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

A defense attorney for asbestos can assist those who's financial security has been affected by exposure to the toxic mineral. Compensation can cover medical expenses funeral and burial costs as well as pain and suffering and the loss of quality of life.

Our lawyers serve as local, regional and national counsel in large toxic tort litigation. This means that we are familiarized with 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 like mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is skilled in handling asbestos lawsuit lawsuits that seek compensation for victims and their families who have been exposed to this harmful substance. These cases can be complex 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 dangerous substance. In recent times there have been more claims against former asbestos manufacturers than ever before. These cases are a result of the recognition that asbestos is linked to illnesses such as mesothelioma or lung cancer. These companies were aware asbestos's dangers however, they failed to inform employees and consumers.

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

Many workers were exposed asbestos in the workplace. In addition, exposure to asbestos through secondhand sources can cause mesothelioma. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposure workers who wore their husband's work clothes and came into contact with asbestos dust regularly.

The mesothelioma lawsuit can be costly for defendants. This is particularly the case if they were wrongly identified as defendants. According to a study, more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed in New York courts since 2014, and the number could increase further. This kind of litigation is usually supported by asbestos law firms that advertise on daytime TV and entice victims to file claims with the promise of huge settlements.

The defendants may be able reduce the cost of these cases by arguing that their policies are in a lapse or that they are only responsible for a small portion of the claim value. New York law does not have a specific rule for how to allocate the liability if the alleged exposure is part of the insurance policies.

Asbestos-related Illnesses

A myriad of asbestos-related illnesses can develop due to exposure to the harmful mineral. The most serious 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 illness caused by exposure to asbestos fibers that accumulate in the lungs and irritate the lining of the chest cavity, ribcage and abdominal cavity (the pleura). Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause scarring in the lungs, known as asbestosis. It can also lead to thickened pleura patches (pleural plaques) or an increased fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis could decrease lung capacity, as determined by a breathing test. They also cause breathing problems and pain, though they do not lead to 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 that are inhaled to cause lung damage. People who are at risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related conditions include workers who handled, laundered and removed asbestos-containing products from their workplaces and their spouses and children of those exposed to asbestos.

Other asbestos-related illnesses, in addition to mesothelioma include laryngeal cancer and lung cancer, peritoneal, ovarian, and peritoneal cancer. The most dangerous mesothelioma type is ovarian cancer, but it's much less frequent than the general mesothelioma. It is diagnosed later than most other types of mesothelioma because it occurs within the linings of reproductive organs. Symptoms can be similar to other illnesses.

A number of companies used asbestos in the 20th century. They were aware that it was a risk. When they failed to remove it from their products, thousands of people were exposed. Now, those exposed have the right to claim financial compensation. Many asbestos-related manufacturers are bankrupt. In the aftermath, victims are able to seek the compensation they deserve from the trust funds established by the bankruptcy courts.

asbestos lawsuit Litigation in New York

Asbestos-related companies have put profit over the safety of their employees and their customers for decades creating dangerous products without warning of the dangers. These companies are now confronting the consequences of their negligence. Victims of asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and full compensation.

Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals obtain the justice they deserve. Our attorneys have more than 25 years experience and have helped our clients receive millions of dollars of compensation. Our New York mesothelioma attorneys work to hold large corporations accountable and obtain the maximum amount of compensation for our clients.

Many states have set up special asbestos courts where claims can be filed and resolved more efficiently. Additionally judges have created special procedures to evaluate and resolve asbestos 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 compensation defendants who have gone bankrupt. To ensure that the justice system is not overloaded and overwhelmed, the New York Supreme Court has ordered the creation of an extra judicial panel to supervise NYCAL.

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

The panel is currently reviewing more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to announce its final decision by the end this year.

New York asbestos lawsuits are typically complex and often involve several defendants. Belluck & Fox's lawyers have extensive experience in the litigation of these difficult cases. They are well-versed in New York's asbestos case courts and their rules, regulations and policies, as well as other jurisdictions in which they have handled multi-district litigation.

The firm also has extensive experience as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in complex, multidistrict litigation. In this role, attorneys develop strategies, coordinate and manage local and regional counsel, and ensure cost-effective and consistent defenses for each client. They have collaborated closely with coordinating and trial judges and litigation special masters in various jurisdictions in which they have been involved in asbestos litigation.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will decide which strategy is best to defend the client in a personal injury claim involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, contractors and property owners in cases involving claims for mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm collaborates with clients in the development of internal programs to identify and resolve potential liability and safety 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 capacity the firm designs litigation strategies, supervises regional and local counsel, and provides a cost-effective and consistent defense, in line with the client's goals. Additionally it plays an important role 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 mesothelioma-related claims and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are acquainted with the complex science that is associated with these cases, and the particular legal issues that arise when defending companies in federal and state courts across the United States.

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

During her time at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those involving respondents to the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files contained SEAR forms (Short encapsulated Evaluative reports), which contained confidential information about the claimants. The files contained medical reports and work histories, as well as a list asbestos products that plaintiffs worked with or near. Vogel was required to use a password to access these files, and she could also review the SEAR forms of any case she had with her current employer.

The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to having extensive 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 develop and execute settlement agreements. It also has extensive experience in defending businesses from appeals.