An Asbestos Defense Attorney Can Help Protect the Financial Security of Those Harmed by Exposure to This Harmful Mineral
An asbestos defense lawyer can help protect the financial security of those who have been injured by exposure to this toxic mineral. Compensation can cover medical costs, funeral and burial costs, lost quality of life, as well as suffering and pain.
Our lawyers are local, regional, and national counsel in massive toxic tort litigation. As a result, we are familiarized with the unique issues and the complex scientific aspects associated with 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 adept at handling asbestos lawsuits which seek financial compensation for victims and their families due to exposure to this toxic substance. These cases can be complicated, and it is critical to have a reputable mesothelioma lawyer on your side.
New York has a long history of asbestos litigation and many residents have been 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 such as mesothelioma or lung cancer. These companies were aware of the dangers associated with this dangerous mineral, but they didn't warn their employees and clients.
New York City is especially vulnerable to illnesses caused by asbestos due to its old structures and construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic site that continues to have an impact on the surrounding community.
Many workers were exposed to asbestos in the workplace. Exposure to asbestos from the outside can cause mesothelioma lawsuits. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposure workers who had their husbands' work clothes and came into 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 indicates that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could rise. The asbestos law firms that specialize in asbestos often advertise on daytime TV and encourage victims to submit claims under the premise that they will receive substantial settlements.
Defendants might be able to mitigate some of the expenses arising from these cases by asserting that their policy periods expire or they are only accountable for a small percentage of the total value of the claim. New York law does not have a clear rule on how to divide liability when the alleged risk is of the insurer's policies.
Asbestos-related Diseases
A myriad of asbestos-related illnesses can be triggered because of exposure to the toxic mineral. The most severe condition is mesothelioma. Many have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques, and pleural effusion.
Mesothelioma, a rare, but fatal illness, is caused by asbestos fibers which accumulate in the lung. They then irritate the linings of the ribcage (the the pleura), chest cavity, and abdominal cavity. The inhalation of these tiny fibers can cause scarring to the lungs, a condition known as asbestosis and occasionally, the formation of thickened patches on the pleura referred to as plaques of pleura or an enlargement of fibrosis in the pleura, referred to as diffused pleural fibrisis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis can decrease lung capacity, as determined by a breathing test. They can also cause breathing problems and pain but they don't cause mesothelioma or cancer.
The signs of asbestos-related illness typically do not manifest until decades after initial exposure. It could take up to 50 years for asbestos fibers inhaled to cause lung damage. Workers who handled, cleaned and removed asbestos from the workplace as well as spouses, children and others who were exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing mesothelioma attorneys.
Other asbestos-related diseases in addition to mesothelioma include laryngeal carcinoma and lung cancer, peritoneal, ovarian, and peritoneal cancer. Ovarian cancer is the most fatal form of mesothelioma for women, but it is less common than mesothelioma general. It is diagnosed later than most other types of mesothelioma, because it is found within the linings of reproductive organs. Symptoms can be similar to other illnesses.
Many companies used asbestos in the 20th century, but they knew that it was a risk. When they failed to remove asbestos from their products thousands of people were exposed. Now, these people are able to seek financial compensation. Many asbestos-related manufacturers are bankrupt. The victims can now seek compensation from the trust funds created by bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
For decades, asbestos-related companies have placed profits over the security of their employees and consumers, manufacturing hazardous products without warning of the risks. They are now facing the consequences of their negligence. Victims of asbestos-related illnesses such as mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and complete settlement.
The attorneys at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to helping individuals and families get 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 corporations accountable and obtain maximum compensation for clients.
A number of states have set up asbestos courts with specialization, where claims can be filed more efficiently. In addition judges have created specific procedures to evaluate and resolve asbestos cases.
New York, a state which has its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL) is one of the states. The number of cases in this court has increased steadily, as more and more asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants who have become bankrupt. The New York Supreme Court created an additional judicial board that will oversee NYCAL to stop the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.
A panel comprised of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine whether it should be accepted or rejected. Judges will also consider the merits of each claim to determine the amount of amount of money each plaintiff should receive.
The panel is currently reviewing more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected issue its final decision before the end this year.
New York asbestos lawsuits are typically complex and often involve allegations of multiple defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience with the litigation of these complex matters. They are knowledgeable of 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 extensive experience as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in complex, multidistrict litigation. In this role, attorneys develop strategies, coordinate and manage local and regional counsel, and ensure consistent and cost-effective defenses for each client. They have worked closely in the past with trial judges, coordination judges and special masters of litigation from different jurisdictions.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will determine what strategy is most effective to defend the client from a personal injury lawsuit involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises manufacturers, suppliers and contractors, distributors and owners of premises on matters that involve mesothelioma lawsuits claims, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm also works with clients to create internal programs for identifying and addressing 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 strategies for litigation and supervises local and region counsel to ensure a consistent and cost-effective defense in accordance with the client's objectives. 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 firm's lawyers are skilled in defending clients from claims of mesothelioma lawyer and other asbestos-related illnesses. Asbestos defense attorneys are familiar with the complex science that is associated with these cases, and the unique legal issues that arise when defending companies in state and federal courts across the United States.
Catherine has represented a variety of manufacturers as lead counsel in asbestos and personal injury lawsuits involving product liability and in cases that have been consolidated involving multiple plaintiffs. She has extensive experience in litigating asbestos-related lawsuits before the state and federal courts, as well as various Supreme Court and appellate bodies.
During her tenure at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos cases for respondents, including those at the Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The case files contained SEAR forms (Short Evaluative Reports Encapsulated) that contained confidential information about the plaintiffs. The files contained medical reports and work histories, as well as a list asbestos products that plaintiffs used or worked near. Vogel was required to have access to a password to access the files. She could then review any SEAR forms from her current employer.
The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to having extensive experience in appellate and trial work, is nationally recognized for its ability to negotiate settlements for its clients. In this capacity, the company works closely with plaintiffs' lawyers in the preparation and execution of settlement agreements, and it has extensive experience in defending businesses against appeals.