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

A lawyer who is a defense attorney for asbestos can protect those whose financial security has been affected due to exposure to the hazardous mineral. Compensation can cover medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, lost quality of life, and pain and suffering.

Our lawyers are involved in mass toxic tort litigation at a national, regional and local scale. As such, we are familiar with the specific issues and complex science associated with asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos fibers are dangerous and can cause 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 for exposure to this toxic substance. These cases can be extremely 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 this hazardous substance. In recent years, there are more lawsuits filed against asbestos producers in the past than ever before. These cases result from the recognition of a connection between asbestos and diseases like mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. The companies were aware of asbestos's dangers however, they failed to inform employees and consumers.

The New York City area is particularly susceptible to asbestos-related ailments due to its old structures and the numerous construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously toxic area that continues to impact the surrounding community.

Many workers were exposed to asbestos in the workplace. However, people also get diagnosed with mesothelioma following an exposure secondarily to the harmful substances. This is especially true for spouses who wear husband's clothes to work and come into contact with asbestos dust frequently.

Litigation involving mesothelioma is expensive for defendants. This is especially true if they have been incorrectly identified as defendants. According to an investigation, more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed in New York courts since 2014 and the number could increase even more. Specialized asbestos law firms often advertise on TV during the day and encourage victims to submit claims with the promise that they will receive substantial settlements.

Defendants might be able to lower some of the costs arising from these cases by argument that their policy terms have expired or they're only responsible for a tiny percentage of the total value of the claim. However, New York law has not provided a definitive rule regarding how to allocate liabilities when the alleged exposure occurs partly outside of the insurance company's policy.

Asbestos-related Diseases

A myriad of asbestos-related illnesses can be triggered because of exposure to the toxic mineral. The mesothelioma condition is the most serious. Mesothelioma has led to the deaths of many people. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer asbestosis, pleural plaques and the pleural effusion.

Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal illness caused by exposure to asbestos fibers that collect in the lungs, and can cause irritation to the lining of the ribcage, chest cavity, and abdominal cavity (the the pleura). Inhaling these fibers can lead to scarring in the lungs, known as 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 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 illnesses don't manifest until decades after initial exposure. This is because it could take between 20 to 50 years for the inhalation of asbestos-containing fibers to damage the lungs. People at risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related ailments include those who handled, laundered and removed asbestos-containing materials from the workplace and spouses and children of those who were exposed to asbestos.

In addition to mesothelioma other asbestos attorney-related illnesses include lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma and mesothelioma of the ovary. Ovarian cancer is among the most deadly mesothelioma type for women however, it is much less common than mesothelioma in general. It is diagnosed later than other types of mesothelioma because it is found in the linings of reproductive organs. Symptoms can be similar to those of other illnesses.

There were many companies that employed asbestos in the 20th century, however they knew that it was a risk. When they failed to remove asbestos from their products, thousands of people were exposed. These people can now sue for financial compensation. Many asbestos-related manufacturers are bankrupt. In the aftermath, victims can seek the money they deserve from the trust funds established by the bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

For decades, asbestos-related companies have placed profits over the security of their employees and consumers by producing dangerous products without warning of the risks. These companies are now paying for their negligence. People who have suffered from life-altering issues caused by mesothelioma and lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases are seeking fair and full settlement.

The attorneys at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to assisting families and individuals get the justice they deserve. Our lawyers have more than 25 years of experience and have helped 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.

Many states have established asbestos courts with specialization, where claims can be filed more efficiently. Judges have also established special procedures to review and resolve these cases.

New York is one such state, with its own asbestos court, known as NYCAL. The number of cases filed in this court has grown steadily, as increasing numbers of asbestos settlement victims seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants who have become bankrupt. In order to ensure that the justice system isn't overloaded, the New York Supreme Court has created an extra judicial panel to oversee NYCAL.

A panel comprised of six Supreme Court judges will review every case in NYCAL to determine whether or not to accept it. Judges will also assess the merits of every claim to determine how much the plaintiff's compensation should be.

The panel is currently reviewing more than 3,500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to make a final decision by the end of this year.

New York asbestos lawsuits can be complicated and involve multiple defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience with the litigation of these difficult cases. They are knowledgeable of the asbestos courts of New York and their rules and regulations in addition to other jurisdictions in which they have handled multi-district litigation.

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

Representation of Plaintiffs

A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will determine what strategy is best to defend the client against a personal injury claim involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels suppliers, manufacturers contractors, distributors, contractors, and owners of premises on matters involving claims of mesothelioma and lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm also assists clients to develop internal programs for identifying and addressing any safety and liability 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 strategies for litigation and supervises regional and local counsel to ensure a consistent and cost-effective defense that is in line with the client's objectives. It also plays an important part in the administration and management of asbestos dockets as well as negotiations with plaintiffs' lawyers and coordinating discovery for its client.

The firm's lawyers have a wealth of trial and appellate experience 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 acquainted with the intricate science involved with these cases, as well as the unique legal issues that arise when defending companies in state and federal 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 cases that have been consolidated involving multiple plaintiffs. She has extensive experience litigating asbestos-related lawsuits before the state and federal courts, as well as a variety of appellate and Supreme Court bodies.

While at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos cases for respondents, including those at the Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The cases files contained SEAR forms (Short encapsulated Evaluative reports), which contained confidential information about the claimants. These included medical reports and work histories, as well as an inventory of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs worked with or near. Vogel had to have an account password to access the files. She could then review any SEAR forms that she received from her current employer.

In addition to its extensive trial and appellate experience in addition to its extensive trial and appellate experience, the Bowles Rice Asbestos Team is acknowledged nationally for its ability to negotiate settlements on behalf of its clients. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs' lawyers to create and implement settlement agreements. The firm also has extensive experience defending businesses against appeals.