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 may cover medical costs funeral and burial expenses, pain and suffering, and the loss of quality of life.

Our attorneys are involved in mass toxic tort litigation at a national, regional and local level. This means that we are well-versed in the unique issues and the complex scientific aspects that are associated with asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos fibers are dangerous and can trigger serious medical conditions such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is experienced in handling asbestos lawsuits that seek financial compensation for the victims and their families who have been exposed to this toxic substance. These cases can be a bit complicated and it's crucial to have a mesothelioma attorney on your side.

New York has a long history of asbestos litigation, and many residents have been exposed to the dangerous substance. In recent times, there have been more lawsuits against former asbestos manufacturers than ever before. These cases stem from the recognition of a link between asbestos and certain diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. These companies were aware of the dangers associated with the hazardous mineral, but failed to warn their employees and clients.

The New York City area is particularly prone to asbestos-related diseases because of its older structures and a myriad of construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic site that continues to impact on the community around it.

Many workers were exposed asbestos at work. However, many people are diagnosed with mesothelioma after experiencing exposure to harmful substances. This includes spouses who wear their husband's clothes to work and come into contact with asbestos dust frequently.

The litigation associated with mesothelioma can be expensive for defendants, particularly when they are incorrectly named as defendants. According to a study, more that 3,600 lawsuits have been filed in New York courts since 2014, and the number could increase even more. This kind of litigation is usually supported by asbestos attorney law firms, which advertise on television during the day and encourage victims to file claims with the promise of substantial settlements.

Defendants might be able to mitigate some of the expenses arising from these cases by asserting that their policy periods have expired or they're only responsible for a small portion of the value of the claim. New York law does not have a clear rule on how to divide the liability if the alleged exposure is within and part outside of the insurer's policies.

Asbestos-related diseases

Exposure to asbestos can trigger a wide range of illnesses. The mesothelioma disease is the most severe. Mesothelioma is the cause of death of many people. Other asbestos-related diseases include asbestosis and lung cancer. Pleural plaques and pleural effusion are also asbestos-related.

Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal illness caused by exposure to asbestos fibers that collect in the lungs and irritate the lining of the ribcage, chest cavity, and abdominal cavity (the pleura). The inhalation of these small fibers can result in scarring of the lungs known as asbestosis and sometimes the formation of thickened patches on the pleura called pleural plaques or a more widespread fibrosis of the pleura, referred to as diffused pleural fibrisis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrisis reduce lung capacity, as measured by breathing tests. They can also cause pain and difficulties in breathing, but they do not lead cancer or mesothelioma.

Often, symptoms of asbestos-related diseases don't manifest until decades after initial exposure. It can take up to 50 years for asbestos fibers inhaled to cause lung damage. People who are at risk of developing mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related ailments include those who handled, laundered, and removed these materials from the workplace and spouses and children of those who were exposed to asbestos.

In addition to mesothelioma, other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma, and mesothelioma ovarian. Ovarian cancer is the deadliest mesothelioma that women suffer from, but it is less prevalent than mesothelioma in general. It is usually diagnosed later than other types of mesothelioma since it is a cancer that develops in the lining of the reproductive organs, and the symptoms can be similar to those of other diseases.

Many companies employed asbestos during the 20th century. They were aware that it was hazardous. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos because they failed to remove asbestos lawsuit (cool training) from their products. They can now seek financial compensation. Many asbestos-related manufacturers are bankrupt. The victims are now able to seek compensation from trust funds established by bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

Asbestos companies have put profits before the safety of their workers and consumers for decades creating dangerous products without warning about the risks. They are now facing the consequences of their negligence. People who have suffered from life-altering issues caused by mesothelioma and lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses are seeking fair and full settlement.

The lawyers at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to helping individuals and families obtain 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 attorneys work to hold corporations accountable and obtain maximum compensation for clients.

Many states have established asbestos courts with specialization, where claims can be filed more efficiently. Judges have also developed specific procedures to assess and resolve these cases.

New York is one such state with its own asbestos court, known as NYCAL. The caseload in this specialty court has been increasing steadily as more and more asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants who have gone bankrupt. The New York Supreme Court created a special judicial board to supervise NYCAL in order to keep the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.

A panel of six Supreme Court judges will review every case in NYCAL to decide whether or not to take it up with it. Judges will also assess the merits of each case to determine the amount a plaintiff should receive.

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

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

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

Representation of Plaintiffs

A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will determine which strategy is best to defend the client from an injury claim that involves asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises suppliers, manufacturers, contractors, distributors and premises owners on matters that involve mesothelioma claims, lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm also works with clients to create internal programs for identifying and addressing safety and liability issues.

In addition to its asbestos practice across the nation, Bowles Rice serves as the national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this capacity the firm formulates strategies for litigation, oversees regional and local counsel, and provides a cost-effective and consistent defense that is in sync with client objectives. It also plays a major role in the administration and management of asbestos dockets, as well in negotiations with plaintiffs' attorneys and coordinating discovery for its clients.

The firm's lawyers have extensive trial and appellate experience in defending clients against claims made by injured claimants, which includes those who claim mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense lawyers are acquainted with the intricate scientific issues involved in these cases as in addition to particular legal issues that arise while defending companies before state and federal courts throughout the United States.

Catherine has represented numerous manufacturers in asbestos and products liability personal injury cases, defending them as the lead trial counsel in consolidated trials involving multiple claimants. She has a wealth of experience arguing asbestos-related lawsuits before the state and federal courts as well as various Supreme Court and appellate bodies.

While at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos cases for respondents, including those in the Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The case files contained SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports) which contained confidential information about claimants, 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 review any SEAR forms provided by her current employer.

In addition to its extensive trial and appellate experience as well as its vast trial and appellate experience, the Bowles Rice Asbestos Team is recognized nationally for its ability to negotiate settlements on behalf of its clients. In this capacity, the firm works closely with plaintiffs' lawyers in the development and execution of settlement agreements, and it has extensive experience in defending businesses against appeals.