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

A lawyer for asbestos compensation defense can assist those whose financial security has been affected by exposure to the harmful mineral. Compensation may cover medical costs funeral and burial costs, pain and suffering, and lost quality of life.

Our lawyers serve as local, regional and national counsel in mass toxic tort litigation. We are familiarized with the unique issues and complex aspects of science that are 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 experienced in handling lawsuits seeking financial compensation for those who have suffered from asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be extremely complex, and it is critical to have an experienced mesothelioma law firm on your side.

New York has a long history of asbestos litigation, and many residents have been exposed to this hazardous substance. In recent years, there have been more lawsuits against asbestos producers in the past than ever before. These cases arise out of the realization that asbestos can cause diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. The companies were aware of the dangers of the hazardous mineral, but failed to inform their employees and customers.

The New York City area is particularly susceptible to asbestos-related ailments because of its older structures and a myriad of construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic place that continues to have an impact on the surrounding community.

Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos in direct contact and a lot of workers were exposed to asbestos at work. However, some people are diagnosed with mesothelioma after experiencing exposure to harmful substances. This includes spouses who wear husband's clothing to work and come into contact with asbestos dust frequently.

The litigation associated with mesothelioma is costly for defendants, especially if they are wrongfully named as a defendant. A study has revealed that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could increase. Specialized asbestos law firms typically advertise on daytime TV and encourage victims to submit claims, promising they will receive significant settlements.

The defendants may be able reduce some of the costs associated with these cases by arguing that their policy periods have expired or they're only accountable for a small portion of the claim value. However, New York law has not provided a definitive rule on how to divide liabilities when the alleged exposure is within and outside the insurer's policy periods.

Asbestos-related illnesses

A myriad of asbestos-related illnesses can be triggered because of exposure to the harmful mineral. The most serious of these is mesothelioma. Many people have died due to mesothelioma. 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 that collect in the lungs. They then cause irritation to the linings of the ribcage (the pleura), chest cavity, and abdominal cavity. The inhalation of these small fibers can cause scarring of the lungs called asbestosis, and sometimes the development of thickened patches on the pleura referred to as plaques on the pleura, or a more widespread fibrosis of the pleura, referred to as diffused pleural fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrisis reduce lung capacity, as measured by breathing tests. They can also cause discomfort and breathing difficulties however they do not cause mesothelioma or cancer.

The signs of asbestos-related illness typically don't manifest until decades after initial exposure. It can take as long as 50 years for asbestos-related fibers to be inhaled to cause lung damage. Workers who handled, cleaned and removed asbestos from their workplaces and their spouses, children and others who were exposed to asbestos are at risk for developing mesothelioma.

As well as mesothelioma, other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma and mesothelioma of the ovary. The most fatal form of mesothelioma is called ovarian cancer, but it's much less prevalent than mesothelioma in general. It is often diagnosed later than other kinds of mesothelioma since it develops in the tissues of the reproductive organs, and the symptoms can be similar to symptoms of other diseases.

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

Asbestos Litigation in New York

For decades, asbestos legal-related companies have put profits ahead of the safety of their employees and consumers, producing dangerous products, without warning of the risks. These companies are now confronting the consequences of their negligence. Victims of asbestos-related illnesses such as mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and complete settlement.

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

Many states have set up special asbestos courts in which claims can be filed and resolving more efficiently. In addition, judges have established special procedures for evaluating and resolving asbestos cases.

New York, a state that has its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL), is one of them. As asbestos victims continue to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants that have gone bankrupt the number of cases that have come through this special court has been steadily increasing. The New York Supreme Court created an additional judicial board that will oversee NYCAL to stop the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.

A panel comprised 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 case to determine how much a plaintiff should be awarded.

At present, the panel is studying more than 3,500 lawsuits. The panel is expected issue its final decision before the end of this year.

New York asbestos lawsuits are often complex and involve allegations of several defendants. Belluck & Fox's lawyers have extensive experience in the litigation of these difficult matters. They are familiar with the rules, regulations, and policies of the asbestos courts in New York, as well as the laws of other jurisdictions where they have handled multidistrict litigation.

The firm has also extensive experience as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in complex, multidistrict litigation. In this capacity, lawyers develop strategies, oversee local and regional counsel, and ensure that they are able to provide consistent and efficient defenses for clients. They have worked closely with trial and coordination judges and litigation special masters in various jurisdictions in which they were involved in asbestos litigation.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A skilled Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best way to defend a client in an asbestos-related personal injury claim. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises manufacturers, suppliers and distributors, contractors, and property owners on issues involving mesothelioma claims, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm also works with clients to create internal programs for identifying and addressing potential safety and liability issues.

Bowles Rice In addition to its national asbestos practice and multi-state asbestos litigation is also the national Coordinating Counsel. In this capacity Bowles Rice formulates litigation strategies and manages local and region counsel to ensure a uniform and cost-effective defense that is in line with the client's goals. It also plays a significant part in the administration and management of asbestos dockets aswell in negotiations with plaintiffs' lawyers and leading discovery for its clients.

The firm's attorneys are experienced in defending clients against claims of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses. Asbestos defense attorneys are acquainted with the intricate science involved with these cases, and the particular legal issues that arise when representing companies before federal and state courts across the United States.

Catherine has represented numerous manufacturers in asbestos and product liability personal injury cases, representing them as the lead trial counsel in consolidated trials involving multiple claimants. She has a wealth of experience litigating asbestos-related cases before federal and state courts as well as before a variety of supreme and appellate court bodies.

During her time 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 the plaintiff worked with or around. Vogel was required to use access to these files and could review the SEAR forms of any case with her current employer.

In addition to its extensive trial and appellate experience as well as its vast trial and appellate experience, the Bowles Rice Asbestos Team is recognized nationally for its ability to negotiate settlements on behalf of its clients. In this capacity, the firm works closely with the lawyers of plaintiffs in the development and execution of settlement agreements, and it has a vast experience in defending companies against appeals.