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 who's financial security was affected due to exposure to the hazardous mineral. Compensation can cover medical costs funeral and burial costs, lost quality of life, and pain and suffering.
Our lawyers are national, regional and local counsel in mass toxic tort litigation. As our lawyers are well-versed with the specific issues and the complex science that go along asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos fibers can be deadly and can trigger serious medical conditions such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is experienced in handling asbestos lawsuits which seek financial compensation for victims and their families for exposure to this harmful substance. These cases can be complicated and it is crucial to have an experienced mesothelioma lawyer on your side.
New York has a long history of asbestos litigation, and many residents have been exposed to this dangerous substance. In recent years, there have been more claims against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases result from the recognition of a connection between asbestos and diseases like mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. These companies were aware of the dangers of the dangerous mineral, but they didn't inform their employees and customers.
New York City is especially susceptible to diseases caused by asbestos because of its old structures and construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously hazardous area that continues to affect the community around it.
Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos in direct contact, and many workers were exposed to it in the workplace. However, many people are diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of an exposure secondarily to the harmful substances. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposed workers who were wearing their husband's work clothes and came into contact with asbestos dust on a regular basis.
The mesothelioma litigation is costly for defendants, particularly 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 could increase even more. This niche litigation is often driven by asbestos law firms that advertise on daytime television and encourage victims to file claims, with the promise of substantial settlements.
The defendants may be able lower some of the costs associated with these cases by arguing that their policy periods expire or they are only responsible for a small portion of the claim value. New York law does not provide a definitive rule on how to divide liability when the alleged exposure is within and part outside of the insurer's policies.
Asbestos-related diseases
Exposure to asbestos can cause a wide range of ailments. The condition known as mesothelioma is the most severe. 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, is caused by asbestos fibers which collect in the lungs. They then irritate the linings of the ribcage (the Pleura), chest cavity and abdominal cavity. Inhaling these tiny fibers can cause scarring of the lungs known as asbestosis and occasionally, the formation of thickened patches on the pleura called pleural plaques or the more widespread fibrosis of the pleura called diffused pleural fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrosis decrease lung capacity, as measured by breathing tests. They can also cause pain and difficulty breathing, though they do not cause mesothelioma or cancer.
The symptoms of asbestos-related diseases typically do not manifest until decades after the initial exposure. This is because it can take between 20 to 50 years for the inhalation of asbestos-containing fibers to damage the lungs. Workers who handled, cleaned and removed asbestos from their workplaces as well as spouses, children and other people who are exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing mesothelioma attorneys.
In addition to mesothelioma lawyer other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma and mesothelioma ovarian. Ovarian cancer is the most fatal form of mesothelioma for women however, it is much less prevalent than mesothelioma in general. It is diagnosed later than other types of mesothelioma because it develops in the linings of the reproductive organs. The symptoms may be similar to other diseases.
Many companies employed asbestos during the 20th century. They knew it was a risk. If they didn't remove asbestos from their products thousands of people were exposed. The affected people are now able to seek financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies have gone bankrupt. In the aftermath, victims can seek the compensation they are entitled to from trust funds established by the bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
For decades, asbestos companies have placed profits over the security of their employees and consumers, manufacturing hazardous products without warning of the risks. They are now paying the price for their negligence. People who have suffered from life-altering issues caused by mesothelioma, cancer of the lung and other asbestos-related diseases are seeking fair and full settlement.
Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals receive the justice they deserve. Our lawyers have more than 25 years experience and have helped clients receive millions of dollars in compensation. Our New York mesothelioma attorneys work to hold corporations accountable and to secure the maximum amount of compensation for our clients.
A number of states have established special asbestos courts where claims can be filed and resolving more efficiently. Judges have also created special procedures to review and resolve such cases.
New York, a state that 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 gone bankrupt, the caseload of the court has been steadily increasing. In order to ensure that the justice system is not overloaded and overwhelmed, the New York Supreme Court has established a special judicial panel to supervise NYCAL.
A panel composed of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine if it should be accepted or rejected. Judges will also consider the merits of each case to determine the amount a plaintiff should receive.
The panel is currently examining 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 multiple defendants. Belluck & Fox's lawyers have extensive experience in litigating these complex matters. They are familiar with the asbestos courts of New York, including their rules and regulations, as well as other jurisdictions in which they have handled multi-district litigation.
The firm also has vast experience as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients throughout the nation in complex, multi-district litigation. In this role, lawyers develop strategies, manage local and regional counsel, and ensure 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 in 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 diseases. The firm also assists clients to create internal programs to identify and addressing safety and liability concerns.
In addition to its national asbestos practice, Bowles Rice serves as the national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this role, the firm develops litigation strategies, manages regional and local counsel and achieves consistent and cost-effective defense in coordination with the client's goals. It also plays an important part in the administration and management of asbestos dockets, as well in negotiations with plaintiffs' attorneys and in coordinating discovery for its client.
The firm's lawyers are skilled in defending clients from mesothelioma claims and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense lawyers are acquainted with the intricate scientific issues involved in these cases as in addition to unique legal issues that arise when defending companies before federal and state courts across the United States.
Catherine has represented numerous manufacturers in asbestos and products liability personal injury cases, acting as the lead trial counsel in consolidated trials involving a variety of claimants. She has a wealth of experience litigating asbestos-related lawsuits before federal and state courts as well as various appellate and Supreme Court bodies.
During her time 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) that contained confidential information about the plaintiffs, such as medical reports, work history and a list of asbestos products that plaintiffs worked with or around. Vogel was required to have access to a password to access the files. She was then able to go through any SEAR forms provided by her current employer.
The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to its vast experience in trial and appellate work, is widely acclaimed for its ability to negotiate settlements for clients. In this capacity, the company collaborates closely with the lawyers of plaintiffs in the creation and implementation of settlement agreements. Additionally, it has a vast experience in defending companies against appeals.