Asbestos Litigation
Attorneys at the firm work extensively on asbestos litigation, both in the courts and in workers' compensation claims. We represent employers, manufacturers and other user entities in asbestos-related claims involving interstitial fibrosis/asbestosis, mesothelioma, small cell carcinoma, non-small cell carcinoma, and the more questionably related cancers.
In particular, we have developed scientific defenses in friction product cases based upon numerous epidemiological studies that show no increased risk of mesothelioma in friction product workers over any other subset of the population, a variation of the chrysotile defense (smoother fibers preferentially cleared). We also have promulgated exposure/dosage-based defenses involving amphibole asbestos through epidemiological and toxicological analyses of exposure, dose intensity (friable versus non-friable), duration of exposure, and fiber type. Time weighted daily exposures or fiber years for the specific exposure at issue can be compared to the plaintiff/decedent's lifetime exposure dosage as well as threshold limit values set over the years by groups such as the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). Additionally, specific task-based exposures can be compared to empirical studies showing no increase in mesothelioma among specific trades such as carpenters or dry wallers.
In addition, our firm is intimately familiar with latency defenses, smoking defenses, other causation defenses and the sophisticated user defense.