An Asbestos Defense Attorney Can Help Protect the Financial Security of Those Harmed by Exposure to This Harmful Mineral
A lawyer for asbestos defense can help protect those who’s financial security has been affected by exposure to the toxic mineral. Compensation could cover medical expenses funeral and burial costs, loss of quality of life, and pain and suffering.
Our lawyers are involved in mass toxic tort litigation on a regional, national and local level. As as such, we are acquainted with the unique issues and complex science associated with asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos is a dangerous fiber that can cause a variety of severe medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is skilled in handling asbestos lawsuits that seek financial compensation for victims and their families who have been exposed to this harmful substance. These cases can be extremely complex and it is crucial to have a reputable mesothelioma lawyer on your side.
New York has had a long history of asbestos litigation, and many residents were exposed to this dangerous substance. In recent times there have been more claims against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases are a result of the recognition that asbestos lawsuit is linked to illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer. The companies were aware of the dangers associated with this hazardous mineral, but didn’t warn their employees and consumers.
New York City is especially susceptible to diseases caused by asbestos because of its older structures and construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously toxic area that continues impact the surrounding community.
Many workers were exposed to asbestos in the workplace. However, some people are diagnosed with mesothelioma after experiencing exposure to harmful substances. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposed workers who had their husbands’ work clothes and came into contact with asbestos dust regularly.
The mesothelioma litigation is costly for defendants, particularly if they are wrongfully named as a defendant. According to a study, more that 3,600 lawsuits have been filed in New York courts since 2014, and the number could increase further. This kind of litigation is usually fueled by specialized asbestos law, My Page, firms, which advertise on daytime television and encourage victims to file claims with the promise of large settlements.
Defendants might be able to reduce some of the costs associated with these cases by argument that their policy terms have expired or they are only responsible for a tiny percentage of the claim value. New York law does not have a specific rule for how to distribute responsibility when the alleged exposure is of the insurance policies.
Asbestos-related Diseases
A wide range of asbestos-related illnesses can develop because of exposure to the toxic mineral. The most serious of these is mesothelioma. Many people have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer and asbestosis. Pleural plaques and effusion are also asbestos-related.
Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal disease is caused by asbestos fibers that collect in the lung. They then cause irritation to the linings of the ribcage (the the pleura), chest cavity and abdominal cavity. Inhaling these tiny fibers can result in scarring of the lungs called asbestosis, and, sometimes, the development of thickened patches on the pleura, known as pleural plaques or a more widespread fibrosis of the pleura known as diffused fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrosis decrease lung capacity, as measured by breathing tests. They can also cause pain and discomfort in breathing, but they are not the cause of cancer or mesothelioma.
The signs of asbestos-related illness typically don’t manifest until decades after the initial exposure. This is because it can take between 20 to 50 years for the inhalation of asbestos-containing fibers to cause lung damage. People who are at risk of developing mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related conditions include workers who handled, cleaned and removed asbestos-containing products from the workplace, as well as spouses and children of those exposed to asbestos.
As well as mesothelioma, other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma, and mesothelioma of the ovary. Ovarian cancer is among the most deadly form of mesothelioma for women however it is much less prevalent than mesothelioma in general. It is usually diagnosed later than other kinds of mesothelioma because it is a cancer that develops in the lining of the reproductive organs and the symptoms may be similar to those of other diseases.
Many companies employed asbestos during the 20th century. They knew it was hazardous. When they did not remove asbestos from their products, thousands of people were exposed. These people can now claim financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies have filed for bankruptcy. In the aftermath, victims are able to seek the compensation they deserve from the trust funds set up by the bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
For decades, asbestos case companies have put profits ahead of the security of their employees and consumers, manufacturing hazardous products without warning of the dangers. These companies are now paying the price for their inattention to. People whose lives have been disrupted by mesothelioma and lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases 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 and accomplishments, 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 maximum amount of compensation for our clients.
A number of states have established special asbestos courts in which claims can be filed and resolved more efficiently. Judges have also established specialized procedures to evaluate and resolve these cases.
New York is one such state with its own asbestos court, known as NYCAL. The caseload in this specialty court has increased steadily, as more and more asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent former asbestos defendants who have become bankrupt. In order to ensure that the justice system is not overloaded, the New York Supreme Court has ordered the creation of an additional judicial panel that will supervise NYCAL.
A panel composed of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine if 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.
The panel is currently examining more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to announce its final decision by the end of the year.
New York asbestos lawsuits are typically complex and often involve allegations of several defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience with the litigation of these complicated cases. They are knowledgeable of the rules, regulations, and policies of the asbestos courts in New York, as well as the laws of other jurisdictions in which they have handled multidistrict litigation.
The firm also has extensive experience in serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients throughout the nation in complex, multi-district litigation. In this capacity, lawyers develop strategies, oversee local and regional counsel and ensure consistent and efficient defenses for clients. They have worked closely in the past with trial judges, coordination judges and litigation special masters from various jurisdictions.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will determine which strategy is best to defend the client in a personal injury lawsuit involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels suppliers, manufacturers contractors, distributors, contractors, and owners of premises in matters involving claims of mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm works with clients in the development of internal programs to address potential safety and liability concerns.
In addition to its asbestos practice in the national level, Bowles Rice serves as the national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos compensation litigation. In this capacity, the firm develops strategies for litigation, oversees local and regional counsel, and achieves consistent and cost-effective defense in coordination with client goals. It also plays a major part in the administration and management of asbestos lawsuit dockets as well in negotiations with plaintiffs’ attorneys and leading discovery for its clients.
The firm’s lawyers are skilled in defending clients from claims of mesothelioma and other asbestos case-related diseases. Asbestos defense lawyers are acquainted with the intricate scientific issues involved in these cases, as well as specific legal issues that arise when representing companies in federal and state courts across the United States.
Catherine has represented numerous companies in asbestos and products liability personal injury cases, representing them as the lead counsel in consolidated trials involving multiple claimants. She has extensive experience litigating asbestos-related lawsuits before federal and state courts, as well as a variety of Supreme Court and appellate bodies.
While at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those involving respondents of the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files contained SEAR forms (Short Evaluative reports that are encapsulated) which contained confidential information about claimants. The files contained 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 a password to access the files. Then, she could go through any SEAR forms that she received from her current employer.
In addition to its extensive trial and appellate experience, the Bowles Rice Asbestos Team is well-known throughout the country for its ability to negotiate settlements on behalf of its clients. In this capacity, the firm works closely with the lawyers of plaintiffs in the preparation and execution of settlement agreements. It also has extensive experience in defending businesses against appeals.