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

A lawyer for asbestos defense can assist those who's financial security was affected by exposure to the harmful mineral. Compensation could cover medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, lost quality of life, and pain and suffering.

Our lawyers are involved in the mass litigation of toxic torts at a national, regional and local scale. As as such, we are acquainted with the particular issues and the complex science that go along 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 adept at dealing with lawsuits that seek financial compensation for victims of asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be extremely complex, and it is critical to have an experienced mesothelioma lawyer on your side.

New York has had a long history with asbestos litigation and many residents were exposed to the dangerous substance. In recent times, there have been more claims against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases result from the recognition of a link between asbestos and certain diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. The companies were aware of asbestos' dangers however, they failed to inform the employees and the public.

The New York City area is particularly susceptible to asbestos-related illnesses because of its older structures and a myriad of construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic site that continues to impact on the community around it.

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

The mesothelioma lawsuit can be expensive for defendants, particularly if they are wrongfully named as defendants. According to an investigation, more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed in New York courts since 2014, and the number could rise further. Specialized asbestos law firms often advertise on television during the day and encourage victims to submit claims with the promise that they will receive significant settlements.

The defendants may be able reduce the cost of these cases by arguing that their policy periods are overdue or that they only have to pay a small portion of the value of the claim. New York law does not have a clear rule on how to allocate responsibility when the alleged exposure is of the insurance policies.

Asbestos-related Illnesses

Exposure to asbestos can cause a wide range of diseases. The condition known as mesothelioma is the most severe. Mesothelioma has caused the death of many people. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques and pleural effusion.

Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal disease that is caused by asbestos fibers that collect in the lung. They then irritate the linings of the ribcage (the pleura), chest cavity, and abdominal cavity. The inhalation of these tiny fibers can cause scarring to the lungs known as asbestosis and occasionally, the formation of thickened patches on the pleura, known as plaques on the pleura, or the more widespread fibrosis of the pleura, referred to as diffused pleural fibrisis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrosis reduce lung capacity as determined by breathing tests. They also cause discomfort and breathing difficulties however they do not cause mesothelioma or cancer.

Symptoms of asbestos-related disease often do not manifest until decades after exposure. It could take up to 50 years for asbestos fibers inhaled to cause lung damage. Workers who handled, cleaned and removed asbestos from the workplace and their children, spouses, and others exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing mesothelioma.

Other asbestos-related diseases, in addition to mesothelioma include lung cancer and laryngeal carcinoma, peritoneal, ovarian, and peritoneal cancer. Ovarian cancer is among the most deadly form of mesothelioma for women, but it is less common than mesothelioma in general. It is typically diagnosed later than other forms of mesothelioma because it develops in the tissues of the reproductive organs, and the symptoms may be similar to those of other illnesses.

Several companies used asbestos during the 20th century. They knew it was dangerous. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos because they failed to remove asbestos from their products. Now, those exposed are able to seek financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies have declared bankruptcy. As a result, the victims can seek the money they deserve from the trust funds set up by the bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

For decades, asbestos-related companies have put profits ahead of the security of their employees and consumers, manufacturing hazardous products without warning of the dangers. They are now confronting 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. 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 lawyers work to hold responsible large corporations accountable and to secure the highest amount of compensation for our clients.

A number of states have set up asbestos courts that are specifically designed so that claims can be filed more efficiently. Judges have also established specialized procedures to evaluate and resolve asbestos-related 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 victims seek compensation from solvent former asbestos defendants who have become 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 of six Supreme Court judges will review every case in NYCAL to determine whether or not to take it up with it. Judges will also evaluate the merits of each claim to determine the amount of amount of money each plaintiff should receive.

The panel is currently looking at more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to announce its final decision before the end of the year.

New York asbestos lawsuits can be complex and can involve multiple defendants. Belluck & Fox's lawyers have extensive experience in the litigation of these difficult matters. They are well-versed in the rules regulations, policies, and procedures 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 extensive experience as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in complex, multidistrict litigation. In this capacity lawyers formulate strategies, manage regional and local counsel, and ensure consistent and effective defenses for clients. They have been in close contact with trial judges, coordinating judges and special masters of litigation from different jurisdictions.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will determine what strategy is the best way to defend the client against an injury claim that involves asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels suppliers, manufacturers contractors, distributors, contractors and owners of premises in cases involving claims for mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm also assists clients to develop internal programs for identifying and addressing potential safety and liability concerns.

In addition to its national asbestos practice, Bowles Rice serves as national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this role, the firm develops litigation strategies, supervises regional and local counsel and ensures a consistent and cost-effective defense that is in sync with client goals. In addition, it plays a key role in the administration of asbestos dockets and negotiations with plaintiffs' counsel and also leads discovery for its clients.

The firm's lawyers have a wealth of trial and appellate experience defending clients against claims by injured claimants, such as those claiming mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are familiar with the intricate research and technology involved in these cases, as well as specific legal issues that arise when representing companies in state and federal courts throughout the United States.

Catherine has represented a variety of manufacturers as lead trial counsel in asbestos lawsuit and personal injury lawsuits related to product liability, and in cases that have been consolidated involving multiple plaintiffs. She has a wealth of experience arguing asbestos-related cases in state and federal courts, as well as before various appellate and supreme court bodies.

During her time at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos cases for respondents, including the Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The cases files included SEAR forms (Short Evaluative reports that are encapsulated), which contained confidential information about plaintiffs. These included medical reports as well as work histories and the list of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs worked with or near. Vogel was required to have an account password to access the files. She was then able to review any SEAR forms from 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. It also has a wealth of experience defending businesses against appeals.