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Meso-Faq - Levy Konigsberg
Last updated on June 2026

HAVE YOU BEEN EXPOSED TO ASBESTOS AND DEVELOPED MESOTHELIOMA OR RELATED HEALTH PROBLEMS?

You May Be Entitled To Substantial CompensationMeso-Faq - Levy Konigsberg

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Mesothelioma And Asbestos Exposure

MESOTHELIOMA CLAIMS – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

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WERE YOU EXPOSED TO ASBESTOS AND DEVELOPED MESOTHELIOMA OR OTHER HEALTH ISSUES?

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What Are Some of the Most Common Sources of Asbestos Exposure?

Most insulation materials before the mid 1970s contained asbestos. Many other construction materials also contained asbestos, such as:

  • Insulation on pipes;
  • Fireproofing spray insulation;
  • Boiler insulation;
  • Insulating cements, plasters, and joint compounds that came in powder form and created a lot of dust before being completely mixed with water;
  • Fire brick and gunite used for internal insulation of furnaces, boilers, and other vessels;
  • Roof, floor, and ceiling tiles;
  • Transite siding;
  • Brakes and clutches.

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What Workplaces Are Potential Locations for Asbestos Exposure?

Asbestos has been used in the following types of jobs:

  • Insulators who worked with asbestos insulation;
  • Shipyard workers;
  • Navy personnel;
  • Plumbers, pipe fitters, and steam fitters, especially those who worked on ships;
  • Boilermakers who constructed boilers, which were often several stories high and filled with insulation;
  • Plasterers working with fireproofing spray on steel beams;
  • Electricians, mechanics, bricklayers, millwrights, carpenters, and other construction trades workers;
  • Steel workers, refinery and other industrial workers;
  • Maintenance workers and laborers in various industries.

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If a Person Diagnosed With Mesothelioma Served in the Military, Can They Only Recover Money Through the United States Department of Veteran Affairs?

Veterans who were exposed to asbestos while serving in the military and developed mesothelioma may receive benefits from the United States government by filing a “VA claim”.

However, this claim does NOT prevent a veteran diagnosed with mesothelioma from seeking full compensation by also filing claims with bankruptcy trusts and against solvent companies in a civil lawsuit.

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How Do I Know If I Have an Asbestos Disease?

See your doctor. Tell your doctor about your history of exposure to asbestos so that he or she knows how to monitor your health and whether or not to order any necessary tests.

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What Is a Wrongful Death Claim?

Wrongful death is a legal term that refers to situations when a person dies due to the negligence of another. Such “wrongful death” claims may arise in a number of different contexts, including car accidents, construction site accidents, and medical malpractice.

The goal of a wrongful death case is to compensate the survivors and beneficiaries for their loss. The following types of damages are considered in a wrongful death case:

  • Sorrow, mental anguish that includes loss of companionship, comfort and guidance;
  • The expected loss of income of the diseased person;
  • The expected loss of services, protection, care, and/or assistance that the diseased person provided to the survivors/beneficiaries;
  • Expenses for the care, treatment, and hospitalization of the person who died related to the injury resulting in death.

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Why Does Someone with Mesothelioma Need a Lawyer?

This cancer is always caused by negligence. Asbestos manufacturers are responsible for the consequences of this dangerous product. You should consult with a mesothelioma law firm that is experienced in handling mesothelioma cases to insure that you are compensated for your injuries.

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How Do I Find the Right Mesothelioma Attorneys?

It is important that you make a connection with a firm that is experienced in asbestos litigation, has a proven track record and who will also give you personal attention.

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Do All Law Firms That Advertise for Mesothelioma Claims Litigate Cases?

Some law firms that advertise for mesothelioma claims on television or on the internet do not have experience actually litigating asbestos cases. Some of these “advertising firms” refer all the cases to other law firms who actually litigate the cases. A person interviewing a firm to handle a mesothelioma case should find out about the firm’s track record in actually litigating, settling and trying mesothelioma cases in courtrooms.

While the facts we provide above can help correct some of the most common misconceptions about mesothelioma claims, we strongly suggest that you consult with an attorney specialized in mesothelioma and asbestos-related diseases to ensure you or your loved understand your legal rights and so that you can make an informed decision about your family’s future.

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Are Mesothelioma Claims Considered “Class Action” Lawsuits or Individual Cases?

A class action is a group action in which one person known as a “class representative” represents the interests of other people who are “similarly situated.” Mesothelioma lawsuits are NOT class actions. A person with mesothelioma has their own individual lawsuit.

