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 help protect those who's financial security has been affected due to exposure to the hazardous 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 complicated science associated asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos fibers are dangerous and can cause severe medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney is skilled in handling lawsuits seeking financial compensation for victims of asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be complex and therefore it is essential 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 hazardous substance. In recent years there have been more lawsuits against asbestos producers from the past than before. These cases are a result of the recognition that asbestos is linked to illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer. The companies were aware of the dangers of the dangerous mineral, but they failed to inform their employees and customers.

New York City is especially vulnerable to illnesses caused by asbestos due to its old structures and many construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic location that continues to impact on the community surrounding it.

Mesothelioma is triggered by exposure to asbestos compensation in direct contact, and many workers were exposed to asbestos in the workplace. Secondhand exposure can also result in mesothelioma. This includes spouses who wear husband's clothing to work and come into contact with asbestos dust on a regular basis.

The mesothelioma litigation is costly for defendants, especially if they are wrongfully named as a defendant. According to a study, more that 3,600 claims have been filed in New York courts since 2014, and the number could increase even more. Specialized asbestos law firms often advertise on television during the day and encourage victims to file claims with the promise that they will receive substantial settlements.

The defendants may be able lower some of the expenses arising from these cases by asserting that their policy periods expire or they are only accountable for a small percentage of the total value of the claim. New York law does not provide a definitive rule on how to distribute responsibility when the alleged exposure is part of the insurer's policies.

Asbestos-Related Illnesses

A wide range of asbestos-related illnesses can develop due to exposure to the mineral that causes cancer. The condition known as mesothelioma is the most serious. Many have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related diseases include asbestosis and lung cancer. Pleural plaques and pleural effusion are also asbestos-related.

Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal condition is caused by asbestos fibers that collect in the lung. They then cause irritation to the linings of the ribcage (the Pleura), chest cavity and abdominal cavity. Inhaling these fibers can lead to scarring in the lungs, called asbestosis. It can also cause thickened pleura patches (pleural plaques) or an increased fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrosis decrease lung capacity as measured by breathing tests. They can also cause discomfort and breathing difficulties however they do not cause mesothelioma or cancer.

The signs of asbestos-related illness typically don't manifest until decades after initial exposure. This is because it could take between 20 to 50 years for exposure to asbestos fibers to damage the lungs. People at risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related ailments include those who handled, cleaned and removed asbestos-containing products from their workplaces, as well as spouses and children of those who were exposed to asbestos.

Other asbestos-related diseases apart from mesothelioma, include lung cancer and laryngeal carcinoma, peritoneal, ovarian, and peritoneal cancer. Ovarian cancer is the most fatal mesothelioma type for women however, it is much less common than mesothelioma general. It is usually diagnosed later than other forms of mesothelioma because it develops in the tissues of the reproductive organs and the symptoms can be similar to those of other diseases.

A number of companies used asbestos in the 20th century, but 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, these people are able to seek financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies have gone bankrupt. The victims are now able to claim compensation from trust funds set up by bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

For decades, asbestos companies have put profits ahead of the safety of their employees as well as consumers by producing dangerous products without warning of the dangers. They are now confronting the consequences of their negligence. People who's lives have been affected by mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases are seeking fair and full compensation.

Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals get 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 large corporations responsible accountable and seek 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 established specific procedures to assess and resolve such cases.

New York is one such state that has its own asbestos court known as NYCAL. As asbestos victims continue to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants that have gone bankrupt and have been unable to pay, the workload of this special court has steadily increased. The New York Supreme Court created a special judicial board to supervise NYCAL in order to prevent the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.

A panel composed of six Supreme Court judges will review every case filed in NYCAL to decide whether to accept or reject it. Judges will also evaluate the merits of each claim to determine the amount of money each plaintiff should receive.

At present, the panel is looking into more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to issue its final decision by the end of this year.

New York asbestos lawsuits are usually complex and include allegations of several defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience in the litigation of these complex cases. They are knowledgeable of New York's asbestos courts and their rules, regulations and policies and other jurisdictions where they have handled multi-district litigation.

The firm also has extensive experience in serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients nationwide in multi-district, complex litigation. In this capacity, lawyers develop strategies, manage regional and local counsel, and ensure consistent and efficient defenses for clients. They have been in close contact with trial judges, coordination judges and litigation special masters from various jurisdictions.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will determine which strategy is the best way to defend the client in an injury claim that involves asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels product manufacturers, suppliers contractors, distributors, contractors, and owners of premises in cases involving claims for mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm collaborates with clients in the development of internal programs to determine and deal with 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 role Bowles Rice formulates litigation strategies and oversees local and region counsel to achieve a consistent and cost-effective defense in accordance with the client's goals. Additionally, it plays a key role in the management of asbestos dockets, negotiations with plaintiffs' counsel and also leads discovery for its clients.

The firm's lawyers have experience in defending clients from mesothelioma claims and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense lawyers are familiar with the intricate scientific issues involved in these cases, as well as specific legal issues that arise when defending companies before state and federal courts throughout the United States.

Catherine has represented numerous companies in asbestos and products liability personal injury cases, acting as the lead counsel in consolidated trials involving a variety of claimants. She has a wealth of experience litigating asbestos-related cases in state and federal courts and before a variety of appellate and supreme court bodies.

While at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those involving respondents to the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The cases files contained SEAR forms (Short Evaluative Reports Encapsulated) that contained confidential information about the claimants. The files contained medical reports as well as work histories and an inventory of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs worked with or near. Vogel had to have access to a password to access the files. She was then able to review any SEAR forms provided by her current employer.

In addition to its extensive trial and appellate experience, the Bowles Rice Asbestos Team is acknowledged nationally for its ability to negotiate settlements on behalf of its clients. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs’ lawyers to develop and execute settlement agreements. The firm also has extensive experience in defending businesses against appeals.