An Asbestos Defense Attorney Can Help Protect the Financial Security of Those Harmed by Exposure to This Harmful Mineral
An asbestos defense attorney can help protect the financial security of those injured by exposure to this harmful mineral. Compensation can cover medical costs funeral and burial costs as well as pain and suffering and lost quality of life.
Our lawyers serve as local, regional and national counsel in large toxic tort litigation. As our lawyers are well-versed with the unique issues and complex science associated with
asbestos lawsuit cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos is a dangerous fiber that can trigger a variety of severe medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney is skilled in handling lawsuits to seek financial compensation for those who have suffered from asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be complex, so it's important to have a mesothelioma attorney to assist you.
New York has had a long history with asbestos litigation, and many residents were exposed to the dangerous material. In recent years, there have been more claims against former asbestos manufacturers than ever before. These cases are the result of the recognition that
asbestos compensation can cause diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. The companies were aware of asbestos's dangers, but failed to warn the employees and the public.
New York City is especially susceptible to illnesses caused by asbestos due to its older structures and 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 directly, and many workers were exposed to asbestos at work. Secondhand exposure can also lead to mesothelioma. This includes spouses who wear husband's clothes at work and come in contact with asbestos dust on a regular basis.
Mesothelioma-related litigation can be expensive for defendants. This is especially the case if they were wrongly identified 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 typically advertise on daytime TV and encourage victims to file claims, promising they will receive substantial settlements.
The defendants might be able to reduce the cost of these cases by arguing their policies are in a lapse or that they only have to pay only a small percentage of the claim value. However, New York law has not set out a clear policy on how to divide liabilities when the alleged exposure occurs in and out of the insurance company's policy.
Asbestos-related illnesses
Exposure to asbestos can trigger a wide range of diseases. The condition known as mesothelioma is the most serious. Many people have died due to mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related diseases include asbestosis and lung cancer. Pleural plaques and effusion are also asbestos-related.
Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal disease caused by exposure to asbestos fibers which accumulate in the lungs and cause irritation to the lining of the ribcage, chest cavity, and abdominal cavity (the pleura). Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause scarring of the lungs, known as asbestosis. It can also cause thickened patches of pleura (pleural plaques) or a more extensive fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis could reduce 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.
Most of the time, symptoms of
asbestos lawsuit-related diseases don't show up until decades after the initial exposure. It can take as long as 50 years for asbestos fibers that are inhaled 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 illnesses, in addition to mesothelioma, include lung cancer and laryngeal carcinoma as well as peritoneal, ovarian and peritoneal cancer. Ovarian cancer is the deadliest form of mesothelioma for women however, it is much less common than mesothelioma in general. It is typically diagnosed later than other forms of mesothelioma due to the fact that it develops in the tissue of the reproductive organs, and the symptoms may be similar to those of other illnesses.
Many companies used asbestos in the 20th century, but they were aware that it was hazardous. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos because they failed to remove asbestos from their products. These people can now sue for financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are insolvent. As a result, the victims can seek the money they are entitled to from trust funds established by the bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
Asbestos-related companies have put profit before the safety of their workers and their customers for decades creating dangerous products without warning of the dangers. These companies are now facing the consequences of their inattention. People whose lives have been disrupted by mesothelioma, cancer of the lung and other
asbestos lawsuit-related diseases are seeking fair and full settlement.
The attorneys at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to helping families and individuals receive the justice they need. With more than 25 years of experience and accomplishments, we have secured millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. Our New York mesothelioma attorneys work to hold corporations accountable and seek the highest amount of compensation for their clients.
Many states have created asbestos courts that are specifically designed so that claims can be filed more efficiently. Additionally, judges have established special procedures for evaluating and resolving asbestos 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 increased steadily, as more and more asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent former asbestos defendants who have gone bankrupt. The New York Supreme Court created a special judicial board to supervise NYCAL to stop the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.
A panel of six Supreme Court judges will review every case in NYCAL to decide whether or not to accept it. Judges will also evaluate the merits of each case to decide how much money the plaintiff is entitled to.
The panel is currently examining more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to announce its final decision before the end this year.
New York asbestos lawsuits can be complex and involve multiple defendants. Belluck & Fox's lawyers have extensive experience in the litigation of these difficult issues. They are knowledgeable of the asbestos courts in New York, including their rules and regulations, as well as other jurisdictions where they have handled multi-district litigation.
The firm also has extensive experience as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in complex, multidistrict litigation. In this role lawyers formulate strategies, oversee local and regional counsel, and ensure consistent and efficient defenses for clients. They have worked closely in the past with trial judges, coordinating judges, and special masters of litigation from different jurisdictions.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A knowledgeable Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best approach to defend a client in an asbestos-related personal injury claim. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises product manufacturers, suppliers and contractors, distributors and property owners on issues concerning mesothelioma-related claims, lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm also assists clients to create internal programs for identifying and addressing potential safety and liability issues.
In addition to its asbestos practice across the nation, Bowles Rice serves as the national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this role Bowles Rice devises strategies for litigation and supervises regional and local counsel to ensure a consistent and cost-effective defence in coordination with the client's objectives. In addition it plays an important role in the administration of asbestos dockets, negotiations with plaintiffs' counsel and lead discovery for its clients.
The attorneys of the firm have a wealth of trial and appellate experience defending clients from claims brought by injured claimants, which includes those claiming mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are familiar with the intricate scientific issues involved in these cases as in addition to particular legal issues that arise when representing companies in federal and state courts across the United States.
Catherine has represented numerous manufacturers as the lead counsel in asbestos and personal injury lawsuits involving product liability as well as in cases that have been consolidated involving multiple plaintiffs. She has a wealth of experience arguing asbestos case (
Recommended Studying)-related lawsuits before the state and federal courts as well as various Supreme Court and appellate courts.
While at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those for respondents in the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files contained SEAR forms (Short encapsulated Evaluative reports) that contained confidential information about claimants. The files contained medical reports and work histories, as well as a list asbestos products that plaintiffs used or worked near. Vogel was required to use access to the files and was able to review the SEAR forms of any case with her current employer.
In addition to its extensive trial and appellate experience, the Bowles Rice Asbestos Team is recognized nationally 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, and it has a vast experience in defending companies against appeals.
