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 assist those who's financial security has been affected by exposure to the harmful mineral. Compensation can cover medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, lost quality of life, and suffering and pain.

Our lawyers are involved in mass toxic tort litigation on a national, regional and local level. As a result, we are familiarized with the unique issues and complex aspects of science of asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos is a deadly fiber that can trigger a variety of severe medical conditions, such as mesothelioma lawsuit. A New York asbestos lawyer is skilled in handling asbestos lawsuits that seek compensation for victims and their families who have been exposed to this harmful 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 litigation and many residents have been exposed to this dangerous substance. In recent years, there have been more lawsuits filed against asbestos producers in the past than ever before. These cases are the result of the realization that asbestos is associated with illnesses such as mesothelioma or lung cancer. These companies were aware of the dangers that asbestos posed however, they failed to inform employees and consumers.

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

Mesothelioma can be caused by direct exposure to asbestos and many workers were exposed to asbestos at work. However, people also get diagnosed with mesothelioma following exposure to harmful substances. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposure workers who had their husbands' work clothes and came into contact with asbestos dust regularly.

Litigation involving mesothelioma is expensive for defendants. This is especially the case if they were wrongly identified as defendants. A study shows that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could rise. This niche litigation is often supported by asbestos law firms that advertise on daytime television and encourage victims to file claims with the promise of substantial settlements.

The defendants may be able lower some of the expenses arising from these cases by arguing that their policy periods have expired or they are only responsible for a tiny portion of the value of the claim. New York law does not have a clear rule on how to distribute responsibility when the alleged exposure is part of the insurer's policies.

Asbestos-related diseases

A variety of asbestos-related diseases can develop because of exposure to the harmful mineral. The mesothelioma condition is the most serious. Many people have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques and pleural effusion.

Mesothelioma, a rare, but fatal illness is caused by asbestos fibers that are found in the lungs. They then irritate the linings of the ribcage (the the pleura), chest cavity and abdominal cavity. Inhaling these tiny fibers can cause scarring to the lungs called asbestosis, and sometimes the formation of thickened patches on the pleura called pleural plaques or the more widespread fibrosis of the pleura, referred to as diffused pleural the fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis could reduce lung capacity as determined by a breathing test. They can also cause pain and difficulty in breathing, but they do not lead mesothelioma or cancer.

The majority of the time, signs of asbestos-related diseases don't manifest until decades after initial exposure. It can take as long as 50 years for asbestos fibers that are inhaled to cause lung damage. The people at risk of developing mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related conditions include workers who handled, cleaned, and removed these materials from their workplaces, as well as spouses and children of those exposed to asbestos.

In addition to mesothelioma, other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma lawyer and mesothelioma of the ovary. Ovarian cancer is the most fatal 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 develops in the linings of the reproductive organs. Symptoms can be similar to other illnesses.

Many companies employed asbestos in the 20th century, however they were aware that it was dangerous. When they did not remove it from their products, thousands of people were exposed. Now, those exposed have the right to sue for financial compensation. Many asbestos-related manufacturers are bankrupt. The victims are now able to seek compensation from the trust funds established by bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

Asbestos companies have put profit before the safety of their employees and customers for a long time, producing hazardous products without warning about the risks. These companies are now paying the price for their negligence. Victims of asbestos-related illnesses such as mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and complete compensation.

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

Many states have established special asbestos courts in which claims can be filed and resolved more efficiently. In addition judges have created specific procedures to evaluate and resolve asbestos cases.

New York is one such state that has its own asbestos court known as NYCAL. The caseload in this specialty court has grown steadily, as increasing numbers of asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent former asbestos defendants who went bankrupt. In order to ensure that the justice system is not overloaded the New York Supreme Court has established an additional judicial panel that will oversee NYCAL.

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

The panel is currently looking at more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to issue its final ruling at the end of this year.

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

The firm also has vast experience as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in complex, multidistrict litigation. In this role, attorneys create strategies, coordinate and oversee regional and local counsel and ensure cost-effective, consistent defenses for each client. They have been in close contact with trial judges, coordinating judges and special masters of litigation from different jurisdictions.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will decide which strategy is most effective to defend the client in a personal injury lawsuit involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, contractors and owners of premises in matters involving claims of mesothelioma attorneys, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm collaborates with clients to develop internal programs to resolve potential liability and safety issues.

In addition to its asbestos practice in the national level, Bowles Rice serves as national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this role, Bowles Rice develops litigation strategies and manages regional and local counsel to ensure a consistent and cost-effective defense in accordance with the client's needs. Additionally, it plays a key part in the administration of asbestos dockets as well as negotiations with plaintiffs' counsel and also leads discovery for its clients.

The firm's lawyers have experience in defending clients against mesothelioma claims and other asbestos-related illnesses. Asbestos defense attorneys are familiar with the complex science that is associated with these cases, and the particular legal issues that arise when defending companies before federal and state courts across the United States.

Catherine has represented a variety of manufacturers in asbestos and product liability personal injury cases, defending them as lead trial counsel and in consolidated trials that involved multiple claimants. She has substantial experience arguing asbestos-related cases in state and federal courts and before various supreme and appellate court bodies.

During her tenure at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos cases for respondents, including the Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The case files included SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports), which contained confidential information about the plaintiffs, including medical reports, work histories, and the list of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs worked with or around. Vogel had to have a password in order to access the files. Then, she could review any SEAR forms from her current employer.

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