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 harmed through exposure to this dangerous mineral. Compensation may cover medical costs, funeral and burial expenses, pain and suffering, and loss of quality of life.
Our attorneys serve as national, regional and local counsel in large toxic tort litigation. As our lawyers are well-versed with the particular issues and complex science associated with asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos is a deadly fiber that can trigger various serious medical conditions, such as
mesothelioma attorney. A New York asbestos lawyer is experienced in handling asbestos lawsuits (
linked webpage) that seek compensation for victims and their families for exposure to this toxic substance. These cases can be complicated, and it is critical to have an experienced 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 times there have been more claims against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases arise out of the realization that asbestos is linked to illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer. These companies knew of the dangers of the hazardous mineral, but failed to inform their employees and customers.
The New York City area is particularly susceptible to asbestos-related illnesses because of its older structures and the numerous construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic place that continues to impact on the community around it.
Many workers were exposed asbestos in their work environments. However, people also get diagnosed with mesothelioma after experiencing an exposure secondarily to the harmful substances. This includes spouses who wear husband's clothes to work and come into contact with asbestos dust frequently.
The mesothelioma litigation is costly for defendants, especially when they are mistakenly identified as defendants. A study has revealed that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could increase. This niche litigation is often driven by asbestos law firms, which advertise on television during the day and encourage victims to file claims with the promise of large settlements.
Defendants may be able to lower some of the costs arising from these cases by arguing that their policy periods expire or they are only responsible for a small percentage of the value of the claim. However, New York law has not provided a definitive rule on how to divide liabilities when the alleged exposure occurs outside of the insurer's policy periods.
Asbestos-related illnesses
Exposure to asbestos can cause a wide range of illnesses. The condition known as mesothelioma is the most severe. Many people have died from mesothelioma. 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 accumulate in the lungs, and can cause irritation to the lining of the ribcage, chest cavity and abdominal cavity (the Pleura). Inhaling these fibers can lead to scarring in the lungs, called asbestosis. It can also lead to thickened pleura patches (pleural plaques) or an increased fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis may reduce lung capacity as measured by breathing test. They also cause pain and difficulty breathing, though they do not cause mesothelioma or cancer.
The symptoms of asbestos-related diseases typically are not evident until years after exposure. This is because it can take between 20 and 50 years for the inhalation of asbestos-containing fibers to cause lung damage. Workers who handled, cleaned, and removed asbestos from their workplaces as well as spouses, children and other people who are exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing mesothelioma.
Other asbestos-related diseases, apart from mesothelioma, include laryngeal carcinoma and lung cancer as well as peritoneal, ovarian and peritoneal cancer. The most deadly
mesothelioma lawsuit type is ovarian cancer, but it's much less prevalent than mesothelioma in general. It is diagnosed later than most other mesothelioma types, because it is found within the linings of reproductive organs. 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. If they didn't remove it from their products, thousands of people were exposed. Now, these people have the right to claim financial compensation. Many of the asbestos-related manufacturers have gone bankrupt. The victims are now able to claim compensation from the trust funds created by bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
For decades, asbestos companies have placed profits over the safety of their employees and consumers by producing dangerous products without warning of the risks. They are now paying the price for their negligence. People who have suffered from asbestos-related illnesses such as
mesothelioma lawsuits and lung cancer are seeking fair and complete settlement.
The attorneys at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to assisting families and individuals obtain the justice they deserve. With more than 25 years of experience in the field, we have secured a million of dollars in compensation for our clients. Our New York mesothelioma lawyers work to hold large corporations responsible accountable and to secure the highest amount of compensation for our clients.
Many states have set up special asbestos courts where claims can be filed and resolved more efficiently. In addition judges have developed specific procedures for evaluating and resolving such cases.
New York, a state that has its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL), is one of them. The caseload in this specialty court has been increasing steadily as increasing numbers of asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants who went bankrupt. In order to ensure that the justice system is not overwhelmed, the New York Supreme Court has established a special judicial panel to supervise NYCAL.
A panel comprised of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine if it is accepted or not. Judges will also consider the merits of each claim to determine the amount a plaintiff should be awarded.
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 are typically complex and often include allegations of several defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience in the litigation of these complex matters. They are knowledgeable of New York's asbestos courts and their rules, regulations and policies and other jurisdictions where they have handled multi-district litigation.
The firm also has vast experience in serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients throughout the nation in multi-district litigation that is complex and complex. In this capacity, attorneys create strategies, coordinate and oversee local and regional counsel, and ensure consistent and cost-effective defenses for every client. They have collaborated closely with trial and coordination judges and special masters of litigation in various jurisdictions where they were involved in asbestos litigation.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A knowledgeable Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best strategy to defend a client against an asbestos personal injury claim. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, contractors and premises owners in cases involving claims for mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm works with clients on developing internal programs to address potential safety and liability concerns.
Bowles Rice in addition to its national asbestos practice and multi-state asbestos litigation is also the national Coordinating Counsel. In this role the firm designs litigation strategies, supervises local and regional counsel, and provides a cost-effective and consistent defense, in line with client goals. It also plays a significant role in the administration and management of asbestos dockets, as well in negotiations with plaintiffs' attorneys and in coordinating discovery for its clients.
The attorneys of the firm have extensive trial and appellate experience, defending clients against claims made by injured claimants, including those who claim mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are familiar with the intricate science involved with these cases, and the unique legal issues that arise when representing companies in state and federal courts across the United States.
Catherine has represented a variety of manufacturers in asbestos and product liability personal injury cases, defending them as lead trial counsel and in consolidated trials involving multiple plaintiffs. She has extensive experience in litigating asbestos-related cases before state and federal courts and before various supreme and appellate courts.
During her time at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos cases for respondents, including those at the Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The cases files included SEAR forms (Short encapsulated Evaluative reports), which contained confidential data about the plaintiffs. The files contained medical reports, work histories, and a list asbestos products that plaintiffs worked with or near. Vogel was required to have access to a password to access the files. She could then go through any SEAR forms that she received from her current employer.
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. In this capacity, the firm collaborates closely with lawyers representing plaintiffs in the creation and implementation of settlement agreements, and it has extensive experience in defending businesses against appeals.