The lawsuit starts out with the filing of an individual complaint and culminates with a trial date for the individual person. In some jurisdictions, several individual mesothelioma claims may be “joined” by the court for a single trial because the cases share common issues for a jury to decide.

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Does Workers’ Compensation Pay for Mesothelioma-Related Injuries?

Workers’ Compensation law is designed to help injured workers as well as employers in dealing with the problems of health insurance. The Workers’ Compensation Act provides benefits to workers who are injured on the job or suffer an occupational disease arising out of and in the course of employment.

The benefits under Workers’ Compensation include weekly payments based on a percentage of the employee’s average weekly wage for temporary total disability, partial disability, permanent and total disability and permanent loss of function and disfigurement.

Workers’ Compensation also covers medical expenses for treatment that is reasonable, necessary and related to the industrial injury and vocational rehabilitation services.

Unfortunately, Workers’ Compensation alone is sometimes insufficient compensation especially in the case of very serious and catastrophic personal injuries. In such cases, it is necessary to look for a negligent third party such as the manufacturer of a dangerous or defective product, improper safety devices or some other party who is at fault.

Mesothelioma claims require immediate attention and expertise because the responsible third party is often difficult to locate and evidence needs to be preserved.

We have a lot of bills from when my Dad went through hospitalization, chemotherapy, and radiation. He couldn’t work and my Mom had to quit work to take care of him and, ultimately, she was left with debt and no savings. Is there anything we can do to recoup the family’s losses and give Mom some financial security?

Compensation is often available for people with mesothelioma and their families that can help to provide for their needs.

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Where Does the Compensation Come from In Mesothelioma Claims?

Often, large amounts of compensation may be recovered from the asbestos industry. These awards are often large enough to provide financial security for families and frequently exceed amounts received from worker’s compensation and other sources.

Since my dad was diagnosed with mesothelioma, we’ve spent a great deal of time researching his condition and the medical treatments available. Will pursuing this case take up a great amount of our time, and will it be stressful?

The Firm works hard to make the process as stress free as possible, as we understand your predicament. The process has been designed to require very little involvement on your part. There are three easy steps:

  • An initial meeting of one to two hours;
  • Filling out a questionnaire;
  • Telling your story.

Over 90% of mesothelioma claims settle out of court.

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How Large a Settlement or Judgment Can I Expect to Recover?

The value of your potential claim depends on many things, such as the medical evidence that confirms your diagnosis, how seriously you have been injured, your actual and potential losses, the strength (or weakness) of the identification of the toxic products that you were exposed to, the companies that made these products, and their financial resources (including insurance coverage.)

In brief, it really is not possible to answer this question without knowing a lot about your potential claim, and you should be suspicious of any lawyer who tells you “how much you can win” at your first meeting.

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Are All Mesothelioma Claims Worth a Similar Amount of Money?

A mesothelioma claim may be worth a large amount of money if there is detailed proof of exposure to asbestos for which solvent companies are legally responsible.

On the other hand, a mesothelioma claim can be worth a very small amount of money if there is little or no proof of exposure to asbestos materials manufactured or sold by particular companies. In other words, mesothelioma claims can be worth very different amounts of money depending on the facts of each case.

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Are There Advantages to Dealing with Compensation Issues Now Instead of Later?

In most states, a case will settle more quickly, and for more money, if the plaintiff is alive because those cases get priority. Also, the person with mesothelioma is often the best person to establish facts. It is important to do this while the mesothelioma victim is feeling fairly strong. Furthermore, all states limit the amount of time after a diagnosis that funds can be made available.

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Is It Financially Worthwhile to Seek Compensation?

Yes, amounts are very significant and are often enough to take care of the mesothelioma patient’s surviving spouse and family for the rest of his or her life.

Why is the asbestos industry required to pay compensation to the victims of asbestos disease? I have never filed any kind of claim before. Should I feel right about pursuing this type of action?

It has been proven that the companies who manufactured asbestos insulation products knew about the dangers of their products as far back as the 1920s and 1930s, yet didn’t warn anyone about it until the 1970s. Many companies conspired as an industry to spread false and manipulated medical results so people would be persuaded their products were safe.

As a result, there are now so many mesothelioma claims. Many companies now willingly negotiate settlements, which allow the victims and their families to achieve financial security and peace of mind as they deal with the devastating results of mesothelioma.

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How Can You Prove Exposure from So Long Ago?

People have been exposed to asbestos in many possible ways, sometimes unknowingly. Some people are exposed on the job; some are exposed at home. Experience in investigating asbestos exposure has provided numerous proven methods for finding and documenting a person’s exposure.

