The Top Reasons Why People Succeed On The Asbestos Defense Attorney Industry
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 help protect those whose financial security has been affected due to exposure to the hazardous mineral. Compensation can cover medical expenses, funeral and burial expenses as well as pain and suffering and lost quality of life.
Our lawyers serve as national, regional and local counsel in large toxic tort litigation. As such, we are familiar with the unique issues and complicated science associated with asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos fibers are dangerous and can trigger serious medical conditions, such as mesothelioma lawsuits. A New York asbestos lawyer is skilled in dealing with asbestos lawsuits, which seek compensation for victims and their families due to exposure to this harmful substance. These cases can be complex and it's crucial to have a mesothelioma lawyer to assist you.
New York has had a long history with asbestos litigation, and many residents were exposed to the dangerous material. In recent times, there have been more claims against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases arise out of the realization that asbestos is linked to illnesses such as mesothelioma or lung cancer. The companies were aware of the dangers associated with this dangerous mineral, but they did not warn their employees and clients.
The New York City area is particularly prone to asbestos-related diseases because of its older structures and the numerous construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously hazardous area that continues to impact the surrounding community.
Mesothelioma is triggered by exposure to asbestos in direct contact and a lot of workers were exposed at work. However, people also get diagnosed with mesothelioma following 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 on a regular basis.
Litigation involving mesothelioma is expensive for defendants. This is especially relevant if they've been 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 increase. This type of litigation is typically fueled by specialized asbestos law firms that advertise on television during the day and encourage victims to file claims with the promise of huge settlements.
The defendants may be able reduce the cost of these cases by arguing that their policy periods are overdue or that they are only responsible for only for a small proportion of the claim value. New York law does not have a specific rule for how to divide responsibility when the alleged risk is within and part outside of the insurer's policies.
Asbestos-Related Illnesses
Exposure to asbestos can lead to a wide range of ailments. The most severe condition is mesothelioma. Many people have died due to mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer asbestosis, pleural plaques, and pleural effusion.
Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal disease caused by exposure to asbestos fibers that accumulate in the lungs and cause irritation to the lining of the chest cavity, ribcage, and abdominal cavity (the Pleura). Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause scarring in the lungs, known as asbestosis. It can also result in thickened pleura patches (pleural plaques) or an increase in fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis could reduce lung capacity as determined by a breathing test. They can also cause breathing problems and pain but they don't cause mesothelioma or cancer.
Often, symptoms of asbestos-related diseases do not manifest until decades after initial 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 or any other asbestos-related diseases include those who handled, cleaned and removed asbestos-containing products from the workplace, as well as spouses and children of those exposed to asbestos.
In addition to mesothelioma other asbestos-related diseases include laryngeal cancer, lung cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma, and ovarian mesothelioma lawsuits. The most deadly form of mesothelioma is ovarian cancer, however it is less prevalent than mesothelioma in general. It is typically diagnosed later than other forms of mesothelioma because it is a cancer that develops in the lining of the reproductive organs and the symptoms can be similar to those of other diseases.
Many companies employed asbestos during the 20th century. They knew it was dangerous. When they failed to remove asbestos from their products, thousands of people were exposed. They can now seek financial compensation. Many asbestos-related manufacturers are bankrupt. As a result, the victims can seek the money 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 and consumers by producing dangerous products without warning of the dangers. These companies are now paying for their negligence. People whose lives have been disrupted by mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases are seeking fair and full settlement.
The attorneys at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to helping individuals and families receive the justice they need. Our lawyers have over 25 years of experience and have assisted our clients to receive millions of dollars of compensation. Our New York mesothelioma attorneys work to hold large corporations accountable and obtain the highest amount of compensation for their clients.
Many states have set up special asbestos courts in which claims can be filed and resolving more efficiently. Judges have also developed special procedures to review and resolve asbestos-related cases.
New York, a state with its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL) is one of the states. As asbestos victims continue to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants that have gone bankrupt the number of cases that have come through the court has been steadily increasing. The New York Supreme Court created an extra judicial board to supervise NYCAL in order to keep the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.
A panel comprised of six Supreme Court judges will review every case filed in NYCAL to decide whether to accept or reject it. Judges will also evaluate the merits of each claim to determine the amount of money each plaintiff should receive.
The panel is currently looking at more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to announce its final decision by the end of the year.
New York asbestos lawsuits can be complex and involve multiple defendants. Belluck and Fox's lawyers have vast experience in the litigation of these difficult issues. They are well-versed in the asbestos courts in New York and their rules regulations, policies and guidelines, as well as other jurisdictions where they have handled multi-district litigation.
The firm also has vast experience as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in multidistrict litigation that is complex and complex. In this role, lawyers develop strategies, oversee local and regional counsel, and ensure that they are able to provide consistent and effective defenses for clients. They have worked closely with trial judges, coordinating judges, and special masters of litigation from different jurisdictions.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will decide which strategy is the best way to defend the client against an injury claim that involves asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises manufacturers, suppliers and distributors, contractors, and property owners on issues that involve mesothelioma claims, 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.
In addition to its national asbestos practice, Bowles Rice serves as the national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this capacity, the firm develops strategies for litigation, oversees regional and local counsel and provides a cost-effective and consistent defense, in line with client goals. It also plays a significant part in the administration and management of asbestos dockets, as well as negotiations with plaintiffs' lawyers and leading discovery for its client.
The firm's attorneys are experienced in defending clients against mesothelioma claims and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are familiar with the complex science that is associated with these cases, as well as the unique legal issues that arise when representing companies in federal and state courts across the United States.
Catherine has represented numerous manufacturers as the lead counsel in asbestos and product liability personal injury lawsuits, and in consolidated cases that involve multiple claimants. She has extensive experience in litigating asbestos-related cases before federal and state 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 case files contained SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports), which contained confidential information about the plaintiffs, including medical reports, a history of work and the list of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs worked with or around. Vogel was required to have an account password to access the files. She could then look over any SEAR forms from her current employer.
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 firm collaborates closely with plaintiffs' lawyers in the development and execution of settlement agreements, and it has extensive experience defending companies against appeals.