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 through exposure to this dangerous mineral. Compensation can cover medical expenses funeral and burial costs as well as pain and suffering and lost quality of life.

Our lawyers are national, regional and local counsel in mass toxic tort litigation. We are familiarized with the unique issues and complex scientific aspects that are associated with asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos fibers are deadly and can trigger serious medical conditions like mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney is skilled in handling lawsuits seeking the financial compensation of those affected by asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be complex and it's crucial to have a mesothelioma attorney 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 have been more lawsuits against asbestos producers from the past than before. These cases are the result of the recognition that asbestos can cause diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. The companies were aware of asbestos's dangers however, they failed to inform employees and consumers.

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

Mesothelioma is caused by direct exposure to asbestos, and many workers were exposed to it at work. In addition, exposure to asbestos through secondhand sources can lead to mesothelioma. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposed workers who wore their husband's work clothes and came into contact with asbestos dust regularly.

Litigation involving mesothelioma is 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 even more. This niche litigation is often supported by asbestos law firms, which advertise on daytime television and encourage victims to file claims, with the promise of substantial settlements.

The defendants may be able reduce some of the costs arising from these cases by arguing that their policy periods have expired or they are only accountable for a small percentage of the amount of the claim. However, New York law has not set out a clear policy on how to divide liabilities when the alleged exposure occurs outside of the policy period of the insurer.

Asbestos-related illnesses

A variety of asbestos-related diseases can develop due to exposure to the toxic mineral. The most severe condition is mesothelioma. Mesothelioma has caused the death of many people. Other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques and pleural effusion.

Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal illness that is caused by exposure to asbestos fibers that collect in the lungs and cause irritation to the lining of the chest cavity, ribcage and abdominal cavity (the the pleura). Inhaling these fibers can lead to scarring in the lungs, known as asbestosis. It can also result in thickened pleura patches (pleural plaques) or an increased fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrosis decrease lung capacity, as measured by breathing tests. They also cause discomfort and breathing difficulties however they do not lead to cancer or mesothelioma.

Most of the time, symptoms of asbestos-related diseases don't manifest until decades after initial exposure. It could take up to 50 years for asbestos fibers inhaled to cause lung damage. The people at risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related conditions include workers who handled, laundered and removed asbestos-containing materials from their workplaces, as well as spouses and children of asbestos-related exposure.

In addition to mesothelioma, other asbestos-related illnesses include laryngeal cancer, lung cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma and mesothelioma of the ovary. Ovarian cancer is among the most deadly mesothelioma type for women however it is much less common than mesothelioma in general. It is diagnosed later than other mesothelioma types, because it develops in the linings of the reproductive organs. Symptoms can be similar to those of other illnesses.

A number of companies used asbestos legal in the 20th century, however they were aware that it was dangerous. If they didn't remove it from their products, thousands of people were exposed. These people can now claim financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are bankrupt. The victims are now able to seek compensation from trust funds created by bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

For decades, asbestos-related companies have placed profits over the safety of their employees as well as consumers by producing dangerous products without warning of the dangers. They are now facing the consequences of their negligence. Patients who have suffered asbestos settlement-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 obtain 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 attorneys work to hold corporations accountable and obtain the highest amount of compensation for their clients.

Many states have established special asbestos compensation courts in which claims can be filed and resolved more efficiently. Additionally judges have developed specific procedures for evaluating and resolving such cases.

New York is one such state that has its own asbestos court known as NYCAL. The caseload in this specialty court has increased steadily, as asbestos victims are becoming more and more likely to seek compensation from solvent former asbestos claim (official website) 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 each case to determine if it should be accepted or rejected. Judges will also consider the merits of each claim to determine how much money each plaintiff should receive.

The panel is currently reviewing more than 3,500 lawsuits. The panel is expected make a final decision before the end of the year.

New York asbestos lawsuits can be complex and involve multiple defendants. Belluck and Fox's lawyers have vast experience in litigating these complex cases. They are knowledgeable of the rules regulations, rules, 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 serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients nationwide in multi-district, complex litigation. In this capacity, attorneys develop strategies, coordinate and manage regional and local counsel and ensure cost-effective and consistent defenses for each client. They have worked closely with trial and coordination judges and special masters of litigation in the various jurisdictions where they were involved in asbestos litigation.

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 contractors, distributors, contractors and property owners in matters involving claims of mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm works with clients in the development of internal programs to identify and deal with potential liability and safety concerns.

Bowles Rice, in addition to its national asbestos practice and multi-state asbestos litigation, is also the national Coordinating counsel. In this capacity the firm formulates litigation strategies, supervises local and regional counsel, and ensures a consistent and cost-effective defense in coordination with client objectives. It also plays a significant part 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 attorneys are experienced in defending clients from claims of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are familiar with complex science involved in these cases as in addition to specific legal issues that arise when defending businesses before state and federal courts throughout the United States.

Catherine has represented a variety of manufacturers as lead counsel in asbestos and personal injury lawsuits involving product liability and in cases that have been consolidated involving multiple claimants. She has a wealth of experience litigating asbestos-related lawsuits in the federal and state courts, as well as various appellate and Supreme Court bodies.

During her time at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those for respondents to the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files included SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports) which contained confidential information on the plaintiffs, including medical reports, work history, and an inventory of asbestos-related products that the plaintiff worked with or around. Vogel was required to have an account 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 well-known throughout the country for its ability to negotiate settlements on behalf of its clients. In this capacity, the firm collaborates closely with lawyers representing plaintiffs in the development and execution of settlement agreements, and it has a vast experience in defending companies against appeals.