An Asbestos Defense Attorney Can Help Protect the Financial Security of Those Harmed by Exposure to This Harmful Mineral
An asbestos defense attorney can assist in ensuring the financial security of those who have been harmed through exposure to this dangerous mineral. Compensation could cover medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, lost quality of life, and suffering and pain.
Our lawyers serve as national, regional and local counsel in massive toxic tort litigation. This means that we are familiarized with the unique issues and complex scientific aspects that are associated with asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos fibers are deadly and can trigger serious medical conditions such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney is skilled in dealing with lawsuits that seek financial compensation for those who have suffered from asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be complex and it's crucial to have a mesothelioma attorney to assist you.
New York has a long history of asbestos litigation and many residents have been exposed to this dangerous material. In recent years there have been more lawsuits filed against asbestos producers from the past than before. These cases are the result of the recognition that asbestos is associated with illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer. These companies knew of the dangers of the asbestos-containing mineral, yet they did not warn their employees and consumers.
New York City is especially susceptible to illnesses caused by asbestos due to its old structures and many construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously toxic area that continues to affect the surrounding community.
Many workers were exposed asbestos in the workplace. However, people also get diagnosed with mesothelioma following exposure to harmful substances. This includes spouses who wear husband's clothing to work and come into contact with asbestos dust on a regular basis.
The mesothelioma lawsuit is costly for defendants, particularly when they are mistakenly 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 rise further. Specialized asbestos law firms often advertise on TV during the day and encourage victims to file claims under the premise that they will receive substantial settlements.
The defendants could be able to reduce the cost of these cases by arguing their policies are in a lapse or that they only have to pay only for a small proportion of the value of the claim. New York law does not provide a definitive rule on how to divide responsibility when the alleged exposure is part of the insurance policies.
Asbestos-Related Illnesses
A variety of asbestos-related diseases can develop because of exposure to the mineral that causes cancer. The most serious of these is mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is the cause of death of many people. Other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques, and the pleural effusion.
Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal illness that is caused by asbestos fibers that accumulate in the lungs. They then irritate the linings of the ribcage (the the pleura), chest cavity and abdominal cavity. The inhalation of these tiny fibers can cause scarring of the lungs called asbestosis, and, sometimes, the formation of thickened patches on the pleura called plaques on the pleura, or a more widespread fibrosis of the pleura, referred to as diffused pleural fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis may reduce lung capacity, as measured by a breath test. 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 don't manifest until decades after initial exposure. This is because it could take between 20 and 50 years for the inhalation of asbestos-containing fibers to cause lung damage. People at risk of developing mesothelioma or other asbestos-related conditions include workers who handled, washed and removed asbestos-containing products from their workplaces and spouses and children of asbestos-related exposure.
As well as mesothelioma, other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma, and mesothelioma ovarian. Ovarian cancer is the most fatal form of mesothelioma for women however it is much less prevalent than mesothelioma in general. It is diagnosed later than most other types of mesothelioma lawsuits, because it is found in the linings of reproductive organs. Symptoms can be similar to other diseases.
Many companies employed asbestos in the 20th century, but they were aware that it was a risk. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos if they didn't remove it from their products. These people can now claim financial compensation. Many of the asbestos-related manufacturers have declared bankruptcy. The victims are now able to seek compensation from trust funds established 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 risks. They are now confronting the consequences of their negligence. Victims of asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma lawyer and lung cancer are seeking fair and full compensation.
The lawyers at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to helping families and individuals get 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 lawyers work to hold responsible large corporations accountable and seek the highest amount of compensation for our clients.
Many states have established special asbestos courts where claims can be filed and resolved more efficiently. In addition judges have created special procedures for evaluating and resolving such cases.
New York, a state which has its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL) is one of the states. The number of cases in this court has increased steadily, as increasing numbers of asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants who went bankrupt. In order to ensure that the justice system isn't overloaded, the New York Supreme Court has created a special judicial panel to supervise NYCAL.
A panel of six Supreme Court judges will review each case in NYCAL to determine whether or not to accept it. Judges will also assess the merits of each claim to determine how much amount of money each plaintiff should receive.
The panel is currently looking at more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected issue its final ruling by the end of this year.
New York asbestos lawsuits can be complicated and can involve multiple defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience in the litigation of these difficult issues. 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 has also extensive experience as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in multidistrict litigation that is complex and complex. In this capacity lawyers devise strategies, manage local and regional counsel and ensure consistent and effective defenses for clients. They have worked closely with trial and coordination judges and litigation special masters in various jurisdictions in which they were involved in asbestos litigation.
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 property owners on issues concerning mesothelioma-related claims, lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm also assists clients to develop internal programs for identifying and addressing potential risks to safety and liability.
In addition to its asbestos practice across the nation, Bowles Rice serves as the national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this capacity the firm designs litigation strategies, manages local and regional counsel, and ensures a consistent and cost-effective defense that is in sync with client goals. Additionally, it plays a key role in the administration of asbestos dockets, negotiations with counsel for plaintiffs and leads discovery for its clients.
The firm's lawyers have a wealth of trial and appellate experience, defending clients against claims by injured claimants, such as those who are claiming mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense lawyers are acquainted with the intricate research and technology involved in these cases, as and particular legal issues that arise when defending businesses before federal and state courts across the United States.
Catherine has represented a variety of manufacturers as lead trial counsel in asbestos and personal injury lawsuits involving product liability and in cases that have been consolidated involving multiple claimants. She has a wealth of experience litigating asbestos-related lawsuits before the state and federal courts, as well as a variety of Supreme Court and appellate bodies.
During her time 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, including medical reports, work histories, and an inventory of asbestos-related products that the plaintiff worked with or around. Vogel required an account password to access the files. Then, she could review any SEAR forms provided by her current employer.
The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to its extensive experience in trial and appellate work, is widely acclaimed for its ability to negotiate settlements for its clients. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs’ lawyers to develop and execute settlement agreements. It also has a wealth of experience in defending businesses from appeals.