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If a Person With Mesothelioma Does Not Know How They Were Exposed to Asbestos, Do They Still Have a Case?

Many people do not know how they were exposed to asbestos. This is because most asbestos products contained no label about the presence of asbestos and no warnings about the hazards of asbestos. Law firms specializing in mesothelioma claims, and medical experts trained in occupational and environmental medicine, are trained in identifying products and work activities that may have exposed a person to asbestos.

A person may be exposed to asbestos from working directly with a product, from being a bystander to someone else working with a product, from having contact with contaminated work clothing of a family member, or from living in the neighborhood of a plant that manufactured asbestos products. An investigation into a person’s work history and background can uncover asbestos exposures that a person did not know about.

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How Can We Afford to Have Our Claim Investigated, Filed, And Represented?

Our law firm handles mesothelioma claims on a contingency fee basis. This means that you pay nothing unless you win. You will only pay out of what we recover. You will not have out-of-pocket expenses.

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How Long Does It Take to Resolve Mesothelioma Claims?

In many jurisdictions mesothelioma claims are treated urgently and given high priority. This is particularly true if the claimant is alive. In some areas, the entire case can be resolved within four to five months. In other areas, it can take longer. Even in cases where it takes longer, some settlements are reached early.

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If I Have Been Exposed to Asbestos, When Should I File a Lawsuit?

Before you file an asbestos lawsuit, we believe, you should have an injury that has been diagnosed by a medical doctor as an asbestos-related disease. Simply being exposed to asbestos is not sufficient grounds for us to file an asbestos lawsuit on your behalf.

However, if you have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, you should contact an attorney immediately because certain deadlines (called statutes of limitations) may apply. If you have been exposed to asbestos, but have not been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, we recommend that you should:

  • Monitor your health carefully;
  • Tell your doctor that you have been exposed to asbestos;
  • Seek medical attention promptly, if you feel unwell;
  • Find out more about asbestos-related diseases and their symptoms.

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I’m Not Sure About Suing, Can I Take Some Time to Decide?

This depends on the legal deadlines, called statutes of limitations, which might apply to your potential case. These statutes are complex, they depend on the kind of case you are pursuing, and they vary from state to state.

It is prudent to contact an attorney as soon as possible because once your statute has expired or “run out,” you are forever barred from pursuing your claim. By doing this you’ll know how much time you have to make up your mind about what you want to do

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How Long Will It Take Before I Receive Any Money?

Many clients begin to receive settlements within a few months, but this varies from case to case and is therefore something that should be discussed between an attorney and client.

We have the resources and experience to move cases quickly through the legal system. This is especially true for our clients who are elderly or in poor health.

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I Know the People Who Caused My Injury and I Don’t Want to Harm Them Financially, Is There Anything I Can Do?

Employers, manufacturers, owners of property, product suppliers, contractors, etc., purchase liability insurance for exactly these reasons. Therefore, if you file a third party lawsuit, it almost never means that they will personally be dragged into court or left destitute.

If the Firm were to sue your employer, it would probably be in a workers’ compensation claim – for which employers are usually required by law to have insurance. If an employer concealed your injury and then continued to expose you to a hazard and therefore aggravated the injury, then an employee is permitted to file a lawsuit other than a workers’ compensation claim. Employers should have liability insurance for this eventuality.

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What Happens When an Asbestos Manufacturer Declares Bankruptcy?

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Do Asbestos Bankruptcy Trusts Pay Settlements to Every Person Diagnosed With Mesothelioma?

To qualify for compensation with an asbestos bankruptcy trust, a person diagnosed with mesothelioma will usually have to present:

  1. Proof of exposure to the asbestos-containing products of the particular company that formed the trust; or
  2. Evidence that they were present at an “approved work site” recognized by the particular bankruptcy trust.

The amount of proof needed depends on the rules for the particular trust. A person who qualifies for many bankruptcy trusts may receive a significant amount of money. However, the amounts awarded by bankruptcy trusts are much less than the full value of the devastating, fatal injuries caused by mesothelioma.

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Have All the Companies That Made or Sold Asbestos-Containing Products Gone Bankrupt or Been Brought to Justice?

A large number of companies that made or sold asbestos-containing products are not bankrupt. Thousands of companies manufactured or sold asbestos-containing products. Many of these companies are among the biggest and most profitable corporations in America.

