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 protect 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 lost quality of life.

Our attorneys serve as national, regional and local counsel in massive toxic tort litigation. We are familiarized with the unique issues and complex aspects of science of asbestos cases.

New York asbestos attorney Lawsuits

Asbestos is a dangerous fiber that can trigger numerous 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 who have been exposed to this toxic substance. These cases can be complex and therefore it is essential to have an experienced mesothelioma law firm by your side.

New York has a long history of asbestos litigation, and many residents have been exposed to this dangerous material. In recent years, there have been more lawsuits against asbestos producers from the past than before. These cases arise out of the recognition that asbestos can cause illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer. The companies were aware of asbestos' dangers however, they failed to inform their employees and customers.

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

Many workers were exposed asbestos legal at work. Exposure to asbestos from the outside can lead to mesothelioma. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposed workers who had their husbands' work clothes and came in contact with asbestos dust regularly.

Litigation involving mesothelioma is expensive for defendants. This is especially relevant if they've been incorrectly identified as defendants. According to a study, more than 3,600 claims have been filed in New York courts since 2014 and the number could increase further. This type of litigation is typically fueled by specialized asbestos law firms, which advertise on daytime TV and entice victims to file claims with the promise of huge settlements.

Defendants might be able to mitigate some of the costs associated with these cases by arguing that their policy periods have expired or they are only responsible for a tiny percentage of the amount of the claim. New York law does not have a specific rule for how to distribute the liability if the alleged risk is within and part outside of the insurer's policies.

Asbestos-Related Diseases

Exposure to asbestos can trigger many different illnesses. The condition known as mesothelioma is the most severe. Mesothelioma has led to the deaths of many people. Other asbestos-related diseases include asbestosis and lung cancer. Pleural plaques and pleural effusion are also asbestos-related.

Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal illness is caused by asbestos fibers which accumulate in the lung. They then cause irritation to the linings of the ribcage (the pleura) as well as the chest cavity and abdominal cavity. Inhaling asbestos legal fibers can cause scarring of the lungs, called asbestosis. It can also lead to thickened pleura patches (pleural plaques) or a more extensive fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrosis reduce lung capacity as determined by breathing tests. They can also cause discomfort and breathing difficulties, though they do not lead to cancer or mesothelioma.

The majority of the time, signs of asbestos-related illnesses don't appear until decades after the initial exposure. It can take as long as 50 years for asbestos-related fibers to be inhaled to cause lung damage. People who are at risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related ailments include those who handled, washed and removed asbestos-containing products from the workplace and their spouses and children of those who were exposed to asbestos.

Other asbestos-related diseases, in addition to mesothelioma include lung cancer and laryngeal carcinoma and peritoneal, ovarian and peritoneal cancer. The most fatal mesothelioma type is ovarian cancer, however it is less prevalent than mesothelioma in general. It is diagnosed later than most other types of mesothelioma because it occurs in the linings of the reproductive organs. The symptoms may be similar to those of other illnesses.

A number of companies employed asbestos in the 20th century, but they were aware that it was a risk. When they did not remove asbestos from their products, thousands of people were exposed. These people can now seek financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are insolvent. As a result, the victims can seek the compensation they deserve from the trust funds set up by the bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

For decades, asbestos-related companies have put profits ahead of the security of their employees and consumers, producing dangerous products, without warning of the dangers. They are now paying the price for their carelessness. Patients who have suffered asbestos-related illnesses such as mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and full compensation.

Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals receive the justice they deserve. 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 large corporations responsible accountable and to secure the highest amount of compensation for our clients.

Many states have established special asbestos courts, where claims can be filed more efficiently. In addition, judges have established specialized procedures for evaluating and resolving such cases.

New York, a state that has its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL), is one of them. The number of cases filed in this court has grown steadily, as increasing numbers of asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent former asbestos defendants who have become bankrupt. To ensure that the justice system is not overwhelmed the New York Supreme Court has ordered the creation of an additional judicial panel that will oversee NYCAL.

A panel comprised of six Supreme Court judges will review every case filed in NYCAL to determine whether to accept or reject it. Judges will also consider the merits of each claim to determine the amount a plaintiff should receive.

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

New York asbestos lawsuits are typically complex and often include allegations of several defendants. Belluck & Fox's lawyers have extensive experience in litigating these complex issues. They are knowledgeable of 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 vast experience as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients across the country in multi-district, complex litigation. In this role lawyers formulate strategies, oversee regional and local counsel, and ensure that they are able to provide consistent and effective defenses for clients. They have worked closely with trial judges, coordination judges, and special masters of litigation from various jurisdictions.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will determine what strategy is the best way to defend the client against a personal injury claim involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, contractors and owners of premises on matters involving claims of mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm collaborates with clients to develop internal programs to determine and resolve potential liability and safety concerns.

Bowles Rice In addition to its asbestos practice across the country and multi-state asbestos litigation is also the national Coordinating Counsel. 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. In addition, it plays a key role in the management of asbestos dockets and negotiations with counsel for plaintiffs and leads discovery for its clients.

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

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

During her time at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those for respondents to the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The cases files included SEAR forms (Short encapsulated Evaluative reports) which contained confidential data about the plaintiffs. These included medical reports, work histories, and an inventory of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs worked with or near. Vogel was required to have a password in order to access the files. Then, she could go through 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. In this capacity, the firm works closely with plaintiffs' lawyers in the development and execution of settlement agreements, and it has a vast experience in defending companies against appeals.