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

An asbestos defense lawyer can assist in ensuring the financial security of those who have been injured through exposure to this dangerous mineral. Compensation could cover medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, loss of quality of life, and suffering and pain.

Our attorneys are involved in the mass litigation of toxic torts at a national, regional and local scale. As our lawyers are well-versed with the specific issues and complex science associated asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos is a deadly fiber that can lead to various serious medical conditions, such as 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 extremely complex, and it is critical to have a mesothelioma expert law firm by your side.

New York has had a long history with asbestos litigation and many residents were exposed to this dangerous material. In recent years there have been more lawsuits filed 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. These companies were aware asbestos' dangers but did not take the time to warn their employees and customers.

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

Mesothelioma is triggered by exposure to asbestos directly, and many workers were exposed at work. Secondhand exposure can also cause mesothelioma. This includes spouses who wear their husband's clothing to work and come into contact with asbestos dust regularly.

Litigation involving mesothelioma is expensive for defendants. This is particularly true if they have been incorrectly identified as defendants. According to an investigation, more than 3,600 claims have been filed in New York courts since 2014, and the number could rise further. The asbestos law firms that specialize in asbestos often advertise on TV during the day and encourage victims to submit claims with the promise that they will receive substantial settlements.

The defendants may be able reduce some of the expenses arising from these cases by argument that their policy terms have expired or they are only accountable for a small percentage of the total claim value. New York law does not provide a definitive rule on how to allocate the liability if the alleged exposure is part within and part outside of the insurer's policies.

asbestos Legal-related diseases

A wide range of asbestos-related illnesses can be triggered because of exposure to the mineral that causes cancer. The most serious condition is mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is the cause of death of many people. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer asbestosis, pleural plaques, and the pleural effusion.

Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal disease caused by exposure to asbestos fibers which accumulate in the lungs, and can cause irritation to the lining of the chest cavity, ribcage and abdominal cavity (the Pleura). Inhaling these tiny fibers can cause scarring of the lungs, a condition known as asbestosis and occasionally, the development of thickened patches on the pleura called plaques on the pleura, or the more widespread fibrosis of the pleura known as diffused fibrisis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrosis decrease lung capacity, as measured by breathing tests. They can also cause pain and difficulties in breathing, however they are not the cause of mesothelioma or cancer.

The signs of asbestos-related illness typically don't manifest until decades after initial exposure. This is because it could take between 20 and 50 years for the exposure to asbestos fibers to cause lung damage. People who are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases include those who handled, cleaned and removed asbestos-containing materials from their workplaces and their spouses and children of asbestos-related exposure.

Other asbestos-related diseases in addition to mesothelioma, include laryngeal cancer and lung cancer, peritoneal, ovarian, and peritoneal cancer. The most fatal form of mesothelioma is ovarian cancer, but it's less frequent than the general mesothelioma. It is usually diagnosed later than other kinds of mesothelioma due to the fact that it develops in the tissue of the reproductive organs and symptoms can be similar to those of 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 when they failed to remove it from their products. Now, those exposed have the right to claim financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are bankrupt. As a result, the victims can seek the compensation they deserve from the trust funds established by the bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

For decades, asbestos-related companies have placed profits over the safety of their employees and consumers, producing dangerous products, without warning of the risks. They are now facing the consequences of their negligence. Victims of 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 attorneys work to hold corporations accountable and seek maximum compensation for clients.

A number of states have established special asbestos courts where claims can be filed and resolving more efficiently. Additionally, judges have established specialized procedures to evaluate and resolve asbestos cases.

New York, a state with its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL), is one of them. As asbestos claim victims continue to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants that have gone bankrupt and have been unable to pay, the workload of the court has been steadily increasing. In order to ensure that the justice system does not get overwhelmed, the New York Supreme Court has ordered the creation of an extra judicial panel to oversee NYCAL.

A panel composed of six Supreme Court judges will review every case filed in NYCAL to determine whether or not to take it up with it. Judges will also evaluate the merits of each case to determine how much the plaintiff is entitled to.

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

New York asbestos lawsuits can be complicated and can involve several defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience in the litigation of these difficult cases. 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 has also extensive experience as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in complex, multidistrict litigation. In this capacity lawyers devise strategies, manage regional and local counsel, and ensure that they are able to provide consistent and efficient defenses for clients. They have worked closely in the past with trial judges, coordination judges, and litigation special masters from various jurisdictions.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A knowledgeable Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best strategy to defend a client against an asbestos-related personal injury claim. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, contractors, and property owners on issues involving mesothelioma claims, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses. 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 across the country and multi-state asbestos litigation, is also the national Coordinating counsel. In this capacity the firm formulates litigation strategies, manages local and regional counsel, and achieves consistent and cost-effective defense that is in sync with client objectives. It also plays a significant role in the administration and management of asbestos dockets, as well in negotiations with plaintiffs' attorneys and coordinating discovery for its client.

The firm's lawyers have experience in defending clients from claims of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses. Asbestos defense lawyers are acquainted with the complex research and technology involved in these cases, as in addition to unique legal issues that arise while defending businesses before federal and state courts across the United States.

Catherine has represented numerous manufacturers in asbestos and product liability personal injury cases, acting as lead trial counsel and in consolidated trials that involved multiple plaintiffs. She has extensive experience in litigating asbestos-related lawsuits before 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 involving respondents of the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files contained SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports) which contained confidential information about plaintiffs, such as medical reports, work history, and the list of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs worked with or around. Vogel had to have a password in order to access the files. She was then able to review any SEAR forms that she received from her current employer.

In addition to its extensive trial and appellate experience as well as its vast 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. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs’ lawyers to develop and execute settlement agreements. It also has extensive experience defending businesses against appeals.