An Asbestos Defense Attorney Can Help Protect the Financial Security of Those Harmed by Exposure to This Harmful Mineral
A lawyer who is a defense attorney for asbestos can help protect those who’s financial security was affected due to exposure to the hazardous mineral. Compensation can cover medical costs funeral and burial costs, loss of quality of life, as well as pain and suffering.
Our attorneys are involved in mass toxic tort litigation on a national, regional and local scale. We are knowledgeable about the specific issues and complex aspects of science associated with asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos fibers are deadly and can trigger serious medical conditions like mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney is experienced in handling lawsuits to seek financial compensation for those who have suffered from asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be complicated and it is crucial to have a reputable mesothelioma law firm on your side.
New York has a long history of asbestos legal litigation and many residents have been exposed to this hazardous substance. In recent years, there have been more lawsuits filed against asbestos producers from the past than before. These cases arise out of the recognition that asbestos can cause illnesses such as mesothelioma or lung cancer. These companies were aware asbestos’s dangers however, they failed to inform the employees and the public.
New York City is especially susceptible to diseases caused by asbestos due to its old structures and many construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously toxic area that continues affect the community around it.
Mesothelioma is triggered by exposure to asbestos in direct contact and many workers were exposed to asbestos at work. However, some people are diagnosed with mesothelioma after experiencing exposure to harmful substances. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposure workers who wore their husband’s work clothes and came in contact with asbestos dust on a regular basis.
The litigation associated with mesothelioma is costly for defendants, particularly when they are incorrectly named as defendants. A study has revealed that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could increase. Specialized asbestos law firms typically advertise on daytime TV and encourage victims to file claims under the premise that they will receive substantial settlements.
The defendants may be able lower some of the costs associated with these cases by argument that their policy terms have expired or they’re only responsible for a small portion of the value of the claim. New York law does not provide a definitive rule on how to divide responsibility when the alleged risk is within and part outside of the insurance policies.
Asbestos-related diseases
A myriad of asbestos-related illnesses can be triggered because of exposure to the toxic mineral. The most serious of these is mesothelioma. Mesothelioma has led to the deaths of many people. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques, and pleural effusion.
Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal disease caused by exposure to asbestos fibers that accumulate in the lungs and irritate the lining of the ribcage, chest cavity and abdominal cavity (the pleura). Inhaling these fibers can lead to scarring in the lungs, called asbestosis. It can also lead to thickened patches of pleura (pleural plaques) or a more extensive fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrosis reduce lung capacity as determined by breathing tests. They can also cause pain and difficulties in breathing, but they do not lead cancer or mesothelioma.
Most of the time, symptoms of asbestos-related diseases do not show up until decades after the initial exposure. This is due to the fact that it can take between 20 to 50 years for inhalation of asbestos-containing fibers to damage the lungs. The people at risk of developing mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related diseases include those who handled, cleaned, and removed these materials from the workplace, as well as spouses and children of those exposed to asbestos.
Other asbestos-related illnesses, apart from mesothelioma, include laryngeal carcinoma and lung cancer and peritoneal, ovarian and peritoneal cancer. Ovarian cancer is among the most deadly form of mesothelioma for women however, it is much less common than mesothelioma general. It is diagnosed later than most other mesothelioma types, because it develops in the linings of reproductive organs. Symptoms can be similar to other illnesses.
A number of companies used asbestos in the 20th century. They knew it was hazardous. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos when they didn’t remove asbestos from their products. Now, these people are able to seek financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are insolvent. In the aftermath, victims are able to seek the compensation they are entitled to from 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 creating dangerous products without warning about the risks. These companies are now paying for their inattention to. People whose lives have been disrupted by mesothelioma, cancer of the lung and other asbestos-related diseases are seeking fair and full compensation.
The lawyers at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to assisting families and individuals get the justice they deserve. Our attorneys have more than 25 years of experience and have assisted our clients to receive millions of dollars of compensation. Our New York mesothelioma lawyers work to hold large corporations responsible accountable and to secure the highest amount of compensation for our clients.
Many states have established special asbestos courts, where claims can be filed more efficiently. Judges have also established special procedures to review and resolve these cases.
New York, a state that has its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL) is one of the states. As asbestos victims continue to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants that have declared bankruptcy and have been unable to pay, the workload of this court has been steadily increasing. The New York Supreme Court created a special judicial board to oversee NYCAL in order to keep the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.
A panel composed of six Supreme Court judges will review each case in NYCAL to determine whether or not to accept it. Judges will also consider the merits of each claim to determine how much a plaintiff should receive.
The panel is currently reviewing more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to make a final decision by the end of this year.
New York asbestos lawsuits are usually complex and include allegations of several defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience with the litigation of these complex matters. They are familiar with the asbestos courts of New York, including their rules, regulations and policies, as well as other jurisdictions in which they have handled multi-district litigation.
The firm also has vast experience 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 lawyers devise strategies, manage local and regional counsel, and ensure that they are able to provide consistent and efficient defenses for clients. They have collaborated closely with coordinating and trial judges and litigation special masters in the various jurisdictions where they were involved in asbestos litigation.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A knowledgeable Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best approach to defend a client from an asbestos personal injury claim. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, contractors, and owners of premises on matters involving mesothelioma claims, lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm collaborates with clients on developing internal programs to deal with potential liability and safety issues.
In addition to its national asbestos legal practice, Bowles Rice serves as national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this capacity the firm designs litigation strategies, supervises regional and local counsel, and provides a cost-effective and consistent defense that is in sync with client objectives. In addition it plays a crucial role in the administration of asbestos dockets, negotiations with counsel for plaintiffs and also leads discovery for its clients.
The firm’s attorneys are experienced in defending clients against mesothelioma claims and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are familiar with the intricate research and technology involved in these cases, as and specific legal issues that arise when defending companies before federal and state courts across the United States.
Catherine has represented numerous manufacturers as the lead trial counsel in asbestos and personal injury lawsuits related to product liability and in cases that have been consolidated involving multiple claimants. She has extensive experience in litigating asbestos-related cases before the federal and state courts as well as before various supreme and appellate court bodies.
While at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos cases for respondents, including those in the Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The cases files contained SEAR forms (Short encapsulated Evaluative reports) that contained confidential information about the plaintiffs. This included medical reports as well as work histories and the list of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs worked with or near. Vogel was required to have access to the files and was able to look over the SEAR forms of any case at 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 develop and execute settlement agreements. It also has a wealth of experience in defending businesses from appeals.