An Asbestos Defense Attorney Can Help Protect the Financial Security of Those Harmed by Exposure to This Harmful Mineral
An asbestos defense lawyer can protect the financial security of those who have been injured by exposure to this harmful mineral. Compensation could cover medical expenses funeral and burial costs, loss of quality of life, as well as pain and suffering.
Our lawyers are involved in mass toxic tort litigation on a national, regional and local level. As our lawyers are well-versed with the unique issues and complicated science associated with asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos is a deadly fiber that can cause numerous serious medical conditions, including mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney is skilled in handling lawsuits seeking financial compensation for those who have suffered from asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be a bit complicated and therefore it is essential to have a mesothelioma lawyer on your side.
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 result from the recognition of a connection between asbestos and diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. These companies knew of the dangers of the dangerous mineral, but they didn't warn their employees and consumers.
New York City is especially susceptible to illnesses caused by asbestos because of its old structures and construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic location that continues to have an impact on the surrounding community.
Many workers were exposed asbestos in their work environments. Secondhand exposure can also lead to mesothelioma attorney. This includes spouses who wear their husband's clothes to work and come into contact with asbestos dust frequently.
The mesothelioma lawsuit can be costly for defendants. This is particularly relevant if they've been wrongly identified as defendants. According to a study, more that 3,600 claims have been filed in New York courts since 2014 and the number could increase further. This type of litigation is typically driven by asbestos law firms that promote on television during the day and encourage victims to file claims with the promise of substantial settlements.
The defendants may be able reduce some of the expenses arising from these cases by argument that their policy terms have expired or they're only responsible for a small percentage of the total value of the claim. However, New York law has not set out a clear policy regarding how to allocate liabilities when the alleged exposure is in and out of the insurance company's policy.
Asbestos-related diseases
Exposure to asbestos can cause a wide range of diseases. The mesothelioma condition is the most serious. Many have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer and asbestosis. Pleural plaques and effusion are also asbestos-related.
Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal illness caused by exposure to asbestos fibers which accumulate in the lungs and irritate the lining of the chest cavity, ribcage and abdominal cavity (the pleura). Inhaling these tiny fibers can cause scarring to the lungs called asbestosis, and, sometimes, the development of thickened patches on the pleura called plaques on the pleura, or an enlargement of fibrosis in the pleura called diffused pleural fibrisis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrosis decrease lung capacity as measured by breathing tests. They can also cause pain and difficulty in breathing, but they don't cause mesothelioma or cancer.
The signs of asbestos-related illness typically are not evident until years after the initial exposure. This is because it could take between 20 to 50 years for exposure to asbestos fibers to damage the lungs. The people at risk of developing mesothelioma or other asbestos-related ailments include those who handled, washed and removed asbestos-containing products from the workplace and their spouses and children of those exposed to asbestos.
Other asbestos-related illnesses, in addition to mesothelioma, include laryngeal cancer and lung cancer, peritoneal, ovarian, and peritoneal cancer. Ovarian cancer is the deadliest mesothelioma that women suffer from, but it is less common than mesothelioma in general. It is diagnosed later than other mesothelioma types, because it occurs within the linings of reproductive organs. The symptoms may be similar to those of other illnesses.
A number of companies used asbestos in the 20th century, but they knew that it was hazardous. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos because they didn't eliminate it from their products. These people can now seek financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are insolvent. The victims are now able to claim compensation from the trust funds set up by bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
Asbestos-related companies have put profit over the safety of their employees and customers for a long time making dangerous products, without warning of the dangers. These companies are now facing the consequences of their negligence. Patients who have suffered asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma lawyers and lung cancer are seeking fair and complete compensation.
Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals receive the justice they deserve. With more than 25 years of experience in the field, we have secured a million of dollars in compensation for our clients. Our New York mesothelioma lawyers work to hold responsible large corporations accountable and to secure maximum compensation for our clients.
Many states have set up special asbestos courts where claims can be filed and resolving more efficiently. Judges have also created specialized procedures to evaluate and resolve such cases.
New York, a state with its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL), is one of the states. As asbestos victims continue to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants who have gone bankrupt, the caseload of this court has steadily increased. The New York Supreme Court created an extra judicial board to oversee NYCAL to stop 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 consider the merits of each claim to determine how much a plaintiff should receive.
Currently, the panel is studying more than 3,500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to issue its final decision by the end of the year.
New York asbestos lawsuits are typically complex and often include allegations of several defendants. Belluck and Fox's lawyers have vast experience in the litigation of these difficult issues. They are familiar with the rules, regulations, 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 in asbestos litigation, representing clients nationwide in multi-district, complex litigation. In this role lawyers devise strategies, oversee local and regional counsel and ensure that they are able to provide consistent and effective defenses for clients. They have collaborated closely with coordinating and trial judges and special masters of litigation in various jurisdictions where they have been involved in asbestos litigation.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will determine which strategy is most effective to defend the client from a personal injury lawsuit involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises product manufacturers, suppliers and contractors, distributors and property owners on issues involving mesothelioma claims, lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm also works with clients to develop internal programs for identifying and addressing potential safety and liability concerns.
Bowles Rice, in addition to its national asbestos practice and multi-state asbestos litigation is also the national Coordinating Counsel. In this capacity Bowles Rice devises strategies for litigation and supervises local and region counsel to ensure a uniform and cost-effective defense that is in line with the client's needs. Additionally it plays a crucial part in the administration of asbestos dockets, negotiations with plaintiffs' counsel and also leads discovery for its clients.
The firm's lawyers have experience in defending clients against claims of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses. Asbestos defense lawyers are familiar with the intricate science involved with these cases, and the unique legal issues that arise when representing 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 consolidated cases that involve multiple claimants. She has substantial experience arguing asbestos-related cases in federal and state courts as well as before various supreme and appellate courts.
While at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos cases for respondents, including the Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The case files included SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports), which contained confidential information on the plaintiffs, such as medical reports, a history of work, and a list of asbestos products that the plaintiff worked with or around. Vogel required a password in order to access the files. Then, she could review any SEAR forms from her current employer.
The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to having extensive experience in trial and appellate work, is recognized nationally for its ability to negotiate settlements for clients. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs’ lawyers to create and implement settlement agreements. It also has extensive experience in defending businesses against appeals.