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 who have been harmed by exposure to this toxic mineral. Compensation can cover medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, loss of quality of life, as well as suffering and pain.

Our lawyers are involved in the mass litigation of toxic torts on a regional, national and local scale. As our lawyers are well-versed with the particular issues and the complex science that go along with asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos is a deadly fiber that can cause numerous serious medical conditions, including mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney is skilled in handling lawsuits seeking 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 had a long-running history of asbestos litigation and many residents were exposed to this hazardous substance. In recent years, there are more lawsuits filed against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases are a result of the recognition of a link between asbestos and diseases like mesothelioma and lung cancer and asbestosis. The companies were aware of the dangers associated with this asbestos-containing mineral, yet they didn't inform their employees and customers.

New York City is especially vulnerable to illnesses caused by asbestos because of its older structures and construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic site that continues to have an impact on the surrounding community.

Mesothelioma is triggered by exposure to asbestos directly, and many workers were exposed to it at work. Secondhand exposure can also lead to mesothelioma. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposure workers who had their husbands' work clothes and came in contact with asbestos dust regularly.

The mesothelioma lawsuits litigation is costly for defendants, especially when they are incorrectly named as a defendant. According to a study, more that 3,600 lawsuits have been filed in New York courts since 2014 and the number could increase further. This kind of litigation is usually fueled by specialized asbestos law firms that promote on daytime television and encourage victims to file claims with the promise of large settlements.

The defendants might be able to reduce some of the costs of these cases by arguing their policy periods are expired or that they only have to pay only for a small proportion of the claim value. However, New York law has not provided a definitive rule on how to divide liabilities when the alleged exposure is within and outside the insurance company's policy.

Asbestos-related illnesses

Exposure to asbestos can lead to many different illnesses. The condition known as mesothelioma is the most severe. Many people have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques, and the pleural effusion.

Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal illness, is caused by asbestos fibers that accumulate in the lung. They then irritate the linings of the ribcage (the Pleura) as well as the chest cavity and abdominal cavity. Inhaling these fibers can lead to scarring of the lungs, called asbestosis. It can also cause thickened pleura patches (pleural plaques) or an increase in fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis could reduce lung capacity, as measured by a breath test. They can also cause pain and difficulties in breathing, however they don't cause mesothelioma or cancer.

Often, symptoms of asbestos-related illnesses don't appear 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. The people at risk of developing mesothelioma or other asbestos-related ailments include those who handled, washed and removed asbestos-containing materials from their workplaces, as well as spouses and children of asbestos-related exposure.

Other asbestos-related illnesses, apart from mesothelioma lawyers, include laryngeal carcinoma and lung cancer, peritoneal, ovarian, and peritoneal cancer. The most dangerous mesothelioma attorney type is ovarian cancer, however it is less frequent than the general mesothelioma. It is diagnosed later than most other types of mesothelioma because it is found in the linings of reproductive organs. The symptoms may be similar to other illnesses.

Many companies used asbestos in the 20th century, but they were aware that it was hazardous. If they didn't remove asbestos from their products, thousands of people were exposed. They can now sue for financial compensation. Many of the asbestos-related manufacturers have gone bankrupt. The victims are now able to claim compensation from the trust funds set up by bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

Asbestos-related companies have put profit over the safety of their workers and their customers for decades creating dangerous products without warning about the risks. They are now facing the consequences of their carelessness. People who have suffered from asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and full settlement.

Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals receive the justice they deserve. Our lawyers have more than 25 years of experience and have helped our clients receive millions of dollars in compensation. Our New York mesothelioma attorney lawyers (look at more info) work to hold accountable large corporations accountable and to obtain the maximum amount of compensation for our clients.

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

New York is one such state, with its own asbestos court known as NYCAL. As asbestos victims continue to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants that have declared bankruptcy, the caseload of this special court has steadily increased. The New York Supreme Court created an extra judicial board to oversee NYCAL to stop the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.

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

The panel is currently reviewing more than 3,500 lawsuits. The panel is expected issue its final ruling by the end of this year.

New York asbestos lawsuits are often complex and involve several defendants. Belluck and Fox's lawyers have vast experience in litigating these complex issues. They are knowledgeable of the rules, regulations, and policies of the asbestos courts in New York, as well as the laws of other jurisdictions where they have handled multidistrict litigation.

The firm also has extensive experience as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in complex, multidistrict litigation. In this capacity lawyers devise strategies, oversee local and regional counsel, and ensure that they are able to provide consistent and efficient defenses for clients. They have been in close contact with trial judges, coordination judges and special masters of litigation from different jurisdictions.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will determine which strategy is the best way to defend the client from a personal injury lawsuit involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises suppliers, manufacturers, contractors, distributors, and premises owners on matters involving mesothelioma claims, lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm collaborates with clients on developing internal programs to 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 capacity Bowles Rice devises strategies for litigation and supervises regional and local counsel to ensure a uniform and cost-effective defense in accordance with the client's objectives. It also plays a significant part in the administration and management of asbestos dockets, as well in negotiations with plaintiffs' lawyers and in coordinating discovery for its client.

The firm's attorneys are experienced in defending clients from mesothelioma claims and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense lawyers are familiar with the complex science associated with these cases, as well as the unique legal issues that arise when defending businesses in federal and state courts across the United States.

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

While at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those of respondents of the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files included SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports) which contained confidential information about claimants, such as medical reports, a history of work, and the list of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs worked with or around. Vogel was required to have an account password to access these files and could look over the SEAR forms of any case at her current employer.

The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to its extensive experience in appellate and trial work, is nationally recognized for its ability to successfully reach 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 against appeals.