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 whose 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 lost quality of life.
Our lawyers serve as local, regional and national counsel in massive toxic tort litigation. As as such, we are acquainted with the unique issues and complex science associated asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos fibers can be deadly and can trigger serious medical conditions such as mesothelioma. A New York
asbestos attorney is skilled in handling lawsuits to seek the financial compensation of those affected by asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be complicated and it's crucial to have a mesothelioma lawyer to assist you.
New York has had a long history of
asbestos compensation litigation and many residents were exposed to this dangerous material. In recent years, there have been more lawsuits filed against asbestos producers in the past than ever before. These cases are a result of the realization that asbestos is linked to illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer. These companies were aware of the dangers associated with this hazardous mineral, but 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 the numerous construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic site that continues to impact on the community around it.
Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos in direct contact and many workers were exposed to asbestos at work. Secondhand exposure can also lead to mesothelioma. This includes spouses who wear their husband's clothes at work and come in contact with asbestos dust frequently.
The mesothelioma litigation can be expensive for defendants, especially if they are wrongfully named as a defendant. A study shows that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could rise. This kind of litigation is usually supported by
asbestos law firms that promote on television during the day and encourage victims to file claims with the promise of huge settlements.
Defendants may be able to mitigate some of the costs associated with these cases by arguing that their policy periods have expired or they are only responsible for a tiny percentage of the claim value. New York law does not have a clear rule on how to distribute liability when the alleged exposure is of the insurer's policies.
Asbestos-related diseases
Exposure to asbestos can lead to many different illnesses. The most serious condition is mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is the cause of death of many people. Other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques, and pleural effusion.
Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal illness caused by exposure to asbestos fibers which accumulate in the lungs and irritate the lining of the chest cavity, ribcage and abdominal cavity (the Pleura). Inhaling these fibers can lead to scarring in the lungs, called asbestosis. It can also result in thickened pleura patches (pleural plaques) or an increased fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis can decrease lung capacity, as measured by breathing test. They can also cause pain and discomfort in breathing, but they are not the cause of cancer or mesothelioma.
Often, symptoms of asbestos-related illnesses don't appear until decades after the initial exposure. This is because it could take between 20 to 50 years for inhalation of asbestos-containing fibers to damage the lungs. People who are at risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases include those who handled, laundered and removed asbestos-containing materials from their workplaces and spouses and children of asbestos-related exposure.
Other asbestos-related diseases apart from mesothelioma, include lung cancer and laryngeal carcinoma as well as peritoneal, ovarian and peritoneal cancer. The most deadly form of mesothelioma is called ovarian cancer, however it is less frequent than the general mesothelioma. It is typically diagnosed later than other kinds of mesothelioma because it is a cancer that develops in the tissue of the reproductive organs, and the symptoms may be similar to those of other illnesses.
Several companies used asbestos during the 20th century. They knew it was dangerous. When they did not remove
asbestos legal from their products thousands of people were exposed. They can now claim financial compensation. Many asbestos-related manufacturers are bankrupt. The victims are now able to claim compensation from trust funds established by bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
Asbestos companies have put profits before the safety of their employees and consumers for decades creating dangerous products without warning of the dangers. They are now paying the price for their inattention to. People who's lives have been affected by mesothelioma, cancer of the lung and other asbestos-related illnesses are seeking full and fair settlement.
The attorneys at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to assisting families and individuals get the justice they deserve. Our attorneys have more than 25 years of experience and have assisted our clients to receive millions of dollars of compensation. Our New York mesothelioma attorneys work to hold corporations accountable and seek the maximum amount of compensation for our clients.
Many states have established special asbestos courts, where claims can be filed more efficiently. Judges have also established special procedures to review and resolve these cases.
New York, a state that has 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 been bankrupt the number of cases that have come through this special court has steadily increased. To ensure that the justice system isn't overwhelmed the New York Supreme Court has created an extra judicial panel to oversee NYCAL.
A panel composed 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 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 by the end of this year.
New York asbestos lawsuits can be complicated and involve several defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience in the litigation of these difficult issues. They are well-versed in the
asbestos claim courts of New York and their rules regulations, policies and guidelines in addition to other jurisdictions where they have handled multi-district litigation.
The firm also has vast experience as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in complex, multidistrict litigation. In this capacity, attorneys develop strategies, coordinate and oversee regional and local counsel, and ensure cost-effective and consistent defenses for each client. They have worked closely with trial judges, coordinating judges, and litigation special masters from various jurisdictions.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A skilled Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best way to defend a client in an asbestos-related personal injury claim. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels suppliers, manufacturers contractors, distributors, contractors, and property owners in matters involving claims of mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm also assists clients to create internal programs to identify 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 role, the firm develops strategies for litigation, oversees regional and local counsel, and ensures a consistent and cost-effective defense that is in sync with client goals. It also plays an important part in the administration and management of asbestos dockets as well as negotiations with plaintiffs' lawyers and in coordinating discovery for its clients.
The firm's attorneys are experienced in defending clients against mesothelioma claims and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense lawyers are familiar with the complex research and technology involved in these cases as and particular legal issues that arise while defending companies before federal and state courts across the United States.
Catherine has represented numerous manufacturers as lead counsel in asbestos and personal injury lawsuits involving product liability, and in consolidated cases involving multiple claimants. She has extensive experience litigating asbestos-related lawsuits in the state and federal courts, as well as various Supreme Court and appellate bodies.
During her time at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those involving respondents to the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files included SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports) which contained confidential information about plaintiffs, including medical reports, work histories and the list of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs worked with or around. Vogel was required to have a password to access these files, and she could also review 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. In this capacity, the firm collaborates closely with the lawyers of plaintiffs in the preparation and execution of settlement agreements. It also has extensive experience in defending businesses against appeals.
