An Asbestos Defense Attorney Can Help Protect the Financial Security of Those Harmed by Exposure to This Harmful Mineral
A lawyer for asbestos defense can assist those who's financial security has been affected due to exposure to the hazardous mineral. Compensation may cover medical costs funeral and burial expenses as well as pain and suffering and loss of quality of life.
Our attorneys serve as national, regional and local counsel in large toxic tort litigation. As such, we are familiar with the specific issues and the complex science that go along with asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos fibers can be deadly and can trigger serious medical conditions like mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is experienced in dealing with asbestos lawsuits, which seek compensation for victims and their families due to exposure to this harmful substance. These cases can be complex, so it's important 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 producers than ever before. These cases are the result of the recognition that asbestos can cause illnesses such as mesothelioma or lung cancer. The companies were aware of the dangers associated with this dangerous mineral, but they did not warn their employees and consumers.
The New York City area is particularly prone to asbestos-related diseases due to its old structures and numerous construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic site that continues to impact on the surrounding community.
Mesothelioma is caused by direct exposure to asbestos, and many workers were exposed to it in the workplace. Exposure to asbestos from the outside can lead to mesothelioma. This includes 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 costly for defendants, especially when they are mistakenly identified as a defendant. A study indicates that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could rise. This niche litigation is often driven by asbestos lawsuit law firms that promote on daytime television and encourage victims to file claims with the promise of substantial settlements.
Defendants may be able to lower some of the costs associated with these cases by arguing that their policy periods have expired or they are only responsible for a small percentage of the amount of the claim. New York law does not have a clear rule on how to allocate the liability if the alleged exposure is part of and outside the insurance policies.
Asbestos-related Illnesses
A variety of asbestos-related illnesses can be triggered because of exposure to the harmful mineral. The most serious condition is mesothelioma. Mesothelioma has caused the death of many people. Other asbestos-related illnesses include asbestosis and lung cancer. Pleural plaques and effusion are also asbestos-related.
Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal illness caused by exposure to asbestos fibers that accumulate in the lungs, and can cause irritation to the lining of the ribcage, chest cavity and abdominal cavity (the pleura). The inhalation of these tiny fibers can cause scarring to the lungs known as asbestosis and, sometimes, the formation of thickened patches on the pleura referred to as plaques on the pleura, or an enlargement of fibrosis in the pleura known as diffused fibrisis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrosis decrease lung capacity as measured by breathing tests. They can also cause discomfort and breathing difficulties, though they do not lead to cancer or mesothelioma.
The symptoms of asbestos-related diseases typically are not evident until years after initial exposure. This is because it can take between 20 to 50 years for inhalation of asbestos-containing fibers to cause lung damage. Workers who handled, cleaned, and removed asbestos from the workplace as well as spouses, children and others who were exposed to asbestos are at risk for developing mesothelioma.
Other asbestos-related illnesses, in addition to mesothelioma include laryngeal carcinoma and lung cancer and peritoneal, ovarian and peritoneal cancer. The most deadly form of mesothelioma is called ovarian cancer, but it's less common than the general mesothelioma. It is diagnosed later than other types of mesothelioma because it develops in the linings of reproductive organs. The symptoms may be similar to those of other illnesses.
Several companies used asbestos during the 20th century. They were aware that it was a risk. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos because they didn't remove Asbestos Claim from their products. The affected people are now able to claim financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are bankrupt. As a result, the victims can seek the money they deserve from the trust funds established by the bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
For decades, asbestos-related companies have put profits ahead of the safety of their employees and consumers, producing dangerous products, without warning of the dangers. These companies are now facing the consequences of their carelessness. People who's lives have been affected by mesothelioma, cancer of the lung and other asbestos-related illnesses are seeking fair and full compensation.
Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals obtain 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 large corporations responsible accountable and seek maximum compensation for our clients.
A number of states have established special asbestos courts in which claims can be filed and resolving more efficiently. Additionally, judges have established specific procedures for evaluating and resolving such cases.
New York, a state with its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL), is one of them. As asbestos victims continue to seek compensation from solvent asbestos attorney defendants that have gone bankrupt the number of cases that have come through this court has steadily increased. 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 comprised of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine if it should be accepted or rejected. Judges will also assess the merits of each claim to determine the amount of amount of money each plaintiff should receive.
The panel is currently examining more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected issue its final ruling at the end of this year.
New York asbestos lawsuits can be complex and can involve multiple defendants. Belluck & Fox's lawyers have extensive experience in the litigation of these difficult matters. They are well-versed in the rules, regulations, and policies 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 as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in multidistrict litigation that is complex and complex. In this capacity lawyers formulate strategies, oversee local and regional counsel and ensure that they are able to provide consistent and effective defenses for clients. They have collaborated closely with coordinating and trial judges and special masters of litigation in the various jurisdictions where they have been involved in asbestos litigation.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A knowledgeable Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best approach to defend a client against a claim for personal injury resulting from asbestos claim. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises manufacturers, suppliers and contractors, distributors, and owners of premises on matters concerning mesothelioma-related claims, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm collaborates with clients to develop internal programs to identify and deal with potential liability and safety issues.
Bowles Rice, in addition to its national asbestos practice and multi-state asbestos litigation, serves as national Coordinating counsel. In this capacity the firm designs litigation strategies, manages local and regional counsel, and ensures a consistent and cost-effective defense in coordination with client objectives. It also plays an important role in the administration and management of asbestos dockets as well as negotiations with plaintiffs' attorneys and coordinating discovery for its client.
The firm's attorneys are experienced in defending clients against mesothelioma-related claims and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are familiar with the complex science that is associated with these cases, and the unique legal issues that arise when defending companies before federal and state courts across the United States.
Catherine has represented numerous manufacturers as the lead trial counsel in asbestos and product liability personal injury lawsuits as well as in consolidated cases involving multiple plaintiffs. She has extensive experience arguing asbestos-related lawsuits before the federal and state courts, as well as various Supreme Court and appellate courts.
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 contained SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports) which contained confidential information about the plaintiffs, such as medical reports, work history, and an inventory of asbestos-related products that the plaintiff worked with or around. Vogel had to have a password in order to access the files. She was then able to look over any SEAR forms that she received 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 negotiate settlements for clients. In this capacity, the firm collaborates closely with lawyers representing plaintiffs in the development and execution of settlement agreements. It also has extensive experience in defending businesses against appeals.