An Asbestos Defense Attorney Can Help Protect the Financial Security of Those Harmed by Exposure to This Harmful Mineral
An asbestos defense attorney can protect the financial security of those who have been injured through exposure to this dangerous mineral. Compensation can cover medical costs, funeral and burial expenses as well as pain and suffering and the loss of quality of life.
Our lawyers are local, regional and national counsel in large toxic tort litigation. As a result, we are well-versed in the unique issues and the complex scientific aspects of asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos is a harmful fiber that can cause various serious medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney is skilled in dealing with lawsuits that 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 attorney on your side.
New York has had a long-running history of asbestos litigation, and many residents were exposed to this hazardous material. In recent years there are more lawsuits filed against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases are a result of the recognition of a connection between asbestos and diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. These companies were aware asbestos' dangers but did not take the time to warn their employees and customers.
New York City is especially vulnerable to illnesses caused by asbestos due to its old structures and many construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic place that continues to impact on the community around it.
Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos directly and many workers were exposed at work. However, many people are diagnosed with mesothelioma after experiencing an exposure secondarily to the harmful substances. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposure workers who had their husbands' work clothes and came in contact with asbestos dust on a regular basis.
Litigation involving mesothelioma is expensive for defendants. This is especially true if they have been wrongly identified as defendants. According to an investigation, more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed in New York courts since 2014, and the number could increase even more. This kind of litigation is usually fueled by specialized asbestos law firms that promote on daytime television and encourage victims to file claims with the promise of substantial settlements.
The defendants could be able to reduce the cost of these cases by arguing that their policy periods are overdue or that they are only responsible for only for a small proportion of the amount claimed. New York law does not have a specific rule for how to distribute responsibility when the alleged exposure is of and outside the insurer's policies.
Asbestos-Related Illnesses
A wide range of asbestos-related diseases can develop because of exposure to the harmful mineral. The most serious of these is mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is the cause of death of many people. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques and the pleural effusion.
Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal condition is caused by asbestos fibers which are found in the lungs. They then irritate the linings of the ribcage (the Pleura), chest cavity, and abdominal cavity. Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause scarring of the lungs, called asbestosis. It can also result in thickened patches of pleura (pleural plaques) or an increase in fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrosis reduce lung capacity, as measured by breathing tests. They also cause discomfort and breathing difficulties however they do not lead to cancer or mesothelioma.
The symptoms of asbestos-related diseases typically do not manifest until decades after initial exposure. It can take as long as 50 years for asbestos fibers inhaled to cause lung damage. People at risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases include those who handled, washed and removed asbestos-containing materials from their workplaces and their spouses and children of those who were exposed to asbestos.
In addition to mesothelioma other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma lawyers, and mesothelioma ovarian. The most fatal form of mesothelioma is called ovarian cancer, however it is less frequent than the general mesothelioma. It is usually diagnosed later than other forms of Mesothelioma lawyers due to the fact that it is a cancer that develops in the lining of the reproductive organs and symptoms can be similar to symptoms of other diseases.
There were many companies that used asbestos in the 20th century, but they were aware that it was hazardous. When they did not remove asbestos from their products, thousands of people were exposed. Now, these people have the right to claim financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are bankrupt. In the aftermath, victims can seek the money they deserve from the trust funds set up by the bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
Asbestos-related companies have put profit over the safety of their workers and consumers for decades making dangerous products, without warning about the risks. They are now paying for their negligence. Victims of asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and complete compensation.
The lawyers 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 lawyers work to hold large corporations responsible accountable and to obtain the highest amount of compensation for our clients.
Many states have set up special asbestos courts where claims can be filed and resolved more efficiently. Judges have also established specific procedures to assess and resolve these cases.
New York, a state which has its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL) is one of them. As asbestos victims continue to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants that have gone bankrupt and have been unable to pay, the workload of this special court has been steadily increasing. The New York Supreme Court created an additional judicial board that will supervise NYCAL in order to prevent the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.
A panel composed of six Supreme Court judges will review each case in NYCAL to decide whether to accept or reject it. Judges will also evaluate the merits of each case to determine how much the plaintiff is entitled to.
The panel is currently studying more than 3,500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to make a final decision at the end of this year.
New York asbestos lawsuits can be complex and can involve multiple defendants. Belluck and Fox's lawyers have a wealth of experience in litigating these complex cases. 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 also has vast experience as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in multidistrict litigation that is complex and complex. In this role lawyers devise strategies, manage regional and local counsel, and ensure consistent and effective defenses for clients. They have worked closely in the past with trial judges, coordination judges, and litigation special masters from various jurisdictions.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A knowledgeable Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best strategy to defend a client against an asbestos-related personal injury claim. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises manufacturers, suppliers and contractors, distributors and premises owners on matters that involve mesothelioma claims, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm collaborates with clients in the development of internal programs to determine and deal with potential liability and safety issues.
In addition to its asbestos practice across the nation, Bowles Rice serves as national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this role Bowles Rice devises litigation strategies and oversees local and region counsel to ensure a uniform and cost-effective defence in coordination with the client's needs. In addition it plays an important role in the administration of asbestos dockets, negotiations with counsel for plaintiffs and also leads discovery for its clients.
The firm's lawyers have extensive trial and appellate experience, defending clients against claims by injured claimants, which includes those who claim mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense lawyers are acquainted with complex science involved in these cases as well as particular legal issues that arise while defending businesses before state and federal courts throughout the United States.
Catherine has represented numerous manufacturers as lead trial counsel in asbestos and personal injury lawsuits related to product liability and in consolidated cases involving multiple plaintiffs. She has a wealth of experience arguing asbestos-related cases in the federal and state courts, as well as before various appellate and supreme court bodies.
During her time 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 Evaluative Reports Encapsulated), which contained confidential information about claimants. This included medical reports as well as work histories and the list of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs used or worked near. Vogel was required to have access to the files and was able to review 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 well-known throughout the country for its ability to negotiate settlements on behalf of its clients. In this capacity, the firm collaborates closely with the lawyers of plaintiffs in the development and execution of settlement agreements. It also has extensive experience in defending businesses against appeals.