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 injured by exposure to this harmful mineral. Compensation can cover medical costs funeral and burial costs, pain and suffering, and loss of quality of life.
Our lawyers are involved in mass toxic tort litigation on a national, regional and local scale. As our lawyers are well-versed with the particular issues and complicated science associated asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos fibers can be deadly and can cause severe medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney is experienced in dealing with lawsuits that seek the financial compensation of those affected by asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be complicated and it is crucial to have an experienced mesothelioma lawyer on your side.
New York has a long history of asbestos litigation, and many residents have been exposed to the dangerous substance. In recent years there have been more claims against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases are a result of the recognition of a connection between asbestos and certain diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. These companies were aware asbestos' dangers however, they failed to inform the employees and the public.
New York City is especially vulnerable to illnesses caused by asbestos because of its old structures and construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic place that continues to have an impact on the community around it.
Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos directly and many workers were exposed to asbestos at work. In addition, exposure to asbestos through secondhand sources can lead to mesothelioma. This is especially true for spouses who wear husband's clothes to work and come into contact with asbestos dust frequently.
The mesothelioma lawsuit litigation can be expensive for defendants, especially if they are wrongfully named as a defendant. A study shows that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could rise. The asbestos law firms that specialize in asbestos often advertise on TV during the day and encourage victims to file claims, promising they will receive significant settlements.
The defendants could be able to reduce some of the costs of these cases by arguing that their policy periods are overdue or that they are only responsible only for a small proportion of the value of the claim. However, New York law has not established a clear rule on how to allocate liability when the alleged exposure occurs in and out of the policy period of the insurer.
Asbestos-Related Illnesses
A variety of asbestos-related illnesses can be triggered because of exposure to the toxic mineral. The mesothelioma disease is the most severe. Mesothelioma has caused the death of many people. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques, and pleural effusion.
mesothelioma attorneys 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 fibers can lead to scarring in the lungs, known as asbestosis. It can also result in thickened patches of pleura (pleural plaques) or a more extensive fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrisis reduce lung capacity, as measured by breathing tests. They can also cause pain and difficulty in breathing, however they do not lead mesothelioma or cancer.
Symptoms of asbestos-related disease often are not evident until years after initial exposure. It can take as long as 50 years for asbestos-related fibers to be inhaled to cause lung damage. Workers who handled, cleaned, and removed asbestos from their workplaces as well as spouses, children, and others exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing mesothelioma.
As well as mesothelioma attorney, other asbestos-related illnesses include laryngeal cancer, lung cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma, and ovarian mesothelioma. Ovarian cancer is the deadliest form of mesothelioma for women however, it is much less prevalent than mesothelioma lawsuits in general. It is usually diagnosed later than other types of mesothelioma due to the fact that it is a cancer that develops in the tissue of the reproductive organs, and symptoms can be similar to symptoms of other illnesses.
There were many companies that used asbestos in the 20th century, however they were aware that it was hazardous. If they didn't remove asbestos from their products thousands of people were exposed. The affected people are now able to claim financial compensation. A lot of asbestos-related manufacturers have declared bankruptcy. The victims are now able to claim compensation from the trust funds created by bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
Asbestos companies have put profits before the safety of their workers and their customers for decades making dangerous products, without warning about the risks. These companies are now confronting the consequences of their carelessness. Victims of asbestos-related illnesses such as mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and complete compensation.
Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals obtain 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 attorneys work to hold corporations accountable and seek maximum compensation for clients.
Many states have set up special asbestos courts in which claims can be filed and resolving more efficiently. Judges have also created special procedures to review and resolve these cases.
New York, a state with its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL), is one of the states. The caseload in this specialty court has increased steadily, as asbestos victims are becoming more and more likely to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants who went bankrupt. To ensure that the justice system does not get overloaded and overwhelmed, the New York Supreme Court has established an additional judicial panel that will supervise NYCAL.
A panel comprised 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 decide how much money the plaintiff is entitled to.
The panel is currently reviewing more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to issue its final ruling at the end of this year.
New York asbestos lawsuits are often complex and involve allegations of multiple defendants. Belluck & Fox's lawyers have extensive experience in litigating these complex matters. They are well-versed in the rules regulations, policies, and procedures 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 complex, multidistrict litigation. In this capacity lawyers formulate strategies, oversee local and regional counsel, and ensure that they are able to provide consistent and effective defenses for clients. They have worked closely in the past with trial judges, coordinating judges, and special masters of litigation from different jurisdictions.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will decide which strategy is best to defend the client against a personal injury lawsuit involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises suppliers, manufacturers, contractors, distributors and premises owners on matters that involve mesothelioma claims, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm also works with clients to develop internal programs for identifying and addressing any safety and liability concerns.
In addition to its asbestos practice across the nation, Bowles Rice serves as national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this capacity Bowles Rice formulates litigation strategies and oversees local and region counsel to ensure a uniform and cost-effective defense in accordance with the client's objectives. In addition it plays an important role in the management of asbestos dockets as well as negotiations with counsel for plaintiffs and lead discovery for its clients.
The firm's lawyers are skilled in defending clients against mesothelioma-related claims and other asbestos-related illnesses. Asbestos defense attorneys are familiar with the complex science involved in these cases, as in addition to particular legal issues that arise while defending businesses before federal and state courts across the United States.
Catherine has represented a variety of manufacturers in asbestos and products liability personal injury cases, defending them as lead trial counsel and in consolidated trials involving multiple plaintiffs. She has substantial experience litigating asbestos-related cases in the 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 those in the Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The cases files included SEAR forms (Short Evaluative reports that are encapsulated) which contained confidential information about plaintiffs. These included medical reports, work histories, and a list asbestos products that plaintiffs worked with or near. Vogel was required to have access to these files, and she could also go through the SEAR forms of any case 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 company collaborates with the lawyers of plaintiffs in the preparation and execution of settlement agreements, and it has extensive experience defending companies against appeals.