An Asbestos Defense Attorney Can Help Protect the Financial Security of Those Harmed by Exposure to This Harmful Mineral
An asbestos defense lawyer can assist in ensuring the financial security of those who have been injured by exposure to this harmful mineral. Compensation could cover medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, lost quality of life, as well as pain and suffering.
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 unique issues and complex science associated with asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos is a deadly fiber that can cause a variety of severe medical conditions, such as mesothelioma lawsuit. A New York asbestos attorney is experienced in handling lawsuits to seek the financial compensation of those affected by asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be complex and it's crucial to have a mesothelioma lawyer on your side.
New York has had a long history of asbestos litigation and many residents were exposed to this hazardous material. In recent years, there have been more lawsuits against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases arise out of the realization that asbestos is linked to illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer. These companies knew of the dangers associated with this asbestos-containing mineral, yet they did not inform their employees and customers.
New York City is especially vulnerable to illnesses caused by asbestos because of its old structures and construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic location that continues to have an impact on the community surrounding it.
Mesothelioma is triggered by exposure to asbestos in direct contact and many workers were exposed to it in the workplace. Secondhand exposure can also cause mesothelioma. This includes spouses who wear their husband's clothes at work and come in contact with asbestos dust regularly.
Mesothelioma-related litigation can be expensive for defendants. This is especially the case if they were wrongly named as defendants. A study shows that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could grow. Specialized asbestos law firms typically advertise on daytime TV and encourage victims to submit claims under the premise that they will receive substantial settlements.
The defendants could be able to reduce some of the costs of these cases by arguing their policy periods are overdue or that they only have to pay a small portion of the amount claimed. However, New York law has not established a clear rule on how to divide liabilities when the alleged exposure occurs outside of the insurance company's policy.
Asbestos-related diseases
Exposure to asbestos can lead to many different diseases. The mesothelioma lawyers condition is the most serious. Mesothelioma has caused the death of many people. Other asbestos-related diseases include asbestosis and lung cancer. Pleural plaques and effusion are also asbestos-related.
Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal illness caused by exposure to asbestos fibers that collect in the lungs and irritate the lining of the chest cavity, ribcage and abdominal cavity (the pleura). Inhaling these tiny fibers can cause scarring of the lungs called asbestosis, and, sometimes, the formation of thickened patches on the pleura called pleural plaques or an enlargement of fibrosis in the pleura called diffused pleural fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrosis reduce lung capacity, as measured by breathing tests. They can also cause pain and difficulties in breathing, but they don't cause mesothelioma or cancer.
The majority of the time, signs of asbestos-related diseases do not manifest until decades after initial exposure. This is because it can take between 20 and 50 years for the inhalation of asbestos fibers to cause lung damage. The people at risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related conditions include workers who handled, cleaned and removed asbestos-containing products from the workplace and their spouses and children of those who were exposed to asbestos.
In addition to mesothelioma, other asbestos-related diseases include laryngeal cancer, lung cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma, and mesothelioma of the ovary. Ovarian cancer is the most fatal mesothelioma type for women, but it is less common than mesothelioma lawsuit general. It is often diagnosed later than other kinds of mesothelioma due to the fact that it is a cancer that develops in the tissues of the reproductive organs and the symptoms may be similar to those of other illnesses.
Several companies used asbestos during the 20th century. They were aware that it was hazardous. When they failed to remove asbestos from their products, thousands of people were exposed. Now, these people have the right to seek financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are insolvent. The victims can now seek compensation from trust funds set up by 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 dangers. They are now paying the price for their carelessness. People who have suffered from asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and complete compensation.
The attorneys at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to assisting families and individuals obtain the justice they deserve. With more than 25 years of experience in the field, we have secured a million of dollars in compensation for our clients. Our New York mesothelioma attorneys work to hold corporations accountable and seek the maximum amount of compensation for our clients.
Many states have established special asbestos courts, where claims can be filed more efficiently. In addition judges have developed specialized procedures for evaluating and resolving such cases.
New York, a state which has its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL) is one of the states. The number of cases filed in this court has grown steadily, as asbestos victims are becoming more and more likely to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants who have gone bankrupt. The New York Supreme Court created an extra judicial board to oversee NYCAL to stop the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.
A panel comprised of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine if it is accepted or not. Judges will also evaluate the merits of each claim to determine how much the plaintiff is entitled to.
At present, the panel is reviewing more than 3,500 lawsuits. The panel is expected issue its final ruling at the end of this year.
New York asbestos lawsuits can be complicated and involve several defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience with the litigation of these complex cases. They are familiar with the rules regulations, rules, 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 in serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients throughout the nation in complex, multi-district litigation. 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 in the past 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 strategy to defend a client from an asbestos personal injury claim. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels product manufacturers, suppliers contractors, distributors, contractors and owners of premises in matters involving claims of mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm also works with clients to develop internal programs for identifying and addressing potential safety and liability issues.
Bowles Rice in addition to its asbestos practice in the national level and multi-state asbestos litigation is also the national Coordinating counsel. In this role Bowles Rice devises litigation strategies and manages regional and local counsel to achieve a consistent and cost-effective defense that is in line with the client's goals. It also plays an important part in the administration and management of asbestos dockets, as well as negotiations with plaintiffs' attorneys and coordinating discovery for its client.
The attorneys of the firm have extensive trial and appellate experience in defending clients from claims brought by injured claimants, including those who claim mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are acquainted with the complex science that is associated with these cases, as well as the unique legal issues that arise when representing companies before federal and state courts across the United States.
Catherine has represented numerous companies in asbestos and products liability personal injury cases, representing them as the lead trial counsel in consolidated trials involving a variety of plaintiffs. She has a wealth of experience litigating asbestos-related lawsuits in the state and federal courts, as well as various Supreme Court and appellate courts.
While at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos cases for respondents, including the Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The case files contained SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports) that contained confidential information about plaintiffs, 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 with 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 recognized nationally for its ability to negotiate settlements on behalf of its clients. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs' lawyers to create and implement settlement agreements. It also has a wealth of experience in defending businesses against appeals.