An Asbestos Defense Attorney Can Help Protect the Financial Security of Those Harmed by Exposure to This Harmful Mineral
An
asbestos settlement defense attorney can help protect the financial security of those injured by exposure to this toxic mineral. Compensation may cover medical costs, funeral and burial expenses as well as pain and suffering and the loss of quality of life.
Our attorneys are involved in mass toxic tort litigation on a regional, national and local scale. As our lawyers are well-versed with the specific issues and the complex science that go along with asbestos 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 experienced in dealing with lawsuits that seek the financial compensation of those affected by asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be a bit complicated and therefore it is essential to have a mesothelioma lawyer on your side.
New York has a long history of asbestos litigation and many residents have been exposed to this dangerous material. In recent years, there are more lawsuits filed against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases are a result of the recognition of a connection between
asbestos settlement and diseases like mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. The companies were aware of the dangers of the asbestos-containing mineral, yet they failed to warn their employees and clients.
New York City is especially susceptible to diseases caused by asbestos due to its older structures and construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously hazardous area that continues to impact the surrounding community.
Many workers were exposed asbestos in their work environments. However, some people are diagnosed with mesothelioma following secondhand exposure to the harmful substances. This is especially true for spouses who wear husband's clothes to work and come into contact with asbestos dust frequently.
Mesothelioma-related litigation can be expensive for defendants. This is especially true if they have been wrongly identified as defendants. According to an investigation, more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed in New York courts since 2014, and the number could increase further. The
asbestos law firms that specialize in asbestos often advertise on daytime TV and encourage victims to submit claims with the promise that they will receive significant settlements.
The defendants may be able reduce the cost of these cases by arguing that their policy periods are overdue or that they are only responsible for only a small percentage of the amount claimed. However, New York law has not set out a clear policy on how to divide liabilities when the alleged exposure occurs outside of the insurance company's policy.
Asbestos-Related Diseases
A myriad of asbestos-related illnesses can be triggered due to exposure to the harmful mineral. The most severe condition is mesothelioma. Many people have died due to mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques, and pleural effusion.
Mesothelioma, a rare, but fatal illness, is caused by asbestos fibers that accumulate in the lungs. They then cause irritation to the linings of the ribcage (the the pleura), chest cavity and abdominal cavity. Inhaling these fibers can lead to scarring in the lungs. This is known as asbestosis. It can also lead to thickened pleura patches (pleural plaques) or an increase in fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis can reduce lung capacity as measured by breathing test. They can also cause pain and discomfort in breathing, however they don't cause cancer or mesothelioma.
Symptoms of asbestos-related disease often are not evident until years after exposure. It can take as long as 50 years for asbestos fibers inhaled to cause lung damage. Workers who handled, cleaned, and removed asbestos from the workplace as well as children, spouses and others who were exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing mesothelioma.
As well as mesothelioma, other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma, and mesothelioma of the ovary. Ovarian cancer is the most fatal mesothelioma type for women, but it is less prevalent than mesothelioma in general. It is usually diagnosed later than other types of mesothelioma because it is a cancer that develops in the tissues of the reproductive organs and symptoms can be similar to symptoms of other diseases.
A number of companies used asbestos in the 20th century. They knew it was dangerous. When they did not remove it from their products, thousands of people were exposed. They can now sue for financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are insolvent. The victims can now seek compensation from trust funds created by bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
Asbestos companies have put profit over the safety of their workers and consumers for decades making dangerous products, without warning about the risks. These companies are now paying the price for their inattention to. People who's lives have been affected by mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases are seeking fair and full compensation.
Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals receive the justice they deserve. Our lawyers have more than 25 years experience and have assisted our clients to receive millions of dollars of compensation. Our New York mesothelioma attorneys work to hold large corporations accountable and seek the maximum amount of compensation for our clients.
A number of states have set up special asbestos courts, where claims can be filed more efficiently. Additionally judges have developed specialized procedures for evaluating and resolving such cases.
New York is one such state with its own asbestos court, known as NYCAL. The number of cases in this court has grown steadily, as increasing numbers of asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent former asbestos defendants who went bankrupt. The New York Supreme Court created a special judicial board to oversee NYCAL in order to keep the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.
A panel composed of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine if it should be accepted or rejected. Judges will also evaluate the merits of each claim to determine the amount of the plaintiff's compensation should be.
Currently, the panel is reviewing more than 3,500 lawsuits. The panel is expected issue its final decision by the end this year.
New York asbestos lawsuits can be complicated and involve several defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience in the litigation of these complex cases. They are well-versed in the rules, regulations, and policies of the asbestos courts in New York, as well as the laws of other jurisdictions where they have handled multidistrict litigation.
The firm has also extensive experience as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in complex, multidistrict litigation. In this capacity, lawyers develop strategies, manage local and regional counsel, and ensure consistent and effective defenses for clients. They have collaborated closely with trial and coordination judges and special masters of litigation in the various jurisdictions where they were involved in asbestos litigation.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will determine what strategy is best to defend the client in a personal injury lawsuit involving asbestos legal (
click here for more info). 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 to develop internal programs to identify and resolve potential liability and safety concerns.
In addition to its asbestos practice in the national level, Bowles Rice serves as the national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this capacity, Bowles Rice develops litigation strategies and manages local and region counsel to ensure a uniform and cost-effective defense that is in line with the client's goals. Additionally it plays an important role in the management of asbestos dockets, negotiations with plaintiffs' counsel and lead discovery for its clients.
The firm's lawyers have a wealth of trial and appellate experience in defending clients from claims brought by injured claimants, including those claiming mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases.
asbestos law defense attorneys are familiar with the complex science associated with these cases, as well as the unique legal issues that arise when defending businesses in federal and state courts across the United States.
Catherine has defended numerous manufacturers in asbestos and product liability personal injury cases, representing them as the lead trial counsel in consolidated trials involving multiple plaintiffs. She has extensive experience litigating asbestos-related lawsuits in the state and federal courts, as well as a variety of Supreme Court and appellate bodies.
While at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those for respondents in the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files included SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports) that contained confidential information on the plaintiffs, including medical reports, work history, and an inventory of asbestos-related products that the plaintiff worked with or around. Vogel had to have access to a password to access the files. Then, she could review any SEAR forms provided by her current employer.
The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to its extensive experience in appellate and trial work, is recognized nationally for its ability to reach settlements on behalf of its clients. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs' lawyers to create and implement settlement agreements. It also has extensive experience in defending businesses against appeals.
