An Asbestos Defense Attorney Can Help Protect the Financial Security of Those Harmed by Exposure to This Harmful Mineral
A lawyer for asbestos defense can assist those who's financial security was affected due to exposure to the hazardous mineral. Compensation could cover medical expenses funeral and burial costs, lost quality of life, as well as suffering and pain.
Our lawyers are involved in the mass litigation of toxic torts on a national, regional and local level. As such, we are familiar with the specific issues and the complex science that go along asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos is a deadly fiber that can cause a variety of severe medical conditions, including 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 therefore it is essential 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 lawsuits against former asbestos manufacturers than ever before. These cases stem from the recognition of a link between asbestos and diseases like mesothelioma lawsuit, lung cancer and asbestosis. These companies were aware of asbestos's dangers but did not take the time to warn employees and consumers.
New York City is especially vulnerable to illnesses caused by asbestos because of its old structures and construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously hazardous area that continues to affect the surrounding community.
Many workers were exposed to asbestos in the workplace. Secondhand exposure can also lead to mesothelioma. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposure workers who wore their husband's work clothes and came in contact with asbestos dust on a regular basis.
Mesothelioma-related litigation can be 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 rise. This kind of litigation is usually supported by asbestos law firms, which advertise on television during the day and encourage victims to file claims with the promise of substantial settlements.
The defendants may be able mitigate some of the costs associated with these cases by arguing that their policy periods have expired or they are only responsible for a tiny portion of the amount of the claim. New York law does not have a clear rule on how to divide responsibility when the alleged risk is of the insurance policies.
Asbestos-related Diseases
A myriad of asbestos-related diseases can develop because of exposure to the mineral that causes cancer. The most serious of these is mesothelioma. Mesothelioma has led to the deaths of many people. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer asbestosis, pleural plaques, and pleural effusion.
Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal disease that is caused by asbestos fibers which accumulate in the lungs. They then cause irritation to the linings of the ribcage (the Pleura) as well as the chest cavity and abdominal cavity. Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause scarring in the lungs, known as asbestosis. It can also cause thickened patches of pleura (pleural plaques) or an increase in fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis may decrease lung capacity, as measured by breathing test. They also cause discomfort and breathing difficulties however they do not lead to cancer or mesothelioma attorneys.
The signs of asbestos-related illness typically do not manifest until decades after exposure. It could take up to 50 years for asbestos-related fibers to be inhaled to cause lung damage. People at risk of developing mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related conditions include workers who handled, cleaned and removed asbestos-containing materials from their workplaces and their spouses and children of those who were exposed to asbestos.
Other asbestos-related diseases apart from mesothelioma, include laryngeal cancer and lung cancer as well as peritoneal, ovarian and peritoneal cancer. Ovarian cancer is the deadliest mesothelioma that women suffer from however it is much less common than mesothelioma general. It is often diagnosed later than other types of mesothelioma because it is a cancer that develops in the tissue of the reproductive organs and the symptoms can be similar to symptoms of other illnesses.
A number of companies used asbestos in the 20th century. They were aware that it was hazardous. When they failed to remove asbestos from their products thousands of people were exposed. They can now sue for financial compensation. Many asbestos-related manufacturers are bankrupt. The victims are now able to seek compensation from the trust funds set up by bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
Asbestos-related companies have put profit before the safety of their employees and their customers for decades, producing hazardous products without warning of the dangers. These companies are now confronting the consequences of their negligence. Victims of asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and complete settlement.
Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals receive the justice they deserve. With more than 25 years of experience, we have secured millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. Our New York mesothelioma attorneys work to hold large corporations accountable and seek the highest amount of compensation for their clients.
A number of states have established special asbestos courts where claims can be filed and resolved more efficiently. Judges have also established specific procedures to assess and resolve asbestos-related 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 been bankrupt the number of cases that have come through the court has been steadily increasing. In order to ensure that the justice system does not get overloaded and overwhelmed, the New York Supreme Court has ordered the creation of a special judicial panel to supervise NYCAL.
A panel of six Supreme Court judges will review every case in NYCAL to determine whether to accept or reject it. Judges will also consider the merits of each claim to determine how much a plaintiff should be awarded.
At present, the panel is reviewing more than 3,500 lawsuits. The panel is expected issue its final ruling by the end of this year.
New York asbestos lawsuits are typically complex and often involve multiple defendants. Belluck and Fox's lawyers have a wealth of experience in litigating these complex matters. They are familiar with New York's asbestos courts as well as their rules regulations, policies and guidelines, as well as other jurisdictions where they have handled multi-district litigation.
The firm also has extensive experience serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients across the country in multi-district, complex litigation. In this capacity lawyers devise strategies, manage regional and local counsel, and ensure that they are able to provide consistent and efficient 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 Tulsa asbestos lawyer will determine which strategy is most effective to defend the client from an injury claim that involves asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, contractors, and property owners on issues concerning mesothelioma lawsuit-related claims, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm works with clients on developing internal programs to identify and deal with potential liability and safety issues.
In addition to its asbestos practice in the national level, Bowles Rice serves as national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this role Bowles Rice formulates strategies for litigation and supervises regional and local counsel to ensure a uniform and cost-effective defense in accordance with the client's needs. It also plays a major role in the administration and management of asbestos dockets aswell as negotiations with plaintiffs' lawyers and leading discovery for its clients.
The firm's lawyers have experience in defending clients against claims of mesothelioma lawyers and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are familiar with the complex science that is associated with these cases, and the particular legal issues that arise when defending businesses before federal and state courts across the United States.
Catherine has represented numerous manufacturers in asbestos and product liability personal injury cases, acting as the lead counsel in consolidated trials that involved multiple plaintiffs. She has a wealth of experience litigating asbestos-related cases in state and federal courts as well as before various supreme and appellate courts.
While at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those for respondents in the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files contained SEAR forms (Short Evaluative reports that are encapsulated), which contained confidential information about plaintiffs. This included medical reports as well as work histories and an inventory of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs used or worked near. Vogel was required to use access to the files and was able to look over the SEAR forms of any case she had with her current employer.
In addition to its extensive trial and appellate experience in addition to its extensive 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 develop and execute settlement agreements. It also has extensive experience defending businesses against appeals.