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

Our attorneys serve as local, regional, and national counsel in mass toxic tort litigation. As a result, we are knowledgeable about the specific issues and complex scientific aspects that are associated with asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos is a deadly fiber that can lead to various serious medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is adept at handling asbestos lawsuits that seek financial compensation for victims and their families due to exposure to this toxic substance. These cases can be complicated 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 this dangerous substance. In recent years there are more lawsuits filed against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases result from the recognition of a link between asbestos and certain diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. These companies were aware of the dangers of the dangerous mineral, but they failed to warn their employees and clients.

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

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

The litigation associated with mesothelioma can be costly for defendants, especially when they are mistakenly identified as defendants. According to an investigation, more than 3,600 claims have been filed in New York courts since 2014 and the number is expected to rise further. This kind of litigation is usually supported by asbestos law firms, which advertise on daytime television and encourage victims to file claims with the promise of substantial settlements.

The defendants might be able to reduce some of the costs of these cases by arguing their policy periods are overdue or that they only have to pay only a small percentage of the claim value. However, New York law has not set out a clear policy on how to divide liabilities when the alleged exposure is in and out of the insurance company's policy.

Asbestos-Related Diseases

A wide range of asbestos-related illnesses can develop due to exposure to the harmful mineral. The most serious of these is mesothelioma. Many people have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer and asbestosis. Pleural plaques and effusion are also asbestos-related.

Mesothelioma, a rare, but fatal illness, is caused by asbestos fibers which accumulate in the lungs. They then irritate the linings of the ribcage (the the pleura), chest cavity, and abdominal cavity. The inhalation of these tiny fibers can cause scarring to the lungs called asbestosis, and, sometimes, the development of thickened patches on the pleura, known as pleural plaques or the more widespread fibrosis of the pleura, referred to as diffused pleural fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrosis reduce lung capacity as measured by breathing tests. They can also cause pain and difficulty in breathing, but they do not lead cancer or mesothelioma.

Often, symptoms of asbestos-related diseases don't manifest until decades after initial exposure. It could take up to 50 years for asbestos fibers that are inhaled to cause lung damage. The people at risk of developing mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related diseases include those who handled, cleaned and removed asbestos-containing materials from the workplace and spouses and children of asbestos attorney-related exposure.

As well as mesothelioma, other asbestos-related illnesses include laryngeal cancer, lung cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma, and mesothelioma of the ovary. The most fatal mesothelioma type is ovarian cancer, but it's much less prevalent than mesothelioma in general. It is diagnosed later than other mesothelioma types, because it occurs in the linings of reproductive organs. The symptoms may be similar to those of other illnesses.

There were many companies that employed asbestos in the 20th century, however they knew that it was dangerous. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos if they didn't eliminate it from their products. Now, those exposed are able to seek financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies have filed for bankruptcy. The victims are now able to claim compensation from trust funds established by bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

For decades, asbestos-related companies have placed profits over the safety of their employees as well as consumers by producing dangerous products without warning of the risks. These companies are now paying for their negligence. People whose lives have been disrupted by mesothelioma, cancer of the lung and other asbestos-related illnesses are seeking full and fair settlement.

The attorneys at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to helping individuals and families obtain 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 attorneys work to hold corporations accountable and obtain maximum compensation for clients.

Many states have established special asbestos courts where claims can be filed and resolving more efficiently. Judges have also developed specialized procedures to evaluate and resolve asbestos-related 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 gone bankrupt the number of cases that have come through this court has been steadily increasing. To ensure that the justice system is not overwhelmed, the New York Supreme Court has ordered the creation of a special judicial panel to supervise NYCAL.

A panel of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine if it is accepted or not. Judges will also consider the merits of each case to determine the amount a plaintiff should receive.

The panel is currently looking at more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected make a final decision at the end of this year.

New York asbestos lawsuits are often complex and involve several defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience in the litigation of these difficult matters. They are well-versed in the rules, regulations, and policies 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 as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients across the country in complex, multi-district litigation. In this capacity lawyers devise strategies, manage local and regional counsel, and ensure that they are able to provide consistent and effective defenses for clients. They have worked closely in the past with trial judges, coordination judges and litigation special masters from various jurisdictions.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will decide which strategy is the best way to defend the client in a personal injury lawsuit involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels product manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, contractors and premises owners in cases involving claims for mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm also works with clients to create internal programs to identify and addressing potential safety and liability issues.

In addition to its asbestos practice in the national level, Bowles Rice serves as national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this role, the firm develops strategies for litigation, oversees regional and local counsel and provides a cost-effective and consistent defense in coordination with the client's goals. It also plays a significant role in the administration and management of asbestos dockets aswell as negotiations with plaintiffs' lawyers and leading discovery for its client.

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

Catherine has represented numerous manufacturers as lead trial counsel in asbestos and personal injury lawsuits related to product liability as well as in consolidated cases involving multiple plaintiffs. She has extensive experience arguing asbestos-related lawsuits before the state and federal courts as well as various Supreme Court and appellate bodies.

While at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those of respondents of the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files contained SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports) that contained confidential information about the plaintiffs, such as medical reports, work history and an inventory of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs worked with or around. Vogel had to have access to a password to access the files. Then, she could look over any SEAR forms that she received from her current employer.

The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to having extensive experience in appellate and trial work, is widely acclaimed for its ability to successfully negotiate settlements for its clients. In this capacity, the firm works closely with the lawyers of plaintiffs in the creation and implementation of settlement agreements, and it has extensive experience in defending businesses against appeals.