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

An asbestos defense lawyer can assist in ensuring the financial security of those affected through exposure to this dangerous mineral. Compensation can cover medical costs, funeral and burial expenses, pain and suffering, and loss of quality of life.

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

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos is a deadly fiber that can lead to numerous serious medical conditions, including mesothelioma lawsuit. A New York asbestos attorney is adept at dealing with lawsuits that seek the financial compensation of those affected by asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be a bit complicated and therefore it is essential to have a mesothelioma lawyer on your side.

New York has a long history of asbestos litigation, and many residents have been exposed to this hazardous material. In recent times, there have been more lawsuits against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases are a result of the realization that asbestos is associated with illnesses such as mesothelioma or lung cancer. These companies were aware of asbestos' dangers however, they failed to inform the employees and the public.

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

Many workers were exposed to asbestos in the workplace. However, people also get diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of secondhand exposure to the harmful substances. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposure workers who wore their husband's work clothes and came into contact with asbestos dust regularly.

Litigation involving mesothelioma is expensive for defendants. This is particularly relevant if they've been incorrectly identified as defendants. A study shows that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could grow. This kind of litigation is usually driven by asbestos law firms, which advertise on television during the day and encourage victims to file claims, with the promise of large settlements.

The defendants may be able reduce the cost of these cases by arguing that their policy periods are overdue or that they only have to pay only for a small proportion of the amount claimed. New York law does not provide a definitive rule on how to distribute liability when the alleged exposure is part within and part outside of the insurance policies.

Asbestos-Related Illnesses

A variety of asbestos-related illnesses can be triggered because of exposure to the mineral that causes cancer. The most severe condition is mesothelioma. Many have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer and asbestosis. Pleural plaques and pleural effusion are also asbestos-related.

Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal disease is caused by asbestos fibers which 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 in the lungs, called asbestosis. It can also cause thickened pleura patches (pleural plaques) or an increased fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis can reduce lung capacity, as measured by breathing test. They can also cause pain and difficulty in breathing, but they do not lead cancer or mesothelioma.

The majority of the time, signs of asbestos-related illnesses don't manifest until decades after initial exposure. This is due to the fact that it can take between 20 and 50 years for the exposure to asbestos fibers to cause lung damage. Workers who handled, cleaned, and removed asbestos from their workplaces as well as children, spouses and others who were exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing mesothelioma.

Other asbestos-related diseases in addition to mesothelioma, include lung cancer and laryngeal carcinoma and peritoneal, ovarian and peritoneal cancer. The most deadly form of mesothelioma is ovarian cancer, however it is less common than the general mesothelioma. It is often diagnosed later than other forms of mesothelioma due to the fact that it develops in the tissue of the reproductive organs, and symptoms can be similar to symptoms of other illnesses.

A number of companies used asbestos in the 20th century. They were aware that it was a risk. When they did not remove asbestos from their products, thousands of people were exposed. They can now sue for financial compensation. Many asbestos-related manufacturers are bankrupt. The victims are now able to seek compensation from trust funds set up by bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

For decades, asbestos-related companies put profits above the safety of their employees as well as consumers by producing dangerous products, without warning of the dangers. These companies are now facing the consequences of their negligence. Patients who have suffered asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and complete settlement.

The lawyers at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to helping individuals and families receive the justice they need. 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 corporations accountable and obtain the highest amount of compensation for their clients.

Many states have established asbestos courts with specialization, where claims can be filed more efficiently. Additionally, judges have established specific procedures for evaluating and resolving asbestos cases.

New York, a state which has its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL), is one of them. As asbestos victims continue to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants that have gone bankrupt and have been unable to pay, the workload of this special court has steadily increased. The New York Supreme Court created an additional judicial board that will oversee NYCAL in order to prevent the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.

A panel of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine if it should be accepted or rejected. Judges will also evaluate the merits of every claim to determine how much amount of money each plaintiff should receive.

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

New York asbestos lawsuits are often complex and involve allegations of multiple defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience in the litigation of these complicated matters. They are knowledgeable of the asbestos courts of New York and their rules, regulations and policies, as well as other jurisdictions in which they have handled multi-district litigation.

The firm also has extensive experience as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients across the country in complex, multi-district litigation. In this role, attorneys develop strategies, coordinate and oversee regional and local counsel, and ensure consistent and cost-effective defenses for each client. They have worked closely with trial and coordination judges and special masters of litigation in the various jurisdictions where they have been involved in asbestos litigation.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will determine which strategy is best to defend the client in an injury claim that involves asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels product manufacturers, suppliers contractors, distributors, contractors, and property owners in cases involving claims for mesothelioma and lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm also works with clients to create internal programs to identify and addressing risks to safety and liability.

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

The firm's attorneys are experienced in defending clients against mesothelioma claims and other asbestos-related illnesses. Asbestos defense attorneys are familiar with the intricate science involved in these cases, as in addition to unique legal issues that arise when representing companies in state and federal courts throughout the United States.

Catherine has represented numerous manufacturers in asbestos and products liability personal injury cases, defending them as the lead trial counsel in consolidated trials that involved multiple claimants. She has extensive experience in litigating asbestos-related cases before the federal and state courts and before various supreme and appellate court bodies.

While at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those for respondents to the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The cases files contained SEAR forms (Short Evaluative reports that are encapsulated) which contained confidential data about the plaintiffs. These included medical reports, work histories, and the list of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs worked with or near. Vogel was required to have an account password to access the files. She could then go through any SEAR forms provided by her current employer.

In addition to its extensive trial and appellate experience 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 collaborates closely with lawyers representing plaintiffs in the preparation and execution of settlement agreements. Additionally, it has extensive experience in defending businesses against appeals.