An Asbestos Defense Attorney Can Help Protect the Financial Security of Those Harmed by Exposure to This Harmful Mineral
A lawyer who is a defense attorney for asbestos can protect those who's financial security was affected due to exposure to the hazardous mineral. Compensation can cover medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, lost quality of life, as well as suffering and pain.
Our attorneys serve as national, regional and local counsel in mass toxic tort litigation. As as such, we are acquainted with the particular issues and the complex science that go along asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos is a dangerous fiber that can lead to various serious medical conditions, including mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is adept at handling asbestos lawsuits that seek financial compensation for victims and their families due to exposure to this harmful substance. These cases can be extremely complex, and it is critical to have a reputable mesothelioma lawyer on 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 claims against former asbestos manufacturers than ever before. These cases result from the recognition of a link between asbestos and diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. These companies were aware of asbestos' dangers however, they failed to inform the employees and the public.
New York City is especially vulnerable to illnesses caused by asbestos because of its old structures and construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously toxic area that continues to impact the surrounding community.
Many workers were exposed
asbestos attorney at work. However, people also get diagnosed with mesothelioma after experiencing secondhand exposure to the harmful substances. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposed workers who had their husbands' work clothes and came into contact with asbestos dust regularly.
The mesothelioma litigation is costly for defendants, especially when they are incorrectly named as a defendant. A study indicates that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could increase. This type of litigation is typically supported by asbestos law firms that advertise on daytime television and encourage victims to file claims with the promise of substantial settlements.
The defendants may be able mitigate some of the costs associated with these cases by asserting that their policy periods have expired or they are only responsible for a small percentage of the total claim value. New York law does not have a specific rule for how to distribute responsibility when the alleged exposure is of the insurer's policies.
Asbestos-related illnesses
Exposure to asbestos can lead to a wide range of illnesses. The condition known as mesothelioma is the most severe. Many have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer asbestosis, pleural plaques, and pleural effusion.
Mesothelioma, a rare, but fatal condition is caused by
asbestos fibers that are found in the lung. They then cause irritation to the linings of the ribcage (the Pleura), chest cavity and abdominal cavity. Inhaling these fibers can lead to scarring in the lungs. This is called asbestosis. It can also lead to thickened pleura patches (pleural plaques) or a more extensive fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis could reduce lung capacity as determined by a breathing test. They also cause breathing problems and pain but they don't lead to cancer or mesothelioma.
The signs of asbestos-related illness typically don't manifest until decades after the initial exposure. This is because it could take between 20 and 50 years for the exposure to asbestos fibers to damage the lungs. People at risk of developing mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related ailments include those who handled, cleaned and removed
asbestos lawsuit (
enquiry)-containing materials from their workplaces and their spouses and children of asbestos-related exposure.
As well as mesothelioma, other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma, and mesothelioma ovarian. Ovarian cancer is the deadliest mesothelioma that women suffer from however it is much less prevalent than mesothelioma in general. It is typically diagnosed later than other forms of mesothelioma because it develops in the lining of the reproductive organs, and the symptoms may be similar to symptoms of other diseases.
Many companies employed asbestos during the 20th century. They knew it was a risk. When they failed to remove asbestos from their products thousands of people were exposed. Now, those exposed have the right to seek financial compensation. A lot of asbestos-related manufacturers have filed for bankruptcy. In the aftermath, victims can seek the compensation they deserve from the trust funds established by the bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
For decades, asbestos companies put profits above the safety of their employees as well as consumers by producing dangerous products, without warning of the dangers. They are now facing the consequences of their inattention. People who have suffered from life-altering issues caused by mesothelioma, cancer of the lung and other asbestos-related diseases are seeking full and fair compensation.
Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals obtain the justice they deserve. With more than 25 years of experience and accomplishments, we have secured millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. Our New York mesothelioma lawyers work to hold large corporations responsible accountable and seek the maximum amount of compensation for our clients.
Many states have established
asbestos case courts with specialization, where claims can be filed more efficiently. Additionally, judges have established specialized 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. To ensure that the justice system isn't overloaded, the New York Supreme Court has established an extra judicial panel to oversee NYCAL.
A panel of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine if it is accepted or not. Judges will also consider the merits of each claim to determine the amount of amount of money each plaintiff should receive.
The panel is currently reviewing more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected issue its final decision before the end of this year.
New York asbestos lawsuits are usually complex and involve allegations of multiple defendants. Belluck & Fox's lawyers have extensive experience in litigating these complex matters. They are well-versed in the asbestos courts in New York as well as their rules regulations, policies and guidelines and 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 that they are able to provide consistent and efficient defenses for clients. They have worked closely 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 best to defend the client from an injury claim that involves asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, contractors and premises owners on matters involving claims of mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm collaborates with clients to develop internal programs to determine and address potential safety and liability issues.
Bowles Rice In addition to its national asbestos practice and multi-state asbestos litigation, is also the national Coordinating Counsel. In this capacity Bowles Rice devises litigation strategies and oversees regional and local counsel to ensure a uniform and cost-effective defence in coordination with the client's goals. Additionally it plays a crucial role in the management of
asbestos case dockets, negotiations with counsel for plaintiffs and lead discovery for its clients.
The firm's lawyers have extensive trial and appellate experience defending clients against claims made by injured claimants, such as those who are claiming mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are familiar with the intricate science involved with these cases, as well as the unique legal issues that arise when representing companies before federal and state courts across the United States.
Catherine has represented a variety of manufacturers as the lead counsel in asbestos and personal injury lawsuits related to product liability, and in consolidated cases involving multiple plaintiffs. She has extensive experience litigating asbestos-related lawsuits in the federal and state courts, as well as various Supreme Court and appellate bodies.
While at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those of respondents in the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files contained SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports) which contained confidential information about plaintiffs, such as medical reports, work histories and the list of asbestos-related products that the plaintiff worked with or around. Vogel was required to have a password to access these files and could review the SEAR forms of any case with her current employer.
In addition to its extensive trial and appellate experience as well as its vast trial and appellate experience, the Bowles Rice Asbestos Team is well-known throughout the country 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.
