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 who have been affected by exposure to this toxic mineral. Compensation could cover medical expenses funeral and burial costs, lost quality of life, as well as pain and suffering.
Our lawyers are involved in mass toxic tort litigation on a regional, national and local scale. As our lawyers are well-versed with the unique issues and the complex science that go along with asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos fibers are deadly and can trigger serious medical conditions, such as
Mesothelioma Attorney. A New York
asbestos lawyer is adept at handling asbestos lawsuits that seek financial compensation for victims and their families who have been exposed to this toxic substance. These cases can be complex and therefore it is essential to have a reputable mesothelioma law firm by your side.
New York has a long history of
asbestos litigation, and many residents have been exposed to the dangerous material. In recent times there have been more lawsuits against former asbestos manufacturers than ever before. These cases are the result of the recognition that
asbestos claim is linked to illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer. The companies were aware of the dangers associated with the hazardous mineral, but didn't warn their employees and consumers.
The New York City area is particularly susceptible to asbestos-related illnesses due to its older structures and numerous construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously toxic area that continues to affect the community around it.
Many workers were exposed asbestos in the workplace. In addition, exposure to asbestos through secondhand sources can lead to mesothelioma. This includes spouses who wear husband's clothing to work and come into contact with asbestos dust frequently.
The litigation associated with mesothelioma can be expensive for defendants, particularly when they are incorrectly named as defendants. A study shows 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 that promote on daytime television and encourage victims to file claims with the promise of large settlements.
The defendants might be able to reduce the cost of these cases by arguing their policy periods are expired or that they are only responsible only a small percentage of the amount claimed. New York law does not have a specific rule for how to distribute the liability if the alleged exposure is of the insurance policies.
Asbestos-Related Illnesses
Exposure to asbestos can cause various ailments. The most serious of these is mesothelioma. Many people have died due to mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer and asbestosis. Pleural plaques and effusion are also asbestos-related.
Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal illness caused by exposure to asbestos fibers which accumulate in the lungs and cause irritation to the lining of the chest cavity, ribcage, and abdominal cavity (the the pleura). Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause scarring in the lungs. This is known as asbestosis. It can also result in thickened patches of pleura (pleural plaques) or an increased fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrisis reduce lung capacity as measured by breathing tests. They can also cause breathing problems and pain however they do not cause mesothelioma or cancer.
Most of the time, symptoms of asbestos-related diseases do not appear until decades after the initial exposure. This is because it can take between 20 to 50 years for the inhalation of asbestos-containing fibers to cause lung damage. People at risk of developing mesothelioma or other asbestos-related conditions include workers who handled, cleaned and removed asbestos-containing materials from their workplaces and spouses and children of those who were exposed to asbestos.
Other asbestos-related diseases, in addition to mesothelioma, include lung cancer and laryngeal carcinoma and peritoneal, ovarian and peritoneal cancer. Ovarian cancer is the most fatal mesothelioma type for women however, it is much less common than mesothelioma general. It is diagnosed later than other mesothelioma types, because it develops within 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 were aware that it was a risk. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos if they failed to remove it from their products. Now, these people are able to sue for financial compensation. Many of the asbestos-related manufacturers have filed for bankruptcy. 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
For decades, asbestos companies have placed profits over the security of their employees and consumers, manufacturing hazardous products without warning of the dangers. They are now facing the consequences of their inattention. Patients who have suffered asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and complete settlement.
Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals get the justice they deserve. Our attorneys have more than 25 years experience and have helped clients receive millions of dollars in compensation. Our New York mesothelioma attorneys work to hold corporations accountable and seek the highest amount of compensation for their clients.
Many states have established asbestos courts with specialization, where claims can be filed more efficiently. In addition judges have developed special procedures to evaluate and resolve asbestos 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 been bankrupt the number of cases that have come through this special court has been steadily increasing. The New York Supreme Court created an extra judicial board to supervise NYCAL in order to keep the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.
A panel comprised of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine if it is accepted or rejected. Judges will also assess the merits of each case to determine how much a plaintiff should be awarded.
The panel is currently reviewing more than 3,500 lawsuits. The panel is expected make a final decision before the end of the year.
New York asbestos lawsuits are usually complex and involve allegations of several defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience in the litigation of these complex issues. They are familiar with the asbestos courts of New York as well as their rules regulations, policies and guidelines, as well as 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 complex, multi-district litigation. In this capacity, lawyers develop strategies, coordinate and oversee regional and local counsel, and ensure cost-effective, consistent defenses for every client. They have worked closely with trial and coordination judges and litigation special masters in various jurisdictions in which they have been involved in asbestos litigation.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A knowledgeable Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best way to defend a client against an asbestos-related personal injury claim. The Bowles Rice
asbestos compensation Team advises suppliers, manufacturers, contractors, distributors, and property owners on issues that involve mesothelioma claims, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm also works with clients to create internal programs to identify and addressing risks to safety and liability.
In addition to its national asbestos practice, Bowles Rice serves as national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this capacity, Bowles Rice develops strategies for litigation and supervises local and region counsel to ensure a uniform and cost-effective defense that is in line with the client's goals. Additionally it plays a crucial part in the administration of asbestos dockets and negotiations with counsel for plaintiffs and lead discovery for its clients.
The firm's lawyers are skilled in defending clients against claims of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are familiar with the intricate science involved with these cases, as well as the particular legal issues that arise when representing 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 as well as in consolidated cases involving multiple plaintiffs. She has a wealth of experience litigating asbestos-related lawsuits before federal and state courts, as well as a variety of appellate and Supreme Court bodies.
During her time at Brobeck, Vogel worked on
asbestos attorney cases, including those involving respondents of the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The cases files included SEAR forms (Short Evaluative Reports Encapsulated) that contained confidential data about the claimants. The files contained medical reports, work histories, and an inventory of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs used or worked near. Vogel was required to use a password to access these files, and she could also review the SEAR forms of any case at 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. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs' lawyers to draft and implement settlement agreements. It also has a wealth of experience in defending businesses from appeals.
