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

Our lawyers are local, regional, and national counsel in mass toxic tort litigation. We are well-versed in the unique issues and complex aspects of science associated with asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos is a harmful fiber that can trigger numerous serious medical conditions, including mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is skilled in handling asbestos lawsuits that seek financial compensation for the victims and their families for exposure to this harmful substance. These cases can be extremely complex and it is crucial to have a mesothelioma expert law firm by your side.

New York has a long history of asbestos litigation and many residents have been exposed to the dangerous material. In recent years there have been more lawsuits against asbestos producers in the past than ever before. These cases stem from the recognition of a connection between asbestos and certain diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. The companies were aware of the dangers of the asbestos-containing mineral, yet they did not inform their employees and customers.

New York City is especially susceptible to diseases caused by asbestos due to its older structures and construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously toxic area that continues affect the community around it.

Many workers were exposed asbestos at work. Secondhand exposure can also cause mesothelioma. This is especially true for spouses who wear husband's clothes at work and come in contact with asbestos dust frequently.

The mesothelioma litigation can be expensive for defendants, particularly if they are wrongfully named as a defendant. A study indicates that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could grow. Specialized asbestos law firms often advertise on TV during the day and encourage victims to submit claims, promising they will receive substantial settlements.

The defendants may be able reduce some of the costs of these cases by arguing that their policies are in a lapse or that they only have to pay only for a small proportion of the claim value. However, New York law has not established a clear rule regarding how to allocate liabilities when the alleged exposure occurs within and outside the insurer's policy periods.

Asbestos-related illnesses

A wide range of asbestos-related illnesses can be triggered due to exposure to the harmful mineral. The condition known as mesothelioma is the most severe. Many have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related diseases 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 irritate the lining of the ribcage, chest cavity and abdominal cavity (the pleura). Inhaling these tiny fibers can cause scarring to the lungs called asbestosis, and, sometimes, the development of thickened patches on the pleura, known as plaques of pleura or the more widespread fibrosis of the pleura, referred to as diffused pleural fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis can reduce lung capacity as determined by a breathing test. They can also cause pain and difficulties in breathing, however they don't cause cancer or mesothelioma.

The signs of asbestos-related illness typically do not manifest until decades after exposure. It can take up to 50 years for asbestos fibers inhaled to cause lung damage. Workers who handled, cleaned and removed asbestos from their workplaces and their children, spouses and other people who are exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing mesothelioma.

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

Many companies employed asbestos in the 20th century, however they knew that it was hazardous. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos if they didn't remove it from their products. These people now have the right to claim financial compensation. Many of the asbestos-related manufacturers have declared bankruptcy. This means that the victims are able to seek the compensation they are entitled to from trust funds set up by the bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

Asbestos companies have put profit before the safety of their employees and customers for a long time, producing hazardous products without warning of the dangers. They are now confronting the consequences of their carelessness. People who have suffered from asbestos-related illnesses such as mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and complete compensation.

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

Many states have set up special asbestos courts in which claims can be filed and resolving more efficiently. Judges have also developed specialized procedures to evaluate and resolve asbestos-related cases.

New York is one such state with its own asbestos court known as NYCAL. As asbestos victims continue to seek compensation from solvent asbestos attorney defendants that have declared bankruptcy, the caseload of the court has steadily increased. In order to ensure that the justice system isn't overloaded and overwhelmed, the New York Supreme Court has ordered the creation of a special judicial panel to oversee NYCAL.

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

At present, the panel is looking into more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to issue its final decision by the end of the year.

New York asbestos lawsuits can be complicated and involve multiple defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience with the litigation of these complicated matters. 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 as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients nationwide in multi-district, complex litigation. In this capacity, attorneys develop strategies, coordinate and oversee regional and local counsel and ensure cost-effective and consistent defenses for every client. They have collaborated closely with trial and coordination judges and litigation special masters in various jurisdictions in which they were involved in asbestos litigation.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A Tulsa asbestos lawyer (recent post by yatesrelates.com) will determine which strategy is most effective to defend the client against a personal injury lawsuit involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels suppliers, manufacturers contractors, distributors, contractors and property owners in cases involving claims for mesothelioma and lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm also works with clients to create internal programs to identify and addressing potential safety and liability issues.

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

The firm's lawyers have a wealth of trial and appellate experience, defending clients against claims by injured claimants, including those who claim mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense lawyers are familiar with complex research and technology involved in these cases, as in addition to unique legal issues that arise while representing companies in federal and state courts across the United States.

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

While at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those of respondents of the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files contained SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports), which contained confidential information about the claimants, such as medical reports, work histories, and an inventory of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs worked with or around. Vogel was required to use access to the files and was able to review 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 recognized nationally for its ability to negotiate settlements on behalf of its clients. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs' lawyers to develop and execute settlement agreements. It also has extensive experience in defending businesses from appeals.