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

A defense attorney for asbestos can help protect those who's financial security has been affected by exposure to the harmful mineral. Compensation can cover medical costs, funeral and burial costs, loss of quality of life, as well as suffering and pain.

Our attorneys serve as local, regional and national counsel in large toxic tort litigation. As our lawyers are well-versed with the specific issues and complicated science associated asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos fibers can be deadly and can trigger serious medical conditions like mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is experienced in handling asbestos lawsuits which seek financial compensation for the victims and their families for exposure to this toxic substance. These cases can be complicated and therefore it is essential to have a mesothelioma attorney on your side.

New York has had a long-running history of asbestos litigation and many residents were exposed to the dangerous material. In recent years, there have been more lawsuits against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases are the result of the realization that asbestos can cause illnesses such as mesothelioma or lung cancer. These companies were aware of asbestos' dangers, but failed to warn the employees and the public.

The New York City area is particularly prone to asbestos-related diseases due to its old structures and the numerous construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously toxic area that continues to affect the surrounding community.

Mesothelioma is triggered by direct exposure to asbestos, and many workers were exposed at work. However, many people are diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of exposure to harmful substances. This includes spouses who wear husband's clothes at work and come in contact with asbestos dust regularly.

The litigation associated with mesothelioma is costly for defendants, particularly when they are mistakenly identified as a defendant. According to a study, more that 3,600 claims have been filed in New York courts since 2014 and the number is expected to rise further. This kind of litigation is usually supported by asbestos law firms that advertise on television during the day and encourage victims to file claims with the promise of substantial settlements.

The defendants may be able reduce some of the costs associated with these cases by asserting that their policy periods have expired or they're only responsible for a small 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

Exposure to asbestos can cause various ailments. The mesothelioma condition is the most severe. Mesothelioma is the cause of death of many people. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques and the pleural effusion.

Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal disease caused by exposure to asbestos fibers that accumulate in the lungs and cause irritation to the lining of the ribcage, chest cavity, and abdominal cavity (the pleura). Inhaling these fibers can lead to scarring in the lungs, known as asbestosis. It can also result in thickened pleura patches (pleural plaques) or an increase in fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis could reduce lung capacity as measured by a breath test. They can also cause pain and discomfort in breathing, however they do not lead mesothelioma or cancer.

The majority of the time, signs of asbestos-related diseases do not appear until decades after the initial exposure. It could take up to 50 years for asbestos-related fibers to be inhaled to cause lung damage. People at risk of developing mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related diseases include those who handled, laundered, and removed these materials from their workplaces and spouses and children of asbestos-related exposure.

Other asbestos-related diseases, in addition to mesothelioma, include laryngeal cancer and lung cancer, peritoneal, ovarian, and peritoneal cancer. The most deadly mesothelioma type is ovarian cancer, however it is less common than the general mesothelioma. It is typically diagnosed later than other types of mesothelioma since it develops in the tissue of the reproductive organs, and symptoms can be similar to symptoms of other diseases.

Several companies used asbestos settlement during the 20th century. They were aware that it was dangerous. When they failed to remove asbestos from their products, thousands of people were exposed. These people now are able to claim 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 set up by the bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

Asbestos companies have put profits before the safety of their workers and their customers for decades making dangerous products, without warning of the dangers. These companies are now confronting the consequences of their carelessness. People who have suffered from life-altering issues caused by mesothelioma, cancer of the lung and other asbestos attorney-related illnesses are seeking fair and full compensation.

The attorneys at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to helping families and individuals obtain the justice they deserve. Our attorneys have more than 25 years experience and have helped our clients receive millions of dollars of compensation. Our New York mesothelioma attorneys work to hold large corporations accountable and seek maximum compensation for clients.

Many states have established special asbestos courts in which claims can be filed and resolved more efficiently. Additionally judges have developed specialized procedures to evaluate and resolve asbestos 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 who 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 to stop the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.

A panel comprised of six Supreme Court judges will review every case filed in NYCAL to determine whether to accept or reject it. Judges will also consider the merits of each claim to determine the amount of money each plaintiff should receive.

At present, the panel is looking into more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to announce its final decision before the end this 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 difficult issues. They are well-versed in the asbestos courts of New York, including their rules, regulations and policies, as well as other jurisdictions in which they have handled multi-district litigation.

The firm also has vast experience serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients across the country in complex, multi-district litigation. In this capacity, attorneys develop strategies, coordinate and oversee regional and local counsel, and ensure consistent and cost-effective defenses for every client. They have worked closely in the past with trial judges, coordination judges, and litigation special masters from various jurisdictions.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will determine what strategy is most effective to defend the client in an injury claim that involves asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels suppliers, manufacturers contractors, distributors, contractors, and premises owners in matters involving claims of mesothelioma and lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm also works with clients to develop internal programs for identifying and addressing any risks to safety and liability.

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 role the firm designs litigation strategies, manages local and regional counsel, and ensures a consistent and cost-effective defense, in line with client objectives. In addition it plays an important role in the management of asbestos dockets as well as negotiations with counsel for plaintiffs and leads discovery for its clients.

The firm's lawyers are skilled in defending clients against mesothelioma claims and other asbestos-related illnesses. Asbestos defense attorneys are familiar with the complex science that is associated 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 in asbestos and product liability personal injury cases, representing them as the lead trial counsel in consolidated trials involving a variety of claimants. She has extensive experience arguing asbestos-related lawsuits before the federal and state courts as well as various Supreme Court and appellate courts.

During her time at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those for respondents of the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The cases files contained SEAR forms (Short Evaluative reports that are encapsulated) that contained confidential information about the claimants. The files contained medical reports, work histories, and an inventory of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs used or worked near. Vogel was required to use a password to access these files and could look over the SEAR forms of any case at her current employer.

The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to its vast experience in trial and appellate work, is widely acclaimed for its ability to successfully reach settlements on behalf of its clients. In this capacity, the company collaborates closely with the lawyers of plaintiffs in the creation and implementation of settlement agreements, and it has a vast experience in defending companies against appeals.