An Asbestos Defense Attorney Can Help Protect the Financial Security of Those Harmed by Exposure to This Harmful Mineral

An asbestos defense lawyer can help protect the financial security of those who have been injured by exposure to this harmful mineral. Compensation could cover medical expenses funeral and burial costs, lost quality of life, as well as suffering and pain.

Our attorneys are involved in the mass litigation of toxic torts at a national, regional and local scale. As our lawyers are well-versed with the unique issues and the complex science that go along asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos fibers are deadly and can cause serious medical conditions like mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is adept at handling asbestos lawsuits that seek financial compensation for victims and their families for exposure to this harmful substance. These cases can be complex and therefore it is essential to have a mesothelioma expert lawyer on your side.

New York has had a long-running history of asbestos litigation, and many residents were exposed to this hazardous material. In recent years, there have been more lawsuits against asbestos producers from the past than before. These cases result from the recognition of a connection between asbestos and diseases like mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. These companies knew of the dangers associated with the hazardous mineral, but did not inform their employees and customers.

The New York City area is particularly susceptible to asbestos-related illnesses because of its older structures and the numerous construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic location that continues to impact on the community around it.

Many workers were exposed to asbestos in their work environments. However, many people are diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of secondhand exposure to the harmful substances. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposure workers who were wearing their husband's work clothes and came in contact with asbestos dust regularly.

The mesothelioma litigation can be expensive for defendants, especially when they are incorrectly named as defendants. According to a study, more that 3,600 claims have been filed in New York courts since 2014 and the number is expected to increase further. This type of litigation is typically supported by asbestos law firms that advertise on television during the day and encourage victims to file claims, with the promise of huge settlements.

The defendants may be able reduce some of the expenses arising from these cases by asserting that their policy periods have expired or they are only responsible for a small portion of the amount of the claim. However, New York law has not established a clear rule on how to allocate liability when the alleged exposure occurs within and outside the insurance company's policy.

Asbestos-related diseases

Exposure to asbestos can trigger many different ailments. The most serious of these is mesothelioma. Many people have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer asbestosis, pleural plaques, and pleural effusion.

Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal illness that is caused by exposure to asbestos fibers which accumulate in the lungs and cause irritation to the lining of the chest cavity, ribcage, and abdominal cavity (the pleura). The inhalation of these tiny fibers can cause scarring of the lungs, a condition known as asbestosis and sometimes the development of thickened patches on the pleura referred to as plaques of pleura or a more widespread fibrosis of the pleura called diffused pleural the fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis can decrease lung capacity, as measured by breathing test. They can also cause pain and difficulty breathing however they do not lead to cancer or mesothelioma.

Symptoms of asbestos-related disease often are not evident until years after exposure. This is because it can 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 others exposed to asbestos are at risk for developing mesothelioma.

Other asbestos-related illnesses, in addition to mesothelioma include lung cancer and laryngeal carcinoma as well as peritoneal, ovarian and peritoneal cancer. 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, because it develops in the linings of reproductive organs. Symptoms can be similar to other illnesses.

Several companies used asbestos during the 20th century. They knew it was dangerous. 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 filed for bankruptcy. In the aftermath, victims can seek the compensation they are entitled to from trust funds established by the bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

For decades, asbestos-related companies have placed profits over the safety of their employees and consumers, manufacturing hazardous products without warning of the risks. These companies are now facing the consequences of their negligence. Patients who have suffered asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and full compensation.

Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals get the justice they deserve. Our lawyers have more than 25 years experience and have helped clients receive millions of dollars of compensation. Our New York mesothelioma attorneys work to hold large corporations accountable and to secure the highest amount of compensation for their clients.

Many states have established asbestos courts that are specifically designed so that claims can be filed more efficiently. Judges have also created specialized procedures to evaluate and resolve such cases.

New York, a state which has its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL), is one of the states. As asbestos lawsuit, why not try these out, victims continue to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants that have gone bankrupt the number of cases that have come through this court has steadily increased. The New York Supreme Court created an extra judicial board to supervise NYCAL in order to keep the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.

A panel composed of six Supreme Court judges will review every case in NYCAL to decide whether or not to take it up with it. Judges will also assess the merits of every claim to determine how much money each plaintiff should receive.

The panel is currently looking at 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 include allegations of several defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience in the litigation of these difficult issues. They are familiar with 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 also has extensive experience as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients throughout the nation in multi-district litigation that is complex and complex. In this capacity, lawyers develop 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 knowledgeable Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best approach to defend a client in an asbestos personal injury claim. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises manufacturers, suppliers and contractors, distributors, and property owners on issues involving mesothelioma claims, lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm also works with clients to create internal programs to identify and addressing potential safety and liability issues.

In addition to its asbestos practice in the national level, Bowles Rice serves as the national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this capacity the firm designs strategies for litigation, oversees regional and local counsel and achieves consistent and cost-effective defense, in line with client objectives. It also plays an important role in the administration and management of asbestos legal dockets, as well in negotiations with plaintiffs' attorneys and in coordinating discovery for its client.

The firm's lawyers have extensive trial and appellate experience, defending clients against claims by injured claimants, such as those who claim mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are familiar with the complex scientific issues involved in these cases, as in addition to unique legal issues that arise when defending companies before state and federal courts throughout 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 in the federal and state courts, as well as a variety of Supreme Court and appellate courts.

During her time at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos cases for respondents, including those at the Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The case files contained SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports) which contained confidential information about plaintiffs, such as medical reports, a history of work and a list of asbestos products that the plaintiff worked with or around. Vogel had to have access to a password to access the files. Then, she could look over any SEAR forms that she received from 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 firm collaborates closely with plaintiffs' lawyers in the development and execution of settlement agreements, and it has extensive experience in defending businesses against appeals.