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

A defense attorney for asbestos can assist those whose financial security has been affected by exposure to the toxic mineral. Compensation may cover medical costs funeral and burial costs as well as pain and suffering and the loss of quality of life.

Our lawyers are local, regional, and national counsel in large toxic tort litigation. As our lawyers are well-versed with the specific issues and complicated science associated with asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos is a dangerous fiber that can cause numerous serious medical conditions, including mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is skilled in dealing with asbestos lawsuits, which seek compensation for victims and their families for exposure to this toxic substance. These cases can be complicated and it's crucial to have a mesothelioma attorney on your side.

New York has had a long history of asbestos litigation. Many residents were exposed to this dangerous material. In recent years, there have been more lawsuits filed against asbestos producers in the past than ever before. These cases are a result of the recognition that asbestos is linked to illnesses such as mesothelioma or lung cancer. These companies were aware asbestos' dangers, but failed to warn employees and consumers.

The New York City area is particularly susceptible to asbestos-related illnesses due to its older structures and numerous construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously toxic area that continues to affect the community around it.

Many workers were exposed asbestos in the workplace. However, many people are diagnosed with mesothelioma following secondhand exposure to the harmful substances. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposure workers who had their husbands' work clothes and came in contact with asbestos dust regularly.

The mesothelioma litigation can be expensive for defendants, particularly if they are wrongfully named as defendants. According to a study, more that 3,600 lawsuits have been filed in New York courts since 2014, and the number could rise further. This kind of litigation is usually driven by asbestos law firms that advertise on daytime television and encourage victims to file claims, with the promise of large settlements.

The defendants may be able reduce some of the costs associated with these cases by arguing that their policy periods expire or they are only responsible for a small percentage of the claim value. New York law does not have a clear rule on how to allocate responsibility when the alleged exposure is part of and outside the insurer's policies.

Asbestos-Related Illnesses

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

Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal illness that is caused by exposure to asbestos fibers that collect in the lungs and irritate the lining of the ribcage, chest cavity, and abdominal cavity (the pleura). The inhalation of these tiny fibers can cause scarring of the lungs called asbestosis, and sometimes the development of thickened patches on the pleura called plaques on the pleura, 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 discomfort in breathing, but they do not lead cancer or mesothelioma.

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. The people at risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related ailments include those who handled, laundered and removed asbestos-containing products from the workplace and spouses and children of asbestos-related exposure.

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, but it's much less common than the general mesothelioma. It is diagnosed later than other types of mesothelioma because it is found within the linings of reproductive organs. The symptoms may be similar to those 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 have the right to claim financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are insolvent. The victims are now able to seek compensation from the trust funds set up by bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

Asbestos-related companies have put profit before the safety of their workers and customers for a long time making dangerous products, without warning of the dangers. They are now confronting the consequences of 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 lawyers at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to helping families and individuals receive the justice they need. With more than 25 years of experience in the field, we have secured a million of dollars in compensation for our clients. Our New York mesothelioma lawyers work to hold accountable large corporations accountable and to secure the maximum amount of compensation for our clients.

A number of states have established special asbestos claim courts in which claims can be filed and resolved more efficiently. Judges have also established specific procedures to assess and resolve asbestos-related cases.

New York, a state which has its own asbestos case court (known as NYCAL) is one of the states. As asbestos victims continue to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants that have declared bankruptcy and have been unable to pay, the workload of this court has steadily increased. The New York Supreme Court created an extra judicial board to oversee NYCAL in order to keep 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 rejected. Judges will also assess the merits of each claim to decide how much money a plaintiff should receive.

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

New York asbestos lawsuits can be complicated and can involve multiple defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience with the litigation of these complex matters. They are well-versed in New York's asbestos courts and their rules and regulations, as well as other jurisdictions where they have handled multi-district litigation.

The firm also has vast experience in serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos lawsuit litigation, representing clients throughout the nation in complex, multi-district litigation. In this capacity, lawyers develop strategies, oversee regional and local counsel, and ensure consistent and efficient defenses for clients. They have collaborated closely with coordinating and trial judges and litigation special masters in the various jurisdictions where they were involved in asbestos litigation.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A skilled Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best strategy to defend a client from an asbestos personal injury claim. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels product manufacturers, suppliers contractors, distributors, contractors, and owners of premises in cases involving claims for mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm also works with clients to create internal programs for identifying and addressing risks to safety and liability.

Bowles Rice in addition to its asbestos practice in the national level and multi-state asbestos litigation, serves as national Coordinating counsel. In this role the firm designs litigation strategies, manages local and regional counsel, and provides a cost-effective and consistent defense that is in sync with client goals. It also plays an important part in the administration and management of asbestos dockets aswell as negotiations with plaintiffs' attorneys and leading discovery for its client.

The firm's lawyers have experience in defending clients against mesothelioma-related claims and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are familiar with complex scientific issues involved in these cases, as in addition to unique legal issues that arise when representing companies in federal and state courts across the United States.

Catherine has represented a variety of manufacturers as lead trial counsel in asbestos and personal injury lawsuits involving product liability, and in consolidated cases involving multiple plaintiffs. She has substantial experience litigating asbestos-related cases before federal and state courts, as well as before a variety of appellate and supreme court bodies.

During her tenure at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos cases for respondents, including the Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The cases files contained SEAR forms (Short Evaluative reports that are encapsulated), which contained confidential information about the plaintiffs. This included medical reports as well as work histories and the list of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs worked with or near. Vogel had to have an account password to access the files. She was then able to look over any SEAR forms from her current employer.

In addition to its extensive trial and appellate experience, the Bowles Rice Asbestos Team is recognized nationally for its ability to negotiate settlements on behalf of its clients. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs’ lawyers to draft and implement settlement agreements. It also has a wealth of experience in defending businesses from appeals.