An Asbestos Defense Attorney Can Help Protect the Financial Security of Those Harmed by Exposure to This Harmful Mineral
An asbestos defense attorney can help protect the financial security of those affected by exposure to this harmful mineral. Compensation could cover medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, loss of quality of life, and pain and suffering.
Our lawyers serve as local, regional, and national counsel in massive 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 cause severe medical conditions like mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney is experienced in handling lawsuits to seek financial compensation for victims of asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be complicated and it's crucial to have a mesothelioma attorney 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 lawsuits filed against asbestos producers in the past than ever before. These cases result from the recognition of a link between asbestos and certain diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. These companies were aware of the dangers associated with this dangerous mineral, but they failed to warn their employees and consumers.
New York City is especially susceptible to illnesses caused by asbestos because of its old structures and many construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic location that continues to have an impact on the surrounding community.
Many workers were exposed to asbestos in their work environments. Secondhand exposure can also result in mesothelioma. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposed workers who had their husbands' work clothes and came into contact with asbestos dust on a regular basis.
The mesothelioma lawsuit is costly for defendants, particularly when they are incorrectly named as a defendant. A study has revealed that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could increase. The asbestos law firms that specialize in asbestos often advertise on television during the day and encourage victims to file claims under the premise that they will receive significant settlements.
The defendants may be able reduce some of the costs arising from these cases by asserting that their policy periods have expired or they are only responsible for a tiny percentage of the amount of the claim. New York law does not provide a definitive rule on how to distribute liability when the alleged exposure is within and part outside of the insurer's policies.
Asbestos-related Diseases
Exposure to asbestos can cause many different ailments. The most severe condition is mesothelioma. Many have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related illnesses include asbestosis and lung cancer. Pleural plaques and effusion are also asbestos-related.
mesothelioma lawyer is a rare, but fatal illness that is caused by asbestos fibers which are found in the lungs. They then irritate the linings of the ribcage (the pleura), chest cavity, and abdominal cavity. The inhalation of these small fibers can cause scarring of the lungs known as asbestosis and, sometimes, the formation of thickened patches on the pleura referred to as plaques of pleura or the more widespread fibrosis of the pleura called diffused pleural fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis can reduce lung capacity as measured by a breath test. They can also cause pain and difficulties in breathing, but they don't cause mesothelioma or cancer.
The symptoms of asbestos-related diseases typically are not evident until years after the initial exposure. It can take as long as 50 years for asbestos fibers inhaled to cause lung damage. Workers who handled, cleaned and removed asbestos from their workplaces and their children, spouses and others who were exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing mesothelioma lawyers.
Other asbestos-related diseases, in addition to mesothelioma, include lung cancer and laryngeal carcinoma, peritoneal, ovarian, and peritoneal cancer. The most dangerous form of mesothelioma is called ovarian cancer, but it's less frequent than the general mesothelioma. It is diagnosed later than most other types of mesothelioma because it occurs in the linings of the reproductive organs. The symptoms may be similar to other diseases.
Many companies employed asbestos in the 20th century, but they were aware that it was dangerous. When they failed to remove asbestos from their products thousands of people were exposed. Now, those exposed have the right to claim financial compensation. Many asbestos-related manufacturers are bankrupt. As a result, the victims can seek the compensation they are entitled to from trust funds set up by the bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
For decades, asbestos-related companies have put profits ahead of the safety of their employees and consumers, manufacturing hazardous products, without warning of the dangers. They are now paying the price for their carelessness. Patients who have suffered asbestos-related illnesses such as mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and complete compensation.
Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals receive the justice they deserve. Our lawyers have over 25 years experience and have helped our clients receive millions of dollars in compensation. Our New York mesothelioma attorneys work to hold large corporations accountable and seek the maximum amount of compensation for our clients.
A number of states have set up asbestos courts with specialization, where claims can be filed more efficiently. Additionally judges have created specific procedures to evaluate and resolve asbestos cases.
New York is one such state, with its own asbestos court known as NYCAL. As asbestos victims continue to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants that have declared bankruptcy the number of cases that have come through this special court has been steadily increasing. In order to ensure that the justice system does not get overwhelmed, the New York Supreme Court has ordered the creation of a special judicial panel to oversee NYCAL.
A panel composed of six Supreme Court judges will review every case in NYCAL to determine whether or not to accept it. Judges will also consider the merits of each case to determine how much a plaintiff should receive.
The panel is currently examining more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected issue its final decision before the end of the year.
New York asbestos lawsuits can be complex 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 rules regulations, policies, and procedures of the asbestos courts in New York, as well as the laws of other jurisdictions where they have handled multidistrict litigation.
The firm has also extensive experience as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in complex, multidistrict litigation. In this capacity, attorneys create strategies, coordinate and manage regional and local counsel, and ensure consistent and cost-effective defenses for every client. They have worked closely with trial and coordination judges and special masters of litigation in the various jurisdictions where they were involved in asbestos litigation.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A skilled Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best way to defend a client in an asbestos-related personal injury claim. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels product manufacturers, suppliers contractors, distributors, contractors and owners of premises on matters involving claims of mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses. 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 role the firm formulates litigation strategies, manages local and regional counsel, and provides a cost-effective and consistent defense, in line with client objectives. In addition it plays an important role in the administration of asbestos dockets and negotiations with plaintiffs' counsel and also leads discovery for its clients.
The firm's lawyers have experience in defending clients against mesothelioma-related claims and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are acquainted with the complex science associated with these cases, and the particular legal issues that arise when defending companies in state and federal courts across the United States.
Catherine has represented numerous companies in asbestos and products liability personal injury cases, acting as the lead trial counsel in consolidated trials that involved multiple plaintiffs. She has extensive experience litigating asbestos-related lawsuits before the federal and state courts as well as various Supreme Court and appellate courts.
While at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those involving respondents of the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files contained SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports), which contained confidential information about claimants, such as medical reports, work history and an inventory of asbestos-related products that the plaintiff worked with or around. Vogel was required to use an account password to access these files, and she could also look over the SEAR forms of any case at her current employer.
The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to its vast experience in appellate and trial work, is recognized nationally for its ability to negotiate settlements for clients. In this capacity, the firm collaborates closely with lawyers representing plaintiffs in the preparation and execution of settlement agreements. Additionally, it has extensive experience in defending businesses against appeals.