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 lawsuit can help protect those whose financial security has been affected by exposure to the harmful mineral. Compensation could cover medical expenses funeral and burial costs, lost quality of life, and suffering and pain.
Our lawyers are involved in the mass litigation of toxic torts on a regional, national and local level. As such, we are familiar with the specific issues and the complex science that go along asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos is a deadly fiber that can trigger numerous serious medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York
asbestos attorney is adept at dealing with lawsuits that seek the financial compensation of those affected by asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be complicated, so it's important 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 hazardous substance. In recent years there have been more lawsuits against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases are a result of the recognition of a connection between asbestos and certain diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. The companies were aware of the dangers associated with this asbestos-containing mineral, yet they failed to inform their employees and customers.
The New York City area is particularly susceptible to asbestos-related ailments due to its older structures and numerous construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic place that continues to have an impact on the community surrounding it.
Many workers were exposed asbestos at work. However, people also get diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of an exposure secondarily to the harmful substances. This is especially true for spouses who wear husband's clothes to work and come into contact with
asbestos lawyer dust frequently.
Litigation involving mesothelioma is expensive for defendants. This is especially the case if they were incorrectly identified as defendants. According to a study, more that 3,600 lawsuits have been filed in New York courts since 2014, and the number could rise further. The asbestos law firms that specialize in asbestos often advertise on television during the day and encourage victims to submit claims under the premise that they will receive significant settlements.
Defendants might be able to mitigate some of the costs arising from these cases by asserting that their policy periods have expired or they are only responsible for a small percentage of the value of the claim. New York law does not have a specific rule for how to allocate responsibility when the alleged exposure is part of and outside the insurance policies.
Asbestos-related Illnesses
Exposure to asbestos can trigger many different diseases. The most severe condition is mesothelioma. Mesothelioma has caused the death of many people. Other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques and pleural effusion.
Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal illness caused by exposure to asbestos fibers which accumulate in the lungs and cause irritation to the lining of the chest cavity, ribcage and abdominal cavity (the pleura). The inhalation of these tiny fibers can result in scarring of the lungs, a condition known as asbestosis and sometimes the development of thickened patches on the pleura called plaques of pleura or a more widespread fibrosis of the pleura known as diffused fibrisis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis may reduce lung capacity as measured by breathing test. They also cause pain and difficulty breathing, though they do not cause mesothelioma or cancer.
Most of the time, symptoms of asbestos-related illnesses don't appear until decades after the initial exposure. It can take as long as 50 years for asbestos fibers that are inhaled to cause lung damage. Workers who handled, cleaned, and removed asbestos from their workplaces as well as children, spouses and other people who are 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 ovarian mesothelioma. The most deadly form of mesothelioma is ovarian cancer, however it is less frequent than the general mesothelioma. It is typically diagnosed later than other forms of mesothelioma because it is a cancer that develops in the tissues of the reproductive organs, and the symptoms may be similar to those of other illnesses.
There were many companies that used asbestos in the 20th century, however they were aware that it was a risk. When they did not remove asbestos from their products thousands of people were exposed. They can now claim financial compensation. Many asbestos-related manufacturers are bankrupt. This means that the victims can seek the money they are entitled to from trust funds established by the bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
For decades, asbestos-related companies have put profits ahead of the security of their employees and consumers, producing dangerous products without warning of the dangers. They are now confronting the consequences of their carelessness. People whose lives have been disrupted by mesothelioma and lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases are seeking fair and full settlement.
Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals get the justice they deserve. Our attorneys have more than 25 years experience and have helped clients receive millions of dollars of compensation. Our New York mesothelioma lawyers work to hold large corporations responsible accountable and seek maximum compensation for our clients.
A number of states have established special asbestos courts in which claims can be filed and resolving more efficiently. Additionally judges have created specialized procedures for evaluating and resolving such cases.
New York, a state that has its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL), is one of them. The number of cases in this court has been increasing steadily as increasing numbers of asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants who went bankrupt. To ensure that the justice system is not overwhelmed, the New York Supreme Court has created a special judicial panel to oversee NYCAL.
A panel of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine if it is accepted or rejected. Judges will also consider the merits of every claim to determine how much amount of money each plaintiff should receive.
The panel is currently reviewing more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to make a final decision at the end of this year.
New York asbestos lawsuits can be complicated and can involve multiple defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience with the litigation of these complex issues. They are familiar with the asbestos courts of New York and their rules, regulations and policies, as well as other jurisdictions in which they have handled multi-district litigation.
The firm has also extensive experience as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in multidistrict litigation that is complex and complex. In this role, attorneys develop strategies, coordinate and manage regional and local counsel, and ensure consistent and cost-effective defenses for every client. 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 skilled Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best way to defend a client against an asbestos-related personal injury claim. The Bowles Rice
asbestos attorneys Team advises product manufacturers, suppliers and distributors, contractors, and premises owners on matters involving mesothelioma claims, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm collaborates with clients in the development of internal programs to identify and resolve potential liability and safety issues.
In addition to its national
asbestos lawyer practice, Bowles Rice serves as the national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this role the firm designs litigation strategies, manages regional and local counsel and ensures a consistent and cost-effective defense in coordination with the client's goals. It also plays a major part in the administration and management of asbestos dockets, as well in negotiations with plaintiffs' lawyers and in coordinating discovery for its clients.
The firm's lawyers have experience in defending clients against mesothelioma-related claims and other asbestos-related illnesses. Asbestos defense lawyers are acquainted with the intricate science involved in these cases as and unique legal issues that arise while representing companies in state and federal courts throughout the United States.
Catherine has represented a variety of manufacturers as lead trial counsel in asbestos and personal injury lawsuits involving product liability and in cases that have been consolidated involving multiple claimants. She has a wealth of experience arguing asbestos-related cases in the federal and state courts and before various appellate and supreme court bodies.
During her time 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 Evaluative reports that are encapsulated) which contained confidential information about the plaintiffs. These included medical reports and work histories, as well as a list asbestos products that plaintiffs worked with or near. Vogel was required to use a password to access these files, and she could also go through the SEAR forms of any case she had with her current employer.
In addition to its extensive trial and appellate experience in addition to its extensive 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 lawyers representing plaintiffs in the creation and implementation of settlement agreements, and it has a vast experience in defending companies against appeals.