An Asbestos Defense Attorney Can Help Protect the Financial Security of Those Harmed by Exposure to This Harmful Mineral
A lawyer for asbestos defense can help protect those who's financial security has been affected due to exposure to the hazardous mineral. Compensation may cover medical costs funeral and burial expenses as well as pain and suffering and loss of quality of life.
Our lawyers are involved in the mass litigation of toxic torts at a national, regional and local scale. As our lawyers are well-versed with the specific issues and complex science associated asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos is a deadly fiber that can lead to various serious medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney is experienced in handling lawsuits to seek the financial compensation of those affected by asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be complicated, so it's important 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 claims against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases are the result of the realization that asbestos can cause illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer. These companies knew of the dangers associated with the hazardous mineral, but did not inform their employees and customers.
The New York City area is particularly susceptible to asbestos-related illnesses due to its older structures and numerous construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously hazardous area that continues to impact the surrounding community.
Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos in direct contact and a lot of workers were exposed to it at work. In addition, exposure to asbestos through secondhand sources can result in mesothelioma lawsuits. This includes spouses who wear their husband's clothing to work and come into contact with asbestos dust frequently.
Litigation involving mesothelioma is expensive for defendants. This is especially true if they have been wrongly identified as defendants. A study shows that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could grow. This kind of litigation is usually driven by asbestos law firms, which advertise 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 expire or they are only responsible for a tiny percentage of the claim value. However, New York law has not provided a definitive rule on how to allocate liability when the alleged exposure occurs partly in and out of the insurance company's policy.
Asbestos-related Diseases
Exposure to asbestos can cause a wide range of illnesses. The most serious of these is mesothelioma lawsuits attorney (similar website). Mesothelioma has caused the death of many people. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques and the pleural effusion.
Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal illness caused by exposure to asbestos fibers that collect in the lungs and cause irritation to the lining of the chest cavity, ribcage, and abdominal cavity (the Pleura). Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause scarring in the lungs. This is called asbestosis. It can also result in thickened pleura patches (pleural plaques) or an increased fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrisis reduce lung capacity as determined by breathing tests. They can also cause discomfort and breathing difficulties but they don't lead to cancer or mesothelioma lawsuits.
Symptoms of asbestos-related disease often are not evident until years after the initial exposure. This is because it could take between 20 and 50 years for the inhalation of asbestos fibers to cause lung damage. People who are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases include those who handled, laundered and removed asbestos-containing products from their workplaces and their spouses and children of asbestos-related exposure.
Other asbestos-related illnesses, in addition to mesothelioma include laryngeal carcinoma and lung cancer, peritoneal, ovarian, and peritoneal cancer. Ovarian cancer is the deadliest mesothelioma type for women, but it is less prevalent than mesothelioma in general. It is usually diagnosed later than other kinds of mesothelioma due to the fact that it is a cancer that develops in the lining of the reproductive organs, and symptoms can be similar to those of other diseases.
Many companies used asbestos in the 20th century, however they were aware that it was a risk. When they failed to remove it from their products, thousands of people were exposed. These people can now sue for financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are insolvent. In the aftermath, victims are able to seek the compensation they are entitled to from trust funds set up by the bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
Asbestos-related companies have put profit over the safety of their employees and their customers for decades creating dangerous products without warning about the risks. These companies are now paying for their negligence. People who's lives have been affected by mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses are seeking full and fair compensation.
The lawyers at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to helping families and individuals obtain the justice they deserve. With more than 25 years of experience and accomplishments, we have secured millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. Our New York mesothelioma attorney attorneys work to hold corporations accountable and seek the maximum amount of compensation for our clients.
Many states have set up special asbestos courts where claims can be filed and resolving more efficiently. Judges have also established specialized procedures to evaluate and resolve these cases.
New York is one such state that has its own asbestos court known as NYCAL. As asbestos victims continue to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants who have declared bankruptcy and have been unable to pay, the workload of this special court has steadily increased. 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 every case filed in NYCAL to determine whether to accept or reject it. Judges will also assess the merits of each claim to determine the amount of amount of money each plaintiff should receive.
The panel is currently examining more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected issue its final decision by the end of the year.
New York asbestos lawsuits can be complicated and can involve multiple defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience with the litigation of these difficult cases. They are knowledgeable of the asbestos courts of New York as well as their rules regulations, policies and guidelines and other jurisdictions where they have handled multi-district litigation.
The firm has also extensive experience as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in complex, multidistrict litigation. In this capacity, attorneys develop strategies, coordinate and oversee regional and local counsel, and ensure consistent and cost-effective defenses for each client. They have been in close contact with trial judges, coordinating judges, and litigation special masters from various jurisdictions.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will determine which strategy is most effective to defend the client against an injury claim that involves asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels suppliers, manufacturers contractors, distributors, contractors and property owners in cases involving claims for mesothelioma and lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm works with clients on developing internal programs to determine and deal with potential liability and safety issues.
Bowles Rice, in addition to its national asbestos practice and multi-state asbestos litigation is also the national Coordinating counsel. In this role, Bowles Rice develops litigation strategies and oversees regional and local counsel to achieve a consistent and cost-effective defense in accordance with the client's goals. It also plays an important role in the administration and management of asbestos dockets, as well in negotiations with plaintiffs' attorneys and leading discovery for its clients.
The firm's lawyers have experience in defending clients against mesothelioma lawsuits claims and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense lawyers are familiar with the intricate science involved with these cases, and the unique legal issues that arise when defending companies in federal and state courts across the United States.
Catherine has represented a variety of companies in asbestos and products liability personal injury cases, representing them as the lead trial counsel in consolidated trials that involved multiple plaintiffs. She has substantial experience litigating asbestos-related cases in the federal and state courts as well as before a variety of supreme and appellate courts.
During her tenure at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos cases for respondents, including those at the Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The case files contained SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports) which contained confidential information on the plaintiffs, including medical reports, work history, and the list of asbestos-related products that the plaintiff worked with or around. Vogel was required to have an account password to access these files and could review the SEAR forms of any case with her current employer.
The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to its vast experience in trial and appellate work, is nationally recognized for its ability to successfully negotiate settlements for clients. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs’ lawyers to develop and execute settlement agreements. The firm also has extensive experience in defending businesses against appeals.