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 affected by exposure to this toxic mineral. Compensation can cover medical costs, funeral and burial costs, lost quality of life, as well as pain and suffering.

Our attorneys are involved in mass toxic tort litigation on a regional, national and local scale. As such, we are familiar with the specific issues and the complex science that go along asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos fibers are deadly and can trigger serious medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney is experienced in dealing with lawsuits that seek the financial compensation of those affected by asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be a bit complicated, so it's important to have a mesothelioma attorney on your side.

New York has a long history of asbestos litigation and many residents have been exposed to this hazardous substance. In recent years there have been more lawsuits against asbestos producers from the past than before. These cases arise out of the recognition that asbestos is linked to illnesses such as mesothelioma or lung cancer. These companies knew of the dangers associated with the hazardous mineral, but did not warn their employees and consumers.

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

Mesothelioma lawyer is caused by exposure to asbestos in direct contact, and many workers were exposed in the workplace. However, some people are diagnosed with mesothelioma following exposure to harmful substances. This includes spouses who wear husband's clothing to work and come into contact with asbestos dust regularly.

The mesothelioma lawsuit can be expensive for defendants, particularly when they are incorrectly named as a defendant. According to an investigation, more than 3,600 claims have been filed in New York courts since 2014 and the number is expected to increase further. Specialized asbestos law firms typically advertise on TV during the day and encourage victims to file claims, promising they will receive significant settlements.

Defendants might be able to reduce some of the expenses arising from these cases by arguing that their policy periods have expired or they're only responsible for a small portion of the claim value. New York law does not provide a definitive rule on how to distribute liability when the alleged exposure is part of and outside the insurer's policies.

Asbestos-related Diseases

A myriad of asbestos-related illnesses can be triggered because of exposure to the mineral that causes cancer. The mesothelioma disease is the most serious. Many people have died due to mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques and pleural effusion.

Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal disease caused by exposure to asbestos fibers that collect in the lungs, and can cause irritation to the lining of the chest cavity, ribcage, and abdominal cavity (the the pleura). Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause scarring of the lungs, known as asbestosis. It can also result in thickened patches of pleura (pleural plaques) or a more extensive fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis may reduce lung capacity, as measured by a breath test. They also cause breathing problems and pain but they don't lead to cancer or mesothelioma.

The signs of asbestos-related illness typically are not evident until years after exposure. This is because it can take between 20 to 50 years for the inhalation of asbestos-containing fibers to damage the lungs. Workers who handled, cleaned, and removed asbestos from their workplaces as well as children, spouses and other people who are exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing mesothelioma.

As well as mesothelioma, other asbestos attorneys-related illnesses include laryngeal cancer, lung cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma and mesothelioma ovarian. Ovarian cancer is the most fatal mesothelioma type for women, but it is less common than mesothelioma in general. It is diagnosed later than other types of mesothelioma because it is found in the linings of reproductive organs. The symptoms may be similar to other diseases.

There were many companies that used asbestos in the 20th century, however they knew that it was a risk. If they didn't remove asbestos from their products thousands of people were exposed. These people can now sue for financial compensation. Many asbestos-related manufacturers are bankrupt. In the aftermath, victims can seek the money they deserve from the trust funds established by the bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

Asbestos companies have put profits before the safety of their workers and their customers for decades creating dangerous products without warning about the risks. They are now paying the price for their carelessness. People who's lives have been affected by mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses are seeking full and fair compensation.

Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals obtain the justice they deserve. Our attorneys have more than 25 years experience and have assisted our clients to receive millions of dollars in compensation. Our New York mesothelioma lawyers work to hold large corporations responsible accountable and to obtain the highest amount of compensation for our clients.

Many states have created special asbestos courts, where claims can be filed more efficiently. Judges have also established specific procedures to assess and resolve asbestos-related cases.

New York, a state that has its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL) is one of them. As asbestos victims continue to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants that have gone bankrupt and have been unable to pay, the workload of this special court has steadily increased. To ensure that the justice system does not get overloaded the New York Supreme Court has established an additional judicial panel that will supervise NYCAL.

A panel composed of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine if it is accepted or not. Judges will also consider the merits of each claim to determine the amount the plaintiff is entitled to.

At present, the panel is reviewing more than 3,500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to make a final decision before the end of the year.

New York asbestos lawsuits can be complicated and can involve several defendants. Belluck and Fox's lawyers have a wealth of experience in defending these complicated issues. They are familiar with the asbestos courts in New York, including their rules, regulations and policies in addition to other jurisdictions in which they have handled multi-district litigation.

The firm also has extensive experience as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients across the country in complex, multi-district litigation. In this role, attorneys create strategies, coordinate and manage regional and local counsel and ensure consistent and cost-effective defenses for every client. They have been in close contact with trial judges, coordination judges and litigation special masters from various jurisdictions.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A skilled Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best approach to defend a client against an asbestos personal injury claim. 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 for identifying and addressing any risks to safety and liability.

In addition to its asbestos practice across the nation, Bowles Rice serves as the national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this capacity the firm formulates strategies for litigation, oversees regional and local counsel and ensures a consistent and cost-effective defense in coordination with client goals. It also plays an important role in the administration and management of asbestos dockets, as well in negotiations with plaintiffs' lawyers and coordinating 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 intricate scientific issues involved in these cases, as and specific legal issues that arise when representing companies in federal and state courts across the United States.

Catherine has represented a variety of manufacturers as the lead counsel in asbestos and personal injury lawsuits involving product liability and in cases that have been consolidated involving multiple plaintiffs. She has a wealth of experience arguing asbestos-related lawsuits before federal and state courts, as well as various Supreme Court and appellate courts.

During her time at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos cases for respondents, including those in the Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The cases files contained SEAR forms (Short encapsulated Evaluative reports) that contained confidential data about the plaintiffs. These included medical reports, work histories, and an inventory of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs worked with or near. Vogel was required to have access to these files, and she could also review the SEAR forms of any case with 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 reach settlements on behalf of its clients. In this capacity, the company works closely with the lawyers of plaintiffs in the preparation and execution of settlement agreements. Additionally, it has a vast experience in defending companies against appeals.