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

A lawyer for asbestos defense can assist those whose financial security has been affected by exposure to the harmful mineral. Compensation can cover medical costs funeral and burial expenses, pain and suffering, and the loss of quality of life.

Our lawyers are local, regional, and national counsel in massive toxic tort litigation. As as such, we are acquainted with the particular issues and complex science associated with asbestos legal cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos fibers can be deadly and can cause severe medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. 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 complicated and therefore it is essential to have an experienced mesothelioma law firm on your side.

New York has a long history of asbestos litigation and many residents have been exposed to this dangerous substance. In recent years, there are more lawsuits filed against asbestos producers in the past than ever before. These cases are the result of the recognition that asbestos can cause diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. The companies were aware of the dangers of the asbestos-containing mineral, yet they failed to warn their employees and clients.

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

Mesothelioma is triggered by exposure to asbestos in direct contact and many workers were exposed to it at work. However, many people are diagnosed with mesothelioma after experiencing 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 especially relevant if they've been wrongly named as defendants. According to a study, more that 3,600 lawsuits have been filed in New York courts since 2014 and the number could increase further. The asbestos law firms that specialize in asbestos often advertise on TV during the day and encourage victims to file claims with the promise that they will receive significant settlements.

The defendants may be able lower some of the expenses arising from these cases by arguing that their policy periods expire or they are only accountable for a small percentage of the total claim value. New York law does not provide a definitive rule on how to allocate the liability if the alleged exposure is part within and part outside of the insurance policies.

Asbestos-Related Illnesses

A myriad of asbestos-related illnesses can develop because of exposure to the toxic mineral. The most serious of these is mesothelioma. Mesothelioma has led to the deaths of many people. Other asbestos-related diseases include asbestosis and lung cancer. Pleural plaques and effusion are also asbestos-related.

Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal disease that is caused by asbestos fibers that are found in the lungs. They then irritate the linings of the ribcage (the the pleura), chest cavity and abdominal cavity. The inhalation of these tiny fibers can result in scarring of the lungs called asbestosis, and sometimes the development of thickened patches on the pleura called pleural plaques or a more widespread fibrosis of the pleura, referred to as diffused pleural the fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis may reduce lung capacity, as measured by a breath test. They also cause pain and difficulty breathing but they don't lead to cancer or mesothelioma.

Often, symptoms of asbestos-related illnesses don't appear until decades after the initial exposure. This is due to the fact that it can take between 20 to 50 years for inhalation of asbestos-containing fibers to damage the lungs. Workers who handled, cleaned and removed asbestos from the workplace as well as spouses, children and others who were exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing mesothelioma.

In addition to mesothelioma other asbestos-related diseases include laryngeal cancer, lung cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma and mesothelioma ovarian. The most dangerous form of mesothelioma is called ovarian cancer, but it's much less frequent than the general mesothelioma. It is diagnosed later than most other mesothelioma types, because it develops within the linings of reproductive organs. Symptoms can be similar to other illnesses.

Many companies used asbestos in the 20th century, however they knew that it was dangerous. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos when they failed to remove it from their products. These people can now claim financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are insolvent. The victims are now able to seek compensation from trust funds created by bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

For decades, asbestos companies put profits above the safety of their employees and consumers, producing dangerous products, without warning of the dangers. They are now paying for their carelessness. People who have suffered from asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and complete settlement.

The attorneys at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to helping individuals and families 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 attorneys work to hold corporations accountable and to secure maximum compensation for clients.

Many states have established special asbestos courts in which claims can be filed and resolving more efficiently. In addition judges have created special procedures to evaluate and resolve asbestos cases.

New York, a state that has its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL), is one of the states. The number of cases in this court has grown steadily, as increasing numbers of asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants who have gone bankrupt. In order to ensure that the justice system does not get overloaded, the New York Supreme Court has created an additional judicial panel that will oversee NYCAL.

A panel of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine whether it should be accepted or not. Judges will also evaluate the merits of each claim to determine the amount the plaintiff is entitled to.

The panel is currently looking at more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to issue its final decision before the end of the year.

New York asbestos lawsuits are usually complex and include allegations of several defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience in the litigation of these complicated issues. They are knowledgeable of the asbestos courts in New York as well as their rules, regulations and policies and other jurisdictions where they have handled multi-district litigation.

The firm also has vast experience as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients throughout the nation in multi-district, complex litigation. In this role lawyers devise strategies, oversee regional and local counsel, and ensure consistent and efficient defenses for clients. They have collaborated closely with coordinating and trial judges and litigation special masters in various jurisdictions where they were involved in asbestos litigation (head to the Pspskorea site).

Representation of Plaintiffs

A knowledgeable Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best approach to defend a client from a claim for personal injury resulting from asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises manufacturers, suppliers and contractors, distributors and premises owners on matters involving mesothelioma claims, lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm collaborates with clients to develop internal programs to determine and address potential safety and liability concerns.

In addition to its asbestos practice in the national level, Bowles Rice serves as national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this role the firm designs litigation strategies, supervises regional and local counsel, and provides a cost-effective and consistent defense that is in sync with the client's goals. It also plays a significant role in the administration and management of asbestos dockets as well as negotiations with plaintiffs' attorneys and coordinating discovery for its clients.

The attorneys of the firm have extensive trial and appellate experience, defending clients against claims made by injured claimants, such as those claiming mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are familiar with the complex science that is associated with these cases, and the particular legal issues that arise when defending companies in federal and state courts across the United States.

Catherine has represented a variety of manufacturers as lead trial counsel in asbestos and product liability personal injury lawsuits, and in cases that have been consolidated involving multiple plaintiffs. She has extensive experience in arguing asbestos-related cases in federal and state courts and before a variety of supreme and appellate court bodies.

While at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those involving respondents in the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files contained SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports) which contained confidential information on the claimants, such as medical reports, a history of work, and a list of asbestos products that the plaintiff worked with or around. Vogel was required to use access to these files and could go through the SEAR forms of any case she had with 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 develop and execute settlement agreements. It also has a wealth of experience in defending businesses against appeals.