John Richmond, Co-Founding Member
- April 10, 2025
Have you or a loved one been diagnosed with mesothelioma? You could have a valid claim against a party that exposed you to asbestos and caused your cancer. Our mesothelioma lawyers from Richmond Vona, LLC have ample experience managing complex mesothelioma claims and lawsuits for people in situations much like your own. Give us the chance to provide the same robust and tenacious representation for you, too. We serve clients in Buffalo, Rochester, and throughout New York.
Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer – often appearing in the lungs – caused by exposure to asbestos. Many cases can be linked to people unknowingly breathing in asbestos fibers in their own homes or workplaces. The asbestos industry is usually found to be the liable party who must answer to lawsuits because it has intentionally hidden information from the public about the dangers of its product. Your claim could target them as a defendant as well. Reach out to our skilled team of attorneys to learn more.
Different Forms of Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma grows in the mesothelium, which is a tissue covering most internal organs. It most commonly begins in the lungs due to asbestos inhalation, but it can develop in other major organs and body parts. Mesothelioma can be diagnosed in the:
- Pleura of the lungs
- Abdomen
- Heart
- Reproductive organs
There is currently no cure for mesothelioma, making it a terminal illness. It is also known to progress quickly in some patients. To seek justice and fair compensation, it is important that you explore your legal options as soon as possible. Our New York mesothelioma attorneys are standing by to receive your call and discuss what you should be doing next to get compensation for your pain, hardships, medical costs, and more. Our team has experience taking cases for a variety of mesothelioma cases, including:
Additionally, we have also fought for clients with claims against out-of-business companies.
Mesothelioma FAQ
For convenience, our Buffalo, NY Mesothelioma attorneys have provided a few frequently asked questions about mesothelioma:
Do I have a valid mesothelioma claim?
Due to statutes of limitations in New York, your claim will most likely require you to have received a mesothelioma diagnosis within the last three years. However, your exposure to asbestos can have occurred much earlier without invalidating your claim.
Why can I file a claim if my asbestos exposure happened long ago?
Liability claims related to cancers have a statute of limitations that begins when the cancer was noticed or diagnosed, not when exposed to what caused the cancer. This extension is due to the fact that many cancer patients do not know of their illness until many years pass and it progresses to the point of pain or debilitation.
Is my mesothelioma claim worth pursuing?
You should always explore your legal options when another party has caused you to suffer financially, physically, and emotionally. Every mesothelioma claim is different than the next, and the value of total damages will also change, though. You cannot be guaranteed any amount of winnings by any law firm.
Symptoms of Mesothelioma
The symptoms of mesothelioma can vary depending on where the cancer manifests. You should always speak to your trusted medical provider if you have been experiencing unexplained symptoms and have worked around asbestos or lived in a property with asbestos insulation. You might be experiencing mesothelioma symptoms and catching them early can help slow the cancer.
A few common signs of mesothelioma are:
- Difficulty breathing
- Chest pain
- Chronic coughing and wheezing
- Sudden or dramatic weight loss
- Nausea and fatigue
- Abdominal swelling
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John Richmond has been extremely helpful on several occasions with matters we presented to him. I was very impressed with the exceptional diligence and professionalism he exhibited in successfully handling those issues. He took into consideration my thoughts and reasons behind the items I felt needed to be addressed. He went out of his way to make meeting with us a very convenient and pleasant experience. When our son required assistance with a custody issue we again went to Mr. Richmond. As it was an issue that was outside the scope of his expertise he did not hesitate to recommend another attorney in the field which was needed. That attorney was also exceptional and that case was also successfully resolved and for that recommendation we truly thank him. We will, beyond any doubt, utilize his firm and services for any matters that may arise in the future. I do not hesitate to highly recommend Mr. Richmond and his firm.
My experience with Richmond Vona was exceptional. Keith and John gave my case all the attention required to bring about a successful result. They were a calming and confident presence during a very difficult time in my life. I was never treated like a number, but more like family. They were in constant communication with me to make sure that everything I was going through was taken care of. I appreciate all of the support I received from Keith and John. I am proud to be part of the Richmond Vona family, and would highly recommend them to anyone
Let me be honest, I’ve been skeptical of attorneys in the past…. but Keith Vona and Richmond Vona, LLC changed that. They are professional, caring, thorough and trustworthy. They assisted me and my family with a challenging mesothelioma case. Challenging why, because my father passed before he could testify. Keith remained in contact, updated us regularly and I believe went above and beyond normal due diligence. I would highly recommend Richmond Vona, LLC. Thank you for all you have done for our family!!
Asbestos Might Be in Your Property
Asbestos was one of the most popular fireproofing and insulation materials used in the United States for decades. Product manufacturers, construction companies, and other industries often turned to the material due to its relatively low cost, availability, and reliability for its intended purposes. However, if the asbestos industry had been honest about the carcinogenic properties of its products, then it would likely not have been as popular as it had been.
Today, countless buildings across New York could be lined with asbestos insulation. Typically, any property constructed before the ‘80s has a high chance of containing dangerous asbestos. While some occupations pose a higher risk of asbestos exposure, asbestos can also be found in residential and commercial properties. As a New Yorker, you probably know how many old buildings line the streets, so the asbestos-mesothelioma problem in NYC is assumed to be quite drastic, even with government efforts to strip away and replace asbestos wherever it is found. In fact, New York State suffered more than 12,000 deaths caused by asbestos exposure between 1999 and 2013.
Buffalo, NY in particular is known as “Asbestos Alley” as it was full of factories following the industrial revolution, many of which contained asbestos. and the Our mesothelioma attorneys have experience in Buffalo and know the major corporations throughout Western New York where asbestos exposure has been documented. Our expertise could help identify and investigate buildings that are contaminated with asbestos to help win your case.
Contact a Buffalo, New York Mesothelioma Attorney for Legal Help
With decades of combined legal experience, our Buffalo mesothelioma lawyers of Richmond Vona, LLC are on a mission to amplify the voices of anyone in our city who has been wrongfully exposed to asbestos and was later diagnosed with mesothelioma. We know what it takes to challenge major insurance companies that often defend the asbestos industry. Across our years of practice, we have recovered more than $175 million in settlements and verdicts for our clients. Few other local law firms can make such a claim.
Put fighters on your side. Contact us today for a free consultation.
