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 injured through exposure to this dangerous mineral. Compensation may cover medical costs, funeral and burial expenses, pain and suffering, and loss of quality of life.

Our lawyers serve as national, regional and local counsel in large toxic tort litigation. As such, we are familiar with the particular issues and complex science associated with asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos fibers are deadly and can cause severe medical conditions such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is skilled in handling asbestos lawsuits which seek compensation for victims and their families for exposure to this harmful substance. These cases can be complicated, and it is critical to have an experienced mesothelioma lawyer on your side.

New York has a long history of asbestos litigation, and many residents have been exposed to this dangerous substance. In recent years there have been more lawsuits against former asbestos manufacturers than ever before. These cases are the result of the recognition that asbestos can cause illnesses such as mesothelioma or lung cancer. The companies were aware of the dangers associated with the hazardous mineral, but failed to warn their employees and consumers.

New York City is especially susceptible to diseases caused by asbestos because of its old structures and many construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously toxic area that continues to affect the community around it.

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

The litigation associated with mesothelioma can be expensive for defendants, particularly when they are incorrectly named as a defendant. A study shows that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could grow. This type of litigation is typically supported by asbestos law firms, which advertise on television during the day and encourage victims to file claims with the promise of substantial settlements.

The defendants could be able to reduce some of the costs of these cases by arguing their policies are in a lapse or that they only have to pay only for a small proportion of the value of the claim. However, New York law has not set out a clear policy regarding how to allocate liabilities when the alleged exposure occurs within and outside the insurance company's policy.

Asbestos-related illnesses

Exposure to asbestos can lead to various diseases. The condition known as mesothelioma is the most severe. Many have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer and asbestosis. Pleural plaques and effusion are also asbestos-related.

Mesothelioma, a rare, but fatal illness, is caused by asbestos fibers which accumulate in the lung. They then irritate the linings of the ribcage (the pleura), chest cavity, and abdominal cavity. Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause scarring of the lungs, called asbestosis. It can also cause thickened pleura patches (pleural plaques) or an increased fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis could reduce lung capacity as determined by a breathing test. They can also cause pain and difficulties in breathing, however they do not lead cancer or mesothelioma.

The signs of asbestos-related illness typically are not evident until years after exposure. It can take up to 50 years for asbestos fibers that are inhaled to cause lung damage. The people at risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related ailments include those who handled, laundered, and removed these materials from their workplaces, as well as spouses and children of those who were exposed to asbestos.

Other asbestos-related illnesses, in addition to mesothelioma include laryngeal carcinoma and lung cancer as well as peritoneal, ovarian and peritoneal cancer. Ovarian cancer is the most fatal mesothelioma type for women however, it is much less prevalent than mesothelioma in general. It is diagnosed later than most other types of mesothelioma because it develops within the linings of reproductive organs. Symptoms can be similar to those of other illnesses.

There were many companies that used asbestos in the 20th century, but they were aware that it was a risk. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos because they failed to remove it from their products. Now, these people have the right to seek financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies have declared bankruptcy. This means that the victims can seek the compensation they deserve from the trust funds set up by the bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

For decades, asbestos-related companies have put profits ahead of the security of their employees and consumers by producing dangerous products without warning of the risks. These companies are now paying for their inattention to. People who have suffered from asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and complete settlement.

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

Many states have set up special asbestos courts in which claims can be filed and resolved more efficiently. Judges have also developed specialized procedures to evaluate and resolve these 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 court has been steadily increasing. The New York Supreme Court created a special judicial board to supervise NYCAL in order to keep the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.

A panel of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine if it is accepted or not. Judges will also assess the merits of each case to determine how much a plaintiff should receive.

At present, the panel is looking into more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to issue its final ruling by the end of this year.

New York asbestos lawsuits are typically complex and often involve allegations of multiple defendants. Belluck and Fox's lawyers have a wealth of experience in the litigation of these difficult cases. They are well-versed in New York's asbestos courts and their rules regulations, policies and guidelines in addition to other jurisdictions where they have handled multi-district litigation.

The firm also has extensive experience as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients throughout the nation in multi-district litigation that is complex and complex. In this role, attorneys create strategies, coordinate and manage regional and local counsel, and ensure cost-effective, consistent defenses for every client. They have collaborated closely with coordinating and trial judges and special masters of litigation in various jurisdictions in which they have been involved in asbestos litigation.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will decide which strategy is the best way to defend the client in an injury claim that involves asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels product manufacturers, suppliers contractors, distributors, contractors, and premises owners in cases involving claims for mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm works with clients in the development of internal programs to address potential safety and liability issues.

In addition to its national asbestos practice, Bowles Rice serves as the national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this capacity the firm formulates litigation strategies, manages regional and local counsel, and provides a cost-effective and consistent defense in coordination with client goals. It also plays a major role in the administration and management of asbestos dockets, as well in negotiations with plaintiffs' attorneys and in coordinating discovery for its clients.

The firm's lawyers have extensive trial and appellate experience defending clients against claims by injured claimants, such as those claiming mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are acquainted with the intricate science involved 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 represented numerous manufacturers in asbestos and products liability personal injury cases, acting as the lead counsel in consolidated trials that involved multiple plaintiffs. She has extensive experience in litigating asbestos-related lawsuits before the federal and state courts, as well as a variety of Supreme Court and appellate bodies.

During her time at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those of respondents in the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The cases files included SEAR forms (Short Evaluative reports that are encapsulated), which contained confidential information about the plaintiffs. This included medical reports as well as work histories and the list of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs worked with or 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.

The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to its vast experience in trial and appellate work, is recognized nationally for its ability to reach settlements on behalf of its clients. In this capacity, the firm collaborates closely with lawyers representing plaintiffs in the development and execution of settlement agreements, and it has extensive experience in defending businesses against appeals.