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 harmed through exposure to this dangerous 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 scale. This means that we are well-versed in the unique issues and complex scientific aspects that are associated with asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos fibers are deadly and can cause severe medical conditions such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is adept at handling asbestos lawsuits which seek financial compensation for the victims and their families who have been exposed to this harmful substance. 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 the dangerous substance. In recent years there have been more lawsuits against asbestos producers in the past than ever before. These cases stem from the recognition of a connection between asbestos and diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. These companies were aware asbestos' dangers, but failed to warn their employees and customers.
The New York City area is particularly susceptible to asbestos-related illnesses due to its old structures and the numerous construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously hazardous area that continues to affect the surrounding community.
Many workers were exposed asbestos in the workplace. However, people also get diagnosed with mesothelioma after experiencing secondhand exposure to the harmful substances. This includes spouses who wear their husband's clothing to work and come into contact with asbestos dust regularly.
The mesothelioma attorneys litigation can be expensive for defendants, especially when they are mistakenly identified as defendants. According to a study, more than 3,600 claims have been filed in New York courts since 2014, and the number could rise further. This type of litigation is typically driven by asbestos law firms that promote on daytime television and encourage victims to file claims, with the promise of large settlements.
The defendants may be able reduce the cost of these cases by arguing that their policies are in a lapse 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 distribute liability when the alleged risk is of the insurance policies.
Asbestos-Related Diseases
A variety of asbestos-related diseases can develop due to exposure to the mineral that causes cancer. The most severe condition is mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is the cause of 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, is caused by asbestos fibers which are found in the lung. They then cause irritation to the linings of the ribcage (the pleura) as well as the chest cavity and abdominal cavity. Inhaling these tiny fibers can result in scarring of the lungs known as asbestosis and, sometimes, the formation of thickened patches on the pleura, known as plaques of pleura or the more widespread fibrosis of the pleura called diffused pleural fibrisis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrosis reduce lung capacity as measured by breathing tests. They can also cause pain and difficulties in breathing, but they do not lead mesothelioma lawsuits or cancer.
Often, symptoms of asbestos-related diseases don't show up until decades after the initial exposure. This is because it could take between 20 to 50 years for the inhalation of asbestos-containing fibers to cause lung damage. Workers who handled, cleaned, and removed asbestos from their workplaces as well as spouses, children and other people who are exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing mesothelioma.
Other asbestos-related illnesses, apart from mesothelioma, include laryngeal carcinoma and lung cancer and peritoneal, ovarian and peritoneal cancer. The most dangerous form of mesothelioma is ovarian cancer, but it's much less frequent than the general mesothelioma. It is diagnosed later than other types of mesothelioma, because it occurs within the linings of reproductive organs. Symptoms can be similar to other diseases.
Many companies employed asbestos during the 20th century. They were aware that it was a risk. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos if they didn't eliminate it from their products. They can now sue for financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies have gone bankrupt. In the aftermath, victims are able to seek the compensation they are entitled to from trust funds established by the bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
Asbestos companies have put profits before the safety of their employees and customers for a long time, producing hazardous products without warning of the dangers. They are now paying the price for their carelessness. People who have suffered from asbestos-related illnesses such as mesothelioma lawsuits and lung cancer are seeking fair and full compensation.
Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals receive the justice they deserve. Our lawyers have more than 25 years experience and have helped clients receive millions of dollars of compensation. Our New York mesothelioma attorneys work to hold large corporations accountable and obtain the highest amount of compensation for their clients.
Many states have established asbestos courts with specialization, where claims can be filed more efficiently. Judges have also developed specific procedures to assess and resolve these 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 declared bankruptcy the number of cases that have come through the court has been steadily increasing. To ensure that the justice system does not get overloaded the New York Supreme Court has created an extra judicial panel to supervise NYCAL.
A panel of six Supreme Court judges will review every case in NYCAL to determine whether or not to take it up with it. Judges will also consider the merits of each claim to determine how much the plaintiff's compensation should be.
The panel is currently reviewing more than 3,500 lawsuits. The panel is expected issue its final ruling before the end of the year.
New York asbestos lawsuits can be complex and involve several defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience with the litigation of these complex cases. They are knowledgeable of the asbestos courts of New York as well as their rules and regulations, as well as other jurisdictions in which they have handled multi-district litigation.
The firm also has extensive experience as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in multidistrict litigation that is complex and complex. In this capacity lawyers formulate strategies, oversee local and regional counsel and ensure consistent and effective defenses for clients. They have worked closely with trial judges, coordination judges and special masters of litigation from different jurisdictions.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A knowledgeable Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best approach to defend a client from an asbestos-related personal injury claim. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises product manufacturers, suppliers and contractors, distributors, and premises owners on matters involving mesothelioma lawsuits claims, lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm also works with clients to create internal programs to identify and addressing safety and liability 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 capacity the firm designs litigation strategies, manages regional and local counsel, and ensures a consistent and cost-effective defense that is in sync with client goals. In addition, it plays a key role in the administration of asbestos dockets, negotiations with plaintiffs' counsel and leads discovery for its clients.
The firm's lawyers are skilled in defending clients from mesothelioma claims and other asbestos-related illnesses. Asbestos defense attorneys are familiar with the complex science involved in these cases as and specific legal issues that arise while defending businesses before state and federal courts throughout the United States.
Catherine has defended numerous manufacturers in asbestos and products liability personal injury cases, acting as the lead trial counsel in consolidated trials involving a variety of plaintiffs. She has extensive experience litigating asbestos-related lawsuits before federal and state courts as well as various Supreme Court and appellate courts.
During her time at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos cases for respondents, including those in the Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The cases files included SEAR forms (Short Evaluative Reports Encapsulated) which contained confidential data about the plaintiffs. The files contained medical reports and work histories, as well as an inventory of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs worked with or near. Vogel was required to have access to these files, and she could also review 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 well-known throughout the country 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 extensive experience in defending businesses from appeals.