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 harmed by exposure to this toxic mineral. Compensation can cover medical costs, funeral and burial expenses as well as pain and suffering and lost quality of life.
Our lawyers are involved in mass toxic tort litigation on a national, regional and local scale. As our lawyers are well-versed with the unique issues and complicated science associated with asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos fibers are dangerous and can cause severe medical conditions like mesothelioma lawsuit. A New York asbestos lawyer is adept at handling asbestos lawsuits that seek financial compensation for victims and their families due to exposure to this harmful substance. These cases can be extremely complex and therefore it is essential 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 dangerous material. In recent years there have been more lawsuits filed against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases arise out of the realization that asbestos is associated with diseases such as mesothelioma attorney and lung cancer. The companies were aware of asbestos's dangers, but failed to warn employees and consumers.
The New York City area is particularly susceptible to asbestos-related ailments due to its old structures and a myriad of construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously toxic area that continues impact the surrounding community.
Many workers were exposed to asbestos in the workplace. Secondhand exposure can also lead to mesothelioma. This includes spouses who wear husband's clothing to work and come into contact with asbestos dust regularly.
The mesothelioma litigation is costly for defendants, particularly if they are wrongfully named as a defendant. A study shows 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 fueled by specialized asbestos law firms, which advertise on television during the day and encourage victims to file claims, with the promise of large settlements.
Defendants might be able to lower some of the expenses arising from these cases by argument that their policy terms expire or they are only responsible for a small percentage of the value of the claim. New York law does not have a clear rule on how to allocate the liability if the alleged exposure is part within and part outside of the insurer's policies.
Asbestos-related Illnesses
A myriad of asbestos-related illnesses can be triggered because of exposure to the mineral that causes cancer. The condition known as mesothelioma is the most serious. mesothelioma lawsuits has caused the death of many people. Other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer and asbestosis. Pleural plaques and pleural effusion are also asbestos-related.
Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal disease caused by exposure to asbestos fibers that accumulate in the lungs and irritate the lining of the ribcage, chest cavity, and abdominal cavity (the Pleura). The inhalation of these tiny fibers can result in scarring of the lungs known as asbestosis and, sometimes, the formation of thickened patches on the pleura called plaques of pleura or the more widespread fibrosis of the pleura called diffused pleural fibrisis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrisis reduce lung capacity, as measured by breathing tests. They can also cause breathing problems and pain, though they do not cause mesothelioma or cancer.
The majority of the time, signs of asbestos-related illnesses don't show up until decades after the initial exposure. It can take up to 50 years for asbestos-related fibers to be inhaled to cause lung damage. The people at risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases include those who handled, laundered and removed asbestos-containing materials from the workplace and their spouses and children of asbestos-related exposure.
Other asbestos-related diseases, apart from mesothelioma lawsuits, include laryngeal cancer and lung cancer and peritoneal, ovarian and peritoneal cancer. Ovarian cancer is among the most deadly form of mesothelioma for women however it is much less common than mesothelioma general. It is diagnosed later than other types of mesothelioma, because it occurs in the linings of the reproductive organs. The symptoms can be similar to those of other illnesses.
A number of companies used asbestos in the 20th century. They were aware that it was hazardous. When they did not remove it from their products, thousands of people were exposed. The affected people are now able to sue for financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies have declared bankruptcy. In the aftermath, victims can seek the money they are entitled to from trust funds set up by the bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
Asbestos-related companies have put profit before the safety of their employees and consumers for decades making dangerous products, without warning of the dangers. They are now confronting the consequences of their negligence. People who's lives have been affected by mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses are seeking fair and full compensation.
The attorneys at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to helping individuals and families obtain the justice they deserve. Our lawyers have more than 25 years experience and have helped our clients receive millions of dollars of compensation. Our New York mesothelioma attorneys work to hold large corporations accountable and to secure maximum compensation for clients.
Many states have set up special asbestos courts in which claims can be filed and resolved more efficiently. Additionally judges have created specialized procedures to evaluate and resolve asbestos cases.
New York, a state which has its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL) is one of them. The number of cases filed in this court has increased steadily, as more and more asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants who have become bankrupt. In order to ensure that the justice system does not get overloaded, the New York Supreme Court has ordered the creation of an extra judicial panel to oversee NYCAL.
A panel of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine if it is accepted or not. Judges will also consider the merits of each claim to determine how much amount of money each plaintiff should receive.
The panel is currently studying more than 3,500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to announce its final decision before the end this year.
New York asbestos lawsuits can be complex and can involve several defendants. Belluck & Fox's lawyers have extensive experience in the litigation of these difficult issues. They are well-versed in 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 has also extensive experience as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in complex, multidistrict litigation. In this role, lawyers develop strategies, manage local and regional counsel and ensure consistent and effective defenses for clients. They have collaborated closely with coordinating and trial judges and litigation special masters in the various jurisdictions where they were involved in asbestos litigation.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A knowledgeable Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best way to defend a client from an asbestos personal injury claim. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels product manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, contractors and owners of premises on matters involving claims of mesothelioma lawsuits, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm also assists clients to develop internal programs for identifying and addressing any safety and liability concerns.
In addition to its asbestos practice in the national level, Bowles Rice serves as national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this capacity Bowles Rice devises litigation strategies and oversees regional and local counsel to achieve a consistent and cost-effective defense in accordance with the client's needs. It also plays a significant role in the administration and management of asbestos dockets, as well in negotiations with plaintiffs' lawyers and coordinating discovery for its clients.
The firm's lawyers have experience in defending clients from mesothelioma claims and other asbestos-related illnesses. Asbestos defense attorneys are familiar with the complex research and technology involved in these cases as well as specific legal issues that arise while defending companies before federal and state courts across the United States.
Catherine has represented a variety of manufacturers as the lead trial 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 federal and state courts, as well as a variety of Supreme Court and appellate courts.
During her tenure at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos cases for respondents, including those in the Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The case files included SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports), which contained confidential information about plaintiffs, such as medical reports, work histories and an inventory of asbestos-related products that the plaintiff worked with or around. Vogel was required to have access to a password to access the files. Then, she could go through any SEAR forms provided by her current employer.
In addition to its extensive trial and appellate experience, the Bowles Rice Asbestos Team is acknowledged nationally for its ability to negotiate settlements on behalf of its clients. In this capacity, the firm collaborates closely with lawyers representing plaintiffs in the preparation and execution of settlement agreements. It also has a vast experience in defending companies against appeals.