Q: my wife contracted lung cancer after 15 yaers working in the operating room
in 2023 NJ passed surgical smoke laws...surgial smoke is toxic
A: I'm sorry about your wife's diagnosis. Although this issue is recognized by the CDC and other health agencies, there are probably not many law firms that practice in the field. There are firms handling respiratory lawsuits involving lung cancer, asbestosis, mesothelioma - but those firms tend to handle industrial-based settings, such as shipyards or demolition. It's possible they might be a starting point for learning more about legal resources in this narrow field which has only recently gained recognition. Since it's probably a small community of practitioners, those firms might know more than general injury and tort firms. It's also possible you could encounter a large firm with full-spectrum tort capabilities (including toxic tort and others) with extensive resources that is willing to explore the scientific and medical complexities of such a case. Good luck
A: Yes Surgical smoke is toxic and you wife's estate may have a case, but a doctor would have to tie that surgical smoke to her cause of cancer and not another cause such as smoking two packs of cigarettes a day if you get what I am saying. Definately speak with a lawyer ASAP.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
