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

An asbestos defense attorney can help protect the financial security of those who have been affected through exposure to this dangerous mineral. Compensation can cover medical costs, funeral and burial expenses, pain and suffering, and lost quality of life.

Our lawyers serve as local, regional, and national counsel in massive toxic tort litigation. As a result, we are well-versed in the unique issues and complex aspects of science that are associated with asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos is a dangerous fiber that can trigger various serious medical conditions, including mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney is adept at handling lawsuits seeking the financial compensation of those affected by asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be complex and therefore it is essential to have a mesothelioma attorney to assist you.

New York has a long history of asbestos litigation and many residents have been exposed to this dangerous substance. In recent times, there have been more lawsuits against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases are the result of the recognition that asbestos can cause diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. The companies were aware of asbestos' dangers, but failed to warn their employees and customers.

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

Mesothelioma can be caused by direct exposure to asbestos, and many workers were exposed to asbestos at work. However, people also get diagnosed with mesothelioma after experiencing secondhand exposure to the harmful substances. This is especially true for spouses who wear husband's clothing to work and come into contact with asbestos dust on a regular basis.

The litigation associated with mesothelioma can be expensive for defendants, particularly if they are wrongfully named 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 increase further. This kind of litigation is usually supported by asbestos law firms that promote on daytime TV and entice victims to file claims, with the promise of substantial settlements.

The defendants might be able to reduce some of the costs of these cases by arguing that their policy periods are expired or that they are only responsible for a small portion of the claim value. However, New York law has not provided a definitive rule on how to allocate liability when the alleged exposure occurs in and out of the policy period of the insurer.

Asbestos-related diseases

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

Mesothelioma, a rare, but fatal disease, is caused by asbestos fibers which accumulate in the lungs. They then irritate the linings of the ribcage (the pleura), chest cavity, and abdominal cavity. Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause scarring in the lungs. This is called asbestosis. It can also lead to thickened patches of pleura (pleural plaques) or an increase in fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis may decrease lung capacity, as measured by a breath test. They also cause breathing problems and pain but they don't cause mesothelioma or cancer.

Most of the time, symptoms of asbestos-related illnesses don't appear until decades after the initial exposure. It can take as long as 50 years for asbestos fibers that are inhaled to cause lung damage. People who are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases include those who handled, laundered, and removed these materials from their workplaces and their spouses and children of asbestos-related exposure.

As well as mesothelioma, other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma and mesothelioma of the ovary. The most deadly mesothelioma type is ovarian cancer, however it is less prevalent than mesothelioma in general. It is typically 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 symptoms of other illnesses.

Several companies used asbestos during the 20th century. They were aware that it was hazardous. When they failed to remove asbestos legal from their products, thousands of people were exposed. They can now seek financial compensation. A lot of asbestos-related manufacturers have gone bankrupt. In the aftermath, victims can seek the money they deserve from the trust funds set up by the bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

Asbestos companies have put profits before the safety of their employees and their customers for decades making dangerous products, without warning about the risks. These companies are now paying for their carelessness. People whose lives have been disrupted by mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses are seeking fair and full settlement.

The attorneys at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to assisting families and individuals obtain 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 lawyers work to hold responsible large corporations accountable and seek the maximum amount of compensation for our clients.

A number of states have established special asbestos courts in which claims can be filed and resolving more efficiently. In addition, judges have established specialized procedures for evaluating and resolving asbestos cases.

New York, a state that has its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL), is one of the states. As asbestos victims continue to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants who have been bankrupt and have been unable to pay, the workload of this special court has been steadily increasing. To ensure that the justice system does not get overwhelmed the New York Supreme Court has ordered the creation of a special judicial panel to supervise NYCAL.

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

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

New York asbestos lawsuits are usually complex and involve allegations of multiple defendants. Belluck and Fox's lawyers have a wealth of experience in litigating these complex issues. They are well-versed in the rules regulations, rules, 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 extensive experience as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients throughout the nation in complex, multi-district litigation. In this role, lawyers develop strategies, manage regional and local counsel, and ensure consistent and efficient defenses for clients. They have worked closely with trial and coordination judges and litigation special masters in various jurisdictions where they were involved in asbestos litigation.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A Tulsa asbestos compensation lawyer will decide which strategy is most effective to defend the client from an injury claim that involves asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels suppliers, manufacturers contractors, distributors, contractors, and owners of premises in cases involving claims for mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm also assists clients to develop internal programs for identifying and addressing potential 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 designs litigation strategies, supervises regional and local counsel, and achieves consistent and cost-effective defense that is in sync with client objectives. It also plays a major role in the administration and management of asbestos dockets, as well as negotiations with plaintiffs' lawyers and coordinating discovery for its client.

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

Catherine has represented a variety of manufacturers as lead trial counsel in asbestos and personal injury lawsuits involving product liability and in consolidated cases that involve multiple plaintiffs. She has extensive experience in litigating asbestos-related lawsuits in the state and federal courts, as well as various appellate and Supreme Court bodies.

During her time at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those for respondents to the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files included SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports), which contained confidential information on the plaintiffs, such as medical reports, work history and an inventory of asbestos-related products that the plaintiff worked with or around. Vogel required 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 in addition to its extensive trial and appellate experience, the Bowles Rice Asbestos Team is well-known throughout the country for its ability to negotiate settlements on behalf of its clients. In this capacity, the firm collaborates with plaintiffs' lawyers in the development and execution of settlement agreements. Additionally, it has extensive experience in defending businesses against appeals.