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

An asbestos defense lawyer can help protect the financial security of those who have been affected by exposure to this toxic mineral. Compensation can 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 mass toxic tort litigation. As a result, we are knowledgeable about the specific issues and complex aspects of science that are 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 which seek financial compensation for victims and their families for exposure to this toxic substance. These cases can be complicated and therefore it is essential to have a mesothelioma attorney to assist you.

New York has a long history of asbestos litigation, and many residents have been exposed to this dangerous substance. In recent years, there are more lawsuits filed against asbestos producers in the past than ever before. These cases arise out of the realization that asbestos can cause illnesses such as mesothelioma or lung cancer. These companies were aware asbestos's dangers, but failed to warn employees and consumers.

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

Many workers were exposed to asbestos in their work environments. However, some people are diagnosed with mesothelioma after experiencing secondhand exposure to the harmful substances. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposure workers who were wearing their husband's work clothes and came in contact with asbestos dust regularly.

The mesothelioma lawsuit is costly for defendants, especially when they are mistakenly identified as a defendant. A study has revealed that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could rise. Specialized asbestos law firms often advertise on TV during the day and encourage victims to file claims with the promise that they will receive significant settlements.

The defendants could be able to reduce the cost of these cases by arguing that their policy periods are overdue or that they are only responsible only a small percentage of the amount claimed. However, New York law has not set out a clear policy on how to divide liabilities when the alleged exposure is in and out of the insurer's policy periods.

Asbestos-related diseases

Exposure to asbestos can cause various illnesses. The condition known as mesothelioma is the most serious. Mesothelioma has led to the deaths of many people. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques, and pleural effusion.

Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal illness that is caused by asbestos fibers that collect in the lungs. They then irritate the linings of the ribcage (the the pleura), chest cavity, and abdominal cavity. The inhalation of these small fibers can cause scarring to the lungs known as asbestosis and, sometimes, the development of thickened patches on the pleura referred to as plaques on the pleura, or the more widespread fibrosis of the pleura, referred to as diffused pleural fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrosis decrease lung capacity as measured by breathing tests. They also cause discomfort and breathing difficulties however they do not lead to cancer or mesothelioma.

Most of the time, symptoms of asbestos-related diseases don't show up until decades after the initial exposure. It can take as long as 50 years for asbestos fibers that are inhaled to cause lung damage. People at risk of developing mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases include those who handled, laundered and removed asbestos-containing materials from the workplace, as well as spouses and children of those who were exposed to asbestos.

As well as mesothelioma lawsuits, other asbestos-related diseases include laryngeal cancer, lung cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma and mesothelioma of the ovary. The most dangerous mesothelioma type is ovarian cancer, but it's less common than the general mesothelioma. It is diagnosed later than most other types of mesothelioma because it occurs in the linings of reproductive organs. Symptoms can be similar to other illnesses.

A number of companies used asbestos in the 20th century. They knew it was hazardous. When they failed to remove asbestos from their products, thousands of people were exposed. They can now seek financial compensation. A lot of asbestos-related manufacturers have gone bankrupt. In the aftermath, victims can seek the compensation they are entitled to from trust funds established by the bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

Asbestos companies have put profits before the safety of their employees and consumers for decades, producing hazardous products without warning about the risks. These companies are now paying for their negligence. People whose lives have been disrupted by mesothelioma lawsuit and lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses are seeking fair and full settlement.

The attorneys at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to helping families and individuals receive the justice they need. With more than 25 years of experience, we have secured millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. Our New York mesothelioma lawyers work to hold responsible large corporations accountable and seek the maximum amount of compensation for our clients.

A number of states have set up special asbestos courts, where claims can be filed more efficiently. In addition judges have developed specialized procedures to evaluate and resolve asbestos cases.

New York is one such state that has its own asbestos court, known as NYCAL. As asbestos victims continue to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants that have gone bankrupt, the caseload of this special court has steadily increased. The New York Supreme Court created an additional judicial board that will supervise NYCAL in order to prevent the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.

A panel of six Supreme Court judges will review every case filed in NYCAL to determine whether or not to take it up with it. Judges will also evaluate the merits of each claim to determine how much a plaintiff should be awarded.

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

New York asbestos lawsuits are usually complex and involve several defendants. Belluck and Fox's lawyers have a wealth of experience in litigating these complex matters. They are knowledgeable of New York's asbestos courts and their rules regulations, policies and guidelines, as well as other jurisdictions where they have handled multi-district litigation.

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

Representation of Plaintiffs

A skilled Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best strategy to defend a client against an asbestos-related personal injury claim. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels product manufacturers, suppliers contractors, distributors, contractors, and premises owners in cases involving claims for mesothelioma lawyers, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm also assists clients to develop internal programs for identifying and addressing safety and liability issues.

Bowles Rice in addition to its asbestos practice across the country and multi-state asbestos litigation serves as national Coordinating counsel. In this role Bowles Rice formulates litigation strategies and manages regional and local counsel to achieve a consistent and cost-effective defense in accordance with the client's objectives. It also plays a significant role in the administration and management of asbestos dockets, as well as negotiations with plaintiffs' attorneys and leading discovery for its clients.

The attorneys of the firm have a wealth of trial and appellate experience, defending clients against claims by injured claimants, including those claiming mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are acquainted with the complex science associated with these cases, and the unique 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 trial counsel in asbestos and personal injury lawsuits involving product liability, and in consolidated cases that involve multiple plaintiffs. She has extensive experience in litigating asbestos-related cases in the federal and state courts as well as before a variety of supreme and appellate court bodies.

During her time at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos cases for respondents, including those in the Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The cases files included SEAR forms (Short encapsulated Evaluative reports) which contained confidential data about the claimants. This included medical reports as well as work histories and the list of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs used or worked near. Vogel was required to have access to a password to access the files. She was then able to review any SEAR forms from her current employer.

The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to its vast experience in trial and appellate work, is nationally recognized for its ability to successfully negotiate settlements for clients. In this capacity, the firm works closely with the lawyers of plaintiffs in the creation and implementation of settlement agreements, and it has a vast experience in defending companies against appeals.