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

A lawyer who is a defense attorney for asbestos can protect those whose financial security has been affected by exposure to the harmful mineral. Compensation may cover medical costs funeral and burial costs as well as pain and suffering and lost quality of life.

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

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos is a deadly fiber that can cause various serious medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney is experienced in handling lawsuits to seek financial compensation for victims of asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be complicated and therefore it is essential to have an experienced mesothelioma lawyer on your side.

New York has a long history of asbestos litigation and many residents have been exposed to this dangerous material. In recent years there have been more lawsuits filed against asbestos producers in the past than ever before. These cases are a result of the recognition that asbestos is linked to diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. These companies were aware asbestos's dangers, but failed to warn the employees and the public.

The New York City area is particularly susceptible to asbestos-related illnesses because of its older structures and the numerous construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously toxic area that continues affect the surrounding community.

Many workers were exposed to asbestos in their work environments. However, many people are diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of secondhand exposure to the harmful substances. This includes spouses of asbestos case-exposed workers who were wearing their husband's work clothes and came in contact with asbestos dust regularly.

Litigation involving mesothelioma is expensive for defendants. This is especially relevant if they've been incorrectly identified as defendants. According to a study, more that 3,600 claims have been filed in New York courts since 2014 and the number is expected to rise further. The asbestos law firms that specialize in asbestos often advertise on TV during the day and encourage victims to file claims with the promise that they will receive significant settlements.

The defendants may be able reduce the cost of these cases by arguing their policies are in a lapse or that they are only responsible for only a small percentage of the claim value. However, New York law has not provided a definitive rule on how to allocate liability when the alleged exposure occurs within and outside the insurer's policy periods.

Asbestos-Related Illnesses

A variety of asbestos-related diseases can develop because of exposure to the harmful mineral. The most serious condition is mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is the cause of death of many people. Other asbestos-related diseases include asbestosis and lung cancer. Pleural plaques and effusion are also asbestos-related.

Mesothelioma, a rare, but fatal illness that 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 asbestos fibers can cause scarring of the lungs, called asbestosis. It can also result in thickened patches of pleura (pleural plaques) or an increased fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrosis reduce lung capacity as measured by breathing tests. They can also cause pain and difficulty in breathing, but they don't cause mesothelioma or cancer.

Symptoms of asbestos-related disease often do not manifest until decades after initial exposure. It could take up to 50 years for asbestos fibers inhaled to cause lung damage. The people at risk of developing mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related conditions include workers who handled, washed and removed asbestos-containing products from the workplace and their spouses and children of asbestos-related exposure.

Other asbestos-related diseases, in addition to mesothelioma include laryngeal cancer and lung cancer, peritoneal, ovarian, and peritoneal cancer. Ovarian cancer is the most fatal mesothelioma that women suffer from, but it is less prevalent than mesothelioma in general. It is diagnosed later than most other types of mesothelioma because it is found within the linings of reproductive organs. Symptoms can be similar to other illnesses.

A number of companies used asbestos in the 20th century, however they were aware that it was dangerous. If they didn't remove it from their products, thousands of people were exposed. These people can now sue for financial compensation. Many asbestos-related manufacturers are bankrupt. The victims are now able to claim compensation from the trust funds set up by bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

Asbestos companies have put profit over the safety of their workers and their customers for decades making dangerous products, without warning about the risks. They are now paying for their inattention to. Victims of asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and full settlement.

The attorneys at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to helping individuals and families get the justice they deserve. With more than 25 years of experience in the field, we have secured a million 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 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 these cases.

New York is one such state, with its own asbestos court, known as NYCAL. The caseload in this specialty court has increased steadily, as increasing numbers of asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants who have gone bankrupt. To ensure that the justice system isn't overloaded, the New York Supreme Court has established an extra judicial panel to supervise NYCAL.

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 case to determine how much the plaintiff is entitled to.

Currently, the panel is studying more than 3,500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to issue its final decision before the end of the year.

New York asbestos lawsuits can be complicated and can involve several defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience with the litigation of these complex cases. They are well-versed in the rules, regulations, and policies 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 vast experience in serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients nationwide in complex, multi-district litigation. In this capacity lawyers formulate strategies, oversee local and regional counsel, and ensure consistent and effective defenses for clients. They have worked closely with coordinating and trial judges and litigation special masters in various jurisdictions where they have been involved in asbestos litigation.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A skilled Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best strategy to defend a client in a claim for personal injury resulting from asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels product manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, contractors and owners of premises in matters involving claims of mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm also works with clients to create internal programs for identifying and addressing safety and liability concerns.

In addition to its asbestos practice in the national level, Bowles Rice serves as the national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this role Bowles Rice formulates strategies for litigation and supervises local and region counsel to ensure a uniform and cost-effective defense that is in line with the client's goals. In addition, it plays a key role in the management of asbestos dockets as well as negotiations with counsel for plaintiffs and also leads discovery for its clients.

The firm's lawyers have experience in defending clients against mesothelioma claims and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are acquainted with the complex science associated with these cases, as well as the particular legal issues that arise when representing companies before federal and state courts across the United States.

Catherine has represented numerous manufacturers as the lead counsel in asbestos and product liability personal injury lawsuits and in cases that have been consolidated involving multiple plaintiffs. She has extensive experience in litigating asbestos-related cases before the federal and state courts, as well as before various appellate and supreme court bodies.

During her tenure 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. This included medical reports, work histories, and the list of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs used or worked near. Vogel was required to have access to a password to access the files. Then, she could review any SEAR forms that she received from her current employer.

The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to its vast experience in trial and appellate work, is widely acclaimed for its ability to negotiate settlements for clients. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs’ lawyers to create and implement settlement agreements. It also has a wealth of experience defending businesses against appeals.