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 through exposure to this dangerous mineral. Compensation may cover medical costs funeral and burial costs as well as pain and suffering and loss of quality of life.
Our lawyers are national, regional and local counsel in massive toxic tort litigation. We are well-versed in the unique issues and the complex scientific aspects that are associated with asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos is a deadly fiber that can cause numerous serious medical conditions, including mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney is skilled in handling lawsuits seeking financial compensation for victims of asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be complex, so it's important to have a mesothelioma lawyer on your side.
New York has a long history of asbestos litigation and many residents have been exposed to this hazardous material. In recent years there have been more claims against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases result from the recognition of a connection between asbestos and diseases like mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. The companies were aware of the dangers of the dangerous mineral, but they didn't warn their employees and consumers.
New York City is especially susceptible to diseases caused by asbestos due to its old structures and construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic site that continues to impact on the surrounding community.
Mesothelioma is triggered by exposure to asbestos in direct contact, and many workers were exposed at work. Exposure to asbestos from the outside can cause mesothelioma. This includes spouses who wear husband's clothing at work and come in contact with asbestos dust regularly.
The litigation associated with mesothelioma can be costly for defendants, particularly if they are wrongfully named as defendants. A study indicates that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could rise. This type of litigation is typically driven by asbestos law firms that advertise on daytime television and encourage victims to file claims, with the promise of huge settlements.
The defendants may be able reduce some of the costs of these cases by arguing their policy periods are overdue or that they only have to pay only for a small proportion of the amount claimed. However, New York law has not set out a clear policy regarding how to allocate liabilities when the alleged exposure occurs partly outside of the insurer's policy periods.
Asbestos-Related Illnesses
A myriad of asbestos-related illnesses can develop because of exposure to the mineral that causes cancer. The most serious condition is mesothelioma. Many have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques, and the pleural effusion.
Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal illness caused by exposure to asbestos fibers which accumulate in the lungs, and can cause irritation to the lining of the ribcage, chest cavity, and abdominal cavity (the the pleura). The inhalation of these tiny fibers can cause scarring of the lungs called asbestosis, and, sometimes, the development of thickened patches on the pleura called plaques on the pleura, or the more widespread fibrosis of the pleura known as diffused fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrosis decrease lung capacity as determined by breathing tests. They also cause pain and difficulty breathing, though they do not lead to cancer or mesothelioma.
The majority of the time, signs 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 inhaled to cause lung damage. People who are at risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related conditions include workers who handled, cleaned and removed asbestos-containing products from the workplace and their spouses and children of those who were exposed to asbestos.
Other asbestos-related diseases apart from mesothelioma, include laryngeal carcinoma and lung cancer as well as peritoneal, ovarian and peritoneal cancer. Ovarian cancer is the deadliest form of mesothelioma for women, but it is less prevalent than mesothelioma in general. It is often diagnosed later than other kinds of mesothelioma because it develops in the lining of the reproductive organs and symptoms can be similar to symptoms of other diseases.
Many companies employed asbestos in the 20th century, but they knew that it was a risk. When they failed to remove asbestos from their products, thousands of people were exposed. Now, these people are able to sue for financial compensation. Many of the asbestos-related manufacturers have filed for bankruptcy. The victims are now able to claim compensation from the trust funds set up by bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
Asbestos companies have put profits before the safety of their employees and their customers for decades creating dangerous products without warning about the risks. These companies are now confronting the consequences of 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 compensation.
The lawyers at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to assisting families and individuals get the justice they deserve. Our lawyers have more than 25 years experience and have helped clients receive millions of dollars in compensation. Our New York mesothelioma lawyers work to hold large corporations responsible accountable and to obtain the maximum amount of compensation for our clients.
A number of states have set up asbestos courts that are specifically designed so that claims can be filed more efficiently. Additionally judges have developed special procedures for evaluating and resolving asbestos cases.
New York is one such state that has its own asbestos court, known as NYCAL. The number of cases in this court has grown steadily, as more and more asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants who have become bankrupt. To ensure that the justice system is not overwhelmed, the New York Supreme Court has created an additional judicial panel that will supervise NYCAL.
A panel comprised of six Supreme Court judges will review every case in NYCAL to determine whether or not to accept it. Judges will also evaluate the merits of every claim to determine how much amount of money each plaintiff should receive.
Currently, the panel is looking into more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to issue its final decision by the end of this year.
New York asbestos lawsuits are typically complex and often involve several defendants. Belluck and Fox's lawyers have a wealth of experience in defending these complicated cases. They are well-versed in the rules, regulations, and policies 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 vast experience as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in multidistrict litigation that is complex and complex. In this capacity, lawyers develop strategies, oversee local and regional counsel and ensure consistent and effective defenses for clients. They have collaborated closely with trial and coordination judges and special masters of litigation in the various jurisdictions where they have been involved top asbestos attorney in asbestos litigation.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A skilled Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best approach to defend a client from an asbestos-related personal injury claim. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises product manufacturers, suppliers and contractors, distributors, and property owners on issues that involve mesothelioma claims, lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm collaborates with clients in the development of internal programs to determine and address potential safety and liability concerns.
In addition to its asbestos practice across the nation, Bowles Rice serves as national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this capacity Bowles Rice formulates litigation strategies and oversees local and region counsel to ensure a consistent and cost-effective defense in accordance with the client's needs. It also plays an important role in the administration and management of asbestos dockets aswell in negotiations with plaintiffs' lawyers 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, which includes those claiming mesothelioma or 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 in state and federal courts across the United States.
Catherine has defended numerous manufacturers in asbestos and product liability personal injury cases, acting as the lead trial counsel in consolidated trials involving multiple plaintiffs. She has a wealth of experience arguing asbestos-related cases in federal and state courts as well as before a variety of appellate and supreme court bodies.
During her time at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos cases for respondents, including those at the Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The case files included SEAR forms (Short Evaluative reports that are encapsulated) which contained confidential data about the claimants. These included medical reports and work histories, as well as an inventory of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs worked with or near. Vogel was required to have access to these files and could go through the SEAR forms of any case at 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. It also has a wealth of experience in defending businesses from appeals.