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 help protect those whose financial security has been affected by exposure to the harmful mineral. Compensation can cover medical costs funeral and burial costs, loss of quality of life, and suffering and pain.

Our attorneys serve as local, regional and national counsel in mass toxic tort litigation. We are familiarized with the unique issues and complex scientific aspects 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 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 a mesothelioma expert lawyer 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 against asbestos producers in the past than ever before. These cases arise out of the realization that asbestos can cause illnesses such as mesothelioma or lung cancer. The companies were aware of the dangers that asbestos posed but did not take the time to warn the employees and the public.

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

Mesothelioma is triggered by exposure to asbestos in direct contact and a lot of workers were exposed at work. However, many people are diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of secondhand exposure to the harmful substances. This includes spouses who wear husband's clothing 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 shows that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could rise. This niche litigation is often supported by asbestos law firms that advertise on television during the day and encourage victims to file claims, with the promise of large settlements.

Defendants might be able to reduce some of the expenses arising from these cases by asserting that their policy periods expire or they are only responsible for a tiny percentage of the value of the claim. However, New York law has not established a clear rule regarding how to allocate liabilities when the alleged exposure is outside of the policy period of the insurer.

Asbestos-related Diseases

Exposure to asbestos can trigger various diseases. The condition known as mesothelioma is the most serious. Many people have died due to mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques, and the pleural effusion.

Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal disease is caused by asbestos fibers that collect in the lung. They then cause irritation to the linings of the ribcage (the the pleura) as well as the chest cavity and abdominal cavity. Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause scarring in the lungs, known as asbestosis. It can also result in thickened pleura patches (pleural plaques) or a more extensive fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis could decrease lung capacity, as measured by a breath test. They can also cause pain and discomfort in breathing, however they don't cause mesothelioma or cancer.

Most of the time, symptoms 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 inhalation of asbestos-containing fibers to cause lung damage. Workers who handled, cleaned, and removed asbestos from the workplace and their spouses, children, and others exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing mesothelioma.

Other asbestos compensation-related diseases, apart from mesothelioma, include laryngeal carcinoma and lung cancer and peritoneal, ovarian and peritoneal cancer. The most dangerous form of mesothelioma is ovarian cancer, however it is less common than the general mesothelioma. It is often diagnosed later than other types of mesothelioma because it is a cancer that develops in the lining of the reproductive organs, and symptoms can be similar to those of other illnesses.

There were many companies that employed asbestos in the 20th century, but they were aware that it was dangerous. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos because they didn't eliminate it from their products. Now, those exposed are able to seek financial compensation. Many asbestos-related manufacturers are bankrupt. As a result, the victims can seek the compensation they are entitled to from trust funds established by the bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

Asbestos-related companies have put profit before the safety of their employees and their customers for decades making dangerous products, without warning about the risks. These companies are now confronting the consequences of their carelessness. Victims of asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and complete settlement.

The attorneys at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to helping families and individuals receive the justice they need. Our lawyers have more than 25 years experience and have assisted our clients to receive millions of dollars in compensation. Our New York mesothelioma lawyers work to hold large corporations responsible accountable and seek the highest amount of 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 specific procedures for evaluating and resolving asbestos attorney cases.

New York is one such state with its own asbestos court known as NYCAL. The number of cases filed in this court has grown steadily, as increasing numbers of asbestos compensation victims seek compensation from solvent former asbestos defendants who went bankrupt. The New York Supreme Court created an extra judicial board to supervise NYCAL in order to prevent the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.

A panel of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine whether it should be accepted or not. Judges will also consider the merits of each case to decide how much money a plaintiff should receive.

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

New York asbestos lawsuits are usually complex and involve several defendants. Belluck and Fox's lawyers have vast experience in the litigation of these difficult issues. They are familiar with the rules regulations, rules, 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 vast experience in serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients across the country in multi-district, complex litigation. In this role, attorneys develop strategies, coordinate and oversee regional and local counsel, and ensure cost-effective and consistent defenses for each client. They have worked 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 strategy to defend a client in a claim for personal injury resulting from asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises manufacturers, suppliers and contractors, distributors and premises owners on matters involving mesothelioma claims, lung cancer, and other asbestos lawsuit (see this)-related diseases. The firm collaborates with clients in the development of internal programs to identify and address potential safety and liability issues.

Bowles Rice in addition to its asbestos practice across the country and multi-state asbestos litigation, is also the national Coordinating Counsel. In this capacity, Bowles Rice develops litigation strategies and manages regional and local counsel to ensure a consistent and cost-effective defense that is in line with the client's needs. It also plays a significant role in the administration and management of asbestos dockets, as well in negotiations with plaintiffs' lawyers and leading discovery for its clients.

The firm's attorneys have extensive trial and appellate experience in defending clients against claims made by injured claimants, which includes those who claim mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense lawyers are acquainted with the intricate research and technology involved in these cases as and specific legal issues that arise while defending businesses before federal and state courts across the United States.

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

While at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those for respondents of the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files contained SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports), which contained confidential information about plaintiffs, such as medical reports, a history of work and the list of asbestos-related products that the plaintiff worked with or around. Vogel was required to have a password to access these files and could look over the SEAR forms of any case at her current employer.

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