An Asbestos Defense Attorney Can Help Protect the Financial Security of Those Harmed by Exposure to This Harmful Mineral
An asbestos settlement defense lawyer can protect the financial security of those affected by exposure to this harmful mineral. Compensation can cover medical expenses funeral and burial costs, loss of quality of life, and pain and suffering.
Our lawyers are national, regional and local counsel in large toxic tort litigation. As such, we are familiar with the unique issues and the complex science that go along asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos is a deadly fiber that can trigger a variety of severe medical conditions, including mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is adept at handling asbestos lawsuits that seek compensation for victims and their families due to exposure to this toxic substance. These cases can be complex, so it's important to have a mesothelioma attorney on your side.
New York has a long history of asbestos litigation, and many residents have been exposed to the dangerous material. In recent times there have been more lawsuits against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases result from the recognition of a connection between asbestos and certain diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. The companies were aware of asbestos's dangers but did not take the time to warn the employees and the public.
The New York City area is particularly susceptible to asbestos-related illnesses because of its older structures and a myriad of construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously toxic area that continues to affect the community around it.
Many workers were exposed to asbestos in the workplace. In addition, exposure to asbestos lawsuit through secondhand sources can cause mesothelioma. This is especially true for spouses who wear husband's clothes to work and come into contact with asbestos dust regularly.
Litigation involving mesothelioma is expensive for defendants. This is especially true if they have been wrongly identified as defendants. A study shows that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could increase. Specialized asbestos law firms typically advertise on daytime TV and encourage victims to file claims, promising they will receive significant settlements.
The defendants may be able reduce the cost of these cases by arguing that their policies are in a lapse or that they are only responsible a small portion of the amount claimed. However, New York law has not established a clear rule regarding how to allocate liabilities when the alleged exposure occurs in and out of the insurer's policy periods.
Asbestos-related Diseases
A myriad of asbestos-related illnesses can be triggered due to exposure to the toxic mineral. The mesothelioma condition is the most severe. Many people have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer and asbestosis. Pleural plaques and pleural effusion are also asbestos-related.
Mesothelioma, a rare, but fatal illness is caused by asbestos fibers that are found in the lung. They then cause irritation to the linings of the ribcage (the pleura), chest cavity and abdominal cavity. Inhaling these tiny fibers can result in scarring of the lungs, a condition known as asbestosis and occasionally, the development of thickened patches on the pleura, known as plaques of pleura or a more widespread fibrosis of the pleura known as diffused the fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrisis reduce lung capacity, as measured by breathing tests. They can also cause pain and discomfort in breathing, however they do not lead cancer or mesothelioma.
The symptoms of asbestos-related diseases typically do not manifest until decades after initial exposure. This is because it could take between 20 to 50 years for inhalation of asbestos case-containing fibers to damage the lungs. The people at risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos Case-related diseases include those who handled, laundered, and removed these materials from their workplaces and spouses and children of asbestos-related exposure.
As well as mesothelioma, other asbestos-related illnesses include laryngeal cancer, lung cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma, and mesothelioma of the ovary. Ovarian cancer is the deadliest form of mesothelioma for women however, it is much less prevalent than mesothelioma in general. It is often diagnosed later than other kinds of mesothelioma because it develops in the tissue of the reproductive organs, and the symptoms can be similar to symptoms of other illnesses.
Many companies used asbestos in the 20th century, however they were aware that it was a risk. If they didn't remove it from their products, thousands of people were exposed. Now, these people have the right to seek financial compensation. Many of the asbestos-related manufacturers have gone bankrupt. This means that the victims can seek the money they deserve from the trust funds established by the bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
Asbestos-related companies have put profit over the safety of their workers and customers for a long time making dangerous products, without warning about the risks. These companies are now facing the consequences of their inattention. People who have suffered from life-altering issues caused by mesothelioma, cancer of the lung and other asbestos-related diseases are seeking full and fair settlement.
Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals get the justice they deserve. Our lawyers have over 25 years of experience and have assisted our clients to receive millions of dollars in compensation. Our New York mesothelioma attorneys work to hold corporations accountable and seek the maximum amount of compensation for our clients.
A number of states have established special asbestos courts where claims can be filed and resolved more efficiently. Judges have also established special procedures to review and resolve such cases.
New York is one such state with its own asbestos court known as NYCAL. The caseload in this specialty court has grown steadily, as asbestos victims are becoming more and more likely to seek compensation from solvent former asbestos defendants who have become bankrupt. The New York Supreme Court created an extra judicial board to supervise NYCAL in order to keep the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.
A panel comprised of six Supreme Court judges will review each case in NYCAL to determine whether to accept or reject it. Judges will also consider the merits of each case to decide how much money the plaintiff is entitled to.
At present, the panel is reviewing more than 3,500 lawsuits. The panel is expected issue its final decision by the end of this year.
New York asbestos lawsuits are usually complex and involve allegations of several defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience with the litigation of these complex cases. They are well-versed in the rules regulations, policies, and procedures 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 vast experience serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients across the country in multi-district litigation that is complex and complex. In this role lawyers formulate strategies, oversee local and regional counsel and ensure that they are able to provide consistent and efficient defenses for clients. They have worked closely with trial judges, coordination judges and special masters of litigation from different jurisdictions.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A knowledgeable Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best approach to defend a client in an asbestos-related personal injury claim. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises product manufacturers, suppliers and contractors, distributors, and property owners on issues that involve mesothelioma claims, lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm also assists clients to create internal programs for identifying and addressing safety and liability issues.
In addition to its national asbestos practice, Bowles Rice serves as the national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this role the firm designs litigation strategies, supervises regional and local counsel, and ensures a consistent and cost-effective defense, in line with client goals. In addition it plays a crucial role in the management of asbestos dockets, negotiations with plaintiffs' counsel and also leads discovery for its clients.
The firm's lawyers are skilled in defending clients from mesothelioma-related claims and other asbestos-related illnesses. Asbestos defense lawyers are familiar with complex scientific issues involved in these cases as in addition to unique legal issues that arise while defending companies before state and federal courts throughout the United States.
Catherine has represented numerous manufacturers in asbestos and product liability personal injury cases, acting as the lead trial counsel in consolidated trials involving multiple claimants. She has extensive experience litigating asbestos-related lawsuits before the federal and state courts, as well as various Supreme Court and appellate bodies.
While at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those involving respondents in the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files contained SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports) which contained confidential information on the plaintiffs, such as medical reports, work history and a list of asbestos products that plaintiffs worked with or around. Vogel had to have an account password to access the files. She could then go through any SEAR forms that she received from her current employer.
The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to its vast experience in appellate and trial work, is nationally recognized for its ability to negotiate settlements for clients. In this capacity, the firm works closely with lawyers representing plaintiffs in the creation and implementation of settlement agreements. It also has extensive experience defending companies against appeals.