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 protect those whose financial security has been affected by exposure to the toxic mineral. Compensation may cover medical costs, funeral and burial expenses as well as pain and suffering and loss of quality of life.

Our lawyers are involved in mass toxic tort litigation on a national, regional and local level. We are well-versed in the unique issues and complex scientific aspects that are associated with asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos fibers are deadly and can trigger serious medical conditions such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney is experienced in dealing with lawsuits that seek financial compensation for victims of asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be complicated, so it's important to have a mesothelioma lawyer to assist you.

New York has a long history of asbestos litigation and many residents have been exposed to the dangerous substance. In recent years there are more lawsuits filed against asbestos producers from the past than before. These cases stem from the recognition of a link between asbestos and certain diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. These companies knew of the dangers associated with the dangerous mineral, but they didn't inform their employees and customers.

The New York City area is particularly prone to asbestos-related diseases because of its older structures and a myriad of construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic site that continues to have an impact on the community surrounding it.

Many workers were exposed asbestos at work. However, many people are diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of an exposure secondarily to the harmful substances. This includes spouses who wear husband's clothes to work and come into contact with asbestos dust regularly.

Mesothelioma-related litigation can be expensive for defendants. This is especially relevant if they've been wrongly identified as defendants. According to a study, more that 3,600 lawsuits have been filed in New York courts since 2014 and the number is expected to rise further. Specialized asbestos law firms typically advertise on television during the day and encourage victims to file claims, promising they will receive significant settlements.

The defendants could be able to reduce the cost of these cases by arguing their policy periods are overdue or that they only have to pay only a small percentage of the claim value. New York law does not have a specific rule for how to allocate the liability if the alleged exposure is of the insurer's policies.

Asbestos-related Illnesses

Exposure to asbestos can lead to various illnesses. The mesothelioma condition is the most serious. Many people have died due to mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer asbestosis, pleural plaques, and the pleural effusion.

Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal condition is caused by asbestos fibers which accumulate in the lung. They then cause irritation to the linings of the ribcage (the Pleura), chest cavity and abdominal cavity. Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause scarring in the lungs. This is known as asbestosis. It can also lead to thickened pleura patches (pleural plaques) or a more extensive fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrosis reduce lung capacity, as measured by breathing tests. They also cause pain and difficulty breathing but they don't lead to cancer or mesothelioma.

The signs of asbestos-related illness typically don't manifest until decades after initial exposure. It can take as long as 50 years for asbestos fibers inhaled to cause lung damage. Workers who handled, cleaned, and removed asbestos from their workplaces and their children, spouses and others who were exposed to asbestos are at risk for developing mesothelioma.

In addition to mesothelioma other asbestos-related illnesses include laryngeal cancer, lung cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma, and mesothelioma of the ovary. Ovarian cancer is the deadliest mesothelioma that women suffer from however, it is much less common than mesothelioma general. It is often diagnosed later than other kinds of mesothelioma because it develops in the tissue of the reproductive organs, and the symptoms may be similar to symptoms of other diseases.

Many companies employed asbestos during the 20th century. They knew it was hazardous. When they did not remove asbestos from their products, thousands of people were exposed. Now, those exposed are able to seek financial compensation. Many asbestos-related manufacturers are bankrupt. The victims are now able to seek compensation from the trust funds established by bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

For decades, asbestos-related companies have placed profits over the safety of their employees as well as consumers, manufacturing hazardous products, without warning of the risks. These companies are now paying the price for their carelessness. People who have suffered from life-altering issues caused by mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses are seeking fair and full settlement.

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

Many states have established special asbestos courts where claims can be filed and resolving more efficiently. In addition judges have created specific procedures to evaluate and resolve asbestos cases.

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

A panel comprised 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 case to determine the amount a plaintiff should receive.

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

New York asbestos lawsuits are often complex and involve multiple defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience with the litigation of these complicated matters. They are knowledgeable of the rules, regulations, and policies 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 nationwide in multi-district litigation that is complex and complex. In this capacity, lawyers develop strategies, oversee regional and local counsel, and ensure consistent and efficient defenses for clients. They have collaborated closely with trial and coordination judges and litigation special masters in the various jurisdictions where they have been involved in asbestos litigation.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will determine which strategy is best to defend the client against a personal injury claim involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises suppliers, manufacturers, contractors, distributors, and owners of premises on matters concerning mesothelioma-related claims, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm collaborates with clients in the development of internal programs to identify and deal with potential liability and safety issues.

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 the firm designs strategies for litigation, oversees local and regional counsel, and ensures a consistent and cost-effective defense, in line with the client's goals. It also plays a major part in the administration and management of asbestos dockets as well in negotiations with plaintiffs' lawyers and leading discovery for its client.

The attorneys of the firm have extensive trial and appellate experience in defending clients against claims made by injured claimants, which includes those who claim mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are familiar with the complex science that is associated with these cases, as well as the unique legal issues that arise when defending businesses before federal and state courts across the United States.

Catherine has represented numerous manufacturers as lead trial counsel in asbestos and product liability personal injury lawsuits, and in consolidated cases that involve multiple claimants. She has extensive experience in litigating asbestos-related lawsuits before the federal and state courts, as well as various appellate and Supreme Court bodies.

While at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those involving respondents of the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The cases files included SEAR forms (Short encapsulated Evaluative reports) that contained confidential information 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 review the SEAR forms of any case 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. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs’ lawyers to create and implement settlement agreements. The firm also has extensive experience in defending businesses from appeals.