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

An asbestos defense lawyer can assist in ensuring the financial security of those who have been affected through exposure to this dangerous mineral. Compensation can cover medical costs, funeral and burial costs, lost quality of life, and suffering and pain.

Our lawyers serve as local, regional and national counsel in massive toxic tort litigation. As a result, we are familiarized with the unique issues and complex aspects of science associated with asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos is a deadly fiber that can cause numerous serious medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is adept at handling asbestos lawsuits that seek financial compensation for the victims and their families for exposure to this harmful substance. These cases can be complex and it is crucial 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 have been more lawsuits filed against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases are a result of the recognition of a connection between asbestos and diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. These companies knew of the dangers of the hazardous mineral, but didn't warn their employees and consumers.

New York City is especially vulnerable to illnesses caused by asbestos due to its old structures and many construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously toxic area that continues impact the surrounding community.

Mesothelioma can be caused by exposure to asbestos in direct contact and many workers were exposed in the workplace. However, people also get diagnosed with mesothelioma after experiencing exposure to harmful substances. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposure workers who had their husbands' work clothes and came into contact with asbestos dust on a regular basis.

Mesothelioma-related litigation can be expensive for defendants. This is particularly relevant if they've been wrongly named 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 further. This niche litigation is often driven by asbestos law firms, which advertise on daytime TV and entice victims to file claims, with the promise of huge settlements.

The defendants could be able to reduce the cost of these cases by arguing that their policy periods are overdue or that they only have to pay only a small percentage of the value of the claim. However, New York law has not established a clear rule regarding how to allocate liabilities when the alleged exposure occurs in and out of the insurer's policy periods.

Asbestos-Related Diseases

Exposure to asbestos can cause various illnesses. The most severe condition is mesothelioma. Mesothelioma has caused the death of many people. Other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer and asbestosis. Pleural plaques and pleural effusion are also asbestos-related.

Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal condition, is caused by asbestos fibers which accumulate in the lung. They then irritate the linings of the ribcage (the the pleura) as well as the chest cavity and abdominal cavity. Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause scarring of the lungs, called asbestosis. It can also result in thickened patches of pleura (pleural plaques) or an increased fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrosis reduce lung capacity as determined by breathing tests. They can also cause pain and difficulty in breathing, however they are not the cause of mesothelioma or cancer.

The majority of the time, signs of asbestos-related diseases do not appear until decades after the initial exposure. It can take as long as 50 years for asbestos fibers inhaled 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 asbestos-containing products from the workplace and spouses and children of those exposed to asbestos.

Other asbestos-related diseases apart from mesothelioma, include laryngeal cancer and lung cancer as well as peritoneal, ovarian and peritoneal cancer. Ovarian cancer is the deadliest form of mesothelioma for women however, it is much less common than mesothelioma general. It is typically diagnosed later than other types of mesothelioma due to the fact that it is a cancer that develops in the lining of the reproductive organs and the symptoms may be similar to those of other illnesses.

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

Asbestos Litigation in New York

For decades, asbestos-related companies have put profits ahead of the safety of their employees and consumers, manufacturing hazardous products, without warning of the risks. These companies are now paying for their negligence. Patients who have suffered asbestos lawsuit-related illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and complete compensation.

The attorneys at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to helping families and individuals receive the justice they need. 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 attorneys work to hold large corporations accountable and obtain the maximum amount of compensation for our clients.

Many states have set up special asbestos lawsuit courts in which claims can be filed and resolved more efficiently. In addition, judges have established specialized procedures for evaluating and resolving such 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 asbestos victims are becoming more and more likely to seek compensation from solvent former asbestos defendants who have become bankrupt. The New York Supreme Court created a special judicial board to supervise NYCAL in order to keep the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.

A panel composed of six Supreme Court judges will review every case filed in NYCAL to decide whether to accept or reject it. Judges will also assess the merits of each case to determine how much the plaintiff is entitled to.

The panel is currently looking into more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected make a final decision at the end of this year.

New York asbestos lawsuits are often complex and involve allegations of several defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience in the litigation of these difficult cases. They are familiar with the rules, regulations, and policies of the asbestos lawsuit courts in New York, as well as the laws of other jurisdictions where they have handled multidistrict litigation.

The firm has also extensive experience as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in multidistrict litigation that is complex and complex. In this capacity, lawyers develop strategies, coordinate and manage regional and local counsel, and ensure consistent and cost-effective defenses for each client. They have collaborated closely with coordinating and trial judges and special masters of litigation in various jurisdictions in which they have been involved in asbestos litigation.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will decide which strategy is best to defend the client against a personal injury lawsuit involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises suppliers, manufacturers, contractors, distributors and owners of premises on matters concerning mesothelioma-related claims, lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm collaborates with clients in the development of internal programs to deal with potential liability and safety concerns.

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 achieve a consistent and cost-effective defense that is in line with the client's objectives. It also plays a significant part in the administration and management of asbestos dockets aswell as negotiations with plaintiffs' attorneys and coordinating discovery for its client.

The firm's lawyers have experience in defending clients against mesothelioma claims and other asbestos-related illnesses. Asbestos defense attorneys are acquainted with the complex science that is associated with these cases, and the particular legal issues that arise when defending companies before federal and state courts across the United States.

Catherine has represented a variety of manufacturers in asbestos and product liability personal injury cases, representing them as lead trial counsel and in consolidated trials involving multiple claimants. She has a wealth of experience arguing asbestos-related cases in state and federal courts, as well as before various supreme and appellate court bodies.

During her time at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos cases for respondents, including those at the Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The cases files included SEAR forms (Short encapsulated Evaluative reports), which contained confidential information about plaintiffs. This included medical reports and work histories, as well as the list of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs used or worked near. Vogel was required to have a password to access the files and was able to go through the SEAR forms of any case with her current employer.

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 draft and implement settlement agreements. The firm also has extensive experience in defending businesses from appeals.