An Asbestos Defense Attorney Can Help Protect the Financial Security of Those Harmed by Exposure to This Harmful Mineral
An asbestos defense attorney can assist in ensuring the financial security of those who have been affected through exposure to this dangerous mineral. Compensation may cover medical costs funeral and burial costs as well as pain and suffering and loss of quality of life.
Our attorneys are involved in mass toxic tort litigation on a regional, national and local scale. We are well-versed in the unique issues and complex scientific aspects of asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos is a harmful fiber that can lead to numerous serious medical conditions, including mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is adept at handling asbestos lawsuits which seek compensation for victims and their families for exposure to this toxic substance. These cases can be extremely complex and therefore it is essential to have a reputable mesothelioma 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 years, there have been more lawsuits filed against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases are a result of the recognition of a link between asbestos and certain diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. The companies were aware of asbestos's dangers, but failed to warn their employees and customers.
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 impact on the community surrounding it.
Mesothelioma is triggered by exposure to asbestos in direct contact and many workers were exposed in the workplace. Exposure to asbestos from the outside can cause mesothelioma. This is especially true for spouses who wear husband's clothes to work and come into contact with asbestos dust frequently.
The litigation associated with mesothelioma is costly for defendants, particularly when they are incorrectly named as a defendant. According to a study, more that 3,600 claims have been filed in New York courts since 2014 and the number could rise further. Specialized asbestos law firms typically advertise on television during the day and encourage victims to file claims with the promise that they will receive significant settlements.
Defendants may be able to mitigate some of the costs arising from these cases by argument that their policy terms have expired or they are only responsible for a small portion of the value of the claim. New York law does not have a clear rule on how to allocate responsibility when the alleged exposure is of the insurance policies.
Asbestos-related Illnesses
A myriad of asbestos-related illnesses can be triggered because of exposure to the mineral that causes cancer. The condition known as mesothelioma is the most serious. Mesothelioma has caused the death of many people. Other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques, and the pleural effusion.
mesothelioma lawyers is a rare but fatal illness that is 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 small fibers can result in scarring of the lungs called asbestosis, and, sometimes, the development of thickened patches on the pleura, known as pleural plaques or the more widespread fibrosis of the pleura called diffused pleural fibrisis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrosis decrease lung capacity as measured by breathing tests. They can also cause pain and difficulty breathing however they do not lead to cancer or mesothelioma.
The majority of the time, signs of asbestos-related diseases do not show up 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 at risk of developing mesothelioma attorneys and other asbestos-related ailments include those who handled, washed and removed asbestos-containing materials from the workplace, as well as spouses and children of asbestos-related exposure.
In addition to mesothelioma other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma and mesothelioma ovarian. Ovarian cancer is the most fatal mesothelioma type for women, but it is less common than mesothelioma general. It is diagnosed later than other types of mesothelioma, because it occurs within the linings of reproductive organs. The symptoms can be similar to those of other illnesses.
There were many companies that employed asbestos in the 20th century, however they were aware that it was hazardous. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos when they didn't eliminate asbestos from their products. These people now are able to claim financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are insolvent. In the aftermath, victims can seek the money 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 security of their employees and consumers, manufacturing hazardous products without warning of the risks. They are now paying for their carelessness. Patients who have suffered asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and full settlement.
The attorneys at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to assisting families and individuals receive the justice they need. With more than 25 years of experience, we have secured millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. Our New York mesothelioma lawyers work to hold responsible large corporations accountable and to obtain the maximum amount of compensation for our clients.
Many states have established special asbestos courts, where claims can be filed more efficiently. In addition judges have created special procedures to evaluate and resolve asbestos cases.
New York, a state with its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL), is one of the states. As asbestos victims continue to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants that have declared bankruptcy the number of cases that have come through the court has steadily increased. To ensure that the justice system is not overloaded, the New York Supreme Court has ordered the creation of a special judicial panel to supervise NYCAL.
A panel of six Supreme Court judges will review every case in NYCAL to decide whether or not to take it up with it. Judges will also assess the merits of every claim to determine how much the plaintiff's compensation should be.
The panel is currently reviewing more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to issue its final decision before the end of the year.
New York asbestos lawsuits can be complex and involve several defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience in the litigation of these complex cases. They are well-versed in the rules regulations, rules, 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 serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients throughout the nation in multi-district, complex litigation. In this role, lawyers develop strategies, manage local and regional counsel and ensure consistent and effective defenses for clients. They have collaborated closely with trial and coordination judges and special masters of litigation in the various jurisdictions where they were involved in asbestos litigation.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will decide which strategy is best to defend the client against a personal injury claim involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises product manufacturers, suppliers and contractors, distributors, and owners of premises on matters involving mesothelioma lawsuit claims, lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm also assists clients to develop internal programs for identifying and addressing any risks to safety and liability.
Bowles Rice in addition to its asbestos practice across the country and multi-state asbestos litigation, serves as national Coordinating counsel. In this capacity the firm formulates litigation strategies, supervises regional and local counsel, and provides a cost-effective and consistent defense that is in sync with client goals. It also plays an important part in the administration and management of asbestos dockets as well in negotiations with plaintiffs' attorneys and leading discovery for its client.
The firm's lawyers are skilled in defending clients from mesothelioma claims and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense lawyers are familiar with the complex science associated with these cases, as well as the particular legal issues that arise when defending businesses before federal and state courts across the United States.
Catherine has represented a variety of manufacturers as lead counsel in asbestos and personal injury lawsuits involving product liability, and in consolidated cases involving multiple plaintiffs. She has extensive experience in arguing asbestos-related lawsuits before the federal and state courts, as well as a variety of appellate and Supreme Court bodies.
During her tenure at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos cases for respondents, including those at the Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The case files contained SEAR forms (Short encapsulated Evaluative reports) which contained confidential information about claimants. These included medical reports and work histories, as well as an inventory of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs worked with or near. 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.
In addition to its extensive trial and appellate experience as well as its vast trial and appellate experience, the Bowles Rice Asbestos Team is well-known throughout the country for its ability to negotiate settlements on behalf of 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 against appeals.external frame