An Asbestos Defense Attorney Can Help Protect the Financial Security of Those Harmed by Exposure to This Harmful Mineral
A defense attorney for asbestos can protect those whose financial security has been affected by exposure to the toxic mineral. Compensation may cover medical costs funeral and burial expenses, pain and suffering, and lost quality of life.
Our attorneys serve as local, regional, and national counsel in large toxic tort litigation. As as such, we are acquainted with the unique issues and the complex science that go along asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos fibers are deadly and can cause serious medical conditions such as mesothelioma attorney. A New York asbestos attorney is skilled in handling lawsuits seeking the financial compensation of those affected by asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be a bit complicated and therefore it is essential to have a mesothelioma lawyer to assist you.
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 filed against asbestos producers in the past than ever before. These cases stem from the recognition of a connection between asbestos and diseases like mesothelioma attorney and lung cancer and asbestosis. 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 because of its older structures and numerous construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic location that continues to impact on the community surrounding it.
Mesothelioma is caused by direct exposure to asbestos, and many workers were exposed to it at work. However, some people are diagnosed with mesothelioma after experiencing secondhand exposure to the harmful substances. This includes spouses who wear husband's clothing at work and come in contact with asbestos dust frequently.
The litigation associated with mesothelioma can be costly for defendants, particularly when they are mistakenly identified as a defendant. A study has revealed that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could increase. This kind of litigation is usually driven by asbestos law firms that promote on daytime TV and entice victims to file claims with the promise of large settlements.
The defendants may be able reduce some of the costs of these cases by arguing that their policy periods are expired or that they only have to pay a small portion of the claim value. New York law does not have a clear rule on how to divide the liability if the alleged exposure is part of the insurer's policies.
Asbestos-related diseases
A myriad of asbestos-related illnesses can be triggered due to exposure to the toxic mineral. 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 the pleural effusion.
Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal disease caused by exposure to asbestos fibers which accumulate in the lungs and irritate the lining of the chest cavity, ribcage and abdominal cavity (the the pleura). Inhaling these fibers can lead to scarring in the lungs, called asbestosis. It can also result in thickened pleura patches (pleural plaques) or an increase in fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis can reduce lung capacity as measured by a breath test. They can also cause pain and discomfort in breathing, but they do not lead cancer or mesothelioma.
Symptoms of asbestos-related disease often don't manifest until decades after exposure. This is due to the fact that it can take between 20 and 50 years for the exposure to asbestos fibers to cause lung damage. Workers who handled, cleaned and removed asbestos from their workplaces and their children, spouses and others who were exposed to asbestos are at risk for developing mesothelioma.
Other asbestos-related diseases, in addition to mesothelioma attorneys, include laryngeal cancer and lung cancer as well as peritoneal, ovarian and peritoneal cancer. The most fatal form of mesothelioma is called ovarian cancer, but it's less prevalent than mesothelioma lawyer in general. It is typically diagnosed later than other kinds of mesothelioma since it develops in the tissues of the reproductive organs, and the symptoms may be similar to symptoms of other illnesses.
There were many companies that used asbestos in the 20th century, however they knew that it was hazardous. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos because they didn't remove asbestos from their products. Now, these people have the right to seek financial compensation. A lot of asbestos-related manufacturers have filed for bankruptcy. The victims are now able to claim compensation from trust funds created by bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
For decades, asbestos companies have put profits ahead of the security of their employees and consumers, manufacturing hazardous products without warning of the dangers. These companies are now paying the price for their inattention to. People who have suffered from life-altering issues caused by mesothelioma and lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases are seeking fair and full compensation.
The attorneys at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to helping families and individuals receive the justice they need. With more than 25 years of experience, we have secured millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. Our New York mesothelioma lawyers work to hold large corporations responsible accountable and seek maximum compensation for our clients.
Many states have set up special asbestos courts where claims can be filed and resolved more efficiently. Judges have also developed specific procedures to assess and resolve such 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 grown steadily, as more and more asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants who went bankrupt. The New York Supreme Court created an extra judicial board to oversee NYCAL in order to keep the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.
A panel of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine if it should be accepted or rejected. Judges will also evaluate the merits of each claim to determine the amount a plaintiff should receive.
The panel is currently looking into more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to announce its final decision before the end of this year.
New York asbestos lawsuits can be complicated and involve several defendants. Belluck and Fox's lawyers have a wealth of experience in litigating 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 in which they have handled multidistrict litigation.
The firm also has extensive experience as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients across the country in multi-district litigation that is complex and complex. In this role lawyers formulate strategies, oversee regional and local counsel, and ensure consistent and effective defenses for clients. They have collaborated closely with trial and coordination judges and litigation special masters in various jurisdictions in which they have been involved in asbestos litigation.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A knowledgeable 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 suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, contractors, and owners of premises on matters concerning mesothelioma-related claims, lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm also assists clients to create internal programs to identify and addressing potential safety and liability concerns.
In addition to its national asbestos practice, Bowles Rice serves as the national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this capacity, the firm develops litigation strategies, supervises regional and local counsel and ensures a consistent and cost-effective defense in coordination with client goals. Additionally, 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 attorneys are experienced in defending clients against mesothelioma-related claims and other asbestos-related illnesses. Asbestos defense attorneys are familiar with the complex science associated with these cases, as well as the unique legal issues that arise when representing companies in state and federal courts across the United States.
Catherine has represented numerous manufacturers as lead counsel in asbestos and personal injury lawsuits related to product liability, and in consolidated cases involving multiple claimants. She has extensive experience litigating asbestos-related lawsuits in the state and federal courts, as well as a variety of Supreme Court and appellate courts.
While at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos cases for respondents, including those at the Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The case files included SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports) which contained confidential information about claimants, such as medical reports, work history and an inventory of asbestos-related products that the plaintiff worked with or around. Vogel was required to have access to these files, and she could also look over the SEAR forms of any case she had with her current employer.
The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to its vast experience in trial and appellate work, is recognized nationally for its ability to successfully negotiate settlements for clients. In this capacity, the firm collaborates closely with plaintiffs' lawyers in the development and execution of settlement agreements, and it has extensive experience in defending businesses against appeals.