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 protect those who's financial security was affected due to exposure to the hazardous mineral. Compensation can cover medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, loss of quality of life, and suffering and pain.

Our lawyers are local, regional, and national counsel in massive toxic tort litigation. As a result, we are familiarized with the unique issues and complex scientific aspects associated with asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos fibers are deadly and can cause severe medical conditions like mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is experienced in handling asbestos lawsuits which seek financial compensation for victims and their families for exposure to this harmful substance. These cases can be complex, and it is critical to have a reputable mesothelioma law firm on your side.

New York has a long history of asbestos litigation, and many residents have been exposed to the dangerous substance. In recent times, there have been more lawsuits against former asbestos manufacturers than ever before. These cases are the result of the recognition that asbestos is associated with illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer. These companies knew of the dangers associated with the asbestos-containing mineral, yet they didn't warn their employees and consumers.

New York City is especially vulnerable to illnesses caused by asbestos due to its older structures and construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic site that continues to have an impact on the community surrounding it.

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

The litigation associated with mesothelioma can be costly for defendants, especially when they are incorrectly 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 even more. Specialized asbestos law firms typically advertise on television during the day and encourage victims to submit claims with the promise that they will receive significant settlements.

The defendants might be able to reduce the cost of these cases by arguing their policy periods are overdue or that they are only responsible for only for a small proportion of the amount claimed. However, New York law has not provided a definitive rule on how to allocate liability when the alleged exposure is in and out of the insurance company's policy.

Asbestos-Related Illnesses

Exposure to asbestos can lead to many different illnesses. The most serious of these is mesothelioma. Many people have died due to mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related diseases include asbestosis and lung cancer. Pleural plaques and pleural effusion are also asbestos compensation-related.

Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal condition that is caused by asbestos fibers that collect in the lung. They then cause irritation to the linings of the ribcage (the pleura) as well as the chest cavity and abdominal cavity. The inhalation of these tiny fibers can cause scarring to the lungs, a condition known as asbestosis and occasionally, the development of thickened patches on the pleura, known as pleural plaques or the more widespread fibrosis of the pleura called diffused pleural fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis may reduce lung capacity, as measured by breathing test. They can also cause pain and difficulty breathing however they do not lead to cancer or mesothelioma.

Symptoms of asbestos-related disease often do not manifest until decades after exposure. This is because it could take between 20 and 50 years for the inhalation of asbestos-containing fibers to damage the lungs. Workers who handled, cleaned, and removed asbestos from their workplaces and their children, spouses, and others exposed to asbestos are at risk for developing mesothelioma.

In addition to mesothelioma other asbestos-related illnesses include laryngeal cancer, lung cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma, and mesothelioma of the ovary. Ovarian cancer is among the most deadly form of mesothelioma for women, but it is less prevalent than mesothelioma in general. It is usually diagnosed later than other types of mesothelioma due to the fact that it develops in the tissue of the reproductive organs and the symptoms can be similar to symptoms of other illnesses.

Several companies used asbestos during the 20th century. They knew it was dangerous. When they did not remove asbestos from their products thousands of people were exposed. Now, those exposed have the right to sue for financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are insolvent. The victims can now seek compensation from the trust funds created by bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

For decades, asbestos companies have put profits ahead of the safety of their employees and consumers by producing dangerous products, without warning of the dangers. These companies are now paying for their carelessness. People who's lives have been affected by mesothelioma, cancer of the lung and other asbestos-related illnesses are seeking fair and full compensation.

Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals receive the justice they deserve. Our lawyers have more than 25 years of experience and have helped our clients receive millions of dollars of compensation. Our New York mesothelioma lawyers work to hold responsible large corporations accountable and to secure the highest amount of compensation for our clients.

Many states have established special asbestos courts in which claims can be filed and resolved more efficiently. In addition judges have developed specialized procedures to evaluate and resolve asbestos cases.

New York, a state that has its own asbestos attorney court (known as NYCAL), is one of the states. The number of cases filed in this court has been increasing steadily as increasing numbers of asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent former asbestos defendants who have become bankrupt. To ensure that the justice system is not overloaded and overwhelmed, the New York Supreme Court has ordered the creation of a special judicial panel to oversee NYCAL.

A panel composed of six Supreme Court judges will review each case in NYCAL to decide whether or not to accept it. Judges will also assess the merits of every claim to determine the amount of amount of money each plaintiff should receive.

The panel is currently examining more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to issue its final decision before the end this year.

New York asbestos lawsuits can be complex and can involve multiple defendants. Belluck and Fox's lawyers have a wealth of experience in the litigation of these difficult cases. They are knowledgeable of 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 vast experience in serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients across the country in multi-district, complex litigation. In this role, attorneys create strategies, coordinate and manage regional and local counsel, and ensure cost-effective, consistent defenses for each client. They have worked closely with trial judges, coordination judges and special masters of litigation from different jurisdictions.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will decide which strategy is best to defend the client in a personal injury lawsuit involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises product manufacturers, suppliers and contractors, distributors and premises owners on matters involving mesothelioma claims, lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm also works with clients to develop internal programs for identifying and addressing any risks to safety and liability.

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 litigation strategies and oversees local and region counsel to ensure a consistent and cost-effective defense that is in line with the client's needs. It also plays a major role in the administration and management of asbestos dockets as well in negotiations with plaintiffs' lawyers and in coordinating discovery for its clients.

The firm's lawyers are skilled in defending clients against claims of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses. Asbestos defense attorneys are familiar with the complex research and technology involved in these cases, as well as particular legal issues that arise while representing companies in federal and state courts across the United States.

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

While at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos cases for respondents, including those at the Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The case files contained SEAR forms (Short encapsulated Evaluative reports), which contained confidential data about the claimants. This included medical reports as well as work histories and the list of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs used or worked near. Vogel was required to have a password in order to access the files. She was then able to look over any SEAR forms provided by her current employer.

The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to having extensive experience in appellate and trial work, is nationally recognized for its ability to negotiate settlements for its 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 against appeals.