An Asbestos Defense Attorney Can Help Protect the Financial Security of Those Harmed by Exposure to This Harmful Mineral
An asbestos defense attorney can help protect the financial security of those injured through exposure to this dangerous mineral. Compensation can cover medical costs funeral and burial costs, loss of quality of life, as well as pain and suffering.
Our lawyers are involved in the mass litigation of toxic torts on a regional, national and local level. As a result, we are knowledgeable about the specific issues and the complex scientific aspects of asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos is a harmful fiber that can lead to a variety of severe medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is skilled in dealing with asbestos lawsuits, which seek financial compensation for victims and their families due to exposure to this toxic substance. These cases can be complicated, so it's important to have a mesothelioma lawyer to assist you.
New York has had a long-running history of asbestos litigation. Many residents were exposed to the dangerous substance. In recent years there have been more lawsuits against former asbestos manufacturers than ever before. These cases are a result of the recognition of a link between asbestos and diseases like
mesothelioma attorney, lung cancer and asbestosis. The companies were aware of the dangers of the dangerous mineral, but they didn't inform their employees and customers.
New York City is especially susceptible to illnesses caused by asbestos because of its older structures and construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously toxic area that continues affect the community around it.
Mesothelioma is triggered by direct exposure to asbestos, and many workers were exposed to it in the workplace. Secondhand exposure can also lead to
mesothelioma lawsuit. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposed workers who had their husbands' work clothes and came into contact with asbestos dust regularly.
The
mesothelioma lawsuit can be costly for defendants, particularly when they are mistakenly identified as a defendant. According to an investigation, more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed in New York courts since 2014 and the number could rise further. This type of litigation is typically supported by asbestos law firms that promote on television during the day and encourage victims to file claims with the promise of huge settlements.
The defendants might be able to reduce some of the costs of these cases by arguing their policy periods are overdue or that they are only responsible only a small percentage of the amount claimed. However, New York law has not established a clear rule on how to allocate liability when the alleged exposure occurs partly outside of the policy period of the insurer.
Asbestos-Related Illnesses
A variety of asbestos-related illnesses can be triggered because of exposure to the harmful mineral. The most severe condition is mesothelioma. Many people have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related illnesses include asbestosis and lung cancer. Pleural plaques and pleural effusion are also asbestos-related.
Mesothelioma, a rare, but fatal disease is caused by asbestos fibers that are found in the lungs. They then cause irritation to the linings of the ribcage (the Pleura), chest cavity, and abdominal cavity. Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause scarring in the lungs. This is known as asbestosis. It can also cause thickened pleura patches (pleural plaques) or an increase in fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrosis decrease lung capacity as measured by breathing tests. They can also cause pain and difficulty in breathing, but they don't cause
mesothelioma attorneys or cancer.
Often, symptoms of asbestos-related illnesses don't show up until decades after the initial exposure. This is because it could take between 20 to 50 years for exposure to asbestos fibers to cause lung damage. People who are at risk of developing mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related ailments include those who handled, washed, and removed these materials from the workplace, as well as spouses and children of those who were exposed to asbestos.
Other asbestos-related diseases, in addition to mesothelioma include laryngeal carcinoma and lung cancer and peritoneal, ovarian and peritoneal cancer. The most dangerous form of mesothelioma is called ovarian cancer, however it is less prevalent than mesothelioma in general. It is diagnosed later than other types of mesothelioma, because it occurs in the linings of reproductive organs. The symptoms may be similar to other diseases.
Several companies used asbestos during the 20th century. They knew it was hazardous. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos when they didn't remove asbestos from their products. The affected people are now able to seek financial compensation. Many of the asbestos-related manufacturers have gone bankrupt. The victims are now able to claim compensation from trust funds established by bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
For decades, asbestos-related companies put profits above the safety of their employees and consumers, producing dangerous products, without warning of the risks. These companies are now facing the consequences of their carelessness. People who have suffered from asbestos-related illnesses such as mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and full settlement.
The attorneys at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to helping families and individuals get the justice they deserve. Our lawyers have over 25 years of experience and have assisted our clients to receive millions of dollars in compensation. Our New York mesothelioma lawyers work to hold responsible large corporations accountable and to obtain 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. Judges have also established specific procedures to assess and resolve these cases.
New York is one such state with its own asbestos court known as NYCAL. The caseload in this specialty court has grown steadily, as asbestos victims are becoming more and more likely to seek compensation from solvent former asbestos defendants who went bankrupt. The New York Supreme Court created an extra judicial board to supervise NYCAL in order to keep the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.
A panel comprised of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine if it should be accepted or not. Judges will also consider the merits of each case to determine the amount a plaintiff should be awarded.
Currently, the panel is studying more than 3,500 lawsuits. The panel is expected make a final decision by the end of this year.
New York asbestos lawsuits can be complicated and can involve multiple defendants. Belluck and Fox's lawyers have a wealth of experience in litigating these complex cases. 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 where they have handled multidistrict litigation.
The firm also has extensive experience as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in complex, multidistrict litigation. In this role lawyers devise strategies, manage regional and local counsel, and ensure consistent and effective defenses for clients. They have worked closely with trial judges, coordination judges and special masters of litigation from different jurisdictions.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A knowledgeable Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best strategy to defend a client from a claim for personal injury resulting from asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, contractors and property owners in cases involving claims for mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm collaborates with clients in the development of internal programs to determine and address potential safety and liability issues.
Bowles Rice in addition to its asbestos practice in the national level and multi-state asbestos litigation serves as national Coordinating counsel. In this capacity the firm designs litigation strategies, manages regional and local counsel, and ensures a consistent and cost-effective defense in coordination with client goals. Additionally, it plays a key role in the management of asbestos dockets and negotiations with counsel for plaintiffs and lead discovery for its clients.
The firm's lawyers have experience in defending clients from claims of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses. Asbestos defense lawyers are familiar with the complex science that is associated with these cases, as well as the particular legal issues that arise when defending companies in state and federal courts across the United States.
Catherine has represented numerous manufacturers as the lead trial counsel in asbestos and personal injury lawsuits involving product liability and in consolidated cases that involve multiple claimants. She has a wealth of experience arguing asbestos-related lawsuits before the federal and state courts, as well as various Supreme Court and appellate bodies.
During her time at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos cases for respondents, including those at the Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The case files included SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports) that contained confidential information about plaintiffs, such as medical reports, work histories 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 she could also look over the SEAR forms of any case she had with 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. In this capacity, the firm collaborates with plaintiffs' lawyers in the development and execution of settlement agreements. Additionally, it has a vast experience in defending companies against appeals.