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 harmed through exposure to this dangerous mineral. Compensation can cover medical costs, funeral and burial costs, loss of quality of life, and pain and suffering.

Our lawyers are local, regional, and national counsel in massive toxic tort litigation. As a result, we are well-versed in the unique issues and the complex scientific aspects that are associated with asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos fibers are dangerous and can cause severe medical conditions such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is adept at handling asbestos lawsuits that seek compensation for victims and their families due to exposure to this toxic substance. These cases can be complex and therefore it is essential to have a mesothelioma lawyer to assist you.

New York has a long history of asbestos litigation, and many residents have been exposed to the dangerous material. In recent years there are more lawsuits filed against asbestos producers in the past than ever before. These cases are a result of the realization that asbestos can cause illnesses such as mesothelioma or lung cancer. These companies were aware the dangers that asbestos posed however, they failed to inform the employees and the public.

New York City is especially susceptible to diseases caused by asbestos due to its older structures and construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously hazardous area that continues to impact the surrounding community.

Many workers were exposed to asbestos in the workplace. However, people also get diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of exposure to harmful substances. This includes spouses of asbestos settlement-exposed workers who had their husbands' work clothes and came in contact with asbestos dust regularly.

The litigation associated with mesothelioma can be expensive for defendants, especially if they are wrongfully 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. This niche litigation is often driven by asbestos law firms that advertise on daytime television and encourage victims to file claims, with the promise of huge settlements.

The defendants may be able mitigate some of the costs arising from these cases by asserting that their policy periods have expired or they are only responsible for a small percentage of the total value of the claim. However, New York law has not provided a definitive rule regarding how to allocate liabilities when the alleged exposure occurs in and out of the policy period of the insurer.

Asbestos-related Diseases

Exposure to asbestos can lead to a wide range of ailments. The most serious condition is mesothelioma. Many have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques and the pleural effusion.

Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal illness caused by exposure to asbestos fibers that collect in the lungs and cause irritation to the lining of the ribcage, chest cavity and abdominal cavity (the pleura). Inhaling these tiny fibers can result in scarring of the lungs called asbestosis, and, sometimes, the formation of thickened patches on the pleura called plaques of pleura or a more widespread fibrosis of the pleura called diffused pleural fibrisis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis can decrease lung capacity, as measured by a breath test. They also cause breathing problems and pain, though they do not lead to cancer or mesothelioma.

The symptoms of asbestos-related diseases typically are not evident until years after exposure. It could take up to 50 years for asbestos-related fibers to be inhaled to cause lung damage. Workers who handled, cleaned, and removed asbestos from the workplace and their children, spouses and other people who are exposed to asbestos claim are at risk of developing mesothelioma.

In addition to mesothelioma, other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma, and ovarian mesothelioma. Ovarian cancer is the most fatal mesothelioma that women suffer from however it is much less prevalent than mesothelioma in general. It is diagnosed later than most other types of mesothelioma because it occurs in the linings of the reproductive organs. Symptoms can be similar to other illnesses.

A number of companies used asbestos in the 20th century. They were aware that it was dangerous. When they did not remove asbestos from their products thousands of people were exposed. They can now seek financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are bankrupt. This means that the victims are able to seek the compensation they are entitled to from trust funds established by the bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

For decades, asbestos companies put profits above the safety of their employees and consumers, manufacturing hazardous products, without warning of the dangers. These companies are now facing the consequences of their carelessness. People who's lives have been affected by mesothelioma, cancer of the lung and other asbestos-related diseases are seeking fair and full settlement.

The lawyers at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to assisting 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 lawyers work to hold accountable large corporations accountable and to obtain the highest amount of compensation for our clients.

A number of states have set up asbestos courts that are specifically designed so that claims can be filed more efficiently. Judges have also developed special procedures to review and resolve asbestos-related cases.

New York is one such state that has its own asbestos court known as NYCAL. The number of cases filed in this court has increased steadily, as more and more asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants who went bankrupt. The New York Supreme Court created an additional judicial board that will supervise NYCAL to stop the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.

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

Currently, the panel is studying more than 3,500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to issue its final decision by the end of the year.

New York asbestos lawsuits can be complex and involve multiple defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience in the litigation of these complicated issues. They are familiar with the rules, regulations, and policies of the asbestos courts in New York, as well as the laws of other jurisdictions where they have handled multidistrict litigation.

The firm also has vast experience as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in complex, multidistrict litigation. In this role, lawyers develop strategies, manage regional and local counsel, and ensure that they are able to provide consistent and efficient defenses for clients. 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 Tulsa asbestos lawyer will determine what strategy is best to defend the client from a personal injury lawsuit involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice asbestos settlement Team advises manufacturers, suppliers and distributors, contractors, and premises owners on matters concerning mesothelioma-related claims, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm collaborates with clients in the development of internal programs to determine and resolve potential liability and safety issues.

In addition to its national asbestos practice, Bowles Rice serves as the national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos Claim litigation. In this capacity Bowles Rice formulates strategies for litigation and supervises local and region counsel to ensure a consistent and cost-effective defense that is in line with the client's objectives. It also plays a major role in the administration and management of asbestos dockets as well as negotiations with plaintiffs' attorneys and in coordinating discovery for its clients.

The firm's lawyers are skilled in defending clients from mesothelioma claims and other asbestos-related illnesses. Asbestos defense lawyers are familiar with the complex science associated with these cases, as well as the unique legal issues that arise when defending companies in federal and state courts across the United States.

Catherine has represented a variety of manufacturers as the lead trial counsel in asbestos and product liability personal injury lawsuits as well as in cases that have been consolidated involving multiple claimants. She has extensive experience litigating asbestos-related lawsuits in the federal and state courts, as well as a variety of appellate and Supreme Court bodies.

While at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those of respondents in the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The cases files contained SEAR forms (Short Evaluative reports that are encapsulated), which contained confidential data about the claimants. This included medical reports, work histories, and an inventory of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs used or worked near. Vogel was required to have an account password to access the files. Then, she could go through any SEAR forms that she received from her current employer.

In addition to its extensive trial and appellate experience as well as its vast trial and appellate experience, the Bowles Rice Asbestos Team is recognized nationally 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. Additionally, it has extensive experience defending companies against appeals.