An Asbestos Defense Attorney Can Help Protect the Financial Security of Those Harmed by Exposure to This Harmful Mineral
An asbestos defense attorney can protect the financial security of those affected by exposure to this harmful mineral. Compensation can cover medical expenses, funeral and burial expenses, pain and suffering, and loss of quality of life.
Our lawyers are national, regional and local counsel in mass toxic tort litigation. As as such, we are acquainted with the specific issues and complicated science associated with asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos is a harmful fiber that can trigger numerous serious medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is experienced in handling asbestos lawsuits which seek financial compensation for the victims and their families for exposure to this harmful substance. These cases can be complex, so it's important to have a mesothelioma lawyer to assist you.
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 certain diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. These companies knew of the dangers associated with this dangerous mineral, but they failed to warn their employees and clients.
The New York City area is particularly prone to asbestos-related diseases due to its old structures and numerous construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously toxic area that continues to impact the surrounding community.
Mesothelioma is triggered by exposure to asbestos in direct contact, and many workers were exposed to it in the workplace. Secondhand exposure can also result in mesothelioma. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposure workers who wore their husband's work clothes and came into contact with asbestos dust regularly.
Mesothelioma-related litigation can be expensive for defendants. This is particularly the case if they were wrongly identified as defendants. According to a study, more that 3,600 claims have been filed in New York courts since 2014 and the number could increase even more. This niche litigation is often supported by
asbestos law firms that advertise on television during the day and encourage victims to file claims with the promise of huge settlements.
Defendants might be able to reduce some of the costs arising from these cases by asserting that their policy periods expire or they are only responsible for a tiny portion of the amount of the claim. New York law does not provide a definitive rule on how to distribute liability when the alleged exposure is part of and outside the insurer's policies.
Asbestos-related Diseases
A myriad of asbestos-related illnesses can develop due to exposure to the mineral that causes cancer. The mesothelioma disease is the most serious. Mesothelioma has caused the death 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 condition that is caused by
asbestos case fibers that accumulate in the lung. They then irritate the linings of the ribcage (the Pleura), chest cavity, and abdominal cavity. Inhaling these tiny fibers can cause scarring to the lungs called asbestosis, and occasionally, the development of thickened patches on the pleura called plaques of pleura or the more widespread fibrosis of the pleura known as diffused the fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrosis decrease lung capacity, as measured by breathing tests. They can also cause pain and discomfort in breathing, however they are not the cause of mesothelioma or cancer.
Symptoms of asbestos-related disease often are not evident until years after exposure. It can take up to 50 years for asbestos-related fibers to be inhaled to cause lung damage. The people at risk of developing mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related conditions include workers who handled, laundered and removed asbestos-containing products from their workplaces and spouses and children of those who were exposed to asbestos.
In addition to mesothelioma, other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma and ovarian mesothelioma. The most deadly form of mesothelioma is called ovarian cancer, however it is less common than the general mesothelioma. It is diagnosed later than other mesothelioma types, because it develops in the linings of reproductive organs. The symptoms can be similar to other illnesses.
Many companies employed asbestos during the 20th century. They knew it was hazardous. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos if they failed to remove asbestos from their products. The affected people are now able to claim financial compensation. A lot of asbestos-related manufacturers have gone bankrupt. The victims are now able to claim compensation from the trust funds created by bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
Asbestos-related companies have put profit over the safety of their employees and consumers for decades creating dangerous products without warning of the dangers. These companies 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 fair and full compensation.
The lawyers at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to helping families and individuals receive the justice they need. Our lawyers have more than 25 years of experience and have assisted our clients to receive millions of dollars in compensation. Our New York mesothelioma attorneys work to hold large corporations accountable and obtain maximum compensation for clients.
Many states have established asbestos courts that are specifically designed so that claims can be filed more efficiently. Judges have also developed 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 increased steadily, as more and more asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent former asbestos defendants who went bankrupt. In order to ensure that the justice system does not get overwhelmed, the New York Supreme Court has ordered the creation of a special judicial panel to oversee NYCAL.
A panel 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 case to determine the amount a plaintiff should receive.
The panel is currently examining more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected issue its final decision before the end this year.
New York asbestos lawsuits can be complicated and can involve multiple defendants. Belluck & Fox's lawyers have extensive experience in litigating these complex issues. They are familiar with the rules regulations, rules, and policies 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, representing clients in multidistrict litigation that is complex and complex. In this role lawyers devise strategies, manage local and regional counsel, and ensure consistent and effective defenses for clients. They have worked closely with coordinating and trial judges and special masters of litigation in the various jurisdictions where they have been involved in asbestos litigation.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will decide which strategy is the best way to defend the client from a personal injury lawsuit involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, contractors and property owners in cases involving claims for mesothelioma and lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm also works with clients to develop internal programs for identifying and addressing potential risks to safety and liability.
Bowles Rice In addition to its asbestos practice in the national level and multi-state asbestos litigation is also the national Coordinating Counsel. In this role the firm designs litigation strategies, supervises local and regional counsel, and achieves consistent and cost-effective defense, in line with client goals. It also plays a major role in the administration and management of asbestos dockets as well as negotiations with plaintiffs' attorneys and in coordinating discovery for its clients.
The firm's lawyers have extensive trial and appellate experience defending clients against claims by injured claimants, including those who are claiming mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are familiar with the complex science associated with these cases, as well as the unique legal issues that arise when defending companies before federal and state courts across the United States.
Catherine has defended numerous manufacturers in asbestos and products liability personal injury cases, acting as the lead trial counsel in consolidated trials involving multiple claimants. She has extensive experience in arguing asbestos-related lawsuits before the federal and state courts as well as various Supreme Court and appellate bodies.
While at Brobeck, Vogel handled
asbestos attorney cases for respondents, including those in the Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The cases files contained SEAR forms (Short Evaluative Reports Encapsulated) that contained confidential data about the plaintiffs. This included medical reports as well as work histories and a list asbestos products that plaintiffs worked with or near. Vogel was required to have a password to access these files and could look over the SEAR forms of any case at 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 recognized nationally for its ability to negotiate settlements on behalf of its clients. In this capacity, the company collaborates with lawyers representing plaintiffs in the preparation and execution of settlement agreements. Additionally, it has a vast experience in defending companies against appeals.