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 protect those whose financial security has been affected by exposure to the toxic mineral. Compensation may cover medical costs funeral and burial expenses as well as pain and suffering and loss of quality of life.

Our attorneys are involved in mass toxic tort litigation at a national, regional and local scale. As as such, we are acquainted with the unique issues and complex science associated with asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos is a harmful fiber that can trigger numerous serious medical conditions, including mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is skilled in dealing with asbestos lawsuits, which seek financial compensation for victims and their families who have been exposed to this toxic substance. These cases can be complicated and therefore it is essential to have a mesothelioma expert law firm by your side.

New York has had a long history with asbestos litigation, and many residents were exposed to this hazardous substance. In recent years there have been more lawsuits against asbestos producers from the past than before. These cases stem from the recognition of a connection between asbestos and certain diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer and asbestosis. These companies were aware of the dangers that asbestos posed however, they failed to inform their employees and customers.

The New York City area is particularly prone to asbestos-related diseases due to its older structures and a myriad of construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic location that continues to impact on the community around it.

Mesothelioma can be caused by exposure to asbestos in direct contact and many workers were exposed to asbestos in the workplace. However, some people are diagnosed with mesothelioma after experiencing an exposure secondarily to the harmful substances. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposed workers who were wearing their husband's work clothes and came into contact with asbestos case dust on a regular basis.

The mesothelioma litigation can be expensive for defendants, especially if they are wrongfully named as defendants. A study shows that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could rise. This kind of litigation is usually driven by asbestos law firms, which 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 arguing that their policy periods have expired or they are only responsible for a tiny percentage of the total amount of the claim. New York law does not have a specific rule for how to distribute the liability if the alleged risk is of and outside the insurer's policies.

Asbestos-Related Illnesses

Exposure to asbestos attorney can lead to various illnesses. The most serious condition is mesothelioma. Many have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related illnesses include asbestosis and lung cancer. Pleural plaques and effusion are also asbestos-related.

Mesothelioma, a rare, but fatal condition is caused by asbestos fibers which collect in the lungs. They then irritate the linings of the ribcage (the Pleura), chest cavity and abdominal cavity. Inhaling these fibers can lead to scarring in the lungs, called asbestosis. It can also cause thickened pleura patches (pleural plaques) or an increased fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis could reduce lung capacity as determined by a breathing test. They can also cause pain and difficulties in breathing, however they do not lead mesothelioma or cancer.

The symptoms of asbestos-related diseases typically are not evident until years after the initial exposure. This is due to the fact that it can take between 20 to 50 years for the inhalation of asbestos-containing fibers to damage the lungs. Workers who handled, cleaned and removed asbestos from their workplaces and their children, spouses and others who were exposed to asbestos are at risk for developing mesothelioma.

Other asbestos-related diseases, in addition to mesothelioma include laryngeal cancer and lung cancer 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 is found in the linings of reproductive organs. Symptoms can be similar to those of other illnesses.

A number of companies used asbestos in the 20th century, however they were aware that it was hazardous. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos because they didn't eliminate it from their products. Now, these people have the right to claim financial compensation. Many of the asbestos-related manufacturers have filed for bankruptcy. 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

Asbestos companies have put profit before the safety of their employees and consumers for decades making dangerous products, without warning about the risks. These companies are now facing the consequences of their carelessness. Victims of asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and complete settlement.

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

Many states have created asbestos courts that are specifically designed so that claims can be filed more efficiently. In addition judges have created specialized procedures for evaluating and resolving asbestos cases.

New York is one such state that has its own asbestos court, known as NYCAL. As asbestos victims continue to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants that have declared bankruptcy, the caseload of this special court has been steadily increasing. The New York Supreme Court created a special 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 decide whether to accept or reject it. Judges will also consider the merits of each case to decide how much money the plaintiff is entitled to.

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

New York asbestos lawsuits are usually complex and include allegations of multiple defendants. Belluck and Fox's lawyers have a wealth of experience in the litigation of these difficult cases. They are knowledgeable of the rules regulations, rules, 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 extensive experience as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in complex, multidistrict litigation. In this capacity, attorneys develop strategies, coordinate and manage regional and local counsel and ensure cost-effective and consistent defenses for each client. They have collaborated closely with trial and coordination judges and litigation special masters in the various jurisdictions where they have been involved in asbestos litigation.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will decide which strategy is best to defend the client against a personal injury lawsuit involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, contractors, and premises owners on matters concerning mesothelioma-related claims, lung cancer and other asbestos compensation-related illnesses. The firm works with clients in the development of internal programs to identify and deal with potential liability and safety concerns.

In addition to its national asbestos practice, Bowles Rice serves as national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this role, the firm develops litigation strategies, manages regional and local counsel, and ensures a consistent and cost-effective defense, in line with the client's goals. It also plays an important part in the administration and management of asbestos dockets aswell in negotiations with plaintiffs' lawyers and in coordinating discovery for its clients.

The attorneys of the firm have a wealth of trial and appellate experience, defending clients from claims brought by injured claimants, which includes those claiming mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are acquainted with the complex science that is associated with these cases, and the particular legal issues that arise when defending companies in state and federal courts across the United States.

Catherine has represented numerous companies in asbestos and products liability personal injury cases, defending them as lead trial counsel and in consolidated trials involving a variety of plaintiffs. She has extensive experience in litigating asbestos-related cases before the federal and state courts as well as before various supreme and appellate 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 Evaluative reports that are encapsulated) which contained confidential information about the plaintiffs. This included medical reports and work histories, as well as the list of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs used or worked near. Vogel had to have a password in order to access the files. She could then review any SEAR forms that she received 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 firm works closely with lawyers representing plaintiffs in the development and execution of settlement agreements. Additionally, it has extensive experience defending companies against appeals.