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

An asbestos defense lawyer can protect the financial security of those who have been affected through exposure to this dangerous mineral. Compensation can cover medical expenses, funeral and burial expenses as well as pain and suffering and loss of quality of life.

Our attorneys are involved in the mass litigation of toxic torts on a regional, national and local scale. We are familiarized with the unique issues and complex aspects of science of asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos is a dangerous fiber that can trigger numerous serious medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney is adept at handling lawsuits to seek financial compensation for those who have suffered from asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be complex, and it is critical to have an experienced mesothelioma law firm by your side.

New York has a long history of asbestos litigation, and many residents have been exposed to this dangerous material. In recent times, there have been more lawsuits against former asbestos manufacturers than ever before. These cases are a result of the recognition of a link between asbestos and diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. These companies were aware asbestos's dangers, but failed to warn employees and consumers.

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

Many workers were exposed to asbestos at work. However, people also get diagnosed with mesothelioma following an exposure secondarily 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 on a regular basis.

Litigation involving mesothelioma is expensive for defendants. This is especially true if they have been wrongly identified 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. This niche litigation is often driven by asbestos law firms that promote on daytime television and encourage victims to file claims with the promise of huge settlements.

Defendants may be able to lower some of the expenses arising from these cases by arguing that their policy periods have expired or they're only responsible for a tiny percentage of the value of the claim. New York law does not have a specific rule for how to distribute the liability if the alleged exposure is of the insurance policies.

Asbestos-related diseases

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

Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal illness that is caused by exposure to asbestos fibers that accumulate in the lungs and irritate the lining of the chest cavity, ribcage and abdominal cavity (the the pleura). The inhalation of these small fibers can cause scarring of the lungs known as asbestosis and, sometimes, the formation of thickened patches on the pleura, known as plaques on the pleura, or a more widespread fibrosis of the pleura known as diffused the fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis may reduce lung capacity as measured by a breath test. They can also cause pain and discomfort in breathing, but they do not lead mesothelioma or cancer.

Most of the time, symptoms of asbestos legal-related illnesses don't manifest until decades after initial exposure. It can take as long as 50 years for asbestos fibers that are inhaled to cause lung damage. The people at risk of developing mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related diseases include those who handled, cleaned and removed asbestos-containing products from the workplace, as well as spouses and children of those who were exposed to asbestos.

In addition to mesothelioma, other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma, and mesothelioma of the ovary. Ovarian cancer is among the most deadly mesothelioma that women suffer from, but it is less common than mesothelioma general. It is diagnosed later than most other mesothelioma types, because it is found in the linings of reproductive organs. The symptoms can be similar to other diseases.

There were many companies that employed asbestos in the 20th century, but they knew that it was a risk. When they did not remove it from their products, thousands of people were exposed. They can now claim financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies have gone bankrupt. In the aftermath, victims can seek the money they are entitled to from trust funds set up by the bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

For decades, asbestos-related companies have put profits ahead of the security of their employees and consumers by producing dangerous products without warning of the risks. These companies are now facing the consequences of their inattention. Patients who have suffered asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and complete settlement.

The lawyers at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to helping families and individuals get the justice they deserve. With more than 25 years of experience and accomplishments, we have secured millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. Our New York mesothelioma lawyers work to hold accountable large corporations accountable and seek maximum compensation for our clients.

A number of states have set up asbestos lawyer courts with specialization, where claims can be filed more efficiently. Judges have also established specialized procedures to evaluate and resolve asbestos-related cases.

New York is one such state, with its own asbestos court, known as NYCAL. As asbestos victims continue to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants that have been bankrupt and have been unable to pay, the workload of the court has steadily increased. To ensure that the justice system is not overloaded and overwhelmed, the New York Supreme Court has ordered the creation of an extra judicial panel to supervise NYCAL.

A panel comprised 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 consider the merits of each case to determine the amount a plaintiff should receive.

Currently, the panel is reviewing more than 3,500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to announce its final decision before the end of this year.

New York asbestos lawsuits can be complicated and involve several defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience in the litigation of these complicated matters. They are knowledgeable of the asbestos compensation courts in New York as well as their rules, regulations and policies in addition to other jurisdictions where they have handled multi-district litigation.

The firm has also extensive experience as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in multidistrict litigation that is complex and complex. In this capacity, attorneys develop strategies, coordinate and oversee local and regional counsel, and ensure consistent and cost-effective defenses for every client. They have worked closely with trial judges, coordinating judges and special masters of litigation from different jurisdictions.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A skilled Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best strategy to defend a client against an asbestos personal injury claim. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, contractors and owners of premises in matters involving claims of mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm also works with clients to create internal programs to identify and addressing potential safety and liability concerns.

In addition to its national asbestos practice, Bowles Rice serves as the national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this role the firm designs litigation strategies, supervises local and regional counsel, and ensures a consistent and cost-effective defense in coordination with client goals. Additionally it plays a crucial role in the management of asbestos dockets, negotiations with plaintiffs' counsel and lead discovery for its clients.

The firm's attorneys have a wealth of trial and appellate experience defending clients from claims brought by injured claimants, including those claiming mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense lawyers are familiar with the intricate science involved with these cases, as well as the unique legal issues that arise when defending businesses in state and federal courts across the United States.

Catherine has represented a variety of manufacturers as lead counsel in asbestos and product liability personal injury lawsuits and in consolidated cases that involve multiple plaintiffs. She has extensive experience litigating asbestos-related lawsuits before 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 involving respondents to the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files included SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports), which contained confidential information on the plaintiffs, such as medical reports, work histories and the list of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs worked with or around. Vogel required an account password to access the files. She could then look over any SEAR forms provided by her current employer.

The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to its vast experience in appellate and trial work, is recognized nationally for its ability to reach settlements on behalf of its clients. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs’ lawyers to develop and execute settlement agreements. The firm also has extensive experience in defending businesses against appeals.