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

A lawyer for asbestos defense can protect those whose financial security has been affected by exposure to the harmful mineral. Compensation can cover medical costs, funeral and burial expenses, pain and suffering, and loss of quality of life.

Our lawyers are local, regional, and national counsel in large toxic tort litigation. As such, we are familiar with the specific issues and complicated science associated asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos fibers can be deadly and can trigger serious medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is skilled in handling asbestos lawsuits that seek financial compensation for victims and their families for exposure to this toxic substance. These cases can be complicated, and it is critical to have an experienced mesothelioma law firm on your side.

New York has had a long history of asbestos litigation. Many residents were exposed to the dangerous substance. 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. The companies were aware of asbestos's dangers however, they failed to inform the employees and the public.

The New York City area is particularly prone to asbestos-related diseases due to its older structures and numerous construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously toxic area that continues impact the surrounding community.

Mesothelioma can be caused by direct exposure to asbestos and a lot of workers were exposed to asbestos in the workplace. However, some people are diagnosed with mesothelioma after experiencing an exposure secondarily to the harmful substances. This includes spouses who wear husband's clothing to work and come into contact with asbestos dust frequently.

Mesothelioma-related litigation can be expensive for defendants. This is particularly relevant if they've been wrongly named as defendants. A study shows that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could increase. The asbestos law firms that specialize in asbestos often advertise on television during the day and encourage victims to file claims with the promise that they will receive significant settlements.

The defendants might be able to reduce some of the costs of these cases by arguing that their policy periods are expired or that they only have to pay only a small percentage of the value of the claim. New York law does not have a clear rule on how to allocate responsibility when the alleged exposure is part of and outside the insurer's policies.

Asbestos-related Diseases

Exposure to asbestos can cause a wide range of illnesses. The most serious condition is mesothelioma. Many people have died due to mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer and asbestosis. Pleural plaques and effusion are also asbestos-related.

Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal disease, is caused by asbestos fibers which are found in the lung. They then cause irritation to the linings of the ribcage (the Pleura), chest cavity and abdominal cavity. Inhaling these fibers can lead to scarring of the lungs, called asbestosis. It can also lead to thickened pleura patches (pleural plaques) or an increase in fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrisis reduce lung capacity as measured by breathing tests. They can also cause pain and discomfort in breathing, however they are not the cause of cancer or mesothelioma.

The signs of asbestos-related illness typically don't manifest until decades after exposure. This is because it can take between 20 to 50 years for the exposure to asbestos fibers to cause lung damage. Workers who handled, cleaned and removed asbestos from their workplaces and their spouses, children and others who were exposed to asbestos attorney are at risk of developing mesothelioma.

Other asbestos-related diseases in addition to mesothelioma, include laryngeal carcinoma and lung cancer as well as peritoneal, ovarian and peritoneal cancer. The most fatal form of mesothelioma is called 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 may be similar to other illnesses.

There were many companies that used asbestos in the 20th century, however they knew that it was hazardous. When they did not remove asbestos from their products thousands of people were exposed. Now, those exposed have the right to claim financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are insolvent. As a result, the victims can seek the money they are entitled to from trust funds established by the bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

Asbestos-related companies have put profit over the safety of their workers and their customers for decades making dangerous products, without warning of the dangers. They are now paying for their negligence. Victims of asbestos-related illnesses such as mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and full compensation.

The lawyers at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to assisting families and individuals obtain 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 seek the highest amount of compensation for their clients.

A number of states have established special asbestos courts where claims can be filed and resolved more efficiently. Judges have also developed specific procedures to assess and resolve asbestos-related cases.

New York is one such state that has its own asbestos court known as NYCAL. As asbestos lawsuit victims continue to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants that have declared bankruptcy the number of cases that have come through this special court has been steadily increasing. The New York Supreme Court created an additional judicial board that will supervise NYCAL in order to keep the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.

A panel comprised of six Supreme Court judges will review every case in NYCAL to determine whether or not to accept it. Judges will also evaluate the merits of every claim to determine how much the plaintiff's compensation should be.

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

New York asbestos lawsuits are usually complex and include allegations of multiple defendants. Belluck and Fox's lawyers have a wealth of experience in litigating these complex matters. They are familiar with 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, representing clients in complex, multidistrict litigation. In this role lawyers devise strategies, oversee local and regional counsel, and ensure consistent and effective defenses for clients. They have worked closely in the past with trial judges, coordinating judges and litigation special masters from various jurisdictions.

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 product manufacturers, suppliers contractors, distributors, contractors and property owners on matters involving claims of mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm also works with clients to create internal programs for identifying and addressing 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 capacity Bowles Rice devises litigation strategies and oversees local and region counsel to ensure a uniform and cost-effective defense that is in line with the client's goals. It also plays a major role in the administration and management of asbestos dockets, as well in negotiations with plaintiffs' lawyers and coordinating discovery for its client.

The firm's lawyers have extensive trial and appellate experience, defending clients against claims by injured claimants, which includes those claiming mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense lawyers are familiar with the intricate science involved with these cases, and the particular legal issues that arise when defending 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 related to product liability as well as in consolidated cases that involve multiple claimants. She has extensive experience in litigating asbestos-related cases before the federal and state courts as well as before various appellate and supreme court bodies.

During her time at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos cases for respondents, including the Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The case files included SEAR forms (Short encapsulated Evaluative reports), which contained confidential information about the plaintiffs. The files contained medical reports as well as work histories and an inventory of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs used or worked near. Vogel was required to use a password to access these files, and she could also review the SEAR forms of any case she had with 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. In this capacity, the firm collaborates 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.