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 whose financial security has been affected by exposure to the harmful mineral. Compensation can cover medical costs, funeral and burial expenses as well as pain and suffering and lost quality of life.

Our lawyers are local, regional, and national counsel in massive toxic tort litigation. 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 dangerous fiber that can lead to various serious medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is experienced in dealing with asbestos lawsuits, which seek financial compensation for victims and their families who have been exposed to this harmful substance. These cases can be complex and therefore it is essential 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 times, there have been more claims against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases are the result of the recognition that asbestos is linked to illnesses such as mesothelioma or lung cancer. The companies were aware of the dangers associated with this dangerous mineral, but they didn't warn their employees and consumers.

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

Many workers were exposed to asbestos in their work environments. However, people also get diagnosed with mesothelioma following exposure to harmful substances. This is especially true for spouses who wear husband's clothes at work and come in contact with asbestos dust frequently.

The mesothelioma litigation is costly for defendants, especially if they are wrongfully named as defendants. A study has revealed that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could grow. This niche litigation is often supported by asbestos law firms that promote on daytime TV and entice victims to file claims, with the promise of huge settlements.

Defendants may be able to lower some of the costs associated with these cases by arguing that their policy periods have expired or they're only accountable for a small percentage of the total claim value. However, New York law has not set out a clear policy on how to divide liabilities when the alleged exposure is outside of the insurer's policy periods.

Asbestos-related Diseases

Exposure to asbestos can cause many different illnesses. The mesothelioma disease is the most serious. Many have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer and asbestosis. Pleural plaques and effusion are also asbestos-related.

Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal illness is caused by asbestos fibers which accumulate in the lungs. They then cause irritation to the linings of the ribcage (the Pleura), chest cavity and abdominal cavity. Inhaling these tiny fibers can cause scarring of the lungs called asbestosis, and sometimes the formation of thickened patches on the pleura referred to as plaques of pleura or a more widespread fibrosis of the pleura known as diffused fibrisis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis may reduce lung capacity as measured by a breath test. They can also cause discomfort and breathing difficulties but they don't lead to cancer or mesothelioma.

The signs of asbestos-related illness typically do not manifest until decades after initial exposure. This is due to the fact that it can take between 20 to 50 years for the inhalation of asbestos case fibers to cause lung damage. Workers who handled, cleaned, and removed asbestos from their workplaces as well as children, spouses and others who were exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing mesothelioma.

As well as mesothelioma, other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma, and mesothelioma of the ovary. Ovarian cancer is the deadliest mesothelioma type for women however it is much less prevalent than mesothelioma in general. It is diagnosed later than other mesothelioma types, because it occurs within the linings of reproductive organs. The symptoms can be similar to other illnesses.

Many companies used asbestos in the 20th century, but they knew that it was a risk. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos when they didn't eliminate it from their products. Now, those exposed are able to claim financial compensation. Many of the asbestos-related manufacturers have gone bankrupt. The victims are now able to claim compensation from the trust funds created by bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

For decades, asbestos-related companies have put profits ahead of the safety of their employees as well as consumers, manufacturing hazardous products, without warning of the dangers. These companies are now confronting the consequences of their inattention. People who's lives have been affected by mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses are seeking fair and full settlement.

Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals get the justice they deserve. Our lawyers have over 25 years of experience and have helped clients receive millions of dollars of compensation. Our New York mesothelioma lawyers work to hold large corporations responsible accountable and seek maximum compensation for our clients.

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

New York, a state that has its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL), is one of the states. The number of cases in this court has grown steadily, as more and more asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants who have gone bankrupt. 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 each case to determine if it is accepted or rejected. Judges will also consider the merits of every claim to determine how much the plaintiff's compensation should be.

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

New York asbestos lawsuits can be complicated and can involve several defendants. Belluck and Fox's lawyers have vast experience in defending these complicated issues. 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 where they have handled multidistrict litigation.

The firm also has vast experience as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in complex, multidistrict litigation. In this capacity lawyers formulate strategies, oversee local and regional counsel and ensure that they are able to provide consistent and effective defenses for clients. They have collaborated closely with coordinating and trial judges and litigation special masters 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 an injury claim that involves asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels suppliers, manufacturers contractors, distributors, contractors and property owners on matters involving claims of mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm works with clients to develop internal programs to determine and resolve potential liability and safety concerns.

In addition to its asbestos practice in the national level, Bowles Rice serves as national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this role the firm formulates litigation strategies, supervises regional and local counsel and achieves consistent and cost-effective defense, in line with client objectives. In addition, it plays a key role in the administration of asbestos legal dockets as well as negotiations with plaintiffs' counsel and also leads discovery for its clients.

The firm's lawyers are skilled in defending clients against mesothelioma-related claims and other asbestos-related illnesses. Asbestos defense lawyers are familiar with the complex scientific issues involved in these cases as well as specific legal issues that arise when defending businesses before federal and state courts across the United States.

Catherine has represented a variety of manufacturers as the lead counsel in asbestos legal and personal injury lawsuits involving product liability as well as in consolidated cases that involve multiple plaintiffs. She has a wealth of experience litigating asbestos case-related cases in the federal and state courts, as well as before a variety of appellate and supreme court bodies.

During her time at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those of respondents of the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The cases files included SEAR forms (Short Evaluative reports that are encapsulated) that contained confidential data about the claimants. This included medical reports, work histories, and the list of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs worked with or near. Vogel required access to a password to access the files. Then, she could go through any SEAR forms provided by her current employer.

The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to having extensive experience in appellate and trial work, is nationally recognized for its ability to negotiate settlements for clients. In this capacity, the firm collaborates closely with the lawyers of plaintiffs in the creation and implementation of settlement agreements. It also has extensive experience defending companies against appeals.