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

Our lawyers serve as local, regional, and national counsel in mass toxic tort litigation. We are well-versed in the unique issues and complex aspects of science that are associated with asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos is a deadly fiber that can lead to a variety of severe medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney is experienced in dealing with lawsuits that seek financial compensation for victims of asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be complex and therefore it is essential to have an experienced mesothelioma lawyer on your side.

New York has a long history of asbestos litigation, and many residents have been exposed to the dangerous material. In recent years, there have been more lawsuits filed against asbestos producers from the past than before. These cases stem from the recognition of a link between asbestos and certain diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. These companies were aware asbestos's dangers however, they failed to inform the employees and the public.

New York City is especially susceptible to diseases caused by asbestos because of its old structures and many construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously hazardous area that continues to affect the surrounding community.

Many workers were exposed asbestos in the workplace. Exposure to asbestos from the outside can cause mesothelioma. This is especially true for spouses who wear husband's clothes to work and come into contact with asbestos dust regularly.

The mesothelioma litigation can be costly for defendants, especially if they are wrongfully 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 increase. This kind of litigation is usually fueled by specialized asbestos law firms that advertise on daytime television and encourage victims to file claims, with the promise of huge settlements.

The defendants may be able reduce some of the costs arising from these cases by arguing that their policy periods have expired or they're only responsible for a tiny percentage of the claim value. New York law does not provide a definitive rule on how to divide responsibility when the alleged exposure is part of and outside the insurance policies.

Asbestos-Related Diseases

Exposure to asbestos can trigger a wide range of ailments. The condition known as mesothelioma is the most serious. Mesothelioma has caused the death of many people. Other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques and pleural effusion.

Mesothelioma, a rare, but fatal condition that is caused by asbestos fibers that accumulate in the lung. They then cause irritation to the linings of the ribcage (the the pleura), chest cavity and abdominal cavity. The inhalation of these small fibers can cause scarring of the lungs known as asbestosis and sometimes the formation of thickened patches on the pleura referred to as plaques on the pleura, or an enlargement of fibrosis in the pleura, referred to as diffused pleural fibrisis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrosis reduce lung capacity as determined by breathing tests. They can also cause pain and discomfort in breathing, however they do not lead cancer or mesothelioma.

Often, symptoms of asbestos-related illnesses don't show up until decades after the initial exposure. This is because it can take between 20 to 50 years for the inhalation of asbestos fibers to cause lung damage. Workers who handled, cleaned and removed asbestos from the workplace as well as spouses, children and other people who are exposed to asbestos are at risk for developing mesothelioma.

Other asbestos-related diseases apart from mesothelioma, include laryngeal cancer and lung cancer, peritoneal, ovarian, and peritoneal cancer. The most dangerous form of mesothelioma is ovarian cancer, but it's much less frequent than the general mesothelioma. It is diagnosed later than most other types of mesothelioma because it occurs in the linings of reproductive organs. The symptoms may be similar to other illnesses.

Many companies employed asbestos in the 20th century, but they knew 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 companies are insolvent. The victims are now able to claim compensation from trust funds established by bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

Asbestos-related companies have put profit over the safety of their workers and customers for a long time, producing hazardous products without warning of the dangers. They are now facing the consequences of their negligence. People who's lives have been affected by mesothelioma and lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses are seeking full and fair settlement.

Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals obtain the justice they deserve. Our lawyers have over 25 years of experience and have assisted our clients to receive millions of dollars of compensation. Our New York mesothelioma lawyers work to hold accountable large corporations accountable and seek the highest amount of compensation for our clients.

A number of states have established special asbestos courts in which claims can be filed and resolving more efficiently. Additionally, judges have established special procedures for evaluating and resolving asbestos cases.

New York is one such state that has its own asbestos court, known as NYCAL. The number of cases in this court has increased steadily, as more and more asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent former asbestos defendants who have gone bankrupt. To ensure that the justice system does not get overloaded, the New York Supreme Court has established an extra judicial panel to oversee NYCAL.

A panel composed of six Supreme Court judges will review every case filed in NYCAL to determine whether or not to accept it. Judges will also assess the merits of each claim to determine the amount of money each plaintiff should receive.

At present, the panel is studying more than 3,500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to announce its final decision by the end this year.

New York asbestos lawsuits can be complicated and can involve several defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience in the litigation of these difficult issues. They are familiar with the asbestos courts of New York and their rules regulations, policies and guidelines, as well as other jurisdictions where they have handled multi-district litigation.

The firm also has vast experience serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients throughout the nation in multi-district, complex litigation. In this capacity, lawyers develop strategies, oversee local and regional counsel, and ensure that they are able to provide consistent and effective defenses for clients. They have collaborated closely with trial and coordination 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 approach to defend a client in an asbestos personal injury claim. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises manufacturers, suppliers and distributors, contractors, and owners of premises on matters that involve mesothelioma claims, lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm collaborates with clients to develop internal programs to identify and deal with potential liability and safety issues.

In addition to its asbestos practice across the nation, Bowles Rice serves as the national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this role the firm formulates strategies for litigation, oversees local and regional counsel, and ensures a consistent and cost-effective defense in coordination with client goals. Additionally, it plays a key part in the administration of asbestos dockets as well as negotiations with counsel for plaintiffs and lead discovery for its clients.

The firm's lawyers have a wealth of trial and appellate experience, defending clients against claims made by injured claimants, such as those claiming mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are familiar with complex research and technology involved in these cases, as well as particular legal issues that arise while representing companies in federal and state courts across the United States.

Catherine has represented numerous manufacturers in asbestos and products liability personal injury cases, acting as the lead trial counsel in consolidated trials involving a variety of claimants. She has extensive experience litigating asbestos-related lawsuits in federal and state courts as well as various Supreme Court and appellate courts.

During her time at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos lawyer cases for respondents, including those in the Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The case files included SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports) that contained confidential information about the plaintiffs, such as medical reports, a history of work and an inventory of asbestos-related products that the plaintiff worked with or around. Vogel required an account password to access the files. She could then review any SEAR forms from her current employer.

In addition to its extensive trial and appellate experience as well as its vast 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 closely with the lawyers of plaintiffs in the preparation and execution of settlement agreements. It also has extensive experience defending companies against appeals.