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 toxic mineral. Compensation may cover medical costs funeral and burial expenses, pain and suffering, and loss of quality of life.

Our attorneys are involved in the mass litigation of toxic torts on a regional, national and local scale. We are well-versed in the unique issues and complex aspects of science that are associated with asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos is a harmful fiber that can cause various serious medical conditions, including mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is skilled in handling asbestos lawsuits that seek compensation for victims and their families due to exposure to this harmful substance. These cases can be extremely complex, and it is critical to have an experienced mesothelioma lawyer on your side.

New York has a long history of asbestos attorney litigation and many residents have been exposed to this dangerous substance. In recent years, there have been more lawsuits filed against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases arise out of the realization that asbestos can cause diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. These companies were aware asbestos's dangers however, they failed to inform the employees and the public.

New York City is especially susceptible to illnesses caused by asbestos due to its old structures and construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic place that continues to have an impact on the community around it.

Many workers were exposed asbestos in their work environments. However, some people are diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of secondhand exposure to the harmful substances. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposed workers who were wearing their husband's work clothes and came into contact with asbestos dust regularly.

The mesothelioma lawsuit can be expensive for defendants, particularly when they are incorrectly 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 rise further. Specialized asbestos law firms typically advertise on TV during the day and encourage victims to file claims, promising they will receive substantial settlements.

The defendants might be able to reduce the cost of these cases by arguing their policies are in a lapse or that they are only responsible only for a small proportion of the amount claimed. New York law does not have a specific rule for how to allocate the liability if the alleged risk is of the insurer's policies.

Asbestos-Related Illnesses

A wide range of asbestos-related diseases can develop because of exposure to the toxic mineral. The most serious condition is mesothelioma. Many people have died due to 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 that accumulate in the lungs, and can cause irritation to the lining of the chest cavity, ribcage, and abdominal cavity (the the pleura). The inhalation of these tiny fibers can cause scarring of the lungs known as asbestosis and, sometimes, the formation of thickened patches on the pleura, known as pleural plaques or a more widespread fibrosis of the pleura, referred to as diffused pleural the fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrisis reduce lung capacity as measured by breathing tests. They can also cause breathing problems and pain, though they do not cause mesothelioma or cancer.

The majority of the time, signs of asbestos-related diseases do not show up until decades after the initial exposure. This is because it can take between 20 to 50 years for the inhalation of asbestos fibers to cause lung damage. Workers who handled, cleaned and removed asbestos from their workplaces as well as spouses, children and other people who are exposed to asbestos are at risk for developing mesothelioma.

Other asbestos-related diseases in addition to mesothelioma include laryngeal carcinoma and lung cancer, peritoneal, ovarian, and peritoneal cancer. Ovarian cancer is the deadliest mesothelioma that women suffer from, but it is less prevalent than mesothelioma in general. It is diagnosed later than other types of mesothelioma because it occurs within the linings of reproductive organs. The symptoms can be similar to other illnesses.

Several companies used asbestos during the 20th century. They were aware that it was hazardous. When they did not remove asbestos from their products thousands of people were exposed. They can now seek financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies have declared bankruptcy. As a result, the victims can seek the compensation they are entitled to from trust funds set up by the bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

Asbestos companies have put profits before the safety of their employees and customers for a long time making dangerous products, without warning of the dangers. These companies are now confronting the consequences of their inattention. Patients who have suffered asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and full compensation.

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

A number of states have set up asbestos courts with specialization, where claims can be filed more efficiently. Additionally judges have created specific procedures for evaluating and resolving asbestos cases.

New York is one such state, with its own asbestos court known as NYCAL. As asbestos victims continue to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants who have gone bankrupt and have been unable to pay, the workload of this court has steadily increased. The New York Supreme Court created an additional judicial board that will supervise NYCAL in order to keep the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.

A panel comprised of six Supreme Court judges will review every case filed in NYCAL to determine whether or not to accept it. Judges will also evaluate the merits of every claim to determine the amount of the plaintiff's compensation should be.

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

New York asbestos lawsuits are usually complex and include allegations of multiple defendants. Belluck and Fox's lawyers have vast experience in the litigation of these difficult cases. They are knowledgeable of the asbestos courts of New York, including their rules and regulations in addition to other jurisdictions where they have handled multi-district litigation.

The firm also has vast experience as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in multidistrict litigation that is complex and complex. In this capacity, lawyers develop strategies, coordinate and oversee regional and local counsel, and ensure cost-effective and consistent defenses for each client. They have collaborated closely with coordinating and trial judges and litigation special masters in various jurisdictions in which they were involved in asbestos litigation.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will determine what strategy is most effective to defend the client from a personal injury claim involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises suppliers, manufacturers, contractors, distributors, and premises owners on matters concerning mesothelioma-related claims, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm works with clients to develop internal programs to address potential safety and liability 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 formulates litigation strategies and oversees local and region counsel to achieve a consistent and cost-effective defense in accordance with the client's objectives. It also plays an important part in the administration and management of asbestos dockets as well as negotiations with plaintiffs' lawyers and in coordinating discovery for its clients.

The firm's attorneys have a wealth of trial and appellate experience defending clients from claims brought by injured claimants, including those who are claiming mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are acquainted with the intricate science involved with these cases, and the unique legal issues that arise when defending companies in state and federal courts across the United States.

Catherine has represented a variety of manufacturers in asbestos and products liability personal injury cases, defending them as the lead counsel in consolidated trials involving a variety of plaintiffs. She has extensive experience litigating asbestos-related lawsuits in the state and federal courts, as well as a variety of appellate and Supreme Court bodies.

During her tenure at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos cases for respondents, including those in the Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The case files contained SEAR forms (Short Evaluative Reports Encapsulated) which contained confidential information about plaintiffs. These included medical reports and work histories, as well as a list asbestos products that plaintiffs used or worked near. Vogel was required to have an account password to access these files and could review the SEAR forms of any case she had with her current employer.

The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to having extensive experience in appellate and trial work, is nationally recognized for its ability to negotiate settlements for its clients. In this capacity, the company works closely with lawyers representing plaintiffs in the preparation and execution of settlement agreements. It also has extensive experience in defending businesses against appeals.