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 harmed by exposure to this toxic mineral. Compensation can cover medical expenses funeral and burial expenses, pain and suffering, and lost quality of life.
Our attorneys are involved in the mass litigation of toxic torts on a regional, national and local scale. This means that we are familiarized with the unique issues and complex aspects of science associated with asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos is a deadly fiber that can trigger a variety of severe medical conditions, including mesothelioma lawsuits. A New York asbestos attorney is adept at handling lawsuits seeking financial compensation for those who have suffered from asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be complex and therefore it is essential to have a mesothelioma attorney on your side.
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 claims against former asbestos manufacturers than ever before. These cases are a result of the realization that asbestos can cause diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. The companies were aware of the dangers that asbestos posed, but failed to warn the employees and the public.
The New York City area is particularly prone to asbestos-related diseases due to its old structures and a myriad of construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously toxic area that continues to affect the surrounding community.
Mesothelioma is caused by direct exposure to asbestos and a lot of workers were exposed to it in the workplace. Exposure to asbestos from the outside can result in mesothelioma. This includes spouses who wear their husband's clothing to work and come into contact with asbestos dust on a regular basis.
The litigation associated with mesothelioma can be costly for defendants, particularly when they are incorrectly named as defendants. A study shows that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could rise. This type of litigation is typically fueled by specialized asbestos law firms that advertise on television during the day and encourage victims to file claims, with the promise of substantial settlements.
The defendants might be able to reduce some of the costs of these cases by arguing that their policy periods are expired or that they are only responsible for only a small percentage of the claim value. However, New York law has not set out a clear policy on how to allocate liability when the alleged exposure occurs within and outside the policy period of the insurer.
Asbestos-related illnesses
Exposure to asbestos can lead to many different diseases. The most serious condition is mesothelioma attorneys. Many people have died due to mesothelioma attorneys. Other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques, and the pleural effusion.
Mesothelioma, a rare, but fatal illness that is caused by asbestos fibers that accumulate in the lung. They then cause irritation to the linings of the ribcage (the the pleura), chest cavity and abdominal cavity. Inhaling these tiny fibers can cause scarring of the lungs known as asbestosis and occasionally, the development of thickened patches on the pleura called plaques on the pleura, or the more widespread fibrosis of the pleura called diffused pleural fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrosis decrease lung capacity as determined by breathing tests. They can also cause pain and difficulties in breathing, however they are not the cause of mesothelioma or cancer.
The symptoms of asbestos-related diseases typically 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 damage the lungs. Workers who handled, cleaned, and removed asbestos from the workplace and their spouses, children, and others exposed to asbestos are at risk for developing mesothelioma.
As well as mesothelioma, other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma, and mesothelioma ovarian. The most fatal form of mesothelioma is called ovarian cancer, however it is less common than the general mesothelioma. It is diagnosed later than other types of mesothelioma because it develops within the linings of reproductive organs. Symptoms can be similar to other illnesses.
There were many companies that used asbestos in the 20th century, however they were aware that it was hazardous. When they failed to remove asbestos from their products thousands of people were exposed. These people can now sue for financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies have declared bankruptcy. The victims can now seek compensation from the trust funds set up by bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
For decades, asbestos-related companies have put profits ahead of the security of their employees and consumers, manufacturing hazardous products without warning of the risks. They are now facing the consequences of their carelessness. Patients who have suffered asbestos-related illnesses such as mesothelioma lawyers and lung cancer are seeking fair and complete compensation.
The attorneys at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to helping families and individuals get the justice they deserve. 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 the highest amount of compensation for their clients.
Many states have set up special asbestos courts in which claims can be filed and resolving more efficiently. Judges have also established special procedures to review and resolve these cases.
New York, a state with its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL) is one of them. As asbestos victims continue to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants that have declared bankruptcy, the caseload of this court has been steadily increasing. The New York Supreme Court created a special judicial board to oversee NYCAL to stop the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.
A panel of six Supreme Court judges will review every case filed in NYCAL to determine whether to accept or reject it. Judges will also consider the merits of every claim to determine the amount of the plaintiff's compensation should be.
At present, the panel is studying more than 3,500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to make a final decision at the end of this year.
New York asbestos lawsuits are usually complex and involve several defendants. Belluck and Fox's lawyers have vast experience in defending these complicated cases. They are knowledgeable of New York's asbestos courts and their rules, regulations and policies and other jurisdictions in which they have handled multi-district litigation.
The firm also has vast experience in serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients throughout the nation in complex, multi-district litigation. In this role, attorneys create strategies, coordinate and oversee local and regional counsel, and ensure cost-effective and consistent defenses for every client. They have worked closely with coordinating and trial judges and litigation special masters in various jurisdictions in which they have been involved in asbestos litigation.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will decide which strategy is best to defend the client in a personal injury lawsuit involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels product manufacturers, suppliers contractors, distributors, contractors, and owners of premises in matters involving claims of mesothelioma and lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm works with clients on developing internal programs to 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 the firm formulates litigation strategies, manages local and regional counsel, and achieves consistent and cost-effective defense that is in sync with client goals. Additionally, it plays a key part in the administration of asbestos dockets, negotiations with counsel for plaintiffs and lead discovery for its clients.
The firm's attorneys are experienced in defending clients from mesothelioma-related claims and other asbestos-related illnesses. Asbestos defense attorneys are acquainted with the intricate science involved 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 lead counsel in asbestos and personal injury lawsuits related to product liability as well as in cases that have been consolidated involving multiple claimants. She has extensive experience litigating asbestos-related lawsuits in federal and state courts, as well as a variety of Supreme Court and appellate courts.
During her time at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those for respondents of the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The cases files included SEAR forms (Short Evaluative reports that are encapsulated) that contained confidential information about plaintiffs. The files contained medical reports and work histories, as well as an inventory of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs used or worked near. Vogel was required to use a password to access these files and could look over 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 reach settlements on behalf of its clients. In this capacity, the firm works closely with the lawyers of plaintiffs in the preparation and execution of settlement agreements. Additionally, it has extensive experience in defending businesses against appeals.