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 help protect those who's financial security was affected by exposure to the harmful mineral. Compensation can cover medical costs funeral and burial costs, lost quality of life, and suffering and pain.
Our lawyers are involved in mass toxic tort litigation on a regional, national and local scale. As a result, we are well-versed in the unique issues and complex aspects of science that are associated with asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos fibers can be deadly and can trigger serious medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York
asbestos lawyer is experienced in handling asbestos lawsuits which seek financial 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 reputable mesothelioma law firm by your side.
New York has a long history of asbestos litigation, and many residents have been exposed to the dangerous substance. In recent times there have been more lawsuits against former asbestos manufacturers than ever before. These cases are the result of the recognition that asbestos is associated with diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. These companies were aware of asbestos' dangers but did not take the time to warn employees and consumers.
The New York City area is particularly prone to asbestos-related diseases because of its older structures and numerous construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously toxic area that continues affect the community around it.
Many workers were exposed to asbestos at work. In addition, exposure to asbestos through secondhand sources can result in mesothelioma. This includes spouses of
asbestos lawsuit-exposed workers who had their husbands' work clothes and came into contact with asbestos dust regularly.
Litigation involving mesothelioma is expensive for defendants. This is particularly relevant if they've been wrongly named as defendants. A study shows that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could grow. 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 some of the costs of these cases by arguing their policy periods are overdue or that they are only responsible only a small percentage of the amount claimed. However, New York law has not provided a definitive rule regarding how to allocate liabilities when the alleged exposure occurs in and out of the policy period of the insurer.
Asbestos-related Illnesses
Exposure to asbestos can trigger a wide range of diseases. The most serious condition is mesothelioma. Mesothelioma has caused the death of many people. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques, and pleural effusion.
Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal disease caused by exposure to asbestos fibers that collect in the lungs, and can cause irritation to the lining of the chest cavity, ribcage and abdominal cavity (the Pleura). Inhaling these fibers can lead to scarring of the lungs, known as asbestosis. It can also lead to thickened patches of pleura (pleural plaques) or an increase in fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis could decrease lung capacity, as measured by a breath test. They can also cause pain and difficulty breathing but they don't lead to cancer or mesothelioma.
Often, symptoms of asbestos-related illnesses 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 at risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related conditions include workers who handled, washed and removed
asbestos-containing products from their workplaces and spouses and children of those exposed to asbestos.
In addition to mesothelioma other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma and ovarian mesothelioma. The most dangerous form of mesothelioma is called ovarian cancer, however it is less prevalent than mesothelioma in general. It is diagnosed later than other types of mesothelioma because it occurs in the linings of the reproductive organs. Symptoms can be similar to other illnesses.
A number of companies used asbestos in the 20th century. They knew it was hazardous. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos if they didn't eliminate asbestos from their products. Now, these people have the right to seek financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are bankrupt. This means that the victims are able to seek the compensation they are entitled to from trust funds established by the bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
For decades, asbestos 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 paying the price for their carelessness. Victims of asbestos-related illnesses such as mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and full settlement.
The lawyers at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to helping individuals and families receive the justice they need. Our lawyers have over 25 years experience and have assisted our clients to receive millions of dollars of compensation. Our New York mesothelioma lawyers work to hold responsible large corporations accountable and seek the highest amount of compensation for our clients.
A number of states have set up asbestos courts with specialization, where claims can be filed more efficiently. Judges have also created specific procedures to assess and resolve such cases.
New York is one such state with its own asbestos court, known as NYCAL. As asbestos victims continue to seek compensation from solvent
asbestos lawsuit defendants that have declared bankruptcy, the caseload of the court has been steadily increasing. In order to ensure that the justice system isn't overloaded the New York Supreme Court has established an additional judicial panel that will supervise NYCAL.
A panel of six Supreme Court judges will review every case filed in NYCAL to decide whether or not to take it up with it. Judges will also evaluate the merits of each claim to determine the amount of the plaintiff's compensation should be.
The panel is currently looking at more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected make a final decision at the end of this year.
New York asbestos lawsuits can be complicated and involve multiple defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience with the litigation of these difficult matters. They are familiar with the asbestos courts in New York, including their rules, regulations and policies and other jurisdictions in which they have handled multi-district 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 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 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 the best way to defend the client against a personal injury lawsuit involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, contractors and owners of premises in cases involving claims for mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm also assists clients to create internal programs for identifying and addressing risks to safety and liability.
Bowles Rice In addition to its national asbestos practice and multi-state asbestos litigation, serves as national Coordinating counsel. In this role, the firm develops litigation strategies, manages local and regional counsel, and provides a cost-effective and consistent defense, in line with client objectives. It also plays a major part in the administration and management of asbestos dockets, as well as negotiations with plaintiffs' attorneys and in coordinating discovery for its clients.
The firm's attorneys have extensive trial and appellate experience defending clients against claims made by injured claimants, which includes those who claim mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are familiar with the complex science that is associated with these cases, and the particular legal issues that arise when representing companies in state and federal courts across the United States.
Catherine has represented numerous companies in asbestos and products liability personal injury cases, acting as the lead counsel in consolidated trials involving a variety of claimants. She has extensive experience in litigating asbestos-related lawsuits in the federal and state courts, as well as various Supreme Court and appellate courts.
While at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those of respondents of the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files included SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports) which contained confidential information on the claimants, such as medical reports, a history of work and a list of asbestos products that plaintiffs worked with or around. Vogel was required to use an account password to access the files and was able to go through the SEAR forms of any case she had with her current employer.
The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to having extensive experience in appellate and trial work, is widely acclaimed for its ability to successfully negotiate settlements for its clients. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs’ lawyers to develop and execute settlement agreements. The firm also has extensive experience defending businesses against appeals.
