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 may cover medical costs funeral and burial costs as well as pain and suffering and lost quality of life.
Our lawyers are involved in the mass litigation of toxic torts at a national, regional and local scale. As such, we are familiar with the particular issues and complicated science associated asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos fibers can be deadly and can cause serious medical conditions such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney is skilled in handling lawsuits to seek the financial compensation of those affected by asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be complex, so it's important to have a mesothelioma lawyer to assist you.
New York has a long history of asbestos litigation and many residents have been exposed to this dangerous material. 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 diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. These companies knew of the dangers associated with the hazardous mineral, but didn't warn their employees and clients.
The New York City area is particularly susceptible to asbestos-related ailments due to its older structures and a myriad of construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic site that continues to have an impact on the community surrounding it.
Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos directly and many workers were exposed in the workplace. However, people also get diagnosed with mesothelioma after experiencing exposure to harmful substances. This includes spouses who wear husband's clothing to work and come into 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. According to an investigation, more than 3,600 claims have been filed in New York courts since 2014 and the number is expected to increase even more. This niche litigation is often supported by asbestos law firms, which advertise on daytime television and encourage victims to file claims, with the promise of substantial settlements.
The defendants may be able reduce some of the costs 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 set out a clear policy regarding how to allocate liabilities when the alleged exposure occurs within and outside the policy period of the insurer.
Asbestos-Related Illnesses
A variety of asbestos-related diseases can develop due to exposure to the mineral that causes cancer. The most serious of these is mesothelioma. Many have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer asbestosis, pleural plaques, and pleural effusion.
Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal condition, is caused by asbestos settlement fibers which accumulate in the lungs. They then cause irritation to the linings of the ribcage (the the pleura), chest cavity, and abdominal cavity. The inhalation of these small fibers can cause scarring of the lungs called asbestosis, and, sometimes, the development of thickened patches on the pleura referred to as pleural plaques or the more widespread fibrosis of the pleura known as diffused fibrisis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis may decrease lung capacity, as determined by a breathing test. They can also cause pain and difficulties in breathing, but they don't cause cancer or mesothelioma.
The signs of asbestos-related illness typically do not manifest until decades after exposure. It can take as long as 50 years for asbestos-related fibers to be inhaled to cause lung damage. People at risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related conditions include workers who handled, cleaned and removed asbestos-containing products from their workplaces, as well as spouses and children of those exposed to asbestos.
Other asbestos-related illnesses, in addition to mesothelioma, include laryngeal carcinoma and lung cancer as well as peritoneal, ovarian and peritoneal cancer. Ovarian cancer is the deadliest form of mesothelioma for women however it is much less common than mesothelioma in general. It is usually diagnosed later than other forms of mesothelioma because it develops in the lining of the reproductive organs, and symptoms can be similar to those of other diseases.
Several companies used asbestos during the 20th century. They were aware that it was a risk. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos if they failed to remove it from their products. Now, those exposed are able to claim financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are bankrupt. The victims are now able to claim compensation from trust funds created by bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
For decades, asbestos companies put profits above the safety of their employees as well as consumers by producing dangerous products without warning of the risks. They are now paying the price for their inattention to. People whose lives have been disrupted by mesothelioma, cancer of the lung, and other asbestos-related illnesses are seeking fair and full compensation.
The attorneys at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to assisting families and individuals receive the justice they need. With more than 25 years of experience and accomplishments, we have secured millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. Our New York mesothelioma attorneys work to hold large corporations accountable and to secure the highest amount of compensation for their clients.
Many states have established special asbestos courts in which claims can be filed and resolved more efficiently. Judges have also established specialized procedures to evaluate and resolve asbestos-related cases.
New York, a state that has its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL), is one of them. As asbestos victims continue to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants that have been bankrupt and have been unable to pay, the workload of this special court has steadily increased. The New York Supreme Court created an extra judicial board to supervise NYCAL to stop the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.
A panel comprised of six Supreme Court judges will review every case in NYCAL to decide whether or not to accept it. Judges will also assess the merits of each claim to decide how much money a plaintiff should receive.
Currently, the panel is looking into more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to make a final decision at the end of this year.
New York asbestos case his response] lawsuits can be complex and can involve several defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience with the litigation of these complicated matters. They are familiar with the asbestos courts of New York and their rules, regulations and policies and other jurisdictions in which they have handled multi-district litigation.
The firm has also extensive experience as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in multidistrict litigation that is complex and complex. In this capacity, lawyers develop strategies, oversee regional and local counsel, and ensure consistent and effective defenses for clients. They have worked closely in the past with trial judges, coordinating judges and special masters of litigation from different jurisdictions.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will decide which strategy is the best way to defend the client from a personal injury lawsuit involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels suppliers, manufacturers contractors, distributors, contractors, and property owners in matters involving claims of mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm also works with clients to create internal programs to identify and addressing any risks to safety and liability.
In addition to its national asbestos practice, Bowles Rice serves as national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this capacity the firm formulates strategies for litigation, oversees local and regional counsel, and provides a cost-effective and consistent defense in coordination with client objectives. It also plays a major role in the administration and management of asbestos dockets aswell as negotiations with plaintiffs' lawyers and in coordinating discovery for its clients.
The firm's attorneys are experienced in defending clients from claims of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses. Asbestos defense attorneys are acquainted with the complex science associated with these cases, and the particular legal issues that arise when representing companies in state and federal courts across the United States.
Catherine has defended numerous manufacturers in asbestos and products liability personal injury cases, representing them as the lead counsel in consolidated trials involving a variety of claimants. She has a wealth of experience arguing asbestos-related lawsuits before federal and state courts as well as various Supreme Court and appellate bodies.
During her time at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those of respondents of the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files included SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports) which contained confidential information about the plaintiffs, such as medical reports, work histories, and the list of asbestos-related products that the plaintiff worked with or around. Vogel had to have an account password to access the files. She could then look over any SEAR forms provided by her current employer.
The Bowles Rice asbestos attorney Team, in addition to its vast 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 develop and execute settlement agreements. It also has a wealth of experience in defending businesses from appeals.