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 help protect those whose financial security has been affected by exposure to the toxic mineral. Compensation may cover medical costs, funeral and burial expenses as well as pain and suffering and loss of quality of life.
Our lawyers are involved in mass toxic tort litigation on a national, regional and local scale. This means that we are well-versed in the unique issues and complex aspects of science associated with asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos is a deadly fiber that can lead to various serious medical conditions, including mesothelioma. A New York
asbestos attorney is skilled in handling lawsuits to seek the financial compensation of those affected by asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be complicated and therefore it is essential to have a mesothelioma lawyer to assist you.
New York has had a long history of asbestos litigation. Many residents were exposed to this dangerous substance. In recent years, there have been more lawsuits against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases result from the recognition of a link between asbestos and diseases like mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. These companies were aware of the dangers of the asbestos-containing mineral, yet they did not warn their employees and clients.
New York City is especially susceptible to illnesses caused by asbestos because of its older structures and construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously toxic area that continues affect the surrounding community.
Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos in direct contact, and many workers were exposed to asbestos in the workplace. However, people also get diagnosed with mesothelioma following exposure to harmful substances. This includes spouses who wear husband's clothing to work and come into 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 increase. This kind of litigation is usually fueled by specialized
asbestos case law firms, which advertise on television during the day and encourage victims to file claims, with the promise of large settlements.
Defendants may be able to lower some of the costs associated with these cases by asserting that their policy periods expire or they are only responsible for a tiny portion of the value of the claim. New York law does not provide a definitive rule on how to divide the liability if the alleged exposure is part of and outside the insurance policies.
Asbestos-related Diseases
Exposure to asbestos can cause many different diseases. The condition known as mesothelioma is the most severe. Many people have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques and the pleural effusion.
Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal illness that is caused by exposure to asbestos fibers which accumulate in the lungs, and can cause irritation to the lining of the chest cavity, ribcage and abdominal cavity (the the pleura). Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause scarring of the lungs, known as asbestosis. It can also result in thickened patches of pleura (pleural plaques) or an increased fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis could decrease lung capacity, as measured by a breath test. They can also cause pain and difficulty in breathing, however they are not the cause of mesothelioma or cancer.
The signs of asbestos-related illness typically don't manifest until decades after exposure. This is because it could take between 20 to 50 years for the exposure to asbestos fibers to cause lung damage. Workers who handled, cleaned, and removed
asbestos settlement from their workplaces and their children, spouses and other people who are exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing mesothelioma.
Other asbestos-related diseases, apart from mesothelioma, include laryngeal carcinoma and lung cancer 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 diagnosed later than other types of mesothelioma, because it is found in the linings of reproductive organs. The symptoms can be similar to those of other illnesses.
Many companies employed asbestos during the 20th century. They knew it was hazardous. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos if they didn't remove it from their products. These people now have the right to claim financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies have declared bankruptcy. The victims are now able to 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 their customers for decades making dangerous products, without warning of the dangers. These companies are now paying the price for their inattention to. Victims of 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. 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 to secure the maximum amount of compensation for our clients.
Many states have established special asbestos courts where claims can be filed and resolved more efficiently. Additionally, judges have established specific procedures for evaluating and resolving asbestos cases.
New York, a state with its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL) is one of them. The number of cases filed in this court has been increasing steadily as increasing numbers of asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants who have gone bankrupt. In order to ensure that the justice system isn't overwhelmed, the New York Supreme Court has created an additional judicial panel that will supervise NYCAL.
A panel composed of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine if it should be accepted or not. Judges will also evaluate the merits of each claim to determine the amount of the plaintiff's compensation should be.
At present, the panel is studying more than 3,500 lawsuits. The panel is expected make a final decision at the end of this year.
New York asbestos lawsuits are typically complex and often include allegations of several defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience in the litigation of these complex cases. They are knowledgeable of the rules regulations, policies, and procedures of the asbestos courts in New York, as well as the laws of other jurisdictions where they have handled multidistrict litigation.
The firm also has vast experience in serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients across the country in multi-district litigation that is complex and complex. In this capacity lawyers devise strategies, oversee local and regional counsel, and ensure that they are able to provide consistent and effective defenses for clients. They have been in close contact 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 from a claim for personal injury resulting from asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises manufacturers, suppliers and contractors, distributors and premises owners on matters concerning mesothelioma-related claims, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm also works with clients to create internal programs for identifying and addressing potential risks to safety and liability.
In addition to its asbestos practice in the national level, Bowles Rice serves as national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this capacity, the firm develops strategies for litigation, oversees regional and local counsel, and achieves consistent and cost-effective defense in coordination with client objectives. It also plays a major role in the administration and management of asbestos dockets, as well as negotiations with plaintiffs' lawyers and coordinating discovery for its client.
The firm's attorneys are experienced in defending clients from mesothelioma claims and other asbestos-related illnesses. Asbestos defense attorneys are acquainted with the complex science associated with these cases, as well as the particular legal issues that arise when representing companies in federal and state courts across the United States.
Catherine has represented a variety of manufacturers as lead counsel in asbestos and personal injury lawsuits related to product liability as well as in cases that have been consolidated involving multiple plaintiffs. She has substantial experience arguing asbestos-related cases in federal and state courts and before a variety of supreme and appellate courts.
During her time at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos cases for respondents, including those in the
Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The case files included SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports) that contained confidential information on the plaintiffs, such as medical reports, work history and an inventory of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs worked with or around. Vogel was required to have access to the files and was able to go through the SEAR forms of any case at 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 acknowledged nationally for its ability to negotiate settlements on behalf of its clients. In this capacity, the firm works closely with lawyers representing plaintiffs in the creation and implementation of settlement agreements, and it has extensive experience in defending businesses against appeals.
