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

Our lawyers are involved in the mass litigation of toxic torts at a national, regional and local scale. As a result, we are familiarized with the unique issues and complex scientific aspects associated with asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos is a deadly fiber that can trigger numerous serious medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is experienced in handling asbestos lawsuits that seek financial compensation for the victims and their families due to exposure to this harmful substance. These cases can be complex and it's crucial to have a mesothelioma lawyer on your side.

New York has had a long history of asbestos litigation, and many residents were exposed to this dangerous material. In recent years, there have been more lawsuits against former asbestos manufacturers than ever before. These cases are a result of the recognition that asbestos is associated with illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer. The companies were aware of asbestos' dangers, but failed to warn their employees and customers.

The New York City area is particularly susceptible to asbestos-related illnesses because of its older structures and the numerous construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic place that continues to impact on the community surrounding it.

Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos in direct contact and a lot of workers were exposed in the workplace. Secondhand exposure can also result in mesothelioma. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposed workers who had their husbands' work clothes and came in contact with asbestos dust on a regular basis.

The mesothelioma litigation is costly for defendants, especially when they are mistakenly identified as a defendant. According to an investigation, more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed in New York courts since 2014 and the number could increase further. This type of litigation is typically fueled by specialized asbestos law firms that advertise on television during the day and encourage victims to file claims with the promise of huge settlements.

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

Asbestos-related Diseases

Exposure to asbestos can trigger a wide range of ailments. The most serious of these is mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is the cause of death of many people. Other asbestos-related diseases include asbestosis and lung cancer. Pleural plaques and pleural effusion are also asbestos-related.

Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal condition, is caused by asbestos fibers which are found in the lungs. They then irritate the linings of the ribcage (the Pleura) as well as the chest cavity and abdominal cavity. The inhalation of these small fibers can cause scarring of the lungs called asbestosis, and sometimes the development of thickened patches on the pleura called plaques on the pleura, or a more widespread fibrosis of the pleura known as diffused fibrisis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrisis reduce lung capacity as determined by breathing tests. They can also cause discomfort and breathing difficulties, though they do not lead to cancer or mesothelioma.

Most of the time, symptoms of asbestos-related diseases do not show up until decades after the initial exposure. It can take up to 50 years for asbestos fibers inhaled to cause lung damage. The people at risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related conditions include workers who handled, laundered and removed asbestos-containing materials from their workplaces, as well as spouses and children of those who were exposed to asbestos.

In addition to mesothelioma, other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma and ovarian mesothelioma. The most dangerous form of mesothelioma is called ovarian cancer, however it is less common than the general mesothelioma. It is diagnosed later than most other types of mesothelioma because it develops in the linings of reproductive organs. The symptoms can be similar to other diseases.

Several companies used asbestos during the 20th century. They were aware that it was hazardous. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos if they didn't remove it from their products. These people can now claim financial compensation. Many of the 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 legal companies have put profits ahead of the security of their employees and consumers by producing dangerous products, without warning of the risks. They are now confronting the consequences of their negligence. Victims of asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and complete compensation.

The lawyers at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to assisting families and individuals get 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 large corporations accountable and seek maximum compensation for clients.

Many states have established asbestos courts with specialization, where claims can be filed more efficiently. Additionally, judges have established special procedures for evaluating and resolving asbestos cases.

New York, a state which has its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL), is one of them. The number of cases in this court has been increasing steadily as asbestos victims are becoming more and more likely to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants who have gone bankrupt. To ensure that the justice system does not get overwhelmed, the New York Supreme Court has established an additional judicial panel that will oversee NYCAL.

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

At present, the panel is studying more than 3,500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to announce its final decision by the end of the year.

New York asbestos lawsuits are typically complex and often involve several defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience in the litigation of these complex issues. They are familiar with the asbestos courts of New York as well as their rules, regulations and policies in addition to other jurisdictions in which they have handled multi-district litigation.

The firm also has vast experience serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients across the country in multi-district litigation that is complex and complex. In this capacity, lawyers create strategies, coordinate and oversee regional and local counsel, and ensure cost-effective and consistent defenses for each client. They have worked closely with trial judges, coordinating judges and litigation special masters from various jurisdictions.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will decide which strategy is most effective to defend the client from a personal injury claim involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises product manufacturers, suppliers and distributors, contractors, and premises owners on matters that involve mesothelioma claims, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm works with clients to develop internal programs to deal with potential liability and safety concerns.

In addition to its national asbestos practice, Bowles Rice serves as national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos compensation litigation. In this role the firm designs strategies for litigation, oversees regional and local counsel, and provides a cost-effective and consistent defense, 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' attorneys and coordinating discovery for its clients.

The firm's lawyers are skilled in defending clients against mesothelioma-related claims and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are familiar with the complex science involved in these cases, as well as specific legal issues that arise while defending businesses before federal and state courts across the United States.

Catherine has defended numerous manufacturers in asbestos and product liability personal injury cases, acting as the lead counsel in consolidated trials involving a variety of 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.

During her time at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos cases for respondents, including those at the Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The cases files contained SEAR forms (Short Evaluative reports that are encapsulated) that contained confidential information about the claimants. This included medical reports as well as work histories and the list of asbestos law-related products that plaintiffs worked with or near. Vogel was required to have an account password to access these files and could go through 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 acknowledged nationally for its ability to negotiate settlements on behalf of its clients. In this capacity, the company collaborates closely with plaintiffs' lawyers in the preparation and execution of settlement agreements. It also has extensive experience in defending businesses against appeals.