An Asbestos Defense Attorney Can Help Protect the Financial Security of Those Harmed by Exposure to This Harmful Mineral
An asbestos defense lawyer can assist in ensuring the financial security of those harmed by exposure to this toxic mineral. Compensation may cover medical costs, funeral and burial expenses as well as pain and suffering and lost quality of life.
Our attorneys serve as local, regional, and national counsel in large toxic tort litigation. As as such, we are acquainted with the specific issues and complicated science associated with asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos is a dangerous fiber that can lead to various serious medical conditions, including mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney is experienced in dealing with lawsuits that seek the financial compensation of those affected by asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be complex and it is crucial to have a mesothelioma expert law firm on your side.
New York has a long history of asbestos litigation, and many residents have been exposed to this dangerous substance. In recent years there have been more lawsuits filed against asbestos producers in the past than ever before. These cases arise out of the recognition that asbestos is linked to diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. These companies knew of the dangers associated with the hazardous mineral, but didn’t warn their employees and clients.
New York City is especially susceptible to illnesses caused by asbestos due to its old structures and many construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously hazardous area that continues to affect the surrounding community.
Mesothelioma can be caused by exposure to asbestos in direct contact and many workers were exposed to it at work. However, people also get diagnosed with mesothelioma attorneys after experiencing exposure to harmful substances. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposed workers who were wearing their husband’s work clothes and came into contact with asbestos dust on a regular basis.
Mesothelioma-related litigation can be expensive for defendants. This is especially the case if they were incorrectly identified as defendants. A study indicates that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could increase. This kind of litigation is usually supported by asbestos law firms, which advertise on daytime television and encourage victims to file claims with the promise of substantial settlements.
The defendants might be able to reduce some of the costs of these cases by arguing that their policy periods are expired or that they are only responsible for only a small percentage of the value of the claim. However, New York law has not provided a definitive rule on how to divide liabilities when the alleged exposure is within and outside the insurance company’s policy.
Asbestos-Related Illnesses
A wide range of asbestos-related illnesses can be triggered due to exposure to the harmful mineral. The most severe condition is mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is the cause of death of many people. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer asbestosis, pleural plaques and pleural effusion.
Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal illness that is caused by asbestos fibers which collect in the lung. They then irritate the linings of the ribcage (the the pleura) as well as the chest cavity and abdominal cavity. Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause scarring in the lungs. This is known as asbestosis. It can also lead to thickened pleura patches (pleural plaques) or a more extensive fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrosis decrease lung capacity as determined by breathing tests. They can also cause breathing problems and pain however they do not cause mesothelioma or cancer.
The signs of asbestos-related illness typically do not manifest until decades after exposure. It could take up to 50 years for asbestos-related fibers to be inhaled to cause lung damage. Workers who handled, cleaned, and removed asbestos from their workplaces as well as spouses, children, and others exposed to asbestos are at risk for developing mesothelioma.
Other asbestos-related diseases apart from mesothelioma, include lung cancer and laryngeal carcinoma, peritoneal, ovarian, and peritoneal cancer. Ovarian cancer is the deadliest form of mesothelioma attorneys for women, but it is less common than mesothelioma in general. It is typically diagnosed later than other types of mesothelioma since it develops in the lining of the reproductive organs, and symptoms can be similar to those of other diseases.
Many companies employed asbestos during the 20th century. They were aware that it was hazardous. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos because they didn’t eliminate asbestos from their products. Now, these people are able to claim financial compensation. Many asbestos-related manufacturers are bankrupt. This means that the victims can seek the compensation they deserve from the trust funds established by the bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
Asbestos-related companies have put profit over the safety of their workers and consumers for decades, producing hazardous products without warning of the dangers. These companies are now facing the consequences of their carelessness. People whose lives have been disrupted by mesothelioma and lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases are seeking full and fair settlement.
The attorneys at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to helping individuals and families receive the justice they need. With more than 25 years of experience in the field, we have secured a million of dollars in compensation for our clients. Our New York mesothelioma lawyers (Learn Even more) work to hold accountable large corporations accountable and to secure maximum compensation for our clients.
Many states have set up special asbestos courts where claims can be filed and resolved more efficiently. Judges have also created specialized procedures to evaluate and resolve such cases.
New York is one such state, with its own asbestos court, known as NYCAL. The number of cases in this court has increased steadily, as more and more asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent former asbestos defendants who have become bankrupt. The New York Supreme Court created an additional judicial board that will supervise NYCAL in order to keep the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.
A panel comprised of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine whether it should be accepted or rejected. Judges will also evaluate the merits of every claim to determine how much the plaintiff’s compensation should be.
At present, the panel is looking into more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to issue its final decision before the end this year.
New York asbestos lawsuits are often complex and involve several defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience with the litigation of these difficult cases. They are well-versed in New York’s asbestos courts as well as their rules regulations, policies and guidelines and other jurisdictions in which they have handled multi-district litigation.
The firm also has vast experience in serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients throughout the nation in multi-district litigation that is complex and complex. In this capacity, attorneys develop strategies, coordinate and oversee regional and local counsel and ensure cost-effective and consistent defenses for each client. They have worked closely in the past with trial judges, coordination judges, and litigation special masters from various jurisdictions.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A knowledgeable Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best approach to defend a client against an asbestos-related personal injury claim. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises suppliers, manufacturers, contractors, distributors, and owners of premises on matters that involve mesothelioma claims, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm also works with clients to create internal programs for identifying and addressing potential safety and liability concerns.
In addition to its asbestos practice in the national level, Bowles Rice serves as national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this role, the firm develops litigation strategies, supervises local and regional counsel, and provides a cost-effective and consistent defense that is in sync with client goals. Additionally, it plays a key role in the management of asbestos dockets and negotiations with counsel for plaintiffs and also leads discovery for its clients.
The firm’s lawyers have extensive trial and appellate experience, defending clients from claims brought by injured claimants, including those who claim mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense lawyers are familiar with the intricate science involved with these cases, as well as the unique legal issues that arise when representing companies in state and federal courts across the United States.
Catherine has represented a variety of manufacturers in asbestos and products liability personal injury cases, defending them as the lead trial counsel in consolidated trials involving multiple claimants. She has a wealth of experience litigating asbestos-related cases in federal and state courts, as well as before a variety of supreme and appellate courts.
During her tenure at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos cases for respondents, including those in the Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The case files contained SEAR forms (Short Evaluative Reports Encapsulated) which contained confidential information about plaintiffs. This included medical reports, work histories, and the list of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs used or worked near. Vogel was required to use access to these files, and she could also go through the SEAR forms of any case with her current employer.
In addition to its extensive trial and appellate experience as well as its vast trial and appellate experience, the Bowles Rice Asbestos Team is acknowledged nationally for its ability to negotiate settlements on behalf of its clients. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs’ lawyers to create and implement settlement agreements. It also has a wealth of experience in defending businesses from appeals.