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 affected by exposure to this toxic mineral. Compensation can cover medical expenses funeral and burial costs as well as pain and suffering and lost quality of life.

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

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos is a harmful fiber that can lead to a variety of severe medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is skilled in handling asbestos lawsuits that seek financial compensation for the victims and their families for exposure to this toxic substance. These cases can be complex and therefore it is essential to have a mesothelioma expert law firm on your side.

New York has had a long history of asbestos litigation and many residents were exposed to the dangerous material. In recent years there are more lawsuits filed against asbestos producers from the past than before. These cases arise out of the recognition that asbestos can cause illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer. The companies were aware of the dangers associated with the hazardous mineral, but failed to warn their employees and consumers.

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

Mesothelioma is triggered by direct exposure to asbestos and a lot of workers were exposed at work. Secondhand exposure can also lead to mesothelioma. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposure workers who had their husbands' work clothes and came in contact with asbestos dust on a regular basis.

The mesothelioma litigation can be expensive for defendants, especially if they are wrongfully named as a defendant. A study has revealed that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could grow. Specialized asbestos law firms typically advertise on TV during the day and encourage victims to file claims under the premise that they will receive significant settlements.

Defendants might be able to reduce some of the costs 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 provide a definitive rule on how to distribute liability when the alleged risk is of and outside the insurer's policies.

Asbestos-related Illnesses

A myriad of asbestos-related illnesses can be triggered because of exposure to the harmful mineral. The mesothelioma disease is the most severe. Many have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos settlement-related illnesses 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 can 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 cause thickened pleura patches (pleural plaques) or a more extensive fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrisis reduce lung capacity as determined by breathing tests. They can also cause breathing problems and pain however they do not cause mesothelioma or cancer.

Most of the time, symptoms of asbestos-related diseases do not manifest until decades after initial exposure. This is because it can take between 20 and 50 years for the inhalation of asbestos attorney fibers to cause lung damage. Workers who handled, cleaned, and removed asbestos from their workplaces as well as spouses, children and other people who are exposed to asbestos are at risk for developing mesothelioma.

Other asbestos-related illnesses, apart from mesothelioma, include lung cancer and laryngeal carcinoma as well as peritoneal, ovarian and peritoneal cancer. The most deadly form of mesothelioma is called ovarian cancer, however it is less prevalent than mesothelioma in general. It is diagnosed later than most other types of mesothelioma because it occurs in the linings of reproductive organs. The symptoms can be similar to other illnesses.

A number of companies employed asbestos in the 20th century, however they were aware that it was dangerous. If they didn't remove asbestos from their products thousands of people were exposed. Now, those exposed have the right to claim financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are bankrupt. The victims are now able to seek compensation from the trust funds established by bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

Asbestos companies have put profits over the safety of their employees and customers for a long time, producing hazardous products without warning about the risks. These companies are now facing the consequences of their inattention. People whose lives have been disrupted by mesothelioma, cancer of the lung and other asbestos-related diseases are seeking fair and full compensation.

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

Many states have set up special asbestos courts where claims can be filed and resolved more efficiently. In addition judges have created specialized procedures for evaluating and resolving asbestos cases.

New York, a state with its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL) is one of the states. As asbestos victims continue to seek compensation from solvent asbestos lawsuit, Full Review, defendants that have gone bankrupt the number of cases that have come through this court has steadily increased. In order to ensure that the justice system does not get overloaded the New York Supreme Court has ordered the creation of 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 rejected. Judges will also evaluate the merits of each claim to determine the amount of amount of money each plaintiff should receive.

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

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

The firm also has vast experience in serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients across the country in multi-district, complex litigation. In this role lawyers formulate strategies, oversee local and regional counsel, and ensure consistent and efficient defenses for clients. They have worked closely with trial judges, coordinating judges and litigation special masters from various jurisdictions.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A Tulsa asbestos settlement lawyer will decide which strategy is the best way to defend the client against an injury claim that involves asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises product manufacturers, suppliers and contractors, distributors and property owners on issues that involve mesothelioma claims, lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm works with clients in the development of internal programs to identify and deal with potential liability and safety concerns.

Bowles Rice, in addition to its national asbestos practice and multi-state asbestos litigation, is also the national Coordinating Counsel. In this capacity the firm designs litigation strategies, supervises local and regional counsel, and achieves consistent and cost-effective defense in coordination with client objectives. In addition it plays an important role in the administration of asbestos dockets and negotiations with counsel for plaintiffs and lead discovery for its clients.

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

Catherine has defended numerous companies in asbestos and products liability personal injury cases, representing them as the lead trial counsel in consolidated trials involving a variety of 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.

During her tenure at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos cases for respondents, including those at the Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The case files included SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports) that contained confidential information on the claimants, such as medical reports, a history of work, and a list of asbestos products that plaintiffs worked with or around. Vogel required an account password to access the files. Then, she could review any SEAR forms 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 company collaborates closely with lawyers representing plaintiffs in the creation and implementation of settlement agreements, and it has extensive experience in defending businesses against appeals.