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 protect those who's financial security was affected by exposure to the toxic mineral. Compensation can cover medical expenses, 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 level. As a result, we are familiarized with the unique issues and the complex scientific aspects associated with asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos fibers are deadly and can cause severe medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is skilled in handling asbestos lawsuits that seek financial compensation for victims and their families due to exposure to this harmful substance. These cases can be complicated, so it's important to have a mesothelioma attorney on your side.

New York has a long history of asbestos litigation and many residents have been exposed to the dangerous substance. In recent years there have been more lawsuits filed against asbestos producers from the past than before. These cases arise out of the recognition that asbestos is associated with illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer. These companies were aware of the dangers associated with this asbestos-containing mineral, yet they failed to inform their employees and customers.

New York City is especially vulnerable to illnesses caused by asbestos due to its old structures and construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously toxic area that continues impact the surrounding community.

Mesothelioma can be caused by direct exposure to asbestos and many workers were exposed at work. However, some people are diagnosed with mesothelioma after experiencing an exposure secondarily to the harmful substances. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposed workers who had their husbands' work clothes and came into contact with asbestos dust on a regular basis.

The mesothelioma lawsuit can be costly for defendants. This is especially the case if they were wrongly identified as defendants. A study has revealed that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could increase. This type of litigation is typically fueled by specialized asbestos law firms that promote on daytime TV and entice victims to file claims, with the promise of large settlements.

The defendants may be able reduce some of the expenses arising from these cases by asserting that their policy periods have expired or they're only responsible for a tiny percentage of the total value of the claim. However, New York law has not established a clear rule regarding how to allocate liabilities when the alleged exposure occurs within and outside the policy period of the insurer.

Asbestos-related Illnesses

Exposure to asbestos can trigger various diseases. The mesothelioma disease is the most serious. Mesothelioma is the cause of death of many people. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques and the pleural effusion.

Mesothelioma, a rare, but fatal condition is caused by asbestos fibers which collect in the lungs. They then irritate the linings of the ribcage (the the pleura), chest cavity and abdominal cavity. The inhalation of these small fibers can result in scarring of the lungs known as asbestosis and occasionally, the formation of thickened patches on the pleura, known as pleural plaques or a more widespread fibrosis of the pleura called diffused pleural fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis may decrease lung capacity, as measured by breathing test. They can also cause discomfort and breathing difficulties, though they do not lead to cancer or mesothelioma.

Symptoms of asbestos-related disease often are not evident until years after exposure. It could take up to 50 years for asbestos-related fibers to be inhaled to cause lung damage. Workers who handled, cleaned, and removed asbestos from their workplaces as well as children, spouses and others who were exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing mesothelioma.

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 form of mesothelioma for women however, it is much less prevalent than mesothelioma in general. It is diagnosed later than most other mesothelioma types, because it occurs within the linings of reproductive organs. The symptoms may be similar to other illnesses.

There were many companies that used asbestos in the 20th century, however they knew that it was a risk. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos lawsuit if they failed to remove it from their products. These people can now seek financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are insolvent. The victims can now seek compensation from the trust funds established by bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

asbestos compensation-related companies have put profit before the safety of their workers and consumers for decades creating dangerous products without warning of the dangers. These companies are now facing the consequences of their negligence. People who's lives have been affected by mesothelioma, cancer of the lung, and other asbestos-related illnesses are seeking fair and full compensation.

The lawyers 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 responsible large corporations accountable and to obtain the maximum amount of compensation for our clients.

A number of states have established special asbestos courts in which claims can be filed and resolving more efficiently. Judges have also created specialized procedures to evaluate and resolve these cases.

New York, a state which 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 declared bankruptcy and have been unable to pay, the workload of this special 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 composed of six Supreme Court judges will review each case in NYCAL to determine whether or not to take it up with it. Judges will also consider the merits of each case to decide how much money a plaintiff should receive.

Currently, the panel is studying more than 3,500 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 multiple defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox 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 also has extensive experience serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients across the country in multi-district, complex litigation. In this capacity, attorneys create strategies, coordinate and oversee regional and local counsel and ensure consistent and cost-effective defenses for every client. They have worked closely with coordinating and trial judges and litigation special masters in various jurisdictions where they were involved in asbestos lawsuit litigation.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A knowledgeable Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best approach to defend a client from an asbestos personal injury claim. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, contractors and owners of premises in cases involving claims for mesothelioma and lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm also works with clients to create internal programs to identify and addressing potential 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 designs litigation strategies, supervises regional and local counsel and provides a cost-effective and consistent defense, in line with client goals. In addition it plays a crucial role in the administration of asbestos dockets as well as negotiations with counsel for plaintiffs and lead discovery for its clients.

The firm's lawyers are skilled in defending clients from mesothelioma-related claims and other asbestos-related illnesses. Asbestos defense attorneys are familiar with the intricate science involved in these cases, as and specific legal issues that arise while defending businesses before state and federal courts throughout the United States.

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

While at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos cases for respondents, including those at the Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The case files contained SEAR forms (Short Evaluative Reports Encapsulated) that contained confidential information about claimants. The files contained medical reports as well as work histories and a list asbestos products that plaintiffs worked with or near. Vogel had to have an account password to access the files. She was then able to go through any SEAR forms from her current employer.

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 extensive experience in defending businesses against appeals.