An Asbestos Defense Attorney Can Help Protect the Financial Security of Those Harmed by Exposure to This Harmful Mineral
A defense attorney for asbestos can assist those who's financial security has been affected by exposure to the toxic mineral. Compensation may cover medical costs funeral and burial expenses as well as pain and suffering and the loss of quality of life.
Our lawyers are local, regional and national counsel in mass toxic tort litigation. As a result, we are well-versed in the unique issues and complex aspects of science that are associated with asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos fibers are deadly and can trigger serious medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is skilled in handling asbestos case lawsuits that seek compensation for victims and their families who have been exposed to this harmful substance. These cases can be complex, so it's important to have a mesothelioma attorney on your side.
New York has had a long-running history of asbestos litigation and many residents were exposed to the dangerous material. In recent years, there have been more lawsuits filed against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases stem from the recognition of a link between asbestos and diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer and asbestosis. The companies were aware of asbestos' dangers, but failed to warn employees and consumers.
The New York City area is particularly susceptible to asbestos-related ailments because of its older structures and the numerous construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously toxic area that continues to affect the surrounding community.
Mesothelioma can be caused by direct exposure to asbestos and many workers were exposed to asbestos at work. However, people also get diagnosed with mesothelioma after experiencing secondhand exposure to the harmful substances. This is especially true for spouses who wear husband's clothes to work and come into contact with asbestos dust on a regular basis.
Mesothelioma-related litigation can be expensive for defendants. This is especially relevant if they've been incorrectly identified as defendants. A study indicates that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could grow. This type of litigation is typically supported by asbestos law firms that advertise on television during the day and encourage victims to file claims, with the promise of substantial settlements.
The defendants may be able mitigate some of the costs associated with these cases by asserting that their policy periods have expired or they are only responsible for a small percentage of the total value of the claim. New York law does not provide a definitive rule on how to distribute the liability if the alleged risk is of and outside the insurer's policies.
Asbestos-related Diseases
Exposure to asbestos can cause various ailments. The most serious condition is mesothelioma. Many have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques, and the pleural effusion.
Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal illness caused by exposure to asbestos fibers that accumulate in the lungs and cause irritation to the lining of the chest cavity, ribcage and abdominal cavity (the Pleura). The inhalation of these tiny fibers can result in scarring of the lungs known as asbestosis and occasionally, the development of thickened patches on the pleura referred to as plaques of pleura or a more widespread fibrosis of the pleura called diffused pleural fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis could reduce lung capacity as determined by a breathing test. They can also cause pain and difficulty in breathing, however they are not the cause of mesothelioma or cancer.
The symptoms of asbestos-related diseases typically do not manifest until decades after the initial exposure. This is because it can take between 20 to 50 years for the inhalation of asbestos fibers to cause lung damage. The people at risk of developing mesothelioma or other asbestos-related ailments include those who handled, laundered and removed asbestos-containing materials from their workplaces and their spouses and children of those exposed to asbestos.
Other asbestos-related diseases in addition to mesothelioma include laryngeal carcinoma and lung cancer as well as peritoneal, ovarian and peritoneal cancer. The most deadly form of mesothelioma is called ovarian cancer, but it's 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 tissues of the reproductive organs and symptoms can be similar to symptoms of other illnesses.
A number of companies used asbestos in the 20th century. They were aware that it was hazardous. When they failed to remove it from their products, thousands of people were exposed. These people now are able to sue for financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are insolvent. The victims can now seek compensation from the trust funds set up by bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
For decades, asbestos-related companies put profits above the safety of their employees and consumers by producing dangerous products, without warning of the risks. These companies are now paying the price for their inattention to. People whose lives have been disrupted by mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses are seeking fair and full settlement.
The lawyers at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to assisting families and individuals obtain 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 corporations accountable and seek the maximum amount of compensation for our clients.
Many states have set up special asbestos courts in which claims can be filed and resolving more efficiently. Judges have also developed specialized procedures to evaluate and resolve asbestos-related cases.
New York, a state with its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL), is one of the states. The number of cases filed in this 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 additional judicial board that will oversee NYCAL in order to keep the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.
A panel composed of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine whether it should be accepted or not. Judges will also evaluate the merits of each claim to determine how much a plaintiff should be awarded.
The panel is currently examining more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to make a final decision before the end of the year.
New York asbestos lawsuits are often complex and involve multiple defendants. Belluck and Fox's lawyers have vast experience in the litigation of these difficult issues. They are knowledgeable of the rules regulations, policies, and procedures 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 serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients throughout the nation in multi-district litigation that is complex and complex. In this capacity, lawyers develop strategies, manage regional and local counsel, and ensure that they are able to provide consistent and effective defenses for clients. They have collaborated closely with trial and coordination judges and special masters of litigation in various jurisdictions where they have been involved in asbestos litigation.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will determine what strategy is best to defend the client from a personal injury lawsuit involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels product manufacturers, suppliers contractors, distributors, contractors and owners of premises on matters involving claims of mesothelioma, lung cancer and other Asbestos Lawsuit-related diseases. The firm works with clients to develop internal programs to determine and address potential safety and liability issues.
Bowles Rice in addition to its asbestos practice across the country and multi-state asbestos litigation serves as national Coordinating counsel. In this capacity the firm designs strategies for litigation, oversees regional and local counsel and provides a cost-effective and consistent defense in coordination with client goals. Additionally it plays a crucial role in the management of asbestos dockets and negotiations with plaintiffs' counsel and leads discovery for its clients.
The firm's lawyers are skilled in defending clients against mesothelioma claims and other asbestos-related illnesses. Asbestos defense attorneys are acquainted with the intricate science involved with these cases, and the particular legal issues that arise when defending businesses in state and federal courts across the United States.
Catherine has defended numerous manufacturers in asbestos and product liability personal injury cases, defending them as the lead counsel in consolidated trials involving a variety of claimants. She has extensive experience in litigating asbestos-related lawsuits before the state and federal courts, as well as a variety of Supreme Court and appellate courts.
During her tenure at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos cases for respondents, including those at the asbestos attorney Claim Facility in Northern California. The case files contained SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports) which contained confidential information about the plaintiffs, such as medical reports, work history and the list of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs worked with or around. Vogel had to have an account password to access the files. She was then able to look over any SEAR forms provided by her current employer.
In addition to its extensive trial and appellate experience, the Bowles Rice asbestos law 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 a vast experience in defending companies against appeals.