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 who have been affected by exposure to this harmful mineral. Compensation can cover medical expenses funeral and burial costs, loss of quality of life, as well as pain and suffering.
Our attorneys serve as local, regional, and national 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 fibers are deadly and can trigger serious medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York
asbestos attorney is experienced in handling lawsuits seeking financial compensation for victims of asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be complex and therefore it is essential to have a mesothelioma lawyer to assist you.
New York has had a long history with asbestos litigation, and many residents were exposed to this hazardous substance. In recent times, there have been more lawsuits against former asbestos manufacturers than ever before. These cases are the result of the realization that asbestos is linked to illnesses such as mesothelioma or lung cancer. The companies were aware of the dangers associated with this asbestos-containing mineral, yet they failed to warn their employees and consumers.
New York City is especially susceptible to illnesses caused by asbestos because of its older structures and construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic site that continues to have an impact on the surrounding community.
Mesothelioma can be caused by exposure to asbestos directly and a lot of workers were exposed to it at work. However, some people are diagnosed with mesothelioma after experiencing secondhand exposure to the harmful substances. This includes spouses who wear their husband's clothes to work and come into contact with asbestos dust on a regular basis.
The mesothelioma lawsuit can be costly for defendants. This is particularly the case if they were wrongly named as defendants. A study shows that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could rise. Specialized asbestos law firms typically advertise on TV during the day and encourage victims to submit claims under the premise that they will receive significant settlements.
The defendants might be able to reduce some of the costs of these cases by arguing that their policy periods are expired or that they are only responsible for only for a small proportion of the claim value. New York law does not provide a definitive rule on how to divide the liability if the alleged risk is of and outside the insurance policies.
Asbestos-Related Illnesses
Exposure to
asbestos legal can cause a wide range of ailments. The mesothelioma condition is the most serious. Mesothelioma has led to the deaths of many people. Other asbestos-related illnesses include asbestosis and lung cancer. Pleural plaques and effusion are also asbestos-related.
Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal illness that is caused by exposure to asbestos fibers that collect in the lungs and cause irritation to the lining of the ribcage, chest cavity and abdominal cavity (the the pleura). The inhalation of these tiny fibers can cause scarring of the lungs known as asbestosis and, sometimes, the development of thickened patches on the pleura called plaques on the pleura, or an enlargement of fibrosis in the pleura called diffused pleural fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrisis reduce lung capacity as measured by breathing tests. They can also cause pain and difficulties in breathing, however they do not lead cancer or mesothelioma.
Most of the time, symptoms of asbestos-related diseases don't manifest until decades after initial exposure. It can take as long as 50 years for asbestos fibers inhaled to cause lung damage. The people at risk of developing mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related diseases include those who handled, cleaned, and removed these materials from the workplace and their spouses and children of those who were exposed to asbestos.
In addition to mesothelioma, other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma and mesothelioma of the ovary. Ovarian cancer is the most fatal form of mesothelioma for women however it is much less common than mesothelioma in general. It is usually diagnosed later than other types of mesothelioma due to the fact that it is a cancer that develops in the lining of the reproductive organs, and symptoms can be similar to symptoms of other illnesses.
Many companies employed asbestos in the 20th century, but they knew that it was a risk. When they did not remove it from their products, thousands of people were exposed. The affected people are now able to claim financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are bankrupt. The victims are now able to claim compensation from trust funds created by bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
Asbestos companies have put profit before the safety of their workers and consumers for decades creating dangerous products without warning about the risks. They are now paying the price for their carelessness. People who have suffered from asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and full compensation.
The lawyers at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to helping individuals and families 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 lawyers work to hold accountable large corporations accountable and to secure maximum compensation for our clients.
Many states have established special
asbestos courts, where claims can be filed more efficiently. In addition judges have created specific procedures for evaluating and resolving such 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 and have been unable to pay, the workload of the court has steadily increased. The New York Supreme Court created a special judicial board to oversee NYCAL to stop the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.
A panel of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine if it is accepted or rejected. Judges will also consider the merits of each claim to determine the amount of money each plaintiff should receive.
The panel is currently examining more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected issue its final decision by the end of this year.
New York asbestos lawsuits can be complex and can involve multiple defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience with the litigation of these complex matters. They are knowledgeable of the asbestos courts in New York as well as their rules and regulations, as well as other jurisdictions where they have handled multi-district litigation.
The firm also has vast experience as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients nationwide in multi-district, complex litigation. In this capacity, attorneys develop strategies, coordinate and manage regional and local counsel, and ensure cost-effective and consistent defenses for every client. They have been in close contact with trial judges, coordinating judges, and special masters of litigation from various jurisdictions.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will determine which strategy is most effective to defend the client against an injury claim that involves asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises product manufacturers, suppliers and contractors, distributors, and owners of premises on matters concerning mesothelioma-related claims, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm works with clients on developing internal programs to determine and resolve potential liability and safety issues.
Bowles Rice, in addition to its asbestos practice in the national level and multi-state asbestos litigation is also the national Coordinating Counsel. In this role the firm designs litigation strategies, supervises regional and local counsel, and achieves consistent and cost-effective defense that is in sync with client objectives. It also plays a major part in the administration and management of
asbestos dockets, as well as negotiations with plaintiffs' attorneys and coordinating discovery for its client.
The firm's attorneys have a wealth of trial and appellate experience in defending clients against claims by injured claimants, including those who claim mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are acquainted with the complex science that is associated with these cases, as well as the particular legal issues that arise when defending businesses in federal and state courts across the United States.
Catherine has represented a variety of manufacturers as the lead trial counsel in asbestos and personal injury lawsuits involving product liability, and in consolidated cases that involve multiple claimants. She has extensive experience in litigating asbestos-related cases in the federal and state courts and before various supreme and appellate courts.
During her time at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those involving respondents in the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files contained SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports), which contained confidential information about claimants, such as medical reports, work histories, and the list of asbestos-related products that the plaintiff worked with or around. Vogel was required to use access to the files and was able to review the SEAR forms of any case she had with her current employer.
The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to its extensive experience in appellate and trial work, is nationally recognized for its ability to negotiate settlements for clients. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs' lawyers to draft and implement settlement agreements. The firm also has extensive experience defending businesses against appeals.