Many companies who made or sold asbestos-containing products have not been brought to justice and are still being identified as new people become sick with mesothelioma. There are many solvent companies who can be brought to justice in a civil lawsuit if there is proof that they caused asbestos exposure to a person with mesothelioma.

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We handle mesothelioma lawsuits against major companies that exposed people to asbestos and put their health at risk.

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We work on contingency, which means there’s no cost to hire and no fee unless we win.

Why Choose Levy Konigsberg?

Since the 1980s, Levy Konigsberg has evolved into a nationwide powerhouse for mesothelioma litigation in the U.S. Our national mesothelioma lawyers have represented numerous individuals and groups of workers, successfully securing multimillion-dollar settlements and verdicts.

 

Our top-rated mesothelioma lawyers have:

  • A massive knowledge of asbestos law and science
  • Decades of experience to their legal practices
  • Tried hundreds of asbestos and mesothelioma cases before juries
  • Secured record mesothelioma and asbestos compensation verdicts
  • Achieved some of the highest peer reviews and ratings available
  • Helped hundreds of satisfied clients

Additionally, we offer:

  • A caring and understanding approach to your case
  • Personalized attention and counsel based on each unique case
  • No upfront costs for handling your mesothelioma case
  • Fast and efficient handling of your mesothelioma case
  • Frequent case updates and reliable attorney accessibility

Understanding the science of asbestos exposure is an invaluable resource. One of the many benefits of our early involvement in mesothelioma litigation is our access to pioneering researchers and experts in this complex and ever-changing medical field. We put these experts to work on behalf of our clients, in the courtroom and in treatment of their disease.

Our lawyers bring to bear on every case a level of experience that can only come from decades of working together toward a common goal—maximum compensation for mesothelioma victims and their families.

Each new generation of mesothelioma attorneys at the firm acquires the skills, techniques, and knowledge of our senior partners through mentoring relationships. Not only does this benefit every lawyer, but it also benefits our clients in the form of consistently successful representation.

 

A Long History of Success in Mesothelioma Cases

Countless lawyers who advertise themselves as mesothelioma attorneys have never actually handled an asbestos case before. In fact, they refer them out to real mesothelioma lawyers for a fee.

That is not how we operate.

We are true, experienced mesothelioma attorneys who personally work on each case from beginning to end. We are always happy to meet our clients, whether at our New York, New Jersey, California, Georgia, Washington, or Maryland offices, at a client’s home or hospital, or anywhere in the country.

Our legal team has succeeded by negotiating tirelessly with manufacturers of asbestos products and their insurance companies, no matter how influential or uncooperative they are. We are even often able to recover compensation from companies that have long been bankrupt.

Most defense lawyers are familiar with our solid reputation and credentials and know in advance that we will not settle for less than the best possible offer. They know that we build every mesothelioma and asbestos case as if it is going to trial, and we have taken hundreds of cases to juries when a fair settlement had not been offered.

The mesothelioma attorneys at Levy Konigsberg have also served as lead counsel in major state and federal mass consolidation cases designed to benefit many hundreds of people diagnosed with mesothelioma and other types of asbestos-related diseases.

We are proud of the work our lawyers do on behalf of our clients, often in groundbreaking cases against the toughest defendants. Our law firm has obtained landmark asbestos and mesothelioma jury verdicts for exposures to welding rods, cable, asbestos gaskets and packing, commercial talc, and industrial equipment, including the first-ever jury verdicts against welding rod, cable, and commercial talk manufacturers.

Our law firm is frequently referenced by the legal press for our association with the largest and landmark asbestos and mesothelioma verdicts in virtually every category, including various jurisdictions, types of asbestos products involved, and forms of asbestos exposure.

We have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation for victims of mesothelioma and asbestos cancers, and we are prepared to fight for you.

 

Providing Your Case with the Individual Attention It Deserves

Unfortunately, many law firms today use a generalized approach to handling cases of the same type, even those as complex as mesothelioma cases.

With a goal of cutting back on the time spent on each case, they use broad-brush practices and techniques to process cases as fast as they can, often risking the possibility of missing important details in a case and, thus, undermining the goal of negotiating the best possible compensation for their clients.

Contrary to such mentality, we treat every case as if it was our only one. We investigate each case with a team of lawyers, paralegals, and leading experts in the field, all while being in constant communication with the clients, to ensure that we have done everything we could to reach the full potential of each individual case.

In many courts, mesothelioma cases are treated urgently and given high priority. This is particularly true if the claimant is alive. In some jurisdictions, the entire case can be resolved within four to five months; in others, it can take longer.

