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

A lawyer who is a defense attorney for asbestos can assist those who's financial security has been affected by exposure to the harmful mineral. Compensation can cover medical expenses, funeral and burial expenses as well as pain and suffering and lost quality of life.

Our lawyers are involved in mass toxic tort litigation on a regional, national and local level. As as such, we are acquainted with the specific 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, such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is experienced in handling asbestos lawsuits that seek financial compensation for the victims and their families for exposure to this toxic substance. These cases can be complicated and it is crucial 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 dangerous substance. In recent years there are more lawsuits filed against asbestos producers in the past than ever before. These cases are a result of the recognition of a connection between asbestos and diseases like mesothelioma and lung cancer and asbestosis. These companies knew of the dangers associated with this dangerous mineral, but they didn't warn their employees and consumers.

The New York City area is particularly susceptible to asbestos-related ailments due to its old structures and numerous construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic location that continues to impact on the community surrounding it.

Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos directly, and many workers were exposed in the workplace. In addition, exposure to asbestos through secondhand sources can result in mesothelioma. This includes spouses who wear husband's clothes at work and come in contact with asbestos dust frequently.

The litigation associated with mesothelioma can be 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 grow. Specialized asbestos law firms often advertise on TV during the day and encourage victims to submit claims with the promise that they will receive substantial settlements.

The defendants may be able mitigate some of the costs associated with these cases by asserting that their policy periods have expired or they are only responsible for a small portion of the amount of the claim. New York law does not provide a definitive rule on how to distribute liability when the alleged risk is within and part outside of the insurance policies.

Asbestos-Related Illnesses

A wide range of asbestos-related illnesses can develop because of exposure to the mineral that causes cancer. 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 which accumulate in the lung. They then irritate the linings of the ribcage (the Pleura), chest cavity, and abdominal cavity. Inhaling these fibers can lead to scarring of the lungs, called asbestosis. It can also result in thickened patches of pleura (pleural plaques) or a more extensive fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis can reduce lung capacity as measured by a breath test. They can also cause pain and difficulty in breathing, but they don't cause cancer or mesothelioma.

The symptoms of asbestos-related diseases typically do not manifest until decades after exposure. This is because it can take between 20 to 50 years for the inhalation of asbestos-containing fibers to damage the lungs. People who are at risk of developing mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related conditions include workers who handled, washed and removed asbestos-containing products from their workplaces and spouses and children of those exposed to asbestos.

In addition to mesothelioma other asbestos-related diseases include laryngeal cancer, lung cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma and mesothelioma of the ovary. Ovarian cancer is the deadliest mesothelioma type for women however, it is much 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.

Many companies employed asbestos during the 20th century. They knew it was a risk. If they didn't remove asbestos from their products, thousands of people were exposed. The affected people are now able to sue for financial compensation. A lot of asbestos-related manufacturers have filed for bankruptcy. 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-related companies have put profits ahead of the safety of their employees as well as consumers, manufacturing hazardous products without warning of the risks. These companies are now paying the price for their negligence. People whose lives have been disrupted by mesothelioma and lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses are seeking full and fair settlement.

Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals receive 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 seek the highest amount of compensation for their clients.

Many states have established special asbestos courts where claims can be filed and resolving more efficiently. Judges have also created specialized procedures to evaluate and resolve these cases.

New York is one such state that has its own asbestos court known as NYCAL. As asbestos victims continue to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants that have been bankrupt the number of cases that have come through the court has been steadily increasing. In order to ensure that the justice system isn't overwhelmed, the New York Supreme Court has ordered the creation of an additional judicial panel that will oversee NYCAL.

A panel composed of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine if it should be accepted or not. Judges will also consider the merits of each claim to determine the amount a plaintiff should be awarded.

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

New York asbestos lawsuits are usually complex and involve allegations of several defendants. Belluck & Fox's lawyers have extensive experience in the litigation of these difficult cases. They are well-versed in the rules, regulations, 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 has also extensive experience as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in complex, multidistrict litigation. In this capacity, lawyers develop strategies, coordinate and manage regional and local counsel, and ensure consistent and cost-effective defenses for every client. They have been in close contact with trial judges, coordinating judges and litigation special masters from various jurisdictions.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will decide which strategy is the best way to defend the client against a personal injury lawsuit involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, contractors, and owners of premises on matters concerning mesothelioma-related claims, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm also works with clients to develop internal programs for identifying and addressing safety and liability concerns.

In addition to its asbestos practice in the national level, Bowles Rice serves as the national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this role the firm formulates litigation strategies, supervises local and regional counsel, and ensures a consistent and cost-effective defense, in line with the client's goals. It also plays an important part in the administration and management of asbestos dockets as well as negotiations with plaintiffs' attorneys and leading discovery for its clients.

The attorneys of the firm have extensive trial and appellate experience defending clients against claims made by injured claimants, which includes those who are claiming mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are familiar with the complex science associated with these cases, as well as the particular legal issues that arise when defending companies in federal and state courts across the United States.

Catherine has represented numerous manufacturers as the lead trial counsel in asbestos and product liability personal injury lawsuits, and in cases that have been consolidated involving multiple claimants. She has a wealth of experience litigating asbestos law-related lawsuits before the federal and state courts, as well as a variety of Supreme Court and appellate bodies.

During her time at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos lawsuit cases, including those involving respondents to the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files contained SEAR forms (Short Evaluative Reports Encapsulated), which contained confidential information about claimants. This included medical reports and work histories, as well as an inventory of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs worked with or near. Vogel was required to have an account password to access the files. She could then review any SEAR forms provided by her current employer.

The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to its vast experience in trial and appellate work, is recognized nationally for its ability to reach settlements on behalf of its clients. In this capacity, the company collaborates with plaintiffs' lawyers in the development and execution of settlement agreements. It also has a vast experience in defending companies against appeals.