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

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

Our attorneys serve as local, regional and national counsel in mass toxic tort litigation. This means that we are familiarized with the unique issues and the complex scientific aspects of asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos fibers can be deadly and can cause serious medical conditions such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney is skilled in handling lawsuits to seek financial compensation for victims of asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be complex, 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 this hazardous material. In recent times, there have been more claims against former asbestos manufacturers than ever before. These cases are a result of the recognition of a connection between asbestos and diseases like mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. These companies knew of the dangers associated with this asbestos-containing mineral, yet they failed to warn their employees and clients.

New York City is especially vulnerable to illnesses caused by asbestos because of its old structures and many construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic site that continues to impact on the community surrounding it.

Mesothelioma can be caused by exposure to asbestos directly, and many workers were exposed to it in the workplace. However, some people are diagnosed with mesothelioma following an exposure secondarily to the harmful substances. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposed workers who wore their husband's work clothes and came in contact with asbestos dust on a regular basis.

The mesothelioma litigation can be costly for defendants, especially when they are mistakenly identified as defendants. According to a study, more that 3,600 claims have been filed in New York courts since 2014, and the number could rise further. This kind of litigation is usually driven by asbestos law firms that promote 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 arising from these cases by arguing that their policy periods have expired or they're only responsible for a tiny portion of the amount of the claim. New York law does not have a clear rule on how to allocate the liability if the alleged exposure is part within and part outside of the insurance policies.

Asbestos-related Illnesses

Exposure to asbestos can lead to various ailments. 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 illness that is caused by exposure to asbestos fibers that collect in the lungs and irritate the lining of the chest cavity, ribcage and abdominal cavity (the the pleura). The inhalation of these small fibers can cause scarring of the lungs known as asbestosis and occasionally, the development of thickened patches on the pleura called pleural plaques or an enlargement of fibrosis in the pleura, referred to as diffused pleural fibrisis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis may reduce lung capacity as determined by a breathing test. They can also cause pain and discomfort in breathing, but they don't cause cancer or mesothelioma.

The symptoms of asbestos-related diseases typically don't manifest until decades after the initial exposure. This is because it can take between 20 to 50 years for inhalation of asbestos-containing fibers to cause lung damage. People at risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related ailments include those who handled, laundered and removed asbestos lawsuit-containing materials from the workplace and spouses and children of those who were exposed to asbestos.

As well as mesothelioma, other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma, and mesothelioma of the ovary. The most fatal mesothelioma type is ovarian cancer, however it is less prevalent than mesothelioma in general. It is typically diagnosed later than other kinds of mesothelioma since it is a cancer that develops in the lining of the reproductive organs and the symptoms can be similar to those of other illnesses.

A number of companies used asbestos in the 20th century. They were aware that it was a risk. If they didn't remove asbestos from their products, thousands of people were exposed. Now, those exposed have the right to sue for financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies have filed for bankruptcy. The victims can now seek compensation from trust funds set up by bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

Asbestos-related companies have put profit over the safety of their employees and customers for a long time, producing hazardous products without warning about the risks. These companies are now paying for their inattention to. People whose lives have been disrupted by mesothelioma and lung cancer, and other asbestos legal-related illnesses are seeking full and fair settlement.

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

Many states have set up special asbestos courts in which claims can be filed and resolved more efficiently. In addition judges have created special procedures to evaluate and resolve asbestos cases.

New York is one such state, with its own asbestos court, known as NYCAL. The caseload in this specialty court has grown steadily, as asbestos victims are becoming more and more likely to seek compensation from solvent former asbestos defendants who have become bankrupt. 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 composed of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine whether it should be accepted or not. Judges will also consider the merits of each claim to determine the amount of the plaintiff's compensation should be.

Currently, the panel is reviewing more than 3,500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to issue its final ruling by the end of this year.

New York asbestos lawsuits are often complex and include allegations of multiple defendants. Belluck and Fox's lawyers have vast experience in the litigation of these difficult matters. 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 also has extensive experience serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients across the country in multi-district, complex litigation. In this capacity lawyers devise strategies, manage regional and local counsel, and ensure consistent and efficient defenses for clients. They have worked closely 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 way to defend a client in an asbestos personal injury claim. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels product manufacturers, suppliers contractors, distributors, contractors and owners of premises in cases involving claims for mesothelioma and lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm also assists clients to create internal programs for identifying and addressing any safety and liability concerns.

In addition to its asbestos practice in the national level, Bowles Rice serves as national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this role Bowles Rice devises strategies for litigation and supervises local and region counsel to ensure a consistent and cost-effective defence in coordination with the client's needs. Additionally it plays an important role in the administration of asbestos dockets and negotiations with counsel for plaintiffs and also leads discovery for its clients.

The firm's attorneys are experienced in defending clients against mesothelioma claims and other asbestos-related illnesses. Asbestos defense lawyers are familiar with the complex science associated with these cases, and the particular legal issues that arise when representing companies in state and federal courts across the United States.

Catherine has represented a variety of manufacturers as lead counsel in asbestos and personal injury lawsuits involving product liability as well as in consolidated cases involving multiple claimants. She has extensive experience in litigating asbestos-related lawsuits in the federal and state courts, as well as a variety of appellate and Supreme Court bodies.

While at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those for respondents of the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files included SEAR forms (Short Evaluative Reports Encapsulated), which contained confidential data about the plaintiffs. These included medical reports and work histories, as well as an inventory of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs used or worked near. Vogel was required to use a 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 its extensive experience in trial and appellate work, is nationally recognized for its ability to negotiate settlements for 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.