Best Law Firms in Connecticut for Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs

Early, Lucarelli, Sweeney & Meisenkothen is a national law firm recognized for its representation of over 5,000 hardworking men and women who have been exposed to asbestos and diagnosed with mesothelioma. ELSM devotes nearly 100 percent of our resources to mesothelioma cases and has been doing so for over 40 years.

The attorneys at ELSM have extensive knowledge about the companies that distributed, manufactured, and supplied products containing asbestos and have used this knowledge to obtain settlements and jury verdicts which are among the highest in the country.

ELSM assists clients not only in filing civil lawsuits to recover for their injuries, but also in filing workers compensation and bankruptcy claims where appropriate.

Asbestos & Mesothelioma

Malignant mesothelioma is the most serious of all asbestos related disease. Although uncommon, mesothelioma cancer is no longer considered rare.

• What Is Mesothelioma?
• Mesothelioma Risk Factors
• Mesothelioma Symptoms
• What Is Asbestos?
• Occupations at Risk
• Asbestos Products
• Asbestos Job Sites

Mesothelioma Treatment

Ongoing research and mesothelioma treatments like Alimta® can give mesothelioma patients hope.

• Diagnosing Mesothelioma
• Mesothelioma Types
• Mesothelioma Staging
• Treating Mesothelioma
• Treatment Near You
• Clinical Trials
• Prognosis and Outlook
• Mesothelioma Survivors
• Mesothelioma Books

Your Legal Rights

Our justice system allows those suffering from mesothelioma to seek compensation from the manufacturers of asbestos and asbestos-containing products.

• Why Protect Your Rights
• Typical Case Process
• Viable Defendants
• Bankrupt Defendants
• VA Benefits
• Workers' Compensation
• FAQ's
• Asbestos News

Early, Lucarelli, Sweeney & Meisenkothen is nationally recognized for our representation of mesothelioma victims, and for our understanding of and compassion for victims and their families. Our experience in these matters spans over three decades.

• Attorneys
• Where We Work
• Why Hire Us?
• Settlements Obtained
• What Our Clients Say
• Martindale Rating
• Help Find a Cure
• Asbestos Awareness

ELSM is proud to support MARF (Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation) in its work to fund mesothelioma research.

I am very pleased with the law firm Early, Lucarelli, Sweeney & Meisenkothen and feel that they have always had my best interest at heart. Whenever I have had questions to be answered, I could (and can) count on prompt answers by calling the person with whom I have had the most contact, Jennifer Lucarelli. She has always treated me like a life-long friend.

-Shirley Lamphere

NEARLY FIVE DECADES OF RESULTS-DRIVEN ADVOCACY: SGT is a plaintiffs’ law firm focused on trial work. For almost 50 years, our attorneys have represented injured individuals, groups, and organizations in significant and complex litigation. Our work has resulted in billions of dollars returned to clients through jury verdicts and settlements in class action, personal injury, medical malpractice, antitrust, and other high-impact matters.

SGT takes on challenging, life-altering cases that directly affect the well-being of people, communities, and organizations. We accept matters we are prepared to bring to trial and approach each case with the expectation of presenting it in the courtroom. This trial-focused mindset often plays an important role in how cases are resolved.

CATASTROPHIC EVENT LITIGATION: SGT helped shape the medical malpractice and serious personal injury practices for which the firm is known throughout Connecticut. We handle cases involving catastrophic events and commit the time and resources necessary to pursue them. In 1980, SGT obtained Connecticut’s first medical malpractice verdict exceeding $1 million. Today, many of our medical malpractice and serious personal injury matters are referred by other attorneys.

ADDRESSING NATIONAL CONTROVERSIES WITH LOCAL IMPACT: SGT’s Class Action and Complex Litigation practice groups handle matters involving nationwide issues that affect the communities we serve.

Big Tobacco Litigation. SGT served as lead private counsel for the State of Connecticut from 1996–1998 in litigation against the American tobacco industry. As part of the nationwide settlement, Connecticut received a $3.6 billion share of the $246 billion resolution, along with a $370 million bonus attributed to SGT’s work. State of Connecticut v. Philip Morris, Inc., et al., No. X02-CV-960148414S.

Enron. SGT represented more than 70 Connecticut municipalities that sustained losses related to the Enron scandal in Town of New Hartford, et al. v. Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority, No. UWY-CV-04-0185580S, resulting in the largest verdict rendered against a public entity in Connecticut.

Madoff Ponzi Scheme. SGT represented the retirement funds of employees of the Town of Fairfield, Connecticut, in actions seeking recovery for investment losses connected to the Bernie Madoff fraud, resulting in recoveries exceeding $15 million for the Town.

Allianz Global Investors Structured Alpha Fraud. SGT represented a local union’s retirement fund, the employees’ retirement funds of the Town of Fairfield, and mutual fund shareholders in actions against Allianz Global Investors U.S. LLC, a subsidiary of Allianz SE, arising from a complex investment scheme that caused substantial losses.

COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP & RECOGNITION: SGT values its role in the legal community. Named partners Richard Silver, David S. Golub, and Ernie Teitell have taught trial practice at Yale Law School and Quinnipiac University School of Law. Several SGT partners have served as President of the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association, the firm sponsors an annual lecture series at Quinnipiac University School of Law, and a law school scholarship has been established in the firm’s name. SGT is included in the U.S. News & Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” list. Several attorneys hold Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent™ peer review ratings. SGT attorneys are also regularly named Connecticut Super Lawyers* by Connecticut Magazine, included in The Best Lawyers in America®, and listed in the Martindale-Hubbell® Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers™.

www.sgtlaw.com