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 could cover medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, lost quality of life, and suffering and pain.

Our attorneys are involved in mass toxic tort litigation on a national, regional and local scale. As a result, we are well-versed in the unique issues and complex scientific aspects 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 adept at handling lawsuits to seek financial compensation for those who have suffered from asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be complicated and therefore it is essential to have a reputable mesothelioma law firm by your side.

New York has had a long-running history of asbestos litigation and many residents were exposed to the dangerous substance. In recent years, there have been more lawsuits against asbestos producers in the past than ever before. These cases result from the recognition of a link between asbestos and diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer and asbestosis. The companies were aware of the dangers associated with this dangerous mineral, but they did not warn their employees and consumers.

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

Many workers were exposed asbestos in their work environments. However, some people are diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of secondhand exposure to the harmful substances. This includes spouses who wear husband's clothing at work and come in contact with asbestos dust on a regular basis.

The mesothelioma lawsuit can be costly for defendants, particularly when they are mistakenly identified as defendants. According to an investigation, more than 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 submit claims, promising they will receive substantial settlements.

Defendants might be able to mitigate some of the expenses arising from these cases by arguing that their policy periods have expired or they are only responsible for a small percentage of the amount of the claim. However, New York law has not provided a definitive rule on how to allocate liability when the alleged exposure occurs partly in and out of the policy period of the insurer.

Asbestos-Related Illnesses

A myriad of asbestos-related illnesses can develop due to exposure to the harmful mineral. The condition known as mesothelioma is the most severe. Mesothelioma is the cause of death of many people. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques, and the pleural effusion.

Mesothelioma, a rare, but fatal illness, is caused by asbestos fibers which accumulate in the lungs. They then cause irritation to 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 formation of thickened patches on the pleura called plaques of pleura or an enlargement of fibrosis in the pleura called diffused pleural the fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrosis decrease lung capacity as determined by breathing tests. They can also cause pain and difficulties in breathing, however they do not lead mesothelioma or cancer.

The majority of the time, signs of asbestos-related illnesses don't manifest until decades after initial exposure. This is due to the fact that it can take between 20 to 50 years for inhalation of asbestos-containing fibers to damage the lungs. People who are at risk of developing mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related diseases include those who handled, cleaned and removed asbestos-containing products from the workplace and spouses and children of those exposed to asbestos.

Other asbestos-related illnesses, in addition to mesothelioma, include laryngeal cancer and lung cancer and peritoneal, ovarian and peritoneal cancer. Ovarian cancer is among the most deadly mesothelioma that women suffer from, but it is less common than mesothelioma in general. It is diagnosed later than other types of mesothelioma, because it is found in the linings of reproductive organs. 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. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos because they didn't eliminate asbestos from their products. The affected people are now able to seek financial compensation. Many asbestos attorneys-related companies have gone bankrupt. This means that the victims can seek the compensation they deserve from the trust funds established by the bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

For decades, asbestos-related companies have put profits ahead of the safety of their employees as well as consumers by producing dangerous products, without warning of the risks. These companies are now paying for their negligence. Victims of asbestos lawyers-related diseases like mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and full compensation.

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

A number of states have established special asbestos courts where claims can be filed and resolving more efficiently. Additionally judges have developed specialized 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 increased steadily, as asbestos victims are becoming more and more likely to seek compensation from solvent former asbestos defendants who have become bankrupt. To ensure that the justice system does not get overloaded, the New York Supreme Court has created an additional judicial panel that will oversee NYCAL.

A panel composed of six Supreme Court judges will review every case in NYCAL to decide whether or not to take it up with it. Judges will also consider 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 make a final decision at the end of this year.

New York asbestos lawsuits are usually complex and involve allegations of several defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience with the litigation of these difficult cases. 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, complex litigation. In this capacity, attorneys develop strategies, coordinate and oversee regional and local counsel and ensure consistent and cost-effective defenses for each client. They have worked closely with trial and coordination judges and litigation special masters in various jurisdictions where they were involved in asbestos litigation.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will determine which strategy is most effective to defend the client from a personal injury claim involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels suppliers, manufacturers contractors, distributors, contractors, and property owners in cases involving claims for mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm collaborates with clients in the development of internal programs to determine and resolve potential liability and safety issues.

In addition to its asbestos practice in the national level, Bowles Rice serves as the national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this capacity, the firm develops litigation strategies, manages regional and local counsel, and ensures a consistent and cost-effective defense, in line with client objectives. Additionally it plays an important part in the administration of asbestos dockets, negotiations with plaintiffs' counsel and lead discovery for its clients.

The firm's attorneys have extensive trial and appellate experience in defending clients against claims made by injured claimants, such as those who are claiming mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are acquainted with the complex science that is associated with these cases, and the particular legal issues that arise when defending businesses before federal and state courts across 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 involving multiple plaintiffs. She has extensive experience in litigating asbestos-related cases before the federal and state courts as well as before various supreme and appellate courts.

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 Evaluative Reports Encapsulated) which contained confidential data about the claimants. These included medical reports and work histories, as well as the list of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs worked with or near. Vogel had to have an account password to access the files. Then, she could look over any SEAR forms provided by her current employer.

In addition to its extensive 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 draft and implement settlement agreements. It also has a wealth of experience defending businesses against appeals.