An Asbestos Defense Attorney Can Help Protect the Financial Security of Those Harmed by Exposure to This Harmful Mineral
A defense attorney for asbestos can assist those who's financial security has been affected by exposure to the toxic mineral. Compensation could cover medical expenses funeral and burial costs, loss of quality of life, as well as suffering and pain.
Our attorneys serve as national, regional and local counsel in large toxic tort litigation. We are well-versed in the unique issues and complex scientific aspects that are associated with asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos fibers are deadly and can cause severe medical conditions such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney is experienced in handling lawsuits seeking the financial compensation of those affected by asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be extremely complex and it is crucial to have a reputable mesothelioma law firm on your side.
New York has a long history of asbestos litigation and many residents have been exposed to this hazardous material. In recent years, there are more lawsuits filed against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases are a result of the realization that asbestos is linked to diseases such as
mesothelioma attorney and lung cancer. These companies were aware of the dangers that asbestos posed, but failed to warn employees and consumers.
The New York City area is particularly susceptible to asbestos-related ailments due to its old structures and numerous construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic location that continues to have an impact on the community surrounding it.
Many workers were exposed to asbestos in their work environments. Exposure to asbestos from the outside can lead to mesothelioma. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposure workers who had their husbands' work clothes and came in contact with asbestos dust regularly.
The mesothelioma lawsuit can be costly for defendants, especially when they are incorrectly named as a defendant. According to an investigation, more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed in New York courts since 2014 and the number is expected to increase further. This type of litigation is typically fueled by specialized asbestos law firms that promote on daytime television and encourage victims to file claims with the promise of substantial settlements.
The defendants might be able to reduce the cost of these cases by arguing their policy periods are expired or that they are only responsible only for a small proportion of the amount claimed. However, New York law has not provided a definitive rule on how to allocate liability when the alleged exposure occurs in and out of the policy period of the insurer.
Asbestos-Related Illnesses
Exposure to asbestos can trigger various diseases. The
mesothelioma lawsuits disease is the most severe. Many have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques, and the pleural effusion.
Mesothelioma, a rare, but fatal illness is caused by asbestos fibers that accumulate in the lungs. They then irritate the linings of the ribcage (the Pleura) as well as the chest cavity and abdominal cavity. The inhalation of these small fibers can cause scarring of the lungs called asbestosis, and sometimes the formation of thickened patches on the pleura, known as pleural plaques or the more widespread fibrosis of the pleura called diffused pleural fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrosis reduce lung capacity as determined by breathing tests. They can also cause pain and difficulty in breathing, but they are not the cause of cancer or mesothelioma.
The symptoms of asbestos-related diseases typically don't manifest until decades after exposure. This is because it can take between 20 to 50 years for exposure to asbestos fibers to damage the lungs. People at risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related conditions include workers who handled, cleaned and removed asbestos-containing materials from the workplace, as well as spouses and children of those exposed to asbestos.
Other asbestos-related diseases apart from
mesothelioma lawyer, include laryngeal cancer and lung cancer as well as peritoneal, ovarian and peritoneal cancer. The most dangerous form of
mesothelioma lawyer is ovarian cancer, however it is less prevalent 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 tissues of the reproductive organs, and symptoms can be similar to symptoms of other illnesses.
Several companies used asbestos during the 20th century. They knew it was hazardous. When they failed to remove asbestos from their products thousands of people were exposed. They can now seek financial compensation. Many of the asbestos-related manufacturers have declared 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-related 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 paying for their negligence. People who have suffered from asbestos-related illnesses such as mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and full settlement.
Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals get the justice they deserve. Our lawyers have over 25 years of experience and have assisted our clients to receive millions of dollars in compensation. Our New York
mesothelioma lawyers work to hold large corporations responsible accountable and to secure 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 established specific procedures to evaluate and resolve asbestos cases.
New York is one such state, with its own asbestos court, known as NYCAL. The caseload in this specialty court has grown steadily, as increasing numbers of asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent former asbestos defendants who have become bankrupt. To ensure that the justice system is not overloaded, the New York Supreme Court has ordered the creation of an extra judicial panel to supervise NYCAL.
A panel comprised of six Supreme Court judges will review each case in NYCAL to determine whether to accept or reject it. Judges will also evaluate the merits of each claim to determine the amount a plaintiff should be awarded.
At present, the panel is looking into more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to make a final decision by the end of this year.
New York asbestos lawsuits are often complex and involve allegations of multiple defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience in the litigation of these complicated cases. They are knowledgeable of the rules, regulations, and policies of the asbestos courts in New York, as well as the laws of other jurisdictions in which they have handled multidistrict litigation.
The firm has also extensive experience as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in multidistrict litigation that is complex and complex. In this capacity, lawyers create strategies, coordinate and oversee local and regional counsel, and ensure consistent and cost-effective defenses for every client. They have collaborated closely with coordinating and trial judges and litigation special masters in various jurisdictions where they were involved in asbestos litigation.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A skilled Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best approach to defend a client in an asbestos-related personal injury claim. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels suppliers, manufacturers contractors, distributors, contractors, and property owners in cases involving claims for mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm collaborates with clients on developing internal programs to identify and deal with potential liability and safety issues.
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 the firm formulates strategies for litigation, oversees regional and local counsel, and achieves consistent and cost-effective defense in coordination with client objectives. It also plays a significant role in the administration and management of asbestos dockets aswell as negotiations with plaintiffs' attorneys and in coordinating discovery for its clients.
The firm's attorneys have extensive trial and appellate experience defending clients from claims brought by injured claimants, such as those who claim mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense lawyers are acquainted with the complex scientific issues involved in these cases as in addition to particular legal issues that arise when defending businesses before federal and state courts across the United States.
Catherine has represented numerous manufacturers as lead trial counsel in asbestos and product liability personal injury lawsuits, and in cases that have been consolidated involving multiple plaintiffs. She has substantial experience litigating asbestos-related cases before federal and state courts and before various supreme and appellate court bodies.
During her tenure at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos cases for respondents, including the Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The case files contained SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports) that contained confidential information about the claimants, such as medical reports, work history and a list of asbestos products that plaintiffs worked with or around. Vogel was required to use access to these files, and she could also 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. In this capacity, the company collaborates closely with the lawyers of plaintiffs in the preparation and execution of settlement agreements, and it has a vast experience in defending companies against appeals.