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 was affected due to exposure to the hazardous mineral. Compensation can cover medical costs funeral and burial costs, lost quality of life, and suffering and pain.

Our attorneys are involved in the mass litigation of toxic torts on a regional, national and local scale. As our lawyers are well-versed with the particular issues and complex science associated 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 adept at handling asbestos lawsuits that seek compensation for victims and their families who have been exposed to this harmful substance. These cases can be complicated and therefore it is essential to have a mesothelioma lawyer to assist you.

New York has had a long history with asbestos litigation, and many residents were exposed to this dangerous substance. In recent times there have been more lawsuits against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases are the result of the realization that asbestos is linked to illnesses such as mesothelioma or lung cancer. The companies were aware of asbestos's dangers however, they failed to inform employees and consumers.

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

Mesothelioma is triggered by direct exposure to asbestos and many workers were exposed to asbestos in the workplace. However, many people are diagnosed with mesothelioma after experiencing secondhand exposure to the harmful substances. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposed workers who wore their husband's work clothes and came in contact with asbestos dust on a regular basis.

Mesothelioma-related litigation can be expensive for defendants. This is especially the case if they were incorrectly identified as defendants. According to a study, more that 3,600 lawsuits have been filed in New York courts since 2014 and the number could increase further. 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 huge settlements.

The defendants may be able reduce the cost of these cases by arguing their policies are in a lapse or that they are only responsible a small portion of the value of the claim. New York law does not have a clear rule on how to divide the liability if the alleged exposure is part within and part outside of the insurer's policies.

Asbestos-Related Diseases

A wide range of asbestos-related diseases can develop because of exposure to the harmful mineral. The mesothelioma condition is the most severe. Many have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos case [the full report]-related illnesses include lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques, and pleural effusion.

Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal condition, is caused by asbestos fibers that 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 lead to thickened pleura patches (pleural plaques) or an increase in fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis may reduce lung capacity as measured by a breath test. They can also cause pain and discomfort in breathing, but they do not lead mesothelioma or cancer.

The majority of the time, signs of asbestos-related diseases do not manifest until decades after initial exposure. This is because it could take between 20 and 50 years for the exposure to asbestos fibers to cause lung damage. Workers who handled, cleaned and removed asbestos from their workplaces and their children, spouses and others who were exposed to asbestos attorney are at risk for developing mesothelioma.

Other asbestos-related diseases in addition to mesothelioma, include laryngeal cancer and lung cancer as well as peritoneal, ovarian and peritoneal cancer. Ovarian cancer is among the most deadly mesothelioma that women suffer from, but it is less common than mesothelioma in general. It is typically diagnosed later than other forms of mesothelioma since it is a cancer that develops in the tissue of the reproductive organs, and the symptoms may be similar to those of other illnesses.

Several companies used 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. Many of the asbestos-related manufacturers have filed for bankruptcy. This means that the victims can seek the compensation they deserve from the trust funds established by the bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

Asbestos companies have put profit over the safety of their employees and consumers for decades making dangerous products, without warning about the risks. These companies are now paying the price for their inattention to. People whose lives have been disrupted by mesothelioma and lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses are seeking full and fair settlement.

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

Many states have set up special asbestos settlement courts in which claims can be filed and resolved more efficiently. Judges have also established special procedures to review and resolve such 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 that have declared bankruptcy 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 composed of six Supreme Court judges will review each case in NYCAL to determine whether to accept or reject it. Judges will also consider the merits of each case to determine how much 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 multiple defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience with the litigation of these difficult issues. They are familiar with New York's asbestos courts, including their rules and regulations in addition to other jurisdictions where they have handled multi-district litigation.

The firm also has extensive experience serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients nationwide in complex, multi-district litigation. In this role, attorneys develop strategies, coordinate and manage regional and local counsel, and ensure cost-effective and consistent defenses for each client. They have collaborated closely with trial and coordination judges and litigation special masters in the various jurisdictions where they have been involved in asbestos 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 advises manufacturers, suppliers and distributors, contractors, and owners of premises on matters concerning mesothelioma-related claims, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm works with clients to develop internal programs to identify and address potential safety and liability concerns.

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 develops litigation strategies, supervises regional and local counsel and ensures a consistent and cost-effective defense that is in sync with client objectives. It also plays an important role in the administration and management of asbestos dockets as well in negotiations with plaintiffs' lawyers and leading discovery for its client.

The firm's attorneys have extensive trial and appellate experience in defending clients against claims made by injured claimants, including those who are claiming mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are familiar with the intricate science involved in these cases, as in addition to particular legal issues that arise when defending companies before federal and state courts across the United States.

Catherine has defended numerous manufacturers in asbestos and product liability personal injury cases, representing them as the lead trial counsel in consolidated trials involving multiple plaintiffs. She has a wealth of experience litigating asbestos-related lawsuits before federal and state courts as well as various appellate and Supreme Court bodies.

While at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those for respondents in the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The cases files included SEAR forms (Short encapsulated Evaluative reports) which contained confidential information about claimants. The files contained medical reports as well as work histories and an inventory of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs worked with or near. Vogel was required to use access to the files and was able to review the SEAR forms of any case with her current employer.

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