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 can assist those whose financial security has been affected by exposure to the toxic mineral. Compensation can cover medical costs funeral and burial costs, pain and suffering, and lost quality of life.
Our lawyers are local, regional and national counsel in massive toxic tort litigation. This means that we are well-versed in the unique issues and the complex scientific aspects that are associated with asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos is a dangerous fiber that can trigger numerous serious medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is adept at handling asbestos lawsuits which seek financial compensation for the victims and their families due to exposure to this harmful substance. These cases can be extremely complex and it is crucial to have an experienced mesothelioma law firm by 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 asbestos producers in the past than ever before. These cases arise out of the realization that asbestos can cause illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer. These companies knew of the dangers associated with this asbestos-containing mineral, yet they didn't warn their employees and consumers.
New York City is especially susceptible to illnesses caused by asbestos due to its old structures and many construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic site that continues to impact on the community surrounding it.
Many workers were exposed asbestos in the workplace. Secondhand exposure can also result in mesothelioma lawyer. This is especially true for spouses who wear husband's clothing to work and come into contact with asbestos dust on a regular basis.
The mesothelioma attorney (this) lawsuit can be costly for defendants. This is especially true if they have been wrongly identified as defendants. A study indicates that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could grow. This type of litigation is typically driven by asbestos law firms that promote on television during the day and encourage victims to file claims, with the promise of substantial settlements.
The defendants may be able lower some of the expenses arising from these cases by argument that their policy terms have expired or they're only responsible for a tiny percentage of the value of the claim. However, New York law has not established a clear rule regarding how to allocate liabilities when the alleged exposure occurs partly in and out of the insurance company's policy.
Asbestos-Related Diseases
A variety of asbestos-related diseases can develop due to exposure to the mineral that causes cancer. The most serious condition is mesothelioma. Mesothelioma has caused the death of many people. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques and the pleural effusion.
mesothelioma lawsuit is a rare but fatal illness, is caused by asbestos fibers that are found in the lungs. They then irritate the linings of the ribcage (the the pleura), chest cavity, and abdominal cavity. Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause scarring in the lungs. This is known as asbestosis. It can also cause thickened patches of pleura (pleural plaques) or an increase in fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis could decrease lung capacity, as determined by a breathing test. They can also cause pain and discomfort in breathing, but they don't cause cancer or mesothelioma.
Often, symptoms of asbestos-related diseases don't manifest until decades after initial exposure. It could take up to 50 years for asbestos fibers inhaled to cause lung damage. People who are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other asbestos-related ailments include those who handled, laundered and removed asbestos-containing products from the workplace and their spouses and children of those who were exposed to asbestos.
Other asbestos-related diseases in addition to mesothelioma include lung cancer and laryngeal carcinoma, peritoneal, ovarian, and peritoneal cancer. The most deadly mesothelioma type is ovarian cancer, but it's less common than the general mesothelioma. It is usually diagnosed later than other kinds of mesothelioma because it develops in the tissue of the reproductive organs and symptoms can be similar to symptoms of other diseases.
A number of companies employed asbestos in the 20th century, but they knew that it was dangerous. When they failed to remove asbestos from their products thousands of people were exposed. Now, these people are able to claim financial compensation. Many asbestos-related manufacturers are bankrupt. The victims can now seek compensation from the trust funds established by bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
For decades, asbestos-related companies put profits above the safety of their employees as well as consumers, manufacturing hazardous products, without warning of the dangers. They are now confronting the consequences of their negligence. People who have suffered from life-altering issues caused by mesothelioma and lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses are seeking full and fair 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 in compensation. Our New York mesothelioma attorneys work to hold corporations accountable and seek 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. Judges have also developed special procedures to review and resolve these cases.
New York, a state which has its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL), is one of them. The caseload in this specialty court has grown steadily, as increasing numbers of asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants who have become bankrupt. To ensure that the justice system does not get overwhelmed, the New York Supreme Court has ordered the creation of an additional judicial panel that will supervise NYCAL.
A panel of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine if it is accepted or rejected. Judges will also assess the merits of each case to determine the amount the plaintiff is entitled to.
The panel is currently examining more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected make a final decision before the end of the year.
New York asbestos lawsuits can be complex and involve several defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience with the litigation of these complex matters. They are well-versed in the rules, regulations, and policies of the asbestos courts in New York, as well as the laws of other jurisdictions where they have handled multidistrict litigation.
The firm also has vast experience as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in complex, multidistrict litigation. In this capacity, lawyers create strategies, coordinate and oversee local and regional counsel, and ensure consistent and cost-effective defenses for each client. They have worked closely with trial and coordination judges and litigation special masters in the various jurisdictions where they have been involved in asbestos litigation.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A skilled Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best strategy to defend a client from a claim for personal injury resulting from asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises manufacturers, suppliers and contractors, distributors, and owners of premises on matters concerning mesothelioma-related claims, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm collaborates with clients in the development of internal programs to identify and deal with potential liability and safety issues.
In addition to its asbestos practice across the nation, Bowles Rice serves as the national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this role the firm formulates litigation strategies, manages regional and local counsel, and ensures a consistent and cost-effective defense that is in sync with the client's goals. In addition, it plays a key role in the management of asbestos dockets and negotiations with counsel for plaintiffs and leads discovery for its clients.
The firm's lawyers have extensive trial and appellate experience in defending clients from claims brought by injured claimants, which includes those who claim mesothelioma lawyer and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are familiar with the intricate scientific issues involved in these cases as well as unique legal issues that arise while defending businesses before federal and state courts across the United States.
Catherine has represented a variety of manufacturers in asbestos and products liability personal injury cases, representing them as the lead trial counsel in consolidated trials involving a variety of claimants. She has extensive experience litigating asbestos-related lawsuits before federal and state courts, as well as a variety of appellate and Supreme Court bodies.
While at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those of respondents in the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The cases files contained SEAR forms (Short Evaluative reports that are encapsulated), which contained confidential information about plaintiffs. This included medical reports and work histories, as well as the list of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs worked with or near. Vogel was required to have an account password to access the files and was able to review the SEAR forms of any case at 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. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs’ lawyers to draft and implement settlement agreements. The firm also has extensive experience in defending businesses from appeals.