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

Our lawyers serve as local, regional and national counsel in mass toxic tort litigation. As as such, we are acquainted with the specific issues and complex science associated with asbestos attorney cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos fibers are dangerous and can trigger serious medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney is experienced in handling lawsuits to seek financial compensation for victims of asbestos exposure and their families. 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 claims against former asbestos manufacturers than ever before. These cases stem from the recognition of a link between asbestos and certain diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. These companies knew of the dangers associated with this asbestos-containing mineral, yet they did not inform their employees and customers.

The New York City area is particularly prone to asbestos-related diseases due to its older structures and numerous construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously hazardous area that continues to impact the surrounding community.

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

The mesothelioma lawsuit can be costly for defendants, especially when they are incorrectly named as a defendant. According to an investigation, more than 3,600 claims have been filed in New York courts since 2014, and the number could rise further. This niche litigation is often driven by asbestos law firms that promote on daytime television and encourage victims to file claims, with the promise of large settlements.

The defendants could be able to reduce the cost of these cases by arguing their policies are in a lapse or that they are only responsible for only for a small proportion of the amount claimed. However, New York law has not provided a definitive rule on how to divide liabilities when the alleged exposure occurs in and out of the policy period of the insurer.

Asbestos-related Diseases

A myriad of asbestos-related illnesses can be triggered due to exposure to the harmful mineral. The condition known as mesothelioma is the most serious. Many people have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques, and pleural effusion.

Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal disease caused by exposure to asbestos fibers that accumulate in the lungs and cause irritation to the lining of the chest cavity, ribcage, and abdominal cavity (the pleura). Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause scarring in the lungs, known as asbestosis. It can also cause thickened patches of pleura (pleural plaques) or an increase in fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis may reduce lung capacity, as measured by breathing test. They can also cause pain and difficulties in breathing, however they do not lead cancer or mesothelioma.

The majority of the time, signs of asbestos-related diseases don't show up until decades after the initial exposure. It can take as long as 50 years for asbestos-related fibers to be inhaled to cause lung damage. The people at risk of developing mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases include those who handled, washed, and removed these materials from their workplaces and spouses and children of those exposed to asbestos.

Other asbestos-related diseases in addition to mesothelioma, include lung cancer and laryngeal carcinoma and peritoneal, ovarian and peritoneal cancer. Ovarian cancer is the most fatal form of mesothelioma for women, but it is less common than mesothelioma in general. It is diagnosed later than other types of mesothelioma, because it develops within the linings of reproductive organs. Symptoms can be similar to other diseases.

Many companies used asbestos in the 20th century, but they were aware that it was hazardous. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos lawyers if they didn't eliminate it from their products. They can now seek financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are bankrupt. The victims are now able to seek compensation from the trust funds established by bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

For decades, asbestos companies have placed profits over the security of their employees and consumers, manufacturing hazardous products without warning of the risks. They are now confronting the consequences of their inattention. People who have suffered from asbestos-related illnesses such as mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and complete compensation.

The attorneys at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to assisting families and individuals get the justice they deserve. Our lawyers have over 25 years of experience and have helped our clients receive millions of dollars of compensation. Our New York mesothelioma attorneys work to hold corporations accountable and obtain maximum compensation for clients.

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

New York, a state which has its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL) is one of the states. As asbestos victims continue to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants that have gone bankrupt, the caseload of this special court has steadily increased. In order to ensure that the justice system is not overwhelmed, the New York Supreme Court has established an additional judicial panel that will oversee NYCAL.

A panel of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine if it should be accepted or rejected. Judges will also evaluate the merits of every claim to determine the amount of money each plaintiff should receive.

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

New York asbestos lawsuits are typically complex and often involve multiple defendants. Belluck & Fox's lawyers have extensive experience in the litigation of these difficult cases. 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 has also extensive experience as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in multidistrict litigation that is complex and complex. In this capacity lawyers formulate strategies, manage regional and local counsel, and ensure consistent and efficient defenses for clients. They have worked closely with trial judges, coordination judges, and litigation special masters from various jurisdictions.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will determine what strategy is the best way to defend the client in an injury claim that involves 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 works with clients in the development of internal programs to deal with potential liability and safety issues.

Bowles Rice in addition to its national asbestos practice and multi-state asbestos litigation, serves as national Coordinating counsel. In this capacity Bowles Rice devises litigation strategies and oversees regional and local counsel to ensure a consistent and cost-effective defense in accordance with the client's goals. It also plays an important role in the administration and management of asbestos dockets, as well as negotiations with plaintiffs' lawyers and coordinating discovery for its clients.

The firm's lawyers are skilled in defending clients from claims of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are familiar with the complex science that is associated with these cases, as well as the particular legal issues that arise when defending companies in state and federal courts across the United States.

Catherine has represented numerous companies in asbestos and products liability personal injury cases, defending them as the lead counsel in consolidated trials involving a variety of plaintiffs. She has substantial experience litigating asbestos-related cases before federal and state courts and before various supreme and appellate courts.

During her time at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those involving respondents to the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The cases files included SEAR forms (Short encapsulated Evaluative reports) that contained confidential information about the 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 required an account password to access the files. She was then able to look over any SEAR forms that she received from her current employer.

The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to having extensive experience in appellate and trial work, is recognized nationally for its ability to negotiate settlements for its clients. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs' lawyers to develop and execute settlement agreements. The firm also has extensive experience in defending businesses from appeals.