An Asbestos Defense Attorney Can Help Protect the Financial Security of Those Harmed by Exposure to This Harmful Mineral
An asbestos defense attorney can assist in ensuring the financial security of those harmed through exposure to this dangerous mineral. Compensation can cover medical expenses, funeral and burial expenses, pain and suffering, and lost quality of life.
Our lawyers serve as national, regional and local counsel in massive toxic tort litigation. As our lawyers are well-versed with the particular issues and the complex science that go along with asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos is a deadly fiber that can lead to various serious medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer (click through the up coming internet page) is skilled in handling asbestos lawsuits which seek compensation for victims and their families due to exposure to this toxic substance. These cases can be complicated and it is crucial to have a mesothelioma expert lawyer on your side.
New York has had a long history of asbestos litigation. Many residents were exposed to this hazardous material. In recent years there have been more lawsuits against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases stem from the recognition of a connection between asbestos and certain diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer and asbestosis. These companies were aware of the dangers associated with the hazardous mineral, but failed to warn their employees and consumers.
The New York City area is particularly susceptible to asbestos-related illnesses because of its older structures and a myriad of construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic location that continues to have an impact on the community around it.
Mesothelioma is triggered by exposure to asbestos in direct contact and a lot of workers were exposed to asbestos at work. Secondhand exposure can also cause mesothelioma. This is especially true for spouses who wear husband’s clothes at work and come in contact with asbestos dust on a regular basis.
The litigation associated with mesothelioma is costly for defendants, particularly when they are mistakenly identified as a defendant. According to a study, more that 3,600 claims have been filed in New York courts since 2014, and the number could increase even more. This type of litigation is typically fueled by specialized asbestos law firms, which advertise on television during the day and encourage victims to file claims, with the promise of large settlements.
Defendants might be able to lower some of the expenses arising from these cases by arguing that their policy periods have expired or they’re only responsible for a tiny portion of the claim value. However, New York law has not established a clear rule on how to divide liabilities when the alleged exposure occurs partly in and out of the insurance company’s policy.
Asbestos-Related Diseases
A myriad of asbestos-related illnesses can develop because of exposure to the toxic mineral. The most serious of these is mesothelioma. Many people have died due to mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques, and the pleural effusion.
Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal condition is caused by asbestos fibers that collect in the lungs. They then irritate the linings of the ribcage (the pleura), chest cavity, and abdominal cavity. The inhalation of these small fibers can cause scarring of the lungs known as asbestosis and, sometimes, the development of thickened patches on the pleura called plaques of pleura or the more widespread fibrosis of the pleura, referred to as diffused pleural the fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrosis decrease lung capacity as measured by breathing tests. They also cause discomfort and breathing difficulties, though they do not cause mesothelioma or cancer.
Symptoms of asbestos-related disease often are not evident until years after exposure. It could take up to 50 years for asbestos legal fibers that are inhaled to cause lung damage. People who are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other asbestos-related ailments include those who handled, laundered and removed asbestos-containing materials from the workplace, as well as spouses and children of asbestos-related exposure.
In addition to mesothelioma other asbestos legal-related illnesses include laryngeal cancer, lung cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma and ovarian mesothelioma. The most dangerous form of mesothelioma is called ovarian cancer, but it’s much less prevalent than mesothelioma in general. It is often diagnosed later than other kinds of mesothelioma since it is a cancer that develops in the lining of the reproductive organs and symptoms can be similar to symptoms of other illnesses.
A number of companies used asbestos in the 20th century. They knew it was dangerous. When they did not remove asbestos from their products thousands of people were exposed. These people can now sue for financial compensation. Many asbestos-related manufacturers are bankrupt. The victims are now able to claim compensation from trust funds set up by bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
For decades, asbestos companies put profits above the safety of their employees and consumers by producing dangerous products without warning of the risks. They are now confronting the consequences of their negligence. People whose lives have been disrupted by mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses are seeking full and fair settlement.
Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals receive the justice they deserve. With more than 25 years of experience, we have secured millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. Our New York mesothelioma attorneys work to hold corporations accountable and to secure the highest amount of compensation for their clients.
Many states have established asbestos courts with specialization, where claims can be filed more efficiently. In addition judges have developed specific procedures to evaluate and resolve asbestos cases.
New York is one such state with its own asbestos court known as NYCAL. The number of cases filed in this court has grown steadily, as asbestos victims are becoming more and more likely to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants who went bankrupt. The New York Supreme Court created an extra judicial board to oversee NYCAL in order to prevent the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.
A panel of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine if it is accepted or rejected. Judges will also consider the merits of each claim to determine how much amount of money each plaintiff should receive.
The panel is currently examining more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to make a final decision by the end of this year.
New York asbestos lawsuits are often complex and include allegations of several defendants. Belluck and Fox’s lawyers have a wealth of experience in litigating these complex issues. They are well-versed in the asbestos courts of New York, including their rules regulations, policies and guidelines in addition to 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 across the country in multi-district, complex litigation. In this capacity lawyers formulate strategies, oversee local and regional counsel, and ensure consistent and effective defenses for clients. They have worked closely with coordinating and trial judges and special masters of litigation in various jurisdictions in which they were involved in asbestos litigation.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will determine what strategy is most effective to defend the client from an injury claim that involves asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels product manufacturers, suppliers contractors, distributors, contractors, and owners of premises on matters involving claims of mesothelioma and lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm works with clients in the development of internal programs to identify and deal with potential liability and safety concerns.
In addition to its asbestos practice across the nation, Bowles Rice serves as national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this role Bowles Rice devises strategies for litigation and supervises local and region counsel to ensure a consistent and cost-effective defence in coordination with the client’s objectives. In addition, it plays a key part in the administration of asbestos dockets, negotiations with plaintiffs’ counsel and lead discovery for its clients.
The firm’s lawyers are skilled in defending clients against claims of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense lawyers are familiar with the intricate scientific issues involved in these cases as and specific legal issues that arise when defending companies before state and federal courts throughout the United States.
Catherine has represented numerous manufacturers as lead counsel in asbestos and personal injury lawsuits related to product liability and in cases that have been consolidated involving multiple plaintiffs. She has a wealth of experience arguing asbestos-related lawsuits before the federal and state courts as well as various Supreme Court and appellate courts.
During her tenure at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos cases for respondents, including those at the Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The case files included SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports) that contained confidential information on the plaintiffs, such as medical reports, work history, and the list of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs worked with or around. Vogel was required to have an account password to access the files and was able to look over the SEAR forms of any case with her current employer.
In addition to its extensive trial and appellate experience, the Bowles Rice Asbestos Team is recognized nationally for its ability to negotiate settlements on behalf of its clients. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs’ lawyers to draft and implement settlement agreements. It also has extensive experience defending businesses against appeals.