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 help protect those whose financial security has been affected by exposure to the toxic mineral. Compensation can cover medical costs funeral and burial costs, lost quality of life, and pain and suffering.

Our lawyers are involved in the mass litigation of toxic torts at a national, regional and local scale. This means that we are familiarized with the unique issues and complex scientific aspects that are associated with asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos is a harmful fiber that can trigger numerous serious medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney is skilled in handling lawsuits to seek financial compensation for those who have suffered from asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be a bit complicated and therefore it is essential to have a mesothelioma attorney on your side.

New York has a long history of asbestos litigation, and many residents have been exposed to this hazardous substance. In recent years, there are more lawsuits filed against asbestos producers from the past than before. These cases result from the recognition of a link between asbestos and diseases like mesothelioma and lung cancer and asbestosis. These companies knew of the dangers of the asbestos-containing mineral, yet they didn't warn their employees and clients.

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 community surrounding it.

Mesothelioma is triggered by exposure to asbestos directly, and many workers were exposed to it in the workplace. In addition, exposure to asbestos through secondhand sources can cause mesothelioma. This is especially true for spouses who wear husband's clothes to work and come into contact with asbestos dust frequently.

Mesothelioma-related litigation can be expensive for defendants. This is particularly true if they have been wrongly identified as defendants. A study indicates that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could grow. Specialized asbestos law firms often advertise on daytime TV and encourage victims to file claims, promising they will receive significant settlements.

Defendants may be able to mitigate some of the costs associated with these cases by argument that their policy terms expire or they are only accountable for a small portion of the amount of the claim. New York law does not have a specific rule for how to divide liability when the alleged risk is within and part outside of the insurer's policies.

Asbestos-related Diseases

A variety of asbestos-related illnesses can develop because of exposure to the mineral that causes cancer. The most severe condition is mesothelioma. Many have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer asbestosis, pleural plaques and the pleural effusion.

Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal disease caused by exposure to asbestos fibers that accumulate in the lungs and cause irritation to the lining of the ribcage, chest cavity, and abdominal cavity (the pleura). The inhalation of these tiny fibers can result in scarring of the lungs called asbestosis, and occasionally, the development of thickened patches on the pleura called plaques of pleura or a more widespread fibrosis of the pleura, referred to as diffused pleural fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrosis decrease lung capacity as measured by breathing tests. They also cause discomfort and breathing difficulties, though they do not cause mesothelioma or cancer.

Symptoms of asbestos-related disease often do not manifest until decades after exposure. This is due to the fact that it can take between 20 to 50 years for the inhalation of asbestos-containing fibers to damage the lungs. Workers who handled, cleaned and removed asbestos from the workplace and their children, spouses, and others exposed to asbestos are at risk for developing mesothelioma.

In addition to mesothelioma other asbestos-related illnesses include laryngeal cancer, lung cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma and mesothelioma of the ovary. The most fatal mesothelioma type is ovarian cancer, but it's less common than the general mesothelioma. It is often diagnosed later than other kinds of mesothelioma because it develops in the tissues of the reproductive organs and the symptoms may be similar to those of other illnesses.

Many companies employed asbestos during the 20th century. They knew it was hazardous. When they did not remove it from their products, thousands of people were exposed. Now, these people are able to claim financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are bankrupt. The victims can now seek 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 facing the consequences of their inattention. People who have suffered from asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and complete compensation.

Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals receive 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 accountable large corporations accountable and to secure the highest amount of compensation for our clients.

Many states have set up special asbestos courts where claims can be filed and resolving more efficiently. Judges have also established specific procedures to assess and resolve these cases.

New York is one such state with its own asbestos court, known as NYCAL. The number of cases in this court has grown steadily, as asbestos victims are becoming more and more likely to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants who have become bankrupt. The New York Supreme Court created a special judicial board to oversee NYCAL in order to keep the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.

A panel comprised of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine whether it should be accepted or not. Judges will also evaluate the merits of every claim to determine how much amount of money each plaintiff should receive.

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

New York asbestos legal lawsuits can be complex and can involve multiple defendants. Belluck and Fox's lawyers have a wealth of experience in defending these complicated matters. They are knowledgeable of 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 extensive experience serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients across the country in complex, multi-district litigation. In this capacity, attorneys create strategies, coordinate and manage regional and local counsel and ensure cost-effective and consistent defenses for each client. They have worked closely with trial judges, coordination judges, and special masters of litigation from different jurisdictions.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will decide which strategy is the best way to defend the client from a personal injury lawsuit involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, contractors and property owners in matters involving claims of mesothelioma and lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm collaborates with clients on developing internal programs to identify and address potential safety and liability concerns.

Bowles Rice in addition to its national asbestos practice and multi-state asbestos litigation is also the national Coordinating Counsel. In this capacity Bowles Rice formulates litigation strategies and oversees regional and local counsel to achieve a consistent and cost-effective defence in coordination with the client's goals. Additionally, it plays a key part in the administration of asbestos dockets as well as negotiations with plaintiffs' counsel and also leads discovery for its clients.

The firm's lawyers are skilled in defending clients from claims of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses. Asbestos defense lawyers are familiar with the complex science involved in these cases as well as specific legal issues that arise when defending businesses before state and federal courts throughout the United States.

Catherine has defended numerous companies in asbestos claim; click here to read, and products liability personal injury cases, acting as lead trial counsel and in consolidated trials that involved multiple plaintiffs. She has substantial experience litigating asbestos-related cases before state and federal courts, as well as before a variety of appellate and supreme court bodies.

While at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those of respondents of the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files included SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports) that contained confidential information on the plaintiffs, including medical reports, work history and the list of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs worked with or around. Vogel required an account password to access the files. Then, she could go through any SEAR forms provided by her current employer.

The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to its vast experience in appellate and trial work, is recognized nationally for its ability to successfully negotiate settlements for its clients. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs’ lawyers to create and implement settlement agreements. The firm also has extensive experience in defending businesses from appeals.