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 can cover medical expenses, funeral and burial expenses as well as pain and suffering and the loss of quality of life.
Our attorneys serve as national, regional and local counsel in massive toxic tort litigation. This means that we are well-versed in the unique issues and the complex scientific aspects of asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos fibers can be deadly and can cause severe medical conditions, such as
mesothelioma lawsuits. A New York asbestos lawyer is adept at dealing with asbestos lawsuits, which seek financial compensation for the victims and their families who have been exposed to this harmful substance. These cases can be a bit complicated and therefore it is essential 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 material. In recent years, there have been more lawsuits against former asbestos manufacturers than ever before. These cases arise out of the recognition that asbestos is associated with illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer. The companies were aware of the dangers of the hazardous mineral, but did not inform their employees and customers.
The New York City area is particularly prone to asbestos-related diseases because of its older structures and numerous construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic site that continues to have an impact on the community around it.
Many workers were exposed asbestos in their work environments. Exposure to asbestos from the outside can result in mesothelioma. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposed workers who were wearing their husband's work clothes and came in contact with asbestos dust regularly.
The
mesothelioma lawsuit can be expensive for defendants, especially when they are incorrectly named as a defendant. A study indicates 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 TV during the day and encourage victims to file claims under the premise that they will receive substantial settlements.
The defendants may be able reduce the cost of these cases by arguing that their policy periods are overdue or that they are only responsible a small portion of the value of the claim. New York law does not have a specific rule for how to distribute liability when the alleged risk is of the insurer's policies.
Asbestos-Related Illnesses
A wide range of asbestos-related illnesses can be triggered due to exposure to the toxic mineral. The most serious of these is
mesothelioma lawsuits. Many have died from
mesothelioma attorney. Other asbestos-related illnesses include asbestosis and lung cancer. Pleural plaques and pleural effusion are also asbestos-related.
Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal disease that is caused by asbestos fibers which are found in the lung. They then cause irritation to the linings of the ribcage (the the pleura) as well as the chest cavity and abdominal cavity. The inhalation of these small fibers can result in scarring of the lungs called asbestosis, and, sometimes, the development of thickened patches on the pleura referred to as plaques of pleura or a more widespread fibrosis of the pleura called diffused pleural fibrisis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis could decrease lung capacity, as measured by a breath test. They can also cause pain and difficulties in breathing, however they are not the cause of cancer or mesothelioma.
The majority of the time, signs of asbestos-related diseases do not manifest until decades after initial exposure. It can take up to 50 years for asbestos fibers that are inhaled to cause lung damage. People who are at risk of developing mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related conditions include workers who handled, cleaned, and removed these materials from their workplaces and spouses and children of asbestos-related exposure.
In addition to mesothelioma, other asbestos-related diseases include laryngeal cancer, lung cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma and mesothelioma ovarian. Ovarian cancer is the deadliest mesothelioma that women suffer from however, it is much less common than mesothelioma general. It is diagnosed later than other types of mesothelioma, because it is found in the linings of reproductive organs. The symptoms can be similar to other illnesses.
A number of companies used asbestos in the 20th century, but they knew that it was a risk. If they didn't remove it from their products, thousands of people were exposed. These people can now claim financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are insolvent. As a result, the victims are able to seek the compensation they are entitled to from trust funds set up by the bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
Asbestos-related companies have put profit over the safety of their employees and their customers for decades making dangerous products, without warning about the risks. These companies are now paying the price for their inattention to. People who have suffered from life-altering issues caused by mesothelioma and lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases are seeking fair and full settlement.
The attorneys at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to assisting families and individuals obtain 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 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 created specific procedures to assess and resolve these cases.
New York is one such state, with its own asbestos court known as NYCAL. The caseload in this specialty court has increased steadily, as more and more asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants who went bankrupt. The New York Supreme Court created a special judicial board to supervise NYCAL in order to prevent the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.
A panel composed of six Supreme Court judges will review every case filed in NYCAL to decide whether or not to accept it. Judges will also consider the merits of each claim to decide how much money a plaintiff should be awarded.
The panel is currently reviewing more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected issue its final ruling at the end of this year.
New York asbestos lawsuits are typically complex and often involve allegations of several defendants. Belluck and Fox's lawyers have vast experience in defending these complicated cases. 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 vast experience serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients nationwide in multi-district, complex litigation. In this role, attorneys develop strategies, coordinate and manage local and regional counsel, and ensure consistent and cost-effective defenses for each client. They have worked closely with trial and coordination judges and special masters of litigation in the various jurisdictions where 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 against an injury claim that involves 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 collaborates with clients in the development of internal programs to identify and deal with potential liability and safety concerns.
Bowles Rice, in addition to its national asbestos practice and multi-state asbestos litigation is also the national Coordinating Counsel. In this capacity the firm formulates litigation strategies, manages regional and local counsel and achieves consistent and cost-effective defense, in line with the client's goals. It also plays a significant part in the administration and management of asbestos dockets aswell as negotiations with plaintiffs' attorneys and coordinating discovery for its clients.
The firm's attorneys have a wealth of trial and appellate experience in defending clients from claims brought by injured claimants, which includes those claiming mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense lawyers are familiar with the complex research and technology involved in these cases as in addition to unique legal issues that arise when representing companies in state and federal courts throughout the United States.
Catherine has represented numerous manufacturers as lead trial counsel in asbestos and personal injury lawsuits involving product liability, and in consolidated cases that involve multiple plaintiffs. She has substantial experience litigating asbestos-related cases in the federal and state courts, as well as before a variety of appellate and supreme court bodies.
During her time at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those for respondents to the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files contained SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports), which contained confidential information about plaintiffs, such as medical reports, work histories and a list of asbestos products that the plaintiff worked with or around. Vogel had to have a password in order to access the files. She could then review any SEAR forms that she received from 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 extensive experience defending businesses against appeals.