An Asbestos Defense Attorney Can Help Protect the Financial Security of Those Harmed by Exposure to This Harmful Mineral

A defense attorney for asbestos can help protect those who's financial security was affected due to exposure to the hazardous mineral. Compensation can cover medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, lost quality of life, as well as pain and suffering.

Our lawyers serve as local, regional and national counsel in mass toxic tort litigation. As as such, we are acquainted with the particular issues and the complex science that go along asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos is a deadly fiber that can trigger a variety of severe medical conditions, including mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is adept at handling asbestos lawsuits that seek financial compensation for victims and their families for exposure to this toxic substance. These cases can be complex and it is crucial to have a reputable mesothelioma law firm on your side.

New York has a long history of asbestos legal litigation and many residents have been exposed to this hazardous material. In recent years there are more lawsuits filed against asbestos producers in the past than ever before. These cases arise out of the recognition that asbestos can cause illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer. The companies were aware of the dangers of the dangerous mineral, but they didn't warn their employees and clients.

New York City is especially susceptible to diseases caused by asbestos because of its old structures and construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic location that continues to impact on the surrounding community.

Many workers were exposed to asbestos in the workplace. In addition, exposure to asbestos through secondhand sources can result in mesothelioma. This includes spouses who wear their husband's clothes to work and come into contact with asbestos dust regularly.

The mesothelioma lawsuit is costly for defendants, particularly if they are wrongfully named as a defendant. According to a study, more than 3,600 claims have been filed in New York courts since 2014, and the number could increase even more. Specialized asbestos law firms often advertise on TV during the day and encourage victims to file claims, promising they will receive substantial settlements.

Defendants might be able to lower some of the costs arising from these cases by arguing that their policy periods have expired or they are only responsible for a small percentage of the total claim value. However, New York law has not established a clear rule on how to divide liabilities when the alleged exposure occurs partly in and out of the policy period of the insurer.

Asbestos-related illnesses

A wide range of asbestos-related diseases can develop because of exposure to the mineral that causes cancer. The condition known as mesothelioma is the most serious. Many people have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer and asbestosis. Pleural plaques and effusion are also asbestos-related.

Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal illness that is caused by exposure to asbestos fibers which accumulate in the lungs and irritate the lining of the ribcage, chest cavity, and abdominal cavity (the the pleura). The inhalation of these tiny fibers can result in scarring of the lungs known as asbestosis and occasionally, the development of thickened patches on the pleura called plaques of pleura or an enlargement of fibrosis in the pleura, referred to as diffused pleural fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrosis reduce lung capacity, as measured by breathing tests. They also cause breathing problems and pain, though they do not lead to cancer or mesothelioma.

The signs of asbestos-related illness typically do not manifest until decades after 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 the workplace and their spouses, children and other people who are exposed to asbestos are at risk for developing mesothelioma.

As well as mesothelioma, other asbestos-related diseases include laryngeal cancer, lung cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma, and mesothelioma ovarian. Ovarian cancer is the most fatal form of mesothelioma for women however it is much less common than mesothelioma general. It is often diagnosed later than other forms of mesothelioma because it is a cancer that develops in the lining of the reproductive organs, and symptoms can be similar to those of other diseases.

A number of companies used asbestos in the 20th century. They were aware that it was dangerous. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos if they didn't eliminate asbestos from their products. These people now are able to claim financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are bankrupt. In the aftermath, victims can seek the money they deserve from the trust funds established by the bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

For decades, asbestos companies put profits above the safety of their employees and consumers, producing dangerous products without warning of the risks. These companies are now paying the price for their negligence. Patients who have suffered asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and complete compensation.

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

A number of states have established special asbestos courts in which claims can be filed and resolved more efficiently. Judges have also created specific procedures to assess and resolve asbestos-related cases.

New York is one such state, with its own asbestos court, known as NYCAL. The number of cases filed in this court has been increasing steadily as more and more asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants who have gone bankrupt. The New York Supreme Court created a special judicial board to oversee NYCAL to stop the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.

A panel composed of six Supreme Court judges will review every case in NYCAL to decide whether to accept or reject it. Judges will also consider the merits of each case to determine how much a plaintiff should receive.

The panel is currently looking into more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to announce its final decision by the end of the year.

New York asbestos lawsuits are often complex and involve allegations of multiple defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience with the litigation of these difficult cases. They are knowledgeable of the rules regulations, rules, 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 vast experience in serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos claim litigation, representing clients throughout the nation in complex, multi-district litigation. In this role, attorneys develop strategies, coordinate and manage regional and local counsel and ensure cost-effective and consistent defenses for every client. They have worked closely with coordinating and trial 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 what strategy is the best way to defend the client against an injury claim that involves asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, contractors and owners of premises in matters involving claims of mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm also assists clients to develop internal programs for identifying and addressing risks to safety and liability.

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 develops litigation strategies, manages regional and local counsel, and achieves consistent and cost-effective defense that is in sync with client goals. In addition, it plays a key role in the administration of asbestos dockets and negotiations with counsel for plaintiffs and leads discovery for its clients.

The firm's attorneys are experienced in defending clients from claims of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are familiar with the intricate science 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 the lead trial counsel in asbestos and personal injury lawsuits involving product liability as well as in consolidated cases that involve multiple plaintiffs. She has a wealth of experience litigating asbestos-related lawsuits in federal and state courts, as well as a variety of Supreme Court and appellate courts.

While at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those for respondents to the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The cases files contained SEAR forms (Short Evaluative Reports Encapsulated) which contained confidential information about the claimants. These included medical reports as well as work histories and the list of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs used or worked near. Vogel was required to have access to the files and was able to go through the SEAR forms of any case with her current employer.

In addition to its extensive trial and appellate experience in addition to its extensive trial and appellate experience, the Bowles Rice Asbestos Team is recognized 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 defending businesses against appeals.