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 harmed through exposure to this dangerous mineral. Compensation can cover medical expenses funeral and burial costs, pain and suffering, and lost quality of life.
Our lawyers are involved in mass toxic tort litigation at a national, regional and local level. As as such, we are acquainted with the particular issues and complicated science associated with asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos fibers are deadly and can cause serious medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is skilled in handling asbestos lawsuits that seek compensation for victims and their families who have been exposed to this harmful substance. These cases can be complex and therefore it is essential to have a reputable mesothelioma law firm by 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 claims against former asbestos manufacturers than ever before. These cases are the result of the recognition that asbestos is associated with illnesses such as mesothelioma or lung cancer. The companies were aware of the dangers associated with this asbestos-containing mineral, yet they did not warn their employees and consumers.
The New York City area is particularly susceptible to asbestos-related illnesses because of its older structures and numerous construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously toxic area that continues affect the community around it.
Many workers were exposed asbestos in their work environments. Secondhand exposure can also result in mesothelioma. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposure workers who wore their husband's work clothes and came into contact with asbestos dust on a regular basis.
The mesothelioma litigation can be costly for defendants, especially when they are mistakenly identified as defendants. A study indicates that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could increase. The asbestos law firms that specialize in asbestos often advertise on television during the day and encourage victims to submit claims under the premise that they will receive significant settlements.
The defendants may be able mitigate some of the costs associated with these cases by arguing that their policy periods have expired or they're only responsible for a tiny percentage of the amount of the claim. New York law does not have a clear rule on how to distribute responsibility when the alleged exposure is of and outside the insurer's policies.
Asbestos-related diseases
A wide range of asbestos-related illnesses can develop due to exposure to the harmful mineral. The mesothelioma disease is the most severe. Mesothelioma is the cause of death of many people. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer and asbestosis. Pleural plaques and effusion are also asbestos-related.
Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal illness is caused by asbestos fibers that are found in the lungs. 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. This is called asbestosis. It can also result in thickened pleura patches (pleural plaques) or an increase in fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrosis reduce lung capacity as determined by breathing tests. They can also cause pain and difficulty breathing, though they do not cause mesothelioma or cancer.
Symptoms of asbestos-related disease often don't manifest until decades after the initial exposure. This is because it could take between 20 and 50 years for the inhalation of asbestos fibers to damage the lungs. Workers who handled, cleaned and removed asbestos from their workplaces and their spouses, children and other people who are exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing mesothelioma.
In addition to mesothelioma other asbestos-related illnesses include laryngeal cancer, lung cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma lawyers and mesothelioma ovarian. Ovarian cancer is the deadliest mesothelioma type for women however it is much less common than mesothelioma lawsuits in general. It is diagnosed later than other mesothelioma types, because it develops in the linings of reproductive organs. The symptoms may be similar to other diseases.
Many companies used asbestos in the 20th century, but they were aware that it was a risk. When they failed to remove asbestos from their products, thousands of people were exposed. Now, these people are able to sue for financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are bankrupt. The victims are now able to claim compensation from trust funds created by bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
Asbestos-related companies have put profit over the safety of their workers and their customers for decades, producing hazardous products without warning about the risks. They are now paying for their inattention to. People who's lives have been affected by mesothelioma and lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses are seeking full and fair compensation.
The lawyers at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to assisting families and individuals receive the justice they need. 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 attorneys work to hold large corporations accountable and seek maximum compensation for clients.
Many states have set up special asbestos courts in which claims can be filed and resolved more efficiently. Judges have also developed specific procedures to assess and resolve such cases.
New York, a state which has its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL), is one of them. As asbestos victims continue to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants who have gone bankrupt, the caseload of the court has been steadily increasing. To ensure that the justice system is not overloaded the New York Supreme Court has ordered the creation of an extra judicial panel to oversee NYCAL.
A panel composed of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine whether it should be accepted or not. Judges will also assess the merits of each claim to determine the amount a plaintiff should receive.
The panel is currently looking at more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to issue its final decision before the end this year.
New York asbestos lawsuits are typically complex and often involve allegations of multiple defendants. Belluck and Fox's lawyers have vast experience in litigating these complex matters. They are well-versed in New York's asbestos courts and their rules, regulations and policies and other jurisdictions where they have handled multi-district litigation.
The firm also has extensive experience serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients across the country in multi-district litigation that is complex and complex. In this role, attorneys develop strategies, coordinate and oversee local and regional counsel, and ensure cost-effective, consistent defenses for every client. They have worked closely with trial and coordination judges and litigation special masters in the various jurisdictions where they were involved in asbestos litigation.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A knowledgeable Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best way to defend a client from an asbestos personal injury claim. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, contractors and property owners in cases involving claims for mesothelioma lawsuits, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm works with clients on developing internal programs to resolve potential liability and safety issues.
In addition to its asbestos practice in the national level, Bowles Rice serves as national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this capacity Bowles Rice devises litigation strategies and manages regional and local counsel to ensure a consistent and cost-effective defence in coordination with the client's needs. Additionally it plays a crucial role in the management of asbestos dockets, negotiations with plaintiffs' counsel and also leads discovery for its clients.
The attorneys of the firm have extensive trial and appellate experience defending clients from claims brought by injured claimants, which includes those who are claiming mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are acquainted with the intricate science involved with these cases, as well as the particular legal issues that arise when representing companies in federal and state courts across the United States.
Catherine has represented a variety of manufacturers as the lead counsel in asbestos and product liability personal injury lawsuits as well as in cases that have been consolidated involving multiple plaintiffs. She has extensive experience litigating asbestos-related lawsuits before federal and state courts, as well as various Supreme Court and appellate bodies.
While at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those of respondents to the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files included SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports) which contained confidential information about the plaintiffs, including medical reports, a history of work and an inventory of asbestos-related products that the plaintiff worked with or around. Vogel had to have an account password to access the files. Then, she could review any SEAR forms provided by her current employer.
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 plaintiffs' lawyers in the preparation and execution of settlement agreements, and it has extensive experience defending companies against appeals.