An Asbestos Defense Attorney Can Help Protect the Financial Security of Those Harmed by Exposure to This Harmful Mineral

An asbestos defense attorney can protect the financial security of those harmed by exposure to this harmful mineral. Compensation can cover medical costs, funeral and burial expenses, pain and suffering, and lost quality of life.

Our attorneys are involved in the mass litigation of toxic torts on a national, regional and local scale. As our lawyers are well-versed with the particular issues and the complex science that go along with asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos is a dangerous fiber that can lead to numerous serious medical conditions, including mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney is adept at dealing with lawsuits that seek financial compensation for those who have suffered from asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be complicated and therefore it is essential to have a reputable mesothelioma lawyers law firm on your side.

New York has a long history of asbestos litigation and many residents have been exposed to this hazardous substance. In recent years, there are more lawsuits filed against asbestos producers in the past than ever before. These cases are a result of the realization that asbestos can cause illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer. These companies were aware of the dangers of the hazardous mineral, but did not inform their employees and customers.

The New York City area is particularly prone to asbestos-related diseases due to its old structures and numerous construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic place that continues to have an impact on the community around it.

Many workers were exposed asbestos in the workplace. However, some people are diagnosed with mesothelioma attorney [head to the Stairways site] after experiencing an exposure secondarily to the harmful substances. This includes spouses who wear their husband's clothing to work and come into contact with asbestos dust on a regular basis.

Litigation involving mesothelioma is expensive for defendants. This is particularly the case if they were wrongly named as defendants. A study indicates that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could rise. This niche litigation is often fueled by specialized asbestos law firms that advertise on daytime TV and entice 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 policies are in a lapse or that they only have to pay only a small percentage of the amount claimed. New York law does not have a clear rule on how to distribute the liability if the alleged exposure is within and part outside of the insurance policies.

Asbestos-related Diseases

A myriad of asbestos-related diseases can develop because of exposure to the mineral that causes cancer. The most serious of these is mesothelioma. Mesothelioma has caused the death of many people. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer and asbestosis. Pleural plaques and effusion are also asbestos-related.

Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal disease 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 pleura). Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause scarring in the lungs, known as asbestosis. It can also lead to thickened pleura patches (pleural plaques) or an increase in fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis may reduce lung capacity as measured by a breath test. They can also cause pain and discomfort in breathing, but they don't cause cancer or mesothelioma.

The symptoms of asbestos-related diseases typically do not manifest until decades after initial exposure. It can take up to 50 years for asbestos fibers inhaled to cause lung damage. People who are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other asbestos-related ailments include those who handled, cleaned and removed asbestos-containing products from the workplace and their spouses and children of those who were exposed to asbestos.

In addition to mesothelioma lawsuit other asbestos-related illnesses include laryngeal cancer, lung cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma and ovarian mesothelioma. Ovarian cancer is among the most deadly mesothelioma type for women however, it is much less common than mesothelioma general. It is diagnosed later than other mesothelioma types, because it develops in the linings of the reproductive organs. The symptoms can be similar to other illnesses.

Many companies employed asbestos during the 20th century. They were aware that it was dangerous. When they failed to remove it from their products, thousands of people were exposed. These people can now sue for financial compensation. Many of the asbestos-related manufacturers have declared bankruptcy. The victims are now able to seek compensation from the trust funds created by bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

For decades, asbestos-related companies put profits above the security of their employees and consumers by producing dangerous products, without warning of the dangers. They are now facing the consequences of their carelessness. People who have suffered from asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and full settlement.

Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals get the justice they deserve. With more than 25 years of experience, we have secured millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. Our New York mesothelioma attorneys work to hold large corporations accountable and to secure maximum compensation for clients.

Many states have created special asbestos courts, where claims can be filed more efficiently. Judges have also established specialized procedures to evaluate and resolve such cases.

New York, a state which has its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL) is one of the states. As asbestos victims continue to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants who have been bankrupt and have been unable to pay, the workload of this court has been steadily increasing. The New York Supreme Court created a special judicial board to oversee NYCAL in order to prevent the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.

A panel of six Supreme Court judges will review every case in NYCAL to decide whether to accept or reject it. Judges will also consider the merits of each case to determine the amount a plaintiff should receive.

At present, the panel is looking into more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected issue its final decision by the end this year.

New York asbestos lawsuits can be complicated and can involve several defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience in the litigation of these difficult cases. They are familiar with the asbestos courts of New York, including their rules, regulations and policies in addition to other jurisdictions where they have handled multi-district litigation.

The firm has also extensive experience as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in complex, multidistrict litigation. In this capacity, lawyers develop strategies, oversee local and regional counsel, and ensure that they are able to provide consistent and efficient defenses for clients. They have collaborated 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 Tulsa asbestos lawyer will determine what strategy is best to defend the client in an injury claim that involves asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises manufacturers, suppliers and contractors, distributors and property owners on issues involving mesothelioma lawsuit claims, lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm works with clients to develop internal programs to address potential safety and liability concerns.

In addition to its asbestos practice across the nation, Bowles Rice serves as national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this capacity, Bowles Rice develops litigation strategies and oversees regional and local counsel to ensure a consistent and cost-effective defense in accordance with the client's objectives. It also plays a significant role in the administration and management of asbestos dockets, as well as negotiations with plaintiffs' attorneys and in coordinating discovery for its client.

The firm's lawyers have extensive trial and appellate experience, defending clients against claims by injured claimants, which includes those who are claiming mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are familiar with the intricate scientific issues involved in these cases, as and particular legal issues that arise when representing companies in federal and state courts across the United States.

Catherine has defended numerous manufacturers in asbestos and products liability personal injury cases, representing them as lead trial counsel and in consolidated trials that involved multiple claimants. She has a wealth of experience litigating asbestos-related cases before state and federal courts and before a variety of appellate and supreme court bodies.

While at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those involving respondents in the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The cases files contained SEAR forms (Short Evaluative Reports Encapsulated) which contained confidential information about claimants. The files contained medical reports and work histories, as well as a list asbestos products that plaintiffs used or worked near. Vogel was required to use an account password to access these files and could look over the SEAR forms of any case with her current employer.

The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to having extensive experience in trial and appellate work, is widely acclaimed for its ability to successfully reach settlements on behalf of its clients. In this capacity, the firm works closely with lawyers representing plaintiffs in the development and execution of settlement agreements. It also has a vast experience in defending companies against appeals.