A highly experienced asbestos claims lawyer (without the big firm overheads)
Joe Calabrese, Principal Lawyer at Calabrese Lawyers, is one of Sydney’s leading asbestos lawyers with more than a decade of experience in this area.
He trained with Australia’s largest and most experienced dust diseases firm and continues to represent clients suffering Asbestosis, Mesothelioma, Lung Cancer and other asbestos-related diseases.
He comments in the media as a highly experienced asbestos lawyer and mesothelioma lawyer, and has won several high-profile cases.
Asbestos claims in Australia
Asbestos claims are often work related. There have been more work-related deaths in Australia as a result of asbestos exposure than any other single cause.
Asbestos is a natural mineral that was used widely in industry because of its unique flexibility, strength, insulation and other properties.
It’s only when asbestos is disturbed, and airborne fibres are inhaled into the lungs, that it becomes a risk.
Those who worked with asbestos—undertaking repairs, renovations and other things that released asbestos fibres into the air—are most at risk of developing diseases as a result of exposure.
Asbestos claims generally arise well after the exposure, since Asbestos-related diseases usually take years to develop.
Restoring hope and fighting for compensation
Joe Calabrese has won countless cases and many millions of dollars in compensation for his clients. He’s also been involved in several landmark dust diseases cases:
Maria Restuccia v Dust Diseases Board of NSW
Joe won compensation for his client whose husband died from lung cancer, despite a long battle with the Dust Diseases Board (who put $1 million towards fighting the case).
At the time, the media reported that the case could “open the doors for hundreds – perhaps thousands – of other workers with lung cancer who have been refused compensation in NSW for exposure to asbestos because they were smokers.” His client’s former (high-profile) solicitors had advised she had no hope of success in this case. Read the press reports here.
Mario di Cecco v Auqual
The first case in which a further claim for damages in the Dust Diseases Tribunal was allowed.
A personal interest: fighting Australia’s asbestos manufacturer
Joe, unfortunately, has a personal connection to this area of law, as highlighted in this excerpt from “Killer Company: James Hardie Exposed” by Matt Peacock:
“[James Hardie’s solicitors] advised James Hardie to fight. They just wanted to litigate everything. Everything became an argument. You had to produce the last bit of paper to get it across the line. I’m sure they thought, ‘If we absolutely swamp them in paper, they’ll give it away’. I think they vastly underestimated the plaintiff lawyers, because people who worked here were really committed. People like Joe Calabrese – his father had severe asbestosis. I mean, he had a personal interest in getting these people.”
– Armando Gardiman, Turner Freeman Lawyers
Client testimonials
“At all times my family was treated with a very caring and I believe genuine approach because of the terminal illness involved and respect for our feelings.”
“Joe explained everything very well and kept me well informed. The results were far greater than I had anticipated.”
“We are certain that without your fighting spirit the final result would have been much lower and we appreciate your tenacity and drive.”
“Although it may have seemed that I was forever pushing you for a quick conclusion, I thank you for the patience and empathy you have shown me.”