An Asbestos Defense Attorney Can Help Protect the Financial Security of Those Harmed by Exposure to This Harmful Mineral
An asbestos defense lawyer can help protect the financial security of those harmed through exposure to this dangerous mineral. Compensation can cover medical costs funeral and burial expenses, pain and suffering, and the loss of quality of life.
Our lawyers are national, regional and local counsel in large toxic tort litigation. As such, we are familiar with the specific issues and the complex science that go along asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos is a dangerous fiber that can cause numerous serious medical conditions, including mesothelioma. A New York
asbestos case lawyer is experienced in handling asbestos lawsuits that seek financial compensation for victims and their families due to exposure to this toxic substance. These cases can be complex and therefore it is essential to have a mesothelioma lawyer to assist you.
New York has a long history of asbestos litigation, and many residents have been exposed to the dangerous material. In recent years there have been more lawsuits against former asbestos manufacturers than ever before. These cases arise out of the recognition that asbestos is associated with illnesses such as mesothelioma or lung cancer. These companies knew of the dangers associated with the dangerous mineral, but they didn't warn their employees and clients.
The New York City area is particularly susceptible to asbestos-related ailments due to its old structures and the numerous construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic location that continues to have an impact on the surrounding community.
Many workers were exposed to asbestos in their work environments. Exposure to asbestos from the outside can lead to mesothelioma. This is especially true for spouses who wear 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. According to a study, more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed in New York courts since 2014, and the number could increase further. This type of litigation is typically driven by
asbestos law firms that promote on daytime TV and entice victims to file claims with the promise of large settlements.
The defendants may be able reduce some of the costs associated with these cases by argument that their policy terms have expired or they're only accountable for a small portion of the amount of the claim. However, New York law has not established a clear rule regarding how to allocate liabilities when the alleged exposure occurs partly outside of the insurer's policy periods.
Asbestos-Related Diseases
A variety of asbestos-related diseases can develop due to exposure to the toxic mineral. The most severe condition is mesothelioma. 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 illness that is caused by exposure to asbestos fibers that collect in the lungs and irritate the lining of the chest cavity, ribcage and abdominal cavity (the the pleura). Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause scarring in the lungs. This is called asbestosis. It can also lead to thickened patches of pleura (pleural plaques) or a more extensive fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrosis decrease lung capacity, as measured by breathing tests. They also cause pain and difficulty breathing but they don't cause mesothelioma or cancer.
The signs of asbestos-related illness typically do not manifest until decades after exposure. It can take up to 50 years for asbestos fibers inhaled to cause lung damage. Workers who handled, cleaned, and removed asbestos from the workplace and their spouses, children and others who were exposed to asbestos are at risk for developing mesothelioma.
In addition to mesothelioma other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma and mesothelioma of the ovary. Ovarian cancer is among the most deadly mesothelioma type for women however, it is much less common than mesothelioma general. It is diagnosed later than other types of mesothelioma because it develops in the linings of reproductive organs. The symptoms can be similar to those of other illnesses.
Many companies used asbestos in the 20th century, however they knew that it was a risk. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos if they failed to remove asbestos from their products. Now, those exposed are able to claim financial compensation. A lot of asbestos-related manufacturers have declared bankruptcy. As a result, the victims can seek the compensation they deserve from the trust funds established by the bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
For decades,
asbestos legal-related companies have put profits ahead of the safety of their employees as well as consumers by producing dangerous products without warning of the risks. These companies are now facing the consequences of their negligence. People whose lives have been disrupted by mesothelioma and lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses are seeking fair and full compensation.
The attorneys at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to helping families and individuals receive the justice they need. 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 attorneys work to hold corporations accountable and obtain the maximum amount of compensation for our clients.
A number of states have established special asbestos courts where claims can be filed and resolved more efficiently. Judges have also created specialized procedures to evaluate and resolve these 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 who have declared bankruptcy the number of cases that have come through the court has been steadily increasing. In order to ensure that the justice system is not overwhelmed and 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 every case filed in NYCAL to decide whether to accept or reject it. Judges will also consider the merits of each case to determine the amount a plaintiff should be awarded.
Currently, the panel is reviewing more than 3,500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to issue its final ruling before the end of the year.
New York asbestos lawsuits are often complex and involve multiple defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience with the litigation of these difficult cases. They are familiar with the rules regulations, policies, and procedures of the asbestos courts in New York, as well as the laws of other jurisdictions where they have handled multidistrict litigation.
The firm also has extensive experience as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in complex, multidistrict litigation. In this role, attorneys develop strategies, coordinate and oversee regional and local counsel, and ensure cost-effective, consistent defenses for every client. They have worked closely with coordinating and trial judges and special masters of litigation in various jurisdictions where 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 from an injury claim that involves asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises suppliers, manufacturers, contractors, distributors, and premises owners on matters involving mesothelioma claims, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm works with clients in the development of internal programs to determine and resolve potential liability and safety issues.
Bowles Rice in addition to its asbestos practice across the country and multi-state asbestos litigation, is also the national Coordinating counsel. In this role the firm designs litigation strategies, manages local and regional counsel, and ensures a consistent and cost-effective defense, in line with client goals. It also plays a major part in the administration and management of asbestos dockets aswell in negotiations with plaintiffs' attorneys and leading discovery for its client.
The firm's lawyers are skilled in defending clients against claims of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses. Asbestos defense attorneys are familiar with the intricate science involved with these cases, and the particular legal issues that arise when defending businesses in state and federal courts across the United States.
Catherine has defended numerous manufacturers in
asbestos and product liability personal injury cases, representing them as lead trial counsel and in consolidated trials that involved multiple plaintiffs. She has extensive experience in litigating asbestos-related lawsuits before the state and federal courts, as well as various appellate and Supreme Court bodies.
While at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos cases for respondents, including those in the
Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The cases files contained SEAR forms (Short Evaluative Reports Encapsulated) that contained confidential information 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 was then able to look over any SEAR forms provided by her current employer.
The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to having extensive experience in appellate and trial work, is nationally recognized for its ability to negotiate settlements for its clients. In this capacity, the firm works closely with lawyers representing plaintiffs in the creation and implementation of settlement agreements. Additionally, it has extensive experience defending companies against appeals.
