New York Mesothelioma Attorney Urges Cautious Approach to Kings Park Demolition Project
New York parks officials must ensure that residents and workers are not exposed to dangerous asbestos fibers during the demolition of nine buildings on the former Kings Park (N.Y.) Psychiatric Center grounds, New York mesothelioma lawyer Joseph W. Belluck said last week.
According to a recent article in the Long Island Times Beacon Record, the state’s parks department has secured $15 million in funding for the building demolition and will receive bids from contractors over the next two months. The project could begin in May.
The newspaper reported that seven of the buildings set for demolition have been condemned because they contain asbestos or are unsafe to enter. A state parks official said tanker trucks will be used to wet down the demolished structures in order to prevent the asbestos dust from becoming airborne.
“When asbestos is improperly handled, it can put others at risk of contracting deadly, asbestos-related illnesses such as mesothelioma,” said Belluck, whose New York personal injury law firm represents asbestos exposure victims and their families in personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits.
“Any contractors hired to carry out this project must have the skill and experience needed to make sure that no workers or nearby residents are exposed to this highly toxic mineral.”
According to Belluck, asbestos contamination is always a concern when older buildings are renovated or demolished. Although asbestos is recognized today as a carcinogen by most authorities, including the Environmental Protection Agency, it was widely used in construction and building materials in the U.S. through the 1970s.
Asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma, a disease that kills between 2,500 and 3,000 people in the U.S. each year. The most common form of mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma, arises when asbestos fibers become lodged in the thin tissue that lines the lungs.
Symptoms of the disease, such as shortness of breath and chest pains, may take as many as 10 to 50 years to develop. Once diagnosed, mesothelioma progresses rapidly.
Belluck says it is important for mesothelioma victims to seek legal assistance in addition to medical treatment to learn about their legal options.
“While the top priority for someone diagnosed with mesothelioma should be to receive quality medical care, it is also crucial for victims of asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma to know that they have legal rights,” Belluck said. “They can pursue an asbestos-exposure lawsuit against the company or agency that exposed them to this toxic substance.”
About Belluck & Fox, LLP
Belluck & Fox, LLP, is a nationally recognized law firm that represents individuals with asbestos and mesothelioma claims, as well as victims of crime, motorcycle crashes, lead paint and other serious injuries. The firm provides personalized and professional representation and has won over $400 million in compensation for clients and their families.
Partner Joseph W. Belluck is AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell and is listed in Best Lawyers in America, New York Magazine’s “Best Lawyers in the New York Area” and in Super Lawyers. Mr. Belluck has won numerous cases involving injuries from asbestos, defective medical products, tobacco and lead paint, including a recent asbestos case that settled for more than $12 million.
Partner Jordan Fox is a well-known asbestos and mesothelioma attorney who has been named to the Best Lawyers in America, New York Magazine’s “Best Lawyers in the New York Area” and to Super Lawyers. On two separate occasions his verdicts were featured as the National Law Journal’s Largest Verdict of the Year. He recently secured verdicts of $32 million and more than $19 million on behalf of individuals who had contracted mesothelioma from asbestos exposure.
In September, Belluck & Fox, LLP, won a coveted spot on a list of America’s best law firms, which was published jointly by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers magazine. The listing showcased 8,782 different law firms ranked in one or more of 81 major practice areas.
For more information, contact the firm at (877) 637-6843 or through the online contact form.
