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 due to exposure to the hazardous mineral. Compensation can cover medical costs, funeral and burial costs, loss of quality of life, and pain and suffering.
Our lawyers are national, regional and local counsel in massive toxic tort litigation. As our lawyers are well-versed with the particular issues and the complex science that go along with asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos is a dangerous fiber that can trigger various serious medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney is experienced in dealing with lawsuits that seek the financial compensation of those affected by asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be complicated and therefore it is essential to have a reputable mesothelioma law firm by your side.
New York has had a long history with asbestos litigation, and many residents were exposed to this hazardous material. In recent years there have been more claims against former asbestos manufacturers than ever before. These cases stem from the recognition of a link between asbestos and diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer and asbestosis. The companies were aware of asbestos's dangers however, they failed to inform their employees and customers.
New York City is especially susceptible to diseases caused by asbestos because of its old structures and construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously hazardous area that continues to affect the surrounding community.
Many workers were exposed asbestos at work. However, people also get diagnosed with mesothelioma after experiencing exposure to harmful substances. This is especially true for spouses who wear husband's clothes at work and come in contact with asbestos dust regularly.
The
mesothelioma lawsuit can be costly for defendants, particularly when they are incorrectly named as defendants. A study has revealed 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.
Defendants might be able to reduce some of the expenses arising from these cases by argument that their policy terms expire or they are only responsible for a small percentage of the amount of the claim. However, New York law has not established a clear rule on how to divide liabilities when the alleged exposure occurs in and out of the insurance company's policy.
Asbestos-related diseases
Exposure to asbestos can cause various diseases. The mesothelioma disease is the most serious. Many people have died due to mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques, and pleural effusion.
Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal condition, is caused by asbestos fibers which are found in the lungs. They then irritate the linings of the ribcage (the Pleura) as well as the chest cavity and abdominal cavity. Inhaling these tiny fibers can cause scarring to the lungs, a condition known as asbestosis and sometimes the formation of thickened patches on the pleura called plaques on the pleura, or a more widespread fibrosis of the pleura called diffused pleural fibrosis. 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 cause mesothelioma or cancer.
Often, symptoms 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 inhalation of asbestos fibers to damage the lungs. People at risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related ailments include those who handled, laundered and removed asbestos-containing products from the workplace, as well as spouses and children of those exposed to asbestos.
Other asbestos-related diseases, apart from mesothelioma, include lung cancer and laryngeal carcinoma as well as peritoneal, ovarian and peritoneal cancer. Ovarian cancer is among the most deadly mesothelioma type for women however it is much less common than mesothelioma general. It is often diagnosed later than other forms of mesothelioma because it is a cancer that develops in the lining of the reproductive organs, and symptoms can be similar to those of other illnesses.
There were many companies that used
asbestos attorneys in the 20th century, but they knew that it was hazardous. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos if they didn't eliminate it from their products. They can now claim financial compensation. Many of the asbestos-related manufacturers have filed for bankruptcy. This means that the victims are able to seek the compensation 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 risks. They are now confronting the consequences of their inattention. Victims of asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and complete settlement.
The attorneys at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to assisting families and individuals receive the justice they need. Our lawyers have more than 25 years of experience and have assisted our clients to receive millions of dollars in compensation. Our New York mesothelioma lawyers work to hold accountable large corporations accountable and to obtain the highest amount of compensation for our clients.
Many states have created asbestos courts that are specifically designed so that claims can be filed more efficiently. Judges have also created specific procedures to assess and resolve these 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 defendants who have gone bankrupt the number of cases that have come through the court has steadily increased. In order to ensure that the justice system is not overwhelmed the New York Supreme Court has established a special judicial panel to oversee NYCAL.
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 case to determine how much the plaintiff is entitled to.
Currently, the panel is looking into more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected make a final decision by the end of this year.
New York asbestos lawsuits can be complex and can involve several defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience with the litigation of these difficult issues. They are well-versed in 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 vast experience as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in complex, multidistrict litigation. In this capacity, lawyers develop strategies, manage local and regional counsel, and ensure consistent and effective defenses for clients. They have worked closely with trial and coordination judges and litigation special masters in the various jurisdictions where they were involved in asbestos litigation.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A Tulsa
asbestos lawyer will determine what strategy is the best way to defend the client from an injury claim that involves asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, contractors, and premises owners on matters concerning mesothelioma-related claims, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm also works with clients to develop internal programs for identifying and addressing risks to safety and liability.
In addition to its asbestos practice across the nation, Bowles Rice serves as national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state
asbestos lawsuit litigation. In this capacity the firm designs litigation strategies, supervises local and regional counsel, and achieves consistent and cost-effective defense that is in sync with the client's goals. Additionally, it plays a key role in the management of asbestos dockets, negotiations with counsel for plaintiffs and leads discovery for its clients.
The firm's attorneys have a wealth of trial and appellate experience, defending clients from claims brought by injured claimants, such as those who claim mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are acquainted with the intricate science involved with these cases, as well as the unique legal issues that arise when defending businesses 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 and in cases that have been consolidated involving multiple plaintiffs. She has a wealth of experience arguing asbestos-related cases in state and federal courts as well as before various supreme and appellate court bodies.
During her time 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) that contained confidential information about the plaintiffs, including medical reports, a history of work, and an inventory of asbestos-related products that the plaintiff worked with or around. Vogel was required to use a password to access these files, and she could also go through the SEAR forms of any case she had with her current employer.
In addition to its extensive trial and appellate experience in addition to its extensive trial and appellate experience, the Bowles Rice Asbestos Team is acknowledged nationally for its ability to negotiate settlements on behalf of its clients. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs’ lawyers to develop and execute settlement agreements. It also has extensive experience defending businesses against appeals.
