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 who's financial security was affected due to exposure to the hazardous mineral. Compensation can cover medical costs funeral and burial costs as well as pain and suffering and lost quality of life.

Our lawyers serve as local, regional and national counsel in mass toxic tort litigation. As a result, we are familiarized with the unique issues and complex aspects of science associated with asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

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

New York has a long history of asbestos litigation and many residents have been exposed to this dangerous substance. In recent times there have been more claims against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases result from the recognition of a link between asbestos and diseases like mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. These companies knew of the dangers of the asbestos-containing mineral, yet they did not warn their employees and consumers.

The New York City area is particularly susceptible to asbestos-related illnesses 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 surrounding it.

Many workers were exposed to asbestos at work. In addition, exposure to asbestos through secondhand sources can result in mesothelioma. This is especially true for spouses who wear husband's clothing at work and come in contact with asbestos dust frequently.

The mesothelioma lawsuit can be costly for defendants, particularly 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 rise. The asbestos law firms that specialize in asbestos often advertise on daytime TV and encourage victims to submit claims with the promise that they will receive substantial settlements.

The defendants may be able lower some of the costs associated with these cases by asserting that their policy periods expire or they are only responsible for a small percentage of the amount of the claim. However, New York law has not set out a clear policy on how to allocate liability when the alleged exposure occurs partly outside of the insurer's policy periods.

Asbestos-related diseases

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

Mesothelioma, a rare, but fatal illness, is caused by asbestos fibers that collect in the lung. They then cause irritation to the linings of the ribcage (the pleura), chest cavity, and abdominal cavity. Inhaling these fibers can lead to scarring of the lungs, called asbestosis. It can also cause thickened pleura patches (pleural plaques) or an increase in fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis could reduce lung capacity as measured by breathing test. They can also cause pain and difficulty breathing but they don't cause mesothelioma or cancer.

Most of the time, symptoms of asbestos-related diseases do not show up until decades after the initial exposure. It can take as long as 50 years for asbestos fibers inhaled to cause lung damage. Workers who handled, cleaned and removed asbestos from their workplaces and their children, spouses and others who were exposed to asbestos are at risk of 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 dangerous form of mesothelioma is called ovarian cancer, however it is less frequent than the general mesothelioma. It is diagnosed later than other types of mesothelioma because it is found in the linings of reproductive organs. The symptoms can be similar to other diseases.

Many companies employed asbestos during the 20th century. They knew it was hazardous. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos if they didn't remove asbestos from their products. These people can now sue for financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies have filed for bankruptcy. This means that the victims can seek the compensation they deserve from the trust funds established by the bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

For decades, asbestos-related companies put profits above the safety of their employees as well as consumers, producing dangerous products without warning of the dangers. They are now paying for their negligence. People who's lives have been affected by mesothelioma, cancer of the lung and other asbestos-related diseases are seeking full and fair settlement.

The attorneys at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to assisting families and individuals receive the justice they need. With more than 25 years of experience, 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 the maximum amount of compensation for our clients.

Many states have established special asbestos courts where claims can be filed and resolving more efficiently. Additionally judges have developed specific procedures for evaluating and resolving such 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 defendants that have gone bankrupt, the caseload of this special court has been steadily increasing. The New York Supreme Court created an extra judicial board to oversee NYCAL to stop the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.

A panel composed of six Supreme Court judges will review every case filed in NYCAL to determine whether or not to accept it. Judges will also consider the merits of each case to determine how much a plaintiff should be awarded.

The panel is currently examining more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to announce its final decision by the end this year.

New York asbestos lawsuits can be complex and can involve multiple defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience in the litigation of these complex matters. They are knowledgeable of the rules regulations, policies, and procedures 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 role lawyers formulate strategies, manage regional and local counsel, and ensure that they are able to provide consistent and efficient defenses for clients. They have worked closely with trial and coordination judges and litigation special masters in various jurisdictions where they have been involved in asbestos litigation.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A skilled Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best approach to defend a client in an asbestos-related personal injury claim. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, contractors, and premises owners on matters that involve mesothelioma lawsuit claims, lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm collaborates with clients on developing 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 designs litigation strategies, manages regional and local counsel, and provides a cost-effective and consistent defense that is in sync with client goals. Additionally, it plays a key part in the administration of asbestos dockets and negotiations with counsel for plaintiffs and also leads discovery for its clients.

The attorneys of the firm have extensive trial and appellate experience, defending clients against claims by injured claimants, including those who are claiming mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related diseases. asbestos lawyers defense lawyers are familiar with the intricate science involved with these cases, as well as the unique legal issues that arise when representing companies before federal and state courts across the United States.

Catherine has represented a variety of manufacturers as lead counsel in asbestos and personal injury lawsuits related to product liability as well as in cases that have been consolidated involving multiple claimants. She has substantial experience arguing asbestos-related cases in state and federal 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 contained SEAR forms (Short Evaluative reports that are encapsulated) which contained confidential information about the plaintiffs. The files contained medical reports and work histories, as well as a list asbestos products that plaintiffs worked with or near. Vogel required a password in order 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. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs' lawyers to develop and execute settlement agreements. It also has extensive experience in defending businesses against appeals.