An asbestos claim 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 who have been affected through exposure to this dangerous mineral. Compensation can cover medical costs funeral and burial expenses, pain and suffering, and lost quality of life.
Our lawyers are local, regional, and national counsel in large toxic tort litigation. We are familiarized with the unique issues and complex scientific aspects that are associated with asbestos cases.
New York asbestos lawsuit Lawsuits
Asbestos is a deadly fiber that can trigger a variety of severe medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is skilled in handling asbestos lawsuits that seek financial compensation for victims and their families due to exposure to this harmful substance. These cases can be a bit complicated, so it's important to have a mesothelioma lawyer to assist you.
New York has had a long history of asbestos litigation and many residents were exposed to this dangerous substance. In recent years, there have been more lawsuits against former asbestos manufacturers than ever before. These cases stem from the recognition of a link between asbestos and diseases like mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. These companies were aware asbestos' dangers however, they failed to inform their employees and customers.
New York City is especially susceptible to illnesses caused by asbestos due to its old structures and many construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic place that continues to have an impact on the community surrounding it.
Mesothelioma can be caused by direct exposure to asbestos and many workers were exposed in the workplace. Secondhand exposure can also result in mesothelioma. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposed workers who wore their husband's 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 rise. This niche litigation is often supported by asbestos law firms that promote on daytime TV and entice victims to file claims with the promise of substantial settlements.
The defendants may be able lower some of the expenses arising from these cases by argument that their policy terms have expired or they are only responsible for a tiny portion of the claim value. However, New York law has not provided a definitive rule on how to divide liabilities when the alleged exposure occurs in and out of the policy period of the insurer.
Asbestos-related Illnesses
Exposure to asbestos can trigger many different diseases. The most serious condition is mesothelioma. Mesothelioma has caused the death of many people. Other asbestos-related illnesses include asbestosis and lung cancer. Pleural plaques and pleural effusion are also asbestos-related.
Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal condition that is caused by asbestos fibers which collect in the lungs. They then cause irritation to the linings of the ribcage (the Pleura) as well as the chest cavity and abdominal cavity. Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause scarring in the lungs. This is called asbestosis. It can also cause thickened pleura patches (pleural plaques) or an increased fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis may decrease lung capacity, as measured by a breath test. They can also cause pain and difficulties in breathing, however they do not lead mesothelioma or cancer.
The signs of asbestos-related illness typically do not manifest until decades after the initial exposure. It can take up to 50 years for asbestos-related fibers to be inhaled to cause lung damage. Workers who handled, cleaned, and removed asbestos from the workplace as well as spouses, children and other people who are exposed to asbestos are at risk for developing mesothelioma.
As well as mesothelioma, other asbestos-related diseases include laryngeal cancer, lung cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma, and mesothelioma of the ovary. Ovarian cancer is the deadliest form of mesothelioma for women, but it is less common 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 can be similar to those of other illnesses.
Many companies used asbestos in the 20th century, however they were aware that it was hazardous. When they did not remove asbestos from their products, thousands of people were exposed. The affected people are now able to seek financial compensation. A lot of asbestos-related manufacturers have filed for bankruptcy. In the aftermath, victims can seek the money they deserve from the trust funds set up by the bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
Asbestos-related companies have put profit over the safety of their employees and consumers for decades, producing hazardous products without warning about the risks. These companies are now paying the price for their negligence. People who's lives have been affected by mesothelioma, cancer of the lung, and other asbestos-related illnesses are seeking full and fair settlement.
The lawyers at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to helping families and individuals obtain the justice they deserve. With more than 25 years of experience and accomplishments, we have secured millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. Our New York mesothelioma lawyers work to hold responsible large corporations accountable and to obtain maximum compensation for our clients.
Many states have set up special asbestos courts in which claims can be filed and resolved more efficiently. Judges have also created specific procedures to assess and resolve such 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 who have been bankrupt, the caseload of this court has steadily increased. To ensure that the justice system is not overwhelmed the New York Supreme Court has established an additional judicial panel that will supervise NYCAL.
A panel comprised of six Supreme Court judges will review each case in NYCAL to decide whether or not to accept it. Judges will also consider the merits of each case to decide how much money the plaintiff is entitled to.
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 usually complex and involve several defendants. Belluck & Fox's lawyers have extensive experience in the litigation of these difficult matters. 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 as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients throughout the nation in multi-district litigation that is complex and complex. In this role, attorneys create strategies, coordinate and oversee regional and local counsel, and ensure cost-effective, consistent defenses for each client. They have worked closely in the past with trial judges, coordination judges and special masters of litigation from different jurisdictions.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will determine what strategy is most effective to defend the client against a personal injury lawsuit involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises manufacturers, suppliers and distributors, contractors, and premises owners on matters that involve mesothelioma claims, lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm collaborates with clients to develop internal programs to determine and resolve potential liability and safety issues.
Bowles Rice In addition to its national asbestos practice and multi-state asbestos litigation serves as national Coordinating counsel. In this capacity the firm designs litigation strategies, manages regional and local counsel, and ensures a consistent and cost-effective defense, in line with client goals. In addition it plays a crucial part in the administration of asbestos dockets, negotiations with counsel for plaintiffs and leads discovery for its clients.
The firm's attorneys have extensive trial and appellate experience defending clients against claims made by injured claimants, such as those who are claiming mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense lawyers are acquainted with the complex scientific issues involved in these cases, as and unique legal issues that arise when 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 that involve multiple plaintiffs. She has a wealth of experience litigating asbestos-related cases in state and federal courts, as well as before various supreme and appellate court bodies.
During her time at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those for respondents to the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files included SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports) that contained confidential information about the plaintiffs, including medical reports, work history, and a list of asbestos products that the plaintiff worked with or around. Vogel required an account password to access the files. Then, she could go through any SEAR forms that she received from her current employer.
The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to having extensive experience in trial and appellate work, is nationally recognized for its ability to successfully negotiate settlements for clients. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs' lawyers to draft and implement settlement agreements. It also has extensive experience in defending businesses from appeals.