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

A lawyer who is a defense attorney for asbestos can assist those whose financial security has been affected due to exposure to the hazardous mineral. Compensation can cover medical expenses funeral and burial costs, pain and suffering, and lost quality of life.

Our lawyers are involved in the mass litigation of toxic torts at a national, regional and local level. This means that we are well-versed in the unique issues and the complex scientific aspects associated with asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos is a harmful fiber that can lead to a variety of severe medical conditions, including mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney is skilled in handling lawsuits to seek the financial compensation of those affected by asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be complex and therefore it is essential to have a mesothelioma attorney to assist you.

New York has a long history of asbestos litigation, and many residents have been exposed to this dangerous substance. In recent years there have been more claims against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases stem from the recognition of a link between asbestos and diseases like mesothelioma attorneys, lung cancer and asbestosis. These companies were aware of the dangers associated with this dangerous mineral, but they failed to warn their employees and clients.

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

Mesothelioma can be caused by exposure to asbestos in direct contact, and many workers were exposed to asbestos at work. However, people also get diagnosed with mesothelioma after experiencing an exposure secondarily to the harmful substances. This includes spouses who wear husband's clothing at work and come in contact with asbestos dust regularly.

The mesothelioma litigation can be expensive for defendants, especially if they are wrongfully named as defendants. A study shows that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could rise. Specialized asbestos law firms typically advertise on television during the day and encourage victims to submit claims under the premise that they will receive significant settlements.

The defendants could be able to reduce some of the costs of these cases by arguing that their policy periods are expired or that they are only responsible for a small portion of the claim value. However, New York law has not established a clear rule on how to allocate liability when the alleged exposure occurs within and outside the policy period of the insurer.

Asbestos-related illnesses

Exposure to asbestos can trigger various illnesses. The condition known as mesothelioma is the most severe. Mesothelioma has led to the deaths of many people. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer asbestosis, pleural plaques and pleural effusion.

Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal illness that is caused by asbestos fibers which are found in the lung. They then cause irritation to the linings of the ribcage (the the pleura), chest cavity and abdominal cavity. Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause scarring in the lungs, known as asbestosis. It can also result in thickened patches of pleura (pleural plaques) or an increase in fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis can decrease lung capacity, as measured by breathing test. They can also cause pain and difficulties in breathing, but they do not lead mesothelioma or cancer.

Most of the time, symptoms of asbestos-related diseases do not manifest until decades after initial exposure. It can take as long as 50 years for asbestos fibers inhaled to cause lung damage. The people at risk of developing mesothelioma or other asbestos-related conditions include workers who handled, washed and removed asbestos-containing products from their workplaces and their spouses and children of asbestos-related exposure.

Other asbestos-related illnesses, in addition to mesothelioma include laryngeal cancer and lung cancer as well as peritoneal, ovarian and peritoneal cancer. The most dangerous form of mesothelioma is ovarian cancer, but it's much less common than the general mesothelioma. It is diagnosed later than other mesothelioma types, because it is found within the linings of reproductive organs. The symptoms can be similar to other diseases.

Many companies employed asbestos during the 20th century. They were aware that it was a risk. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos because they didn't remove asbestos from their products. Now, those exposed have the right to sue for financial compensation. A lot of asbestos-related manufacturers have declared bankruptcy. This means that the victims can seek the money they are entitled to from trust funds established by the bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

For decades, asbestos-related companies put profits above the security of their employees and consumers by producing dangerous products, without warning of the dangers. They are now facing the consequences of their negligence. People whose lives have been disrupted by mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses are seeking full and fair settlement.

Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals receive the justice they deserve. With more than 25 years of experience and accomplishments, we have secured millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. Our New York mesothelioma attorneys work to hold corporations accountable and to secure maximum compensation for clients.

Many states have established special asbestos courts where claims can be filed and resolved more efficiently. In addition judges have created specific procedures to evaluate and resolve asbestos cases.

New York is one such state, with its own asbestos court known as NYCAL. The number of cases in this court has grown 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 to stop the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.

A panel of six Supreme Court judges will review every case in NYCAL to decide whether or not to accept it. Judges will also assess the merits of each claim to determine the amount of amount of money each plaintiff should receive.

The panel is currently reviewing more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected issue its final decision before the end this year.

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

The firm also has extensive experience serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients across the country in multi-district, complex litigation. In this capacity, lawyers develop 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 special masters of litigation in various jurisdictions where they were involved in asbestos litigation.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A skilled Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best approach to defend a client from a claim for personal injury resulting from asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels product manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, contractors and property owners on matters involving claims of mesothelioma and lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm collaborates with clients to develop internal programs to determine and deal with potential liability and safety issues.

In addition to its national asbestos practice, Bowles Rice serves as national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this capacity Bowles Rice devises litigation strategies and manages regional and local counsel to ensure a consistent and cost-effective defense that is in line with the client's needs. It also plays an important part in the administration and management of asbestos dockets aswell as negotiations with plaintiffs' attorneys and coordinating discovery for its clients.

The attorneys of the firm have a wealth of trial and appellate experience, defending clients against claims by injured claimants, which includes those who are claiming mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense lawyers are familiar with the intricate science involved with these cases, as well as the unique legal issues that arise when representing companies in federal and state courts across the United States.

Catherine has defended numerous manufacturers in asbestos and products liability personal injury cases, acting as the lead counsel in consolidated trials involving multiple claimants. She has substantial experience litigating asbestos-related cases in the federal and state courts and before a variety of supreme and appellate courts.

While at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those of respondents in the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files included SEAR forms (Short Evaluative reports that are encapsulated) which contained confidential information about the plaintiffs. These included medical reports and work histories, as well as an inventory of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs used or worked near. Vogel was required to have an account password to access the files and was able to review the SEAR forms of any case she had with her current employer.

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