An Asbestos Defense Attorney Can Help Protect the Financial Security of Those Harmed by Exposure to This Harmful Mineral

An asbestos defense lawyer can help protect the financial security of those who have been injured by exposure to this toxic mineral. Compensation can cover medical costs funeral and burial costs, pain and suffering, and the loss of quality of life.

Our lawyers are involved in the mass litigation of toxic torts on a regional, national and local scale. This means that we are well-versed in the unique issues and the complex scientific aspects of asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos fibers are deadly and can cause serious medical conditions such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney is experienced in handling lawsuits seeking the financial compensation of those affected by asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be complicated and it's crucial 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 substance. In recent years there have been more lawsuits against asbestos producers in the past than ever before. These cases stem from the recognition of a connection between asbestos and diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer and asbestosis. These companies were aware of asbestos's dangers but did not take the time to warn employees and consumers.

The New York City area is particularly susceptible to asbestos-related ailments due to its older structures and a myriad of construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously hazardous area that continues to affect the surrounding community.

Many workers were exposed to asbestos in their work environments. However, many people are diagnosed with mesothelioma following an exposure secondarily to the harmful substances. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposure workers who were wearing their husband's work clothes and came in contact with asbestos dust on a regular basis.

Mesothelioma-related litigation can be expensive for defendants. This is especially true if they have 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 rise further. This type of litigation is typically fueled by specialized asbestos law firms that promote on daytime TV and entice victims to file claims with the promise of large settlements.

The defendants may be able reduce some of the costs of these cases by arguing that their policy periods are expired or that they are only responsible for only for a small proportion of the value of the claim. New York law does not provide a definitive rule on how to allocate the liability if the alleged exposure is part of and outside the insurer's policies.

Asbestos-related diseases

A myriad of asbestos-related illnesses can develop due to exposure to the toxic mineral. The mesothelioma disease is the most serious. Many people have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer and asbestosis. Pleural plaques and effusion are also asbestos-related.

Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal disease that is caused by asbestos fibers which collect in the lung. They then irritate the linings of the ribcage (the pleura), chest cavity and abdominal cavity. The inhalation of these small fibers can result in scarring of the lungs, a condition known as asbestosis and, sometimes, the development of thickened patches on the pleura referred to as pleural plaques or a more widespread fibrosis of the pleura known as diffused the fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis could reduce lung capacity, as measured by breathing test. They can also cause pain and discomfort in breathing, but they do not lead mesothelioma or cancer.

Often, symptoms of asbestos-related illnesses don't manifest until decades after initial exposure. This is because it can take between 20 and 50 years for the inhalation of asbestos fibers to damage the lungs. People who are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other asbestos-related ailments include those who handled, washed and removed asbestos-containing materials from the workplace and spouses and children of those exposed to asbestos.

Other asbestos-related diseases, apart from mesothelioma, include laryngeal carcinoma and lung cancer, peritoneal, ovarian, and peritoneal cancer. The most dangerous form of mesothelioma is called ovarian cancer, but it's much less prevalent than mesothelioma in general. It is typically diagnosed later than other forms of mesothelioma because it develops in the lining of the reproductive organs and the symptoms may be similar to symptoms of other illnesses.

Many companies used asbestos in the 20th century, but they knew that it was dangerous. When they failed to remove asbestos from their products, thousands of people were exposed. These people now are able to seek financial compensation. Many asbestos law-related companies have filed for bankruptcy. In the aftermath, victims can seek the compensation they are entitled to from trust funds set up by the bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

Asbestos-related companies have put profit before the safety of their workers and consumers for decades making dangerous products, without warning about the risks. These companies are now paying for their inattention to. People whose lives have been disrupted by mesothelioma, cancer of the lung and other asbestos-related illnesses are seeking full and fair compensation.

Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals get the justice they deserve. With more than 25 years of experience, we have secured millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. Our New York mesothelioma lawyers work to hold accountable large corporations accountable and to secure maximum compensation for our clients.

Many states have established asbestos courts with specialization, where claims can be filed more efficiently. Judges have also established specialized procedures to evaluate and resolve such cases.

New York is one such state that has its own asbestos court known as NYCAL. The caseload in this specialty court has increased steadily, as more and more asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent former asbestos defendants who have gone 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 of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine if it is accepted or not. Judges will also assess the merits of each claim to decide how much money a plaintiff should receive.

The panel is currently reviewing more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected issue its final ruling at the end of this year.

New York asbestos lawsuits are often complex and involve several defendants. Belluck and Fox's lawyers have vast experience in defending these complicated cases. They are knowledgeable of New York's asbestos courts and their rules regulations, policies and guidelines in addition to other jurisdictions in which they have handled multi-district litigation.

The firm also has extensive experience serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients across the country in complex, multi-district litigation. In this capacity lawyers formulate strategies, oversee local and regional counsel, and ensure consistent and efficient defenses for clients. They have collaborated closely with trial and coordination judges and special masters of litigation in the various jurisdictions where they were involved in asbestos litigation.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will determine which strategy is most effective to defend the client in a personal injury lawsuit involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels product manufacturers, suppliers contractors, distributors, contractors and premises owners in cases involving claims for mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm also assists clients to create internal programs to identify and addressing risks to safety and liability.

In addition to its national asbestos practice, Bowles Rice serves as national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation (check). In this role Bowles Rice devises litigation strategies and manages regional and local counsel to ensure a consistent and cost-effective defense in accordance with the client's needs. In addition, it plays a key role in the administration of asbestos dockets, negotiations with counsel for plaintiffs and lead discovery for its clients.

The firm's attorneys have extensive trial and appellate experience in defending clients against claims by injured claimants, which includes those who are claiming mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense lawyers are familiar 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 companies in asbestos compensation and products liability personal injury cases, representing them as the lead counsel in consolidated trials that involved multiple plaintiffs. She has extensive experience in litigating asbestos-related cases in federal and state courts and before a variety of supreme and appellate courts.

While at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos cases for respondents, including the Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The cases files included SEAR forms (Short Evaluative Reports Encapsulated) which contained confidential information about plaintiffs. The files contained medical reports as well as work histories and the list of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs used or worked near. Vogel was required to have a password to access the files and was able to go through the SEAR forms of any case she had with 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 from appeals.