Here, at Levy Konigsberg, our mesothelioma cancer attorneys do everything possible to avoid delays and move our clients’ cases as quickly as we can. We accomplish this in large part due to the coordinated work of our team members and the fact that every mesothelioma case goes through a strict control and supervision, including regular follow-ups and reviews by the lead lawyers.

Our mesothelioma attorneys update clients on a regular basis, so that they always know of every important development on their case and that it is being taken care of. Our lawyers and support staff take every phone call with a high level of priority and try to answer them on the spot.

If unavailable at that very moment, we call clients back as promptly as possible. It is not uncommon that our mesothelioma attorneys provide clients with their personal cell phone numbers to address any urgent questions that the clients may have in the future.

 

Reach Out to Our Award-Winning Mesothelioma Attorneys Today for a Free Consultation

Our mesothelioma attorneys fight for justice on behalf of innocent people, including the victims of deadly asbestos exposure. Companies that knew the threat asbestos poses must be held accountable for the illnesses and harm that resulted from their negligence. If you were exposed to asbestos, the mesothelioma lawyers at Levy Konigsberg are ready to help.

Our partners have been honored with an AV® Preeminent™ rating, the highest given, from the nationwide Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™. Year after year, our partners are designated by their peers as Super Lawyers® and as the Best Lawyers® in America.

While we are proud of our awards and accolades, our clients remain the central and most important part of our practice. Their satisfaction is our top priority. We understand that every client’s case is their whole life. Our attorneys treat each client with the care they deserve, addressing their unique needs and doing our utmost to help them put their life back together as much as possible.

We offer a free initial consultation, and cover the expenses of building your case, so there is no cost to you unless we recover compensation for you.

We have offices located in New York, New Jersey, California, Georgia, Washington, and Maryland. Many of our mesothelioma lawyers are licensed to practice law in a number of U.S. states and have the capability and extensive experience of representing mesothelioma clients throughout the United States. You are encouraged to contact us with any questions.

Cases of Asbestos Exposure

Mesothelioma News

ATTENTION: Mesothelioma has no known cure and often causes severe pain, suffering, and other types of damage, such as loss of consortium, and loss of income. Additionally, due to the exceedingly high cost of mesothelioma treatments, many families exhaust savings and accumulate financial debt in order to pay for the medical expenses of their family member.

Under the law of most states, pain and suffering from mesothelioma may be compensated through the award of money damages, usually obtained with the help of experienced mesothelioma attorneys. In some states other types of damages may also be recovered.

Asbestos litigation affords mesothelioma victims the opportunity to receive financial compensation and hold accountable the companies that caused their asbestos exposure.

IMPORTANT: If you or your family member has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you should get in touch with a mesothelioma lawyer as early as possible to determine if you have a mesothelioma case and to:

  • Preserve your rights to bring a legal action against the responsible parties within the limited time frame allowed by law, known as statute of limitations;
  • Obtain maximum compensation in your case by being able to:
    • Preserve evidence and establish facts of the asbestos exposure while the claimant is still alive and able to provide information;
    • File and resolve a lawsuit against the responsible parties before they file for bankruptcy or, if they already have, to obtain compensation before their bankruptcy trust funds run out of money;
  • Expedite your case, as courts tend to give higher priority to mesothelioma lawsuits where the claimant is still alive.

NOTE: We have offices located in New York, New Jersey, California, Georgia, Washington, and Maryland. Many of our mesothelioma lawyers are licensed to practice law in a number of U.S. states and have the capability and extensive experience of representing mesothelioma clients throughout the United States. You are encouraged to contact us with any questions.

Since the 1970s, our founding partners were pioneers in championing the rights of asbestos and mesothelioma victims. In fact, Stan Levy was the first personal injury lawyer in the Northeast to pursue an asbestos case and one of the first mesothelioma attorneys in America.

Later, in 1985, he formed Levy Konigsberg with a mission to apply his extensive experience and legal knowledge to seek justice and financial compensation on behalf of asbestos and mesothelioma victims across the United States.

Find out whether you have a case by speaking to one of our experienced mesothelioma lawyers.

Trust Levy Konigsberg's Legal Team for Proven Results in Mesothelioma Cases

Levy Konigsberg LLP, a nationally recognized law firm, has built a legacy over three decades, securing billions in compensation for its clients. Led by award-winning attorneys, we specialize in representing individuals and families across the country who have suffered from asbestos exposure and devastating illnesses such as mesothelioma. Our top-rated trial practice holds corporations accountable for exposing workers and communities to asbestos, with numerous testimonials and successful case results.

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