An Asbestos Defense Attorney Can Help Protect the Financial Security of Those Harmed by Exposure to This Harmful Mineral

An asbestos defense attorney can help protect the financial security of those injured through exposure to this dangerous mineral. Compensation may cover medical costs, funeral and burial expenses, pain and suffering, and lost quality of life.

Our attorneys are involved in mass toxic tort litigation at a national, regional and local scale. As as such, we are acquainted with the particular issues and complicated science associated asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

asbestos attorney fibers can be deadly and can cause severe medical conditions such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is experienced in handling asbestos lawsuits that seek financial compensation for victims and their families due to exposure to this toxic substance. These cases can be a bit complicated and therefore it is essential to have a mesothelioma attorney to assist you.

New York has had a long history with asbestos litigation, and many residents were exposed to this hazardous substance. In recent years, there have been more lawsuits against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases arise out of the recognition that asbestos is linked to illnesses such as mesothelioma or lung cancer. These companies knew of the dangers associated with this asbestos-containing mineral, yet they did not warn their employees and consumers.

The New York City area is particularly prone to asbestos-related diseases due to its old structures and numerous construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously toxic area that continues affect the community around it.

Many workers were exposed to asbestos in the workplace. However, some people are diagnosed with mesothelioma following exposure to harmful substances. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposure workers who had their husbands' work clothes and came into contact with asbestos dust on a regular basis.

Litigation involving mesothelioma is expensive for defendants. This is particularly relevant if they've been incorrectly identified 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 often advertise on TV during the day and encourage victims to submit claims, promising they will receive significant settlements.

The defendants may be able mitigate some of the costs associated with these cases by arguing that their policy periods have expired or they are only accountable for a small portion of the amount of the claim. New York law does not have a clear rule on how to allocate liability when the alleged risk is of the insurer's policies.

Asbestos-related Diseases

Exposure to asbestos can cause a wide range of diseases. The most serious of these is mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is the cause of death of many people. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer and asbestosis. Pleural plaques and pleural effusion are also asbestos-related.

Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal disease that is caused by asbestos fibers that are found in the lungs. They then cause irritation to the linings of the ribcage (the pleura), chest cavity and abdominal cavity. The inhalation of these tiny fibers can result in scarring of the lungs, a condition known as asbestosis and, sometimes, the formation of thickened patches on the pleura called pleural plaques or a more widespread fibrosis of the pleura, referred to as diffused pleural fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrosis decrease lung capacity as measured by breathing tests. They also cause pain and difficulty breathing however they do not cause mesothelioma or cancer.

Symptoms of asbestos-related disease often are not evident until years after the initial exposure. This is due to the fact that it can take between 20 to 50 years for exposure to asbestos fibers to damage the lungs. People at risk of developing mesothelioma or other asbestos-related ailments include those who handled, washed and removed asbestos-containing products from the workplace, as well as spouses and children of asbestos-related exposure.

As well as mesothelioma, other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma and ovarian mesothelioma. Ovarian cancer is the deadliest mesothelioma type for women, but it is less common than mesothelioma in general. It is often diagnosed later than other kinds of mesothelioma since it develops in the lining of the reproductive organs, and symptoms can be similar to symptoms of other diseases.

Many companies employed asbestos in the 20th century, however they were aware that it was a risk. When they failed to remove asbestos compensation from their products thousands of people were exposed. These people can now seek financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are bankrupt. In the aftermath, victims can seek the money they deserve from the trust funds established by the bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

Asbestos companies have put profits over the safety of their employees and their customers for decades making dangerous products, without warning of the dangers. They are now paying for their negligence. People who have suffered from life-altering issues caused by mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses are seeking fair and full compensation.

Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals get the justice they deserve. 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 attorneys work to hold large corporations accountable and to secure maximum compensation for clients.

A number of states have set up Asbestos Lawsuit courts that are specifically designed so that claims can be filed more efficiently. Additionally, judges have established specific procedures to evaluate and resolve asbestos cases.

New York, a state with its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL), is one of them. The caseload in this specialty court has grown steadily, as more and more asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants who have gone bankrupt. The New York Supreme Court created an extra judicial board to oversee NYCAL to stop the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.

A panel composed of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine if it should be accepted or rejected. Judges will also consider the merits of every claim to determine how much the plaintiff's compensation should be.

At present, the panel is studying more than 3,500 lawsuits. The panel is expected issue its final ruling at the end of this year.

New York asbestos lawsuits are often complex and involve multiple defendants. Belluck and Fox's lawyers have vast experience in defending these complicated matters. They are well-versed in the rules regulations, rules, and policies of the asbestos courts in New York, as well as the laws of other jurisdictions where they have handled multidistrict litigation.

The firm also has extensive experience in serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients across the country in multi-district, complex litigation. In this capacity, attorneys develop strategies, coordinate and oversee regional and local counsel and ensure cost-effective, consistent defenses for every client. They have worked closely in the past with trial judges, coordinating judges and special masters of litigation from different jurisdictions.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will determine which strategy is most effective to defend the client against a personal injury claim involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, contractors and owners of premises on matters involving claims of mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm collaborates with clients on developing internal programs to identify and deal with potential liability and safety concerns.

Bowles Rice, in addition to its national asbestos practice and multi-state asbestos litigation is also the national Coordinating counsel. In this capacity the firm formulates strategies for litigation, oversees regional and local counsel and achieves consistent and cost-effective defense that is in sync with client goals. In addition it plays an important part in the administration of asbestos dockets and negotiations with plaintiffs' counsel and lead discovery for its clients.

The firm's lawyers have extensive trial and appellate experience defending clients from claims brought by injured claimants, such as those who are claiming mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are familiar with the complex scientific issues involved in these cases as well as particular legal issues that arise while defending companies before federal and state courts across the United States.

Catherine has represented numerous manufacturers as lead trial counsel in asbestos and personal injury lawsuits involving product liability, and in consolidated cases that involve multiple plaintiffs. She has substantial experience litigating asbestos-related cases in federal and state courts, as well as before a variety of appellate and supreme court bodies.

During her time at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos settlement cases for respondents, including those in the Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The case files contained SEAR forms (Short Evaluative Reports Encapsulated) that contained confidential information about plaintiffs. These included medical reports and work histories, as well as the list of asbestos attorney-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 she had with her current employer.

The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to having extensive experience in trial and appellate work, is widely acclaimed for its ability to negotiate settlements for clients. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs’ lawyers to draft and implement settlement agreements. It also has a wealth of experience in defending businesses from appeals.