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

An asbestos defense attorney can protect the financial security of those who have been injured by exposure to this toxic mineral. Compensation could cover medical expenses funeral and burial costs, loss of quality of life, and suffering and pain.

Our lawyers are involved in the mass litigation of toxic torts on a regional, national and local level. As as such, we are acquainted with the specific issues and complex science associated with asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos fibers are dangerous and can cause serious medical conditions such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is adept at handling asbestos lawsuits that seek compensation for victims and their families who have been exposed to this toxic substance. These cases can be complex and it's crucial to have a mesothelioma attorney to assist you.

New York has a long history of asbestos litigation, and many residents have been exposed to the dangerous substance. In recent years there have been more lawsuits against asbestos producers in the past than ever before. These cases result from the recognition of a connection between asbestos and certain diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. These companies were aware of the dangers that asbestos posed but did not take the time to warn 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 place that continues to have an impact on the community surrounding it.

Mesothelioma can be caused by exposure to asbestos directly, and many workers were exposed to asbestos in the workplace. In addition, exposure to asbestos through secondhand sources can lead to mesothelioma. This includes spouses who wear husband's clothing at work and come in contact with asbestos dust frequently.

Mesothelioma-related litigation can be expensive for defendants. This is particularly true if they have been wrongly identified as defendants. A study indicates that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could rise. This type of litigation is typically driven by asbestos law firms, which advertise on daytime television and encourage victims to file claims, with the promise of huge settlements.

The defendants could be able to reduce the cost of these cases by arguing that their policy periods are overdue or that they are only responsible only a small percentage of the value of the claim. New York law does not have a clear rule on how to divide the liability if the alleged exposure is of the insurance policies.

Asbestos-Related Diseases

A myriad of asbestos-related illnesses can develop because of exposure to the toxic mineral. The mesothelioma condition is the most severe. Mesothelioma has caused the death of many people. Other asbestos-related diseases include asbestosis and lung cancer. Pleural plaques and effusion are also asbestos-related.

Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal disease caused by exposure to asbestos fibers that accumulate in the lungs, and can cause irritation to the lining of the chest cavity, ribcage, and abdominal cavity (the the pleura). Inhaling these tiny fibers can cause scarring to the lungs called asbestosis, and, sometimes, the formation of thickened patches on the pleura called plaques on the 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 measured by breathing test. They can also cause discomfort and breathing difficulties however they do not lead to cancer or mesothelioma.

Often, symptoms of asbestos-related diseases do not appear until decades after the initial exposure. This is because it could take between 20 and 50 years for the inhalation of asbestos fibers to damage the lungs. Workers who handled, cleaned, and removed asbestos from the workplace as well as children, spouses, and others exposed to asbestos are at risk for developing mesothelioma.

Other asbestos-related diseases in addition to mesothelioma include lung cancer and laryngeal carcinoma, peritoneal, ovarian, and peritoneal cancer. The most dangerous mesothelioma type is ovarian cancer, however it is less prevalent than mesothelioma in general. It is diagnosed later than most other mesothelioma types, because it occurs in the linings of the reproductive organs. The symptoms can be similar to other diseases.

A number of companies used asbestos in the 20th century. They were aware that it was a risk. When they failed to remove it from their products, thousands of people were exposed. Now, those exposed are able to seek financial compensation. A lot of asbestos-related manufacturers have filed for 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

For decades, asbestos companies put profits above the safety of their employees as well as consumers by producing dangerous products without warning of the risks. They are now confronting the consequences of their inattention. People who have suffered from life-altering issues caused by mesothelioma and lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses are seeking fair and full compensation.

The lawyers at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to helping families and individuals get 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 large corporations accountable and seek the highest amount of compensation for their clients.

Many states have set up special asbestos courts in which claims can be filed and resolved more efficiently. Judges have also created special procedures to review and resolve these cases.

New York is one such state that has its own asbestos case (look at more info) court, known as NYCAL. As asbestos victims continue to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants who have declared bankruptcy the number of cases that have come through this court has been steadily increasing. In order to ensure that the justice system isn't overwhelmed, the New York Supreme Court has established an extra judicial panel to oversee NYCAL.

A panel comprised of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine if it is accepted or not. Judges will also assess the merits of each case to determine how much a plaintiff should receive.

The panel is currently studying more than 3,500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to make a final decision at the end of this year.

New York asbestos lawsuits can be complicated and can involve multiple defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience in the litigation of these difficult issues. They are knowledgeable of 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 vast experience as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients across the country in multi-district, complex litigation. In this role lawyers formulate strategies, oversee local and regional counsel, and ensure that they are able to provide consistent and efficient defenses for clients. They have collaborated closely with trial and coordination judges and special masters of litigation in various jurisdictions where they have been involved in asbestos litigation.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will determine which strategy is most effective to defend the client in a personal injury claim involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels suppliers, manufacturers contractors, distributors, contractors and property owners in cases involving claims for mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm works with clients to develop internal programs to determine and address potential safety and liability concerns.

Bowles Rice In addition to its asbestos practice in the national level and multi-state asbestos litigation is also the national Coordinating counsel. In this role, Bowles Rice develops strategies for litigation and supervises regional and local counsel to ensure a consistent and cost-effective defense that is in line with the client's needs. In addition, it plays a key role in the management of asbestos dockets as well as negotiations with counsel for plaintiffs and leads discovery for its clients.

The firm's lawyers are skilled in defending clients from claims of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense lawyers are familiar with the complex science that is associated with these cases, as well as the unique legal issues that arise when defending businesses before federal and state courts across the United States.

Catherine has defended numerous companies in asbestos and products liability personal injury cases, representing them as the lead counsel in consolidated trials that involved multiple plaintiffs. She has extensive experience in arguing asbestos-related cases in state and federal courts and before a variety of supreme and appellate court bodies.

While at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos lawsuit cases, including those for respondents to the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files contained SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports), which contained confidential information about plaintiffs, including medical reports, a history of work and the list of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs worked with or around. Vogel was required to have access to the files and was able to look over the SEAR forms of any case at her current employer.

The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to having extensive experience in appellate and trial work, is recognized nationally for its ability to successfully negotiate settlements for clients. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs' lawyers to develop and execute settlement agreements. It also has a wealth of experience defending businesses against appeals.