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

An asbestos defense attorney can assist in ensuring the financial security of those who have been injured by exposure to this harmful mineral. Compensation may cover medical costs funeral and burial costs as well as pain and suffering and loss of quality of life.

Our lawyers serve as local, regional, and national counsel in mass toxic tort litigation. As our lawyers are well-versed with the unique issues and complicated science associated with 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 skilled in dealing with asbestos lawsuits, which seek financial compensation for the victims and their families for exposure to this harmful substance. These cases can be complicated and it is crucial to have a mesothelioma expert law firm by 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 lawsuits against former asbestos manufacturers than ever before. These cases are a result of the realization that asbestos can cause illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer. These companies were aware of the dangers that asbestos posed however, they failed to inform employees and consumers.

New York City is especially susceptible to illnesses caused by asbestos because of its old structures and many construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic location that continues to have an impact on the community around it.

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

Litigation involving mesothelioma is expensive for defendants. This is particularly relevant if they've been incorrectly identified as defendants. According to a study, more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed in New York courts since 2014 and the number could increase even more. This kind of litigation is usually supported by asbestos law firms that promote on daytime television and encourage victims to file claims with the promise of huge settlements.

Defendants may be able to mitigate some of the expenses arising from these cases by arguing that their policy periods expire or they are only responsible for a small portion of the value of the claim. However, New York law has not set out a clear policy on how to divide liabilities when the alleged exposure occurs in and out of the policy period of the insurer.

Asbestos-related Diseases

A variety of asbestos claim-related illnesses can be triggered because of exposure to the toxic mineral. The mesothelioma condition is the most severe. Mesothelioma has caused the death of many people. Other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques, and pleural effusion.

Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal illness that is caused by exposure to asbestos fibers that accumulate in the lungs and cause irritation to the lining of the chest cavity, ribcage and abdominal cavity (the pleura). Inhaling these fibers can lead to scarring in the lungs, known as asbestosis. It can also lead to thickened patches of pleura (pleural plaques) or an increased fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrisis reduce lung capacity as measured by breathing tests. They can also cause pain and difficulty in breathing, but they don't cause cancer or mesothelioma.

Symptoms of asbestos-related disease often don't manifest until decades after the initial exposure. It can take up to 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 other people who are exposed to asbestos are at risk for developing mesothelioma.

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

There were many companies that employed asbestos in the 20th century, but they were aware that it was hazardous. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos when they didn't remove it from their products. They can now seek financial compensation. A lot of asbestos-related manufacturers have gone bankrupt. The victims are now able to seek compensation from the 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 and consumers by producing dangerous products without warning of the dangers. These companies are now facing the consequences of their negligence. Victims of asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and full compensation.

Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals get the justice they deserve. With more than 25 years of experience and accomplishments, we have secured millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. Our New York mesothelioma lawyers work to hold responsible large corporations accountable and to obtain the highest amount of compensation for our clients.

Many states have created special asbestos courts, where claims can be filed more efficiently. Judges have also developed specialized procedures to evaluate and resolve asbestos-related 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 that have been bankrupt, the caseload of this special court has steadily increased. In order to ensure that the justice system isn't overloaded and overwhelmed, the New York Supreme Court has established an extra judicial panel to supervise NYCAL.

A panel of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine if it should be accepted or not. Judges will also assess the merits of each claim to determine the amount of the plaintiff's compensation should be.

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

New York asbestos lawsuits are often complex and involve allegations of several defendants. Belluck & Fox's lawyers have extensive experience in the litigation of these difficult issues. They are familiar with the rules regulations, policies, and procedures of the asbestos courts in New York, as well as the laws of other jurisdictions in which they have handled multidistrict litigation.

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

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 settlement Team advises manufacturers, suppliers and distributors, contractors, and property owners on issues concerning mesothelioma-related claims, lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm also assists clients to create internal programs to identify and addressing potential safety and liability concerns.

In addition to its national asbestos practice, Bowles Rice serves as the national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this role the firm designs litigation strategies, manages regional and local counsel, and achieves consistent and cost-effective defense in coordination with the client's goals. Additionally it plays a crucial part in the administration of asbestos dockets, negotiations with counsel for plaintiffs and also leads discovery for its clients.

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

Catherine has represented numerous manufacturers as lead trial counsel in asbestos case and product liability personal injury lawsuits, and in cases that have been consolidated involving multiple claimants. She has a wealth of experience arguing asbestos-related lawsuits before the state and federal courts, as well as a variety of appellate and Supreme Court bodies.

While at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those of respondents of the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The cases files contained SEAR forms (Short Evaluative reports that are encapsulated) that contained confidential data about the claimants. The files contained medical reports as well as work histories and a list asbestos products that plaintiffs used or worked near. Vogel was required to have a password in order to access the files. Then, she could 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. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs’ lawyers to develop and execute settlement agreements. It also has a wealth of experience in defending businesses against appeals.