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

An asbestos defense lawyer can assist in ensuring the financial security of those harmed by exposure to this toxic mineral. Compensation could cover medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, lost quality of life, and pain and suffering.

Our attorneys serve as national, regional and local counsel in massive toxic tort litigation. As our lawyers are well-versed with the specific issues and complex science associated asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos fibers are dangerous and can trigger serious medical conditions such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney is experienced in dealing with lawsuits that seek financial compensation for those who have suffered from asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be extremely complex, and it is critical to have a mesothelioma expert law firm on your side.

New York has had a long history with asbestos litigation. Many residents were exposed to the dangerous 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 connection between asbestos and diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer and asbestosis. These companies knew of the dangers associated with this asbestos-containing mineral, yet they didn't warn their employees and clients.

The New York City area is particularly susceptible to asbestos-related illnesses due to its older structures and numerous construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic site that continues to have an impact on the community surrounding it.

Many workers were exposed to asbestos at work. Exposure to asbestos from the outside can result in mesothelioma. This includes spouses who wear husband's clothes to work and come into contact with asbestos dust regularly.

The mesothelioma litigation can be expensive for defendants, especially if they are wrongfully named as a defendant. 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 typically advertise on TV during the day and encourage victims to file claims under the premise that they will receive significant settlements.

The defendants may be able reduce some of the costs of these cases by arguing their policy periods are overdue or that they only have to pay only for a small proportion of the value of the claim. However, New York law has not established a clear rule on how to allocate liability when the alleged exposure occurs partly in and out of the insurer's policy periods.

Asbestos-related Diseases

Exposure to asbestos can cause various illnesses. The most serious of these is mesothelioma. Many have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques and pleural effusion.

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

Most of the time, symptoms of asbestos-related diseases do not appear until decades after the initial exposure. It can take up to 50 years for asbestos fibers inhaled to cause lung damage. Workers who handled, cleaned, and removed asbestos from the workplace and their spouses, children, and others exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing mesothelioma.

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

There were many companies that used asbestos in the 20th century, but they knew that it was hazardous. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos because they didn't remove it from their products. Now, those exposed 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-related companies have put profit before the safety of their workers and consumers for decades creating dangerous products without warning about the risks. These companies are now paying the price for their carelessness. Victims of asbestos-related illnesses such as mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and full compensation.

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

A number of states have set up asbestos courts with specialization, where claims can be filed more efficiently. Additionally judges have created special procedures for evaluating and resolving such cases.

New York, a state which has its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL) is one of them. As asbestos victims continue to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants that have gone bankrupt and have been unable to pay, the workload of the court has been steadily increasing. The New York Supreme Court created an additional judicial board that will supervise NYCAL to stop the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.

A panel composed of six Supreme Court judges will review every case in NYCAL to determine whether or not to accept it. Judges will also assess the merits of each claim to determine how much amount of money each plaintiff should receive.

The panel is currently looking at more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected make a final decision before the end of the 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 matters. They are familiar with the rules regulations, policies, and procedures of the asbestos courts in New York, as well as the laws of other jurisdictions in which 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 multi-district, complex litigation. In this role, attorneys create strategies, coordinate and oversee regional and local counsel and ensure cost-effective and consistent defenses for every client. They have collaborated closely with trial and coordination judges and special masters of litigation 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 settlement Team counsels suppliers, manufacturers contractors, distributors, contractors, and premises owners on matters involving claims of mesothelioma and lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm collaborates with clients on developing internal programs to address potential safety and liability concerns.

In addition to its asbestos practice across the nation, Bowles Rice serves as the national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos settlement litigation. In this capacity, the firm develops litigation strategies, manages local and regional counsel, and achieves consistent and cost-effective defense, in line with client objectives. It also plays a significant role in the administration and management of asbestos dockets as well in negotiations with plaintiffs' attorneys and coordinating discovery for its clients.

The firm's lawyers are skilled in defending clients from mesothelioma-related claims and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense lawyers are acquainted with the complex scientific issues involved in these cases, as and specific legal issues that arise when representing companies in federal and state courts across the United States.

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

While 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 about the plaintiffs, including medical reports, work histories, and the list of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs worked with or around. Vogel was required to use an account password to access these files and could look over the SEAR forms of any case with her current employer.

The Bowles Rice asbestos claim (a cool way to improve) Team, in addition to its vast experience in trial and appellate work, is nationally recognized for its ability to successfully reach settlements on behalf of its clients. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs' lawyers to develop and execute settlement agreements. The firm also has extensive experience in defending businesses from appeals.