An Asbestos Defense Attorney Can Help Protect the Financial Security of Those Harmed by Exposure to This Harmful Mineral
An asbestos defense lawyer can assist in ensuring the financial security of those who have been affected through exposure to this dangerous mineral. Compensation may cover medical costs, funeral and burial expenses as well as pain and suffering and the loss of quality of life.
Our attorneys are involved in the mass litigation of toxic torts on a regional, national and local scale. We are familiarized with the unique issues and the complex scientific aspects of asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos is a dangerous fiber that can lead to numerous serious medical conditions, including mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney [about his] is adept at dealing with lawsuits that seek financial compensation for victims of asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be complex, and it is critical to have an experienced mesothelioma law firm by your side.
New York has had a long history with asbestos litigation. Many residents were exposed to the dangerous material. In recent years, there are more lawsuits filed against asbestos attorneys producers from the past than before. These cases arise out of the realization that asbestos lawyer is associated with diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. The companies were aware of the dangers associated with this dangerous mineral, but they failed to warn their employees and consumers.
The New York City area is particularly susceptible to asbestos-related illnesses because of its older structures and a myriad of construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously toxic area that continues affect the community around it.
Many workers were exposed to asbestos at work. However, some people are diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of exposure to harmful substances. This is especially true for spouses who wear husband's clothing to work and come into contact with asbestos dust regularly.
The litigation associated with mesothelioma can be costly for defendants, particularly when they are mistakenly identified as a defendant. According to a study, more that 3,600 lawsuits have been filed in New York courts since 2014, and the number could increase even more. This type of litigation is typically driven by asbestos law firms that advertise on television during the day and encourage victims to file claims with the promise of large settlements.
The defendants could be able to reduce some of the costs of these cases by arguing their policies are in a lapse or that they are only responsible for only a small percentage of the value of the claim. However, New York law has not established a clear rule regarding how to allocate liabilities when the alleged exposure is in and out of the insurer's policy periods.
Asbestos-related illnesses
Exposure to asbestos can cause many different diseases. The mesothelioma disease is the most serious. Mesothelioma has led to the deaths of many people. Other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques, and the pleural effusion.
Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal condition, is caused by asbestos fibers which accumulate 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 asbestos fibers can cause scarring in the lungs, known as asbestosis. It can also result in thickened patches of pleura (pleural plaques) or an increase in fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrisis reduce lung capacity as measured by breathing tests. They can also cause pain and difficulties in breathing, but they are not the cause of cancer or mesothelioma.
The symptoms of asbestos-related diseases typically are not evident until years after exposure. It can take as long as 50 years for asbestos fibers inhaled to cause lung damage. Workers who handled, cleaned and removed asbestos from the workplace and their spouses, children, and others exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing mesothelioma.
Other asbestos-related diseases in addition to mesothelioma, include lung cancer and laryngeal carcinoma and peritoneal, ovarian and peritoneal cancer. Ovarian cancer is the deadliest mesothelioma that women suffer from however it is much less prevalent than mesothelioma in general. It is usually diagnosed later than other forms of mesothelioma due to the fact that it develops in the tissue of the reproductive organs and the symptoms may be similar to those of other diseases.
Several companies used asbestos during the 20th century. They knew it was hazardous. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos when they failed to remove asbestos from their products. Now, these people have the right to seek financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies have filed for bankruptcy. The victims can now seek compensation from trust funds set up by bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
For decades, asbestos-related companies put profits above the security of their employees and consumers, producing dangerous products without warning of the dangers. They are now facing the consequences of their carelessness. People who's lives have been affected by mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases are seeking full and fair settlement.
The attorneys at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to helping families and individuals get the justice they deserve. Our attorneys have more than 25 years experience and have assisted our clients to receive millions of dollars of compensation. Our New York mesothelioma attorneys work to hold large corporations accountable and seek the maximum amount of compensation for our clients.
A number of states have established special asbestos courts in which claims can be filed and resolving more efficiently. Judges have also developed special procedures to review and resolve such 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 who have gone bankrupt, the caseload of this special court has steadily increased. To ensure that the justice system is not overloaded and overwhelmed, the New York Supreme Court has ordered the creation of an extra judicial panel to oversee NYCAL.
A panel of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine if it should be accepted or not. Judges will also consider the merits of each case to determine how much a plaintiff should receive.
The panel is currently examining more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to issue its final decision by the end of this 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 cases. 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 vast experience as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients nationwide in complex, multi-district litigation. In this capacity, attorneys develop strategies, coordinate and manage regional and local counsel, and ensure cost-effective, consistent defenses for every client. They have worked closely with coordinating and trial judges and litigation special masters in the various jurisdictions where they have been involved in asbestos litigation.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will determine what strategy is the best way to defend the client against an injury claim that involves asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels suppliers, manufacturers contractors, distributors, contractors, and premises owners on matters involving claims of mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm also works with clients to create internal programs to identify and addressing potential safety and liability issues.
In addition to its national asbestos practice, Bowles Rice serves as national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this role, the firm develops litigation strategies, supervises regional and local counsel, and achieves consistent and cost-effective defense, in line with client goals. It also plays a major part in the administration and management of asbestos dockets aswell in negotiations with plaintiffs' attorneys and coordinating discovery for its clients.
The attorneys of the firm have a wealth of trial and appellate experience defending clients against claims made by injured claimants, such as those claiming mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are acquainted with the complex science that is associated with these cases, and the particular legal issues that arise when representing companies in state and federal courts across the United States.
Catherine has represented numerous manufacturers as the lead counsel in asbestos and personal injury lawsuits involving product liability and in consolidated cases involving multiple plaintiffs. She has substantial experience litigating asbestos-related cases in federal and state courts, as well as before various appellate and supreme court bodies.
During her tenure at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos cases for respondents, including the Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The case files contained SEAR forms (Short encapsulated Evaluative reports) which contained confidential information about plaintiffs. The files contained 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 an account password to access the files and was able to go through the SEAR forms of any case at 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 lawyers representing plaintiffs in the creation and implementation of settlement agreements. Additionally, it has extensive experience in defending businesses against appeals.