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

An asbestos defense lawyer can help protect the financial security of those who have been affected by exposure to this toxic mineral. Compensation can cover medical expenses funeral and burial costs, pain and suffering, and lost quality of life.

Our attorneys serve as local, regional and national counsel in massive toxic tort litigation. As our lawyers are well-versed with the particular issues and complex science associated with asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos fibers can be deadly and can trigger serious medical conditions such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney is skilled in handling lawsuits seeking financial compensation for victims of asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be complex 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 hazardous material. In recent times there have been more claims against former asbestos legal producers than ever before. These cases are a result of the realization that asbestos is associated with diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. The companies were aware of the dangers of the asbestos-containing mineral, yet they didn't inform their employees and customers.

New York City is especially susceptible to illnesses caused by asbestos due to its old structures and many construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic place that continues to impact on the surrounding community.

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

The mesothelioma litigation can be expensive for defendants, particularly when they are incorrectly named as a defendant. A study indicates 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 that promote on television during the day and encourage victims to file claims with the promise of substantial settlements.

The defendants could be able to reduce the cost of these cases by arguing their policy periods are overdue or that they are only responsible only a small percentage of the claim value. New York law does not provide a definitive rule on how to allocate the liability if the alleged exposure is part of and outside the insurer's policies.

Asbestos-Related Diseases

A myriad of asbestos-related diseases can develop because of exposure to the harmful mineral. The mesothelioma condition is the most severe. Mesothelioma has caused the death of many people. Other asbestos-related illnesses include asbestosis and lung cancer. Pleural plaques and effusion are also asbestos-related.

Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal disease is caused by asbestos fibers that are found in the lungs. They then irritate the linings of the ribcage (the the pleura), chest cavity, and abdominal cavity. Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause scarring of the lungs, called asbestosis. It can also cause thickened pleura patches (pleural plaques) or an increased fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrisis reduce lung capacity, as measured by breathing tests. They also cause breathing problems and pain, though they do not lead to cancer or mesothelioma.

Often, symptoms of asbestos-related diseases do not appear 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 other people who are exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing mesothelioma.

In addition to mesothelioma other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma and mesothelioma ovarian. The most fatal form of mesothelioma is called ovarian cancer, however it is less prevalent than mesothelioma in general. It is often diagnosed later than other kinds of mesothelioma since it develops in the tissues of the reproductive organs and the symptoms can be similar to symptoms of other illnesses.

Several companies used asbestos during the 20th century. They knew it was dangerous. If they didn't remove asbestos from their products thousands of people were exposed. Now, these people are able to seek financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are bankrupt. In the aftermath, victims can seek the money they are entitled to from trust funds established by the bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

For decades, asbestos-related companies have placed profits over the safety of their employees and consumers, producing dangerous products without warning of the dangers. These companies are now paying the price for their inattention to. Patients who have suffered asbestos-related illnesses such as mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and full settlement.

The attorneys at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to assisting families and individuals obtain the justice they deserve. Our attorneys have more than 25 years experience and have helped our clients receive millions of dollars in compensation. Our New York mesothelioma lawyers work to hold large corporations responsible accountable and to secure maximum compensation for our clients.

A number of states have set up special asbestos courts, where claims can be filed more efficiently. In addition judges have developed specialized procedures for evaluating and resolving such cases.

New York, a state which has its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL), is one of the states. As asbestos victims continue to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants who have declared bankruptcy, the caseload of the court has been steadily increasing. The New York Supreme Court created an additional judicial board that will supervise NYCAL in order to prevent the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.

A panel comprised of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine if it is accepted or not. Judges will also evaluate the merits of each claim to determine the amount the plaintiff is entitled to.

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

New York asbestos lawsuits are usually complex and involve several defendants. Belluck and Fox's lawyers have a wealth of experience in litigating these complex matters. They are knowledgeable of New York's asbestos courts as well as their rules regulations, policies and guidelines and other jurisdictions where they have handled multi-district litigation.

The firm also has vast experience serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation - go source -, representing clients across the country in multi-district litigation that is complex and complex. In this capacity lawyers formulate strategies, oversee local and regional counsel and ensure consistent and efficient defenses for clients. They have collaborated closely with coordinating and trial judges and special masters of litigation in various jurisdictions in which they have been involved in asbestos litigation.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A knowledgeable Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best approach to defend a client against a claim for personal injury resulting from asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises manufacturers, suppliers and contractors, distributors and owners of premises on matters involving mesothelioma claims, lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm collaborates with clients to develop internal programs to determine and resolve potential liability and safety issues.

In addition to its national asbestos practice, Bowles Rice serves as the national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this capacity Bowles Rice formulates litigation strategies and manages regional and local counsel to ensure a uniform and cost-effective defense in accordance with the client's goals. It also plays a major role in the administration and management of asbestos dockets aswell in negotiations with plaintiffs' attorneys and coordinating discovery for its clients.

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

Catherine has represented numerous manufacturers as the lead counsel in asbestos and personal injury lawsuits related to product liability as well as in consolidated cases involving multiple claimants. She has a wealth of experience arguing asbestos-related cases in state and federal courts as well as before a variety of 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 Encapsulated), which contained confidential data about the plaintiffs. This included medical reports, work histories, and the list of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs used or worked near. Vogel was required to have access to the files and was able to look over the SEAR forms of any case she had with 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 company collaborates with the lawyers of plaintiffs in the preparation and execution of settlement agreements. Additionally, it has extensive experience defending companies against appeals.