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

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

Our lawyers are involved in mass toxic tort litigation on a national, regional 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 fibers are deadly and can cause serious medical conditions like mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney is experienced in handling lawsuits seeking financial compensation for victims of asbestos exposure and their families. 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 (More), and many residents have been exposed to the dangerous material. In recent years there have been more lawsuits against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases are a result of the realization that asbestos is associated with illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer. These companies were aware asbestos' dangers however, they failed to inform the employees and the public.

The New York City area is particularly susceptible to asbestos-related ailments because of its older structures and numerous construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic place that continues to impact on the surrounding community.

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

Litigation involving mesothelioma is expensive for defendants. This is especially relevant if they've been wrongly 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 grow. The asbestos law firms that specialize in asbestos often advertise on daytime TV and encourage victims to file claims under the premise that they will receive substantial settlements.

Defendants may be able to reduce some of the expenses arising from these cases by asserting that their policy periods have expired or they're only accountable for a small percentage of the total value of the claim. However, New York law has not set out a clear policy on how to allocate liability when the alleged exposure occurs partly in and out of the policy period of the insurer.

Asbestos-related Illnesses

A myriad of asbestos-related illnesses can develop due to exposure to the mineral that causes cancer. The mesothelioma condition is the most severe. Mesothelioma has caused the death of many people. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer asbestosis, pleural plaques and pleural effusion.

Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal illness that is caused by exposure to asbestos fibers that collect in the lungs, and can cause irritation to the lining of the ribcage, chest cavity, and abdominal cavity (the Pleura). Inhaling these tiny fibers can result in scarring of the lungs, a condition known as asbestosis and sometimes the development of thickened patches on the pleura called pleural plaques or a more widespread fibrosis of the pleura called diffused pleural fibrisis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrosis decrease lung capacity, as measured by breathing tests. They can also cause pain and difficulties in breathing, however they don't cause cancer or mesothelioma.

Often, symptoms of asbestos-related illnesses don't manifest until decades after initial exposure. It could take up to 50 years for asbestos fibers inhaled to cause lung damage. Workers who handled, cleaned and removed asbestos from their workplaces and their spouses, children, and others exposed to asbestos are at risk for developing mesothelioma.

Other asbestos-related diseases, apart from mesothelioma, include lung cancer and laryngeal carcinoma, peritoneal, ovarian, and peritoneal cancer. Ovarian cancer is among the most deadly mesothelioma that women suffer from, but it is less prevalent than mesothelioma in general. It is diagnosed later than most other types of mesothelioma because it is found within the linings of reproductive organs. The symptoms may be similar to other illnesses.

A number of companies used asbestos in the 20th century. They were aware that it was hazardous. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos when they didn't remove it from their products. Now, those exposed are able to sue for financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are bankrupt. In the aftermath, victims can seek the compensation they are entitled to from trust funds established by the bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

Asbestos companies have put profits over the safety of their employees and customers for a long time, producing hazardous products without warning of the dangers. These companies are now facing the consequences of their inattention. Victims of asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and full settlement.

The lawyers at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to helping families and individuals receive the justice they need. 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 responsible large corporations accountable and seek the maximum amount of compensation for our clients.

Many states have created special asbestos courts, where claims can be filed more efficiently. Judges have also developed specialized procedures to evaluate and resolve these cases.

New York is one such state, with its own asbestos court known as NYCAL. 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. 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 of six Supreme Court judges will review every case filed in NYCAL to determine whether or not to accept it. Judges will also assess the merits of each claim to determine how much a plaintiff should receive.

The panel is currently reviewing more than 3,500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to issue its final decision by the end of this year.

New York asbestos lawsuits can be complex and involve several defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience in the litigation of these complicated 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 serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients throughout the nation in multi-district, complex litigation. 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 worked closely with coordinating and trial judges and special masters of litigation in various jurisdictions in which they have been involved in asbestos compensation litigation.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will determine which strategy is most effective to defend the client from a personal injury claim involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice asbestos case Team counsels product manufacturers, suppliers contractors, distributors, contractors, and premises owners on matters involving claims of mesothelioma and lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm also assists clients to develop internal programs for identifying and addressing risks to safety and liability.

In addition to its national asbestos practice, Bowles Rice serves as the national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this role Bowles Rice devises strategies for litigation and supervises regional and local counsel to ensure a consistent and cost-effective defence in coordination with the client's needs. It also plays an important role in the administration and management of asbestos dockets as well as negotiations with plaintiffs' lawyers and in coordinating discovery for its clients.

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

Catherine has represented a variety of manufacturers in asbestos and products liability personal injury cases, defending them as the lead trial counsel in consolidated trials involving multiple claimants. She has extensive experience in litigating asbestos-related cases in federal and state courts, as well as before various supreme and appellate court bodies.

While at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those of respondents of the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The cases files included SEAR forms (Short encapsulated Evaluative reports) that contained confidential information about plaintiffs. The files contained medical reports as well as work histories and an inventory of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs used or worked near. Vogel was required to use 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. In this capacity, the company collaborates with the lawyers of plaintiffs in the creation and implementation of settlement agreements. Additionally, it has extensive experience defending companies against appeals.