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

An asbestos defense lawyer can assist in ensuring the financial security of those who have been harmed by exposure to this toxic mineral. Compensation can cover medical expenses funeral and burial costs, lost quality of life, and pain and suffering.

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

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos is a harmful fiber that can trigger various serious medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is adept at handling asbestos lawsuits that seek financial compensation for the victims and their families for exposure to this toxic substance. These cases can be a bit complicated and therefore it is essential to have a mesothelioma attorney on your side.

New York has a long history of asbestos litigation and many residents have been exposed to this hazardous substance. In recent years there are more lawsuits filed against asbestos producers from the past than before. These cases are a result of the recognition of a connection between asbestos attorney and diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. The companies were aware of the dangers of the asbestos-containing mineral, yet they failed to warn their employees and clients.

The New York City area is particularly susceptible to asbestos-related illnesses due to its old structures and a myriad of construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic location that continues to impact on the surrounding community.

Mesothelioma can be caused by direct exposure to asbestos, and many workers were exposed in the workplace. However, many people are diagnosed with mesothelioma following secondhand exposure to the harmful substances. This is especially true for spouses who wear husband's clothing to work and come into contact with asbestos dust regularly.

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 rise. Specialized asbestos law firms often advertise on television during the day and encourage victims to submit claims, promising they will receive significant settlements.

Defendants may be able to reduce some of the costs associated with these cases by argument that their policy terms have expired or they are only responsible for a tiny percentage of the total claim value. However, New York law has not established a clear rule on how to divide liabilities when the alleged exposure is outside of the policy period of the insurer.

Asbestos-related Illnesses

Exposure to asbestos can trigger a wide range of diseases. The mesothelioma disease is the most severe. Many people have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer and asbestosis. Pleural plaques and pleural effusion are also asbestos-related.

Mesothelioma, a rare, but fatal condition, is caused by asbestos fibers which accumulate in the lungs. 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, called asbestosis. It can also result in thickened pleura patches (pleural plaques) or an increase in fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrisis reduce lung capacity as determined by breathing tests. They can also cause pain and difficulties in breathing, but they do not lead mesothelioma or cancer.

The symptoms of asbestos-related diseases typically do not manifest 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-containing fibers to damage the lungs. The people at risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases include those who handled, washed and removed asbestos-containing materials from their workplaces and their spouses and children of those exposed to asbestos.

Other asbestos-related diseases, in addition to mesothelioma, include laryngeal cancer and lung cancer as well as peritoneal, ovarian and peritoneal cancer. Ovarian cancer is among the most deadly form of mesothelioma for women however it is much less common than mesothelioma general. It is diagnosed later than other mesothelioma types, because it occurs within the linings of reproductive organs. The symptoms can be similar to those of other illnesses.

Several companies used asbestos during the 20th century. They knew it was a risk. When they did not remove it from their products, thousands of people were exposed. These people now are able to seek financial compensation. A lot of asbestos-related manufacturers have gone bankrupt. The victims can now seek compensation from the trust funds established by bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

For decades, asbestos-related companies have put profits ahead of the security of their employees and consumers, producing dangerous products, without warning of the dangers. These companies are now confronting the consequences of their carelessness. People who have suffered from life-altering issues caused by mesothelioma, cancer of the lung and other asbestos-related diseases are seeking full and fair settlement.

Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals get the justice they deserve. With more than 25 years of experience in the field, we have secured a million of dollars in compensation for our clients. Our New York mesothelioma attorneys work to hold large corporations accountable and obtain maximum compensation for clients.

Many states have created special asbestos courts, where claims can be filed more efficiently. Judges have also established specific procedures to assess and resolve these cases.

New York is one such state with its own asbestos court known as NYCAL. As asbestos victims continue to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants that have gone bankrupt and have been unable to pay, the workload of this court has steadily increased. 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 if it is accepted or not. Judges will also evaluate the merits of each claim to determine the amount a plaintiff should be awarded.

The panel is currently examining more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected make a final decision at the end of this year.

New York asbestos lawsuits are often complex and involve several defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience with the litigation of these complicated 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 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 develop strategies, manage local and regional counsel, and ensure that they are able to provide consistent and efficient defenses for clients. They have worked closely with trial and coordination judges and special masters of litigation in various jurisdictions in which they were involved in asbestos litigation.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A Tulsa asbestos lawsuit lawyer will determine which strategy is the best way to defend the client against a personal injury lawsuit involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises manufacturers, suppliers and distributors, contractors, and premises owners on matters involving mesothelioma claims, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm also assists clients to create internal programs for identifying and addressing any safety and liability issues.

In addition to its asbestos practice across the nation, Bowles Rice serves as national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos lawsuit litigation. In this role, Bowles Rice develops strategies for litigation and supervises regional and local counsel to ensure a consistent and cost-effective defense that is in line with the client's objectives. Additionally, it plays a key role in the management of asbestos dockets, negotiations with plaintiffs' counsel and also leads discovery for its clients.

The firm's lawyers have extensive trial and appellate experience in defending clients from claims brought by injured claimants, including those claiming mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense lawyers are acquainted with complex scientific issues involved in these cases as well as specific legal issues that arise when defending businesses before state and federal courts throughout the United States.

Catherine has represented numerous manufacturers in asbestos and products liability personal injury cases, representing them as the lead counsel in consolidated trials that involved multiple claimants. She has extensive experience in litigating asbestos-related cases before the federal and state courts as well as before various supreme and appellate courts.

While at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos lawsuit cases for respondents, including the Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The cases files included SEAR forms (Short Evaluative reports that are encapsulated) which contained confidential data about the plaintiffs. This included medical reports and work histories, as well as a list asbestos products that plaintiffs used or worked near. Vogel was required to have an account 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 recognized nationally for its ability to negotiate settlements on behalf of its clients. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs' lawyers to develop and execute settlement agreements. The firm also has extensive experience in defending businesses against appeals.