ll want someone who can pursue all available compensation, including asbestos trust fund claims. These trusts were created by bankrupt asbestos companies to pay current and future victims of their products. A knowledgeable attorney will evaluate every option to help maximize your potential payouts.
Can you tell us about some of the results you’ve secured for New York families impacted by mesothelioma?
We build every case carefully, gather the evidence, anticipate the defenses, and prepare as if we’re going all the way to verdict. That level of preparation puts us in a strong position to secure mesothelioma settlements for our clients. If a fair resolution isn’t offered, we’re fully prepared to stand in front of a jury and try the case.
One lawsuit that stands out involved five tradesmen who were exposed decades earlier on the job. We took that case all the way through trial, and the jury returned a $190 million verdict, which at the time was the largest consolidated asbestos verdict in New York history.
What mattered most to those families wasn’t just the number. It was that a jury listened to their story and held the companies accountable.
What kind of support is provided to families during the legal process?
When families hire me, they’re not just getting a lawyer. They’re getting an entire team that has their best interests in mind from the first phone call until long after the case is resolved.
People are surprised at how much extra assistance we provide beyond the legal work. Of course, we handle the investigation, filings, court appearances, and negotiations. My clients should be focused on their health and their families, not on making sense of legalese. But we also understand that a mesothelioma diagnosis affects every part of a person’s life.
But we don’t stop there. Our in-house mesothelioma nurses help clients understand their diagnosis and treatment options and connect them with top specialists and cancer centers across New York.
We assist with travel, lodging, and scheduling for treatment, and we help families access support groups or additional home services when needed. Our goal is to stand beside families every step of the way, so they’re never facing this fight alone.
How much do New York asbestos attorneys charge?
The best New York asbestos attorneys won’t charge anything unless they recover compensation for your family. That’s called a contingency fee basis. It means your legal team doesn’t charge upfront fees, they don’t bill by the hour, and you won’t see any charges while your case is pending. You only pay if we successfully secure a mesothelioma settlement or verdict for you.
I never want cost to be a barrier for someone reaching out for help. The initial consultation is free, and you can speak with us, learn about your options, and decide what’s best for your family without financial pressure.
When should I contact a mesothelioma law firm in New York?
I understand that calling a lawyer is often the last thing on someone’s mind after a cancer diagnosis. You’re meeting with doctors, talking through treatment options, and trying to process what this means for your family. The legal side of things can feel secondary.
That said, there are deadlines, and they do matter. In New York, the statute of limitations is typically 2 to 3 years from the date of a diagnosis or the death of a loved one. If that window closes, you can lose your right to file a lawsuit and the compensation that often comes with it.
I always tell people this doesn’t mean you need to make a rushed decision. It simply means it’s important to have a conversation sooner rather than later. Even if you’re not sure how the exposure happened, that’s something we can investigate.
Reaching out early allows us to preserve evidence, speak with witnesses, and protect your rights to compensation.
Get Help Finding an Attorney for Mesothelioma in New York
Navigating a mesothelioma diagnosis is never easy. Speaking with experienced mesothelioma attorneys in New York can help you understand your legal rights and options while you focus on treatment and your family.
Daniel Blouin and the team at Simmons Hanly Conroy have represented families across all 50 states, securing more than $10.3 billion for clients nationwide.
That experience, combined with extensive trial resources, allows the firm to stand up to major corporations and pursue the compensation you deserve.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, call (866) 608-8933 or get a free case review to learn how our legal partners can help.
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