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 harmed by exposure to this harmful mineral. Compensation can cover medical expenses funeral and burial costs as well as pain and suffering and the loss of quality of life.

Our attorneys are involved in the mass litigation of toxic torts on a national, regional and local scale. As as such, we are acquainted with the unique issues and complex science associated asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos is a deadly 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 complicated and therefore it is essential to have a mesothelioma expert law firm 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 stem from the recognition of a link between asbestos and certain diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. The companies were aware of asbestos' dangers however, they failed to inform employees and consumers.

The New York City area is particularly prone to asbestos-related diseases due to its old structures and a myriad of construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously toxic area that continues to impact the surrounding community.

Many workers were exposed asbestos in the workplace. However, people also get diagnosed with mesothelioma after experiencing an exposure secondarily to the harmful substances. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposed workers who wore their husband's work clothes and came into contact with asbestos dust on a regular basis.

The litigation associated with mesothelioma can be costly for defendants, especially when they are incorrectly named as defendants. A study indicates that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could rise. Specialized asbestos law firms often advertise on television during the day and encourage victims to submit claims under the premise that they will receive substantial 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 for a small proportion of the amount claimed. However, New York law has not established a clear rule on how to divide liabilities when the alleged exposure is in and out of the insurer's policy periods.

Asbestos-related diseases

Exposure to asbestos can cause a wide range of illnesses. The most serious of these is mesothelioma. Many people have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer and asbestosis. Pleural plaques and effusion are also asbestos case-related.

Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal condition, is caused by asbestos fibers which collect in the lungs. They then cause irritation to the linings of the ribcage (the pleura), chest cavity and abdominal cavity. 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 referred to as plaques of pleura or the more widespread fibrosis of the pleura known as diffused fibrisis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis could reduce lung capacity as measured by breathing test. They can also cause discomfort and breathing difficulties however they do not lead to cancer or mesothelioma.

The majority of the time, signs of asbestos-related diseases don't appear until decades after the initial exposure. This is because it could take between 20 to 50 years for exposure to asbestos fibers to damage the lungs. People who are at risk of developing mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related diseases include those who handled, washed and removed asbestos-containing products from their workplaces, as well as spouses and children of those who were exposed to asbestos.

As well as mesothelioma, other asbestos-related diseases include laryngeal cancer, lung cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma, and mesothelioma of the ovary. The most deadly mesothelioma type is ovarian cancer, however it is less frequent than the general mesothelioma. It is diagnosed later than most other types of mesothelioma, because it develops in the linings of reproductive organs. Symptoms can be similar to those of other illnesses.

Many companies employed asbestos in the 20th century, however they knew that it was a risk. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos when they failed to remove asbestos from their products. These people can now seek financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are bankrupt. As a result, the victims are able to seek the compensation they deserve from the trust funds set up by the bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

For decades, asbestos-related companies have placed profits over the safety of their employees as well as consumers, producing dangerous products, without warning of the dangers. These companies are now paying for their negligence. People who have suffered from life-altering issues caused by mesothelioma and lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases are seeking fair and full settlement.

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

Many states have established special asbestos courts where claims can be filed and resolved more efficiently. Judges have also established specific procedures to assess and resolve asbestos-related cases.

New York, a state that has its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL) is one of them. The number of cases in this court has increased 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 supervise NYCAL in order to keep the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.

A panel of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine if it is accepted or rejected. Judges will also assess the merits of every claim to determine the amount of amount of money each plaintiff should receive.

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

New York asbestos lawsuits can be complex and involve several defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience with the litigation of these difficult cases. They are knowledgeable of New York's asbestos settlement courts, including their rules and regulations, as well as other jurisdictions where they have handled multi-district litigation.

The firm also has vast experience serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation (you can try Namedia), representing clients throughout the nation in multi-district, complex litigation. In this capacity, lawyers develop strategies, manage regional and local 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 knowledgeable Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best strategy to defend a client in an asbestos-related personal injury claim. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises manufacturers, suppliers and contractors, distributors, and owners of premises on matters involving mesothelioma claims, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm also assists clients to create internal programs for identifying and addressing potential risks to safety and liability.

In addition to its asbestos practice in the national level, Bowles Rice serves as national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this capacity Bowles Rice devises litigation strategies and oversees regional and local counsel to ensure a uniform and cost-effective defense that is in line with the client's goals. It also plays a significant role in the administration and management of asbestos dockets aswell as negotiations with plaintiffs' lawyers and coordinating discovery for its client.

The firm's lawyers are skilled in defending clients against mesothelioma-related claims and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense lawyers are familiar with the complex science that is associated with these cases, and the unique legal issues that arise when representing companies before federal and state courts across the United States.

Catherine has represented a variety of manufacturers as the lead trial counsel in asbestos and product liability personal injury lawsuits as well as in cases that have been consolidated involving multiple claimants. She has a wealth of experience arguing asbestos compensation-related cases in state and federal courts as well as before various supreme and appellate courts.

While at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those for respondents in the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files contained SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports) that contained confidential information about claimants, such as medical reports, work histories, and a list of asbestos products that plaintiffs worked with or around. Vogel required a password in order to access the files. Then, she could go through any SEAR forms from 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 reach settlements on behalf of its clients. In this capacity, the company collaborates closely with lawyers representing plaintiffs in the creation and implementation of settlement agreements. Additionally, it has extensive experience in defending businesses against appeals.