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 injured by exposure to this harmful 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 national, regional and local level. As such, we are familiar with the particular issues and complicated science associated asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos fibers can be deadly and can trigger serious medical conditions, such as mesothelioma attorney. A New York asbestos attorney is experienced in handling lawsuits seeking the financial compensation of those affected by asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be a bit complicated and it's crucial to have a mesothelioma attorney to assist you.
New York has had a long history of asbestos litigation and many residents were exposed to the dangerous substance. In recent years there are more lawsuits filed against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases stem from the recognition of a link between asbestos and diseases like mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. The companies were aware of the dangers that asbestos posed however, they failed to inform the employees and the public.
The New York City area is particularly susceptible to asbestos-related ailments because of its older structures and the numerous construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously toxic area that continues to affect the surrounding community.
Many workers were exposed to asbestos at work. However, some people are diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of secondhand exposure to the harmful substances. This includes spouses who wear husband's clothing at work and come in contact with asbestos dust frequently.
The mesothelioma lawsuit can be costly for defendants. This is particularly relevant if they've been wrongly named as defendants. A study indicates that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could grow. Specialized asbestos law firms typically advertise on TV during the day and encourage victims to file claims under the premise that they will receive substantial settlements.
Defendants may be able to mitigate some of the expenses arising from these cases by asserting that their policy periods have expired or they are only responsible for a tiny percentage of the amount of the claim. However, New York law has not established a clear rule regarding how to allocate liabilities when the alleged exposure occurs partly outside of the insurer's policy periods.
Asbestos-related Diseases
A myriad of asbestos-related diseases can develop due to exposure to the harmful mineral. The most serious condition is mesothelioma. Many people have died due to mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related diseases include asbestosis and lung cancer. Pleural plaques and pleural effusion are also asbestos-related.
Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal illness caused by exposure to asbestos fibers that collect in the lungs, and can cause irritation to the lining of the chest cavity, ribcage and abdominal cavity (the Pleura). The inhalation of these tiny fibers can cause scarring to the lungs known as asbestosis and, sometimes, the development of thickened patches on the pleura called plaques on the pleura, or a 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 difficulty breathing however they do not cause mesothelioma or cancer.
Often, symptoms of asbestos-related diseases don't show up until decades after the initial exposure. It can take up to 50 years for asbestos fibers that are inhaled to cause lung damage. People at risk of developing mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases include those who handled, washed and removed asbestos-containing materials from the workplace and their spouses and children of those exposed to asbestos.
Other asbestos-related diseases, in addition to mesothelioma include laryngeal cancer and lung cancer as well as peritoneal, ovarian and peritoneal cancer. The most dangerous mesothelioma type is ovarian cancer, however it is less common than the general mesothelioma. It is often diagnosed later than other kinds of mesothelioma lawsuits since it develops in the lining of the reproductive organs and the symptoms can be similar to symptoms of other diseases.
There were many companies that employed asbestos in the 20th century, however they were aware that it was hazardous. When they did not remove asbestos from their products thousands of people were exposed. Now, these people are able to seek financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are bankrupt. The victims are now able to seek compensation from the trust funds established by bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
Asbestos-related companies have put profit before the safety of their workers and consumers for decades creating dangerous products without warning about the risks. They are now confronting the consequences of their negligence. People whose lives have been disrupted by mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses are seeking fair and full settlement.
The lawyers at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to helping individuals and families obtain the justice they deserve. Our attorneys have more than 25 years of experience and have helped our clients receive millions of dollars in compensation. Our New York mesothelioma lawyers (visit the next website) work to hold large corporations responsible accountable and to secure the highest amount of compensation for our clients.
Many states have established special asbestos courts in which claims can be filed and resolving more efficiently. Judges have also established specific procedures to assess and resolve such cases.
New York is one such state that has its own asbestos court known as NYCAL. As asbestos victims continue to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants who have declared bankruptcy and have been unable to pay, the workload of this special court has steadily increased. The New York Supreme Court created a special judicial board to oversee NYCAL in order to keep the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.
A panel of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine if it should be accepted or rejected. Judges will also evaluate the merits of each claim to determine the amount of the plaintiff's compensation should be.
At present, the panel is looking into more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to make a final decision at the end of this year.
New York asbestos lawsuits are often complex and involve multiple defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience in the litigation of these difficult matters. They are knowledgeable of the asbestos courts in New York as well as their rules and regulations, as well as other jurisdictions where they have handled multi-district litigation.
The firm has also extensive experience as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in complex, multidistrict litigation. In this capacity, attorneys create strategies, coordinate and oversee local and regional counsel, and ensure cost-effective, consistent defenses for each client. They have worked closely in the past with trial judges, coordinating judges and special masters of litigation from different jurisdictions.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A knowledgeable Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best approach to defend a client against an asbestos personal injury claim. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, contractors, and property owners on issues involving mesothelioma claims, lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm also works with clients to create internal programs to identify and addressing safety and liability concerns.
Bowles Rice, in addition to its asbestos practice across the country and multi-state asbestos litigation, serves as national Coordinating counsel. In this capacity the firm formulates strategies for litigation, oversees regional and local counsel and provides a cost-effective and consistent defense in coordination with client goals. Additionally it plays an important role in the management of asbestos dockets and negotiations with plaintiffs' counsel and leads discovery for its clients.
The firm's attorneys have a wealth of trial and appellate experience, defending clients against claims by injured claimants, which includes those claiming mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense lawyers are familiar with the complex research and technology involved in these cases, as and specific legal issues that arise when representing companies in federal and state courts across the United States.
Catherine has represented numerous companies in asbestos and products liability personal injury cases, acting as the lead counsel in consolidated trials that involved multiple plaintiffs. She has substantial experience litigating asbestos-related cases before federal and state courts, as well as before a variety of supreme and appellate court bodies.
While at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those involving respondents to the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files included SEAR forms (Short Evaluative Reports Encapsulated) that contained confidential data about the claimants. This included medical reports as well as work histories and the list of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs used or worked near. Vogel had to have a password in order to access the files. Then, she could look over any SEAR forms from her current employer.
In addition to its extensive trial and appellate experience, the Bowles Rice Asbestos Team is recognized nationally for its ability to negotiate settlements on behalf of its clients. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs’ lawyers to draft and implement settlement agreements. It also has a wealth of experience in defending businesses from appeals.