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

An asbestos defense attorney can help 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, as well as pain and suffering.

Our attorneys serve as local, regional and national counsel in massive toxic tort litigation. As such, we are familiar with the specific issues and the complex science that go along with asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos fibers can be deadly and can cause serious medical conditions such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is skilled in handling asbestos lawsuits which seek compensation for victims and their families due to exposure to this harmful substance. These cases can be complex, so it's important to have a mesothelioma attorney to assist you.

New York has had a long-running history of asbestos litigation and many residents were exposed to the dangerous material. In recent times, there have been more claims against former asbestos manufacturers than ever before. These cases result from the recognition of a link between asbestos and certain diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer and asbestosis. The companies were aware of asbestos' dangers however, they failed to inform the employees and the public.

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

Many workers were exposed to asbestos in their work environments. Secondhand exposure can also result in mesothelioma. This includes spouses who wear husband's clothes at work and come in contact with asbestos dust on a regular basis.

Mesothelioma-related litigation can be expensive for defendants. This is especially relevant if they've been incorrectly identified as defendants. According to a study, more that 3,600 lawsuits have been filed in New York courts since 2014 and the number could increase further. Specialized asbestos law firms typically advertise on TV during the day and encourage victims to file claims under the premise 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 are only responsible for only a small percentage of the amount claimed. New York law does not have a clear rule on how to allocate responsibility when the alleged exposure is part within and part outside of the insurer's policies.

Asbestos-Related Diseases

A variety of asbestos-related illnesses can develop because of exposure to the mineral that causes cancer. The mesothelioma disease is the most serious. Many people have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related illnesses include asbestosis and lung cancer. Pleural plaques and pleural effusion are also asbestos-related.

Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal disease, is caused by asbestos fibers that collect in the lung. They then irritate the linings of the ribcage (the Pleura), chest cavity, and abdominal cavity. Inhaling these fibers can lead to scarring of the lungs, known as asbestosis. It can also cause thickened pleura patches (pleural plaques) or an increased fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis can reduce lung capacity, as measured by breathing test. They also cause pain and difficulty breathing however they do not lead to cancer or mesothelioma.

Often, symptoms of asbestos-related diseases don't show up until decades after the initial exposure. This is due to the fact that it can take between 20 to 50 years for the inhalation of asbestos fibers to damage the lungs. The people at risk of developing mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related diseases include those who handled, cleaned, and removed these materials from their workplaces, as well as spouses and children of asbestos-related exposure.

Other asbestos-related illnesses, apart from mesothelioma, include laryngeal carcinoma and lung cancer, 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 often diagnosed later than other kinds of mesothelioma since it develops in the tissues of the reproductive organs and symptoms can be similar to symptoms of other diseases.

A number of companies employed asbestos in the 20th century, however they knew that it was a risk. When they did not remove it from their products, thousands of people were exposed. The affected people are now able to seek financial compensation. Many of the asbestos-related manufacturers have filed for bankruptcy. 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 companies have put profit before the safety of their employees and their customers for decades creating dangerous products without warning of the dangers. These companies are now confronting the consequences of their inattention. Patients who have suffered asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and complete settlement.

The attorneys 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 lawyers work to hold large corporations responsible accountable and seek the highest amount of compensation for our clients.

A number of states have established special asbestos courts in which claims can be filed and resolving more efficiently. Additionally judges have developed specialized procedures for evaluating and resolving asbestos 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 who have been bankrupt and have been unable to pay, the workload of this special court has been steadily increasing. To ensure that the justice system does not get overwhelmed and overwhelmed, the New York Supreme Court has ordered the creation of an extra judicial panel to supervise NYCAL.

A panel comprised of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine if it should be accepted or rejected. Judges will also consider the merits of each claim to determine the amount of the plaintiff's compensation should be.

The panel is currently looking into more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to issue its final decision by the end of the year.

New York asbestos lawsuits are usually complex and involve several defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience with the litigation of these difficult matters. They are well-versed in the asbestos courts of New York and their rules, regulations and policies in addition to other jurisdictions where they have handled multi-district litigation.

The firm also has extensive experience serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients throughout the nation in complex, multi-district litigation. In this role lawyers devise strategies, oversee regional and local counsel, and ensure consistent and effective defenses for clients. They have worked closely with trial and coordination judges and litigation special masters in various jurisdictions where they were involved in asbestos litigation.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A Tulsa asbestos Claim lawyer will decide which strategy is the best way to defend the client in a personal injury claim involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels product manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, contractors and property owners on matters involving claims of mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm works with clients on developing internal programs to resolve potential liability and safety concerns.

Bowles Rice In addition to its national asbestos practice and multi-state asbestos litigation, is also the national Coordinating counsel. In this capacity the firm designs litigation strategies, supervises regional and local counsel and provides a cost-effective and consistent defense in coordination with client goals. Additionally it plays a crucial role in the management of asbestos dockets as well as negotiations with plaintiffs' counsel and lead discovery for its clients.

The firm's attorneys have a wealth of trial and appellate experience, defending clients from claims brought by injured claimants, which includes those who claim mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are familiar with the complex science associated with these cases, and the particular legal issues that arise when defending businesses in state and federal courts across the United States.

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

During her time at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos case cases, including those involving respondents of the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files included SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports) which contained confidential information on the plaintiffs, including medical reports, work histories and the list of asbestos-related products that the plaintiff worked with or around. Vogel was required to use an account password to access the files and was able to look over the SEAR forms of any case with her current employer.

The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to having extensive experience in trial and appellate work, is widely acclaimed for its ability to successfully reach settlements on behalf of its clients. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs’ lawyers to create and implement settlement agreements. The firm also has extensive experience defending businesses against appeals.