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

An asbestos defense attorney can help protect the financial security of those injured through exposure to this dangerous mineral. Compensation can cover medical costs, funeral and burial costs, loss of quality of life, and suffering and pain.

Our attorneys are involved in the mass litigation of toxic torts at a national, regional and local level. We are well-versed in the unique issues and complex scientific aspects that are associated with asbestos compensation cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos fibers can be deadly and can cause serious medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is adept at handling asbestos lawsuits that seek financial compensation for victims and their families for exposure to this toxic substance. These cases can be extremely complex and therefore it is essential to have a mesothelioma expert law firm by 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 have been more lawsuits against asbestos producers in the past than ever before. These cases are the result of the realization that asbestos can cause illnesses such as mesothelioma or lung cancer. These companies knew of the dangers of the asbestos-containing mineral, yet they didn't warn their employees and consumers.

The New York City area is particularly susceptible to asbestos-related ailments because of its older structures and a myriad of construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic place that continues to have an impact on the community around it.

Many workers were exposed asbestos in the workplace. Exposure to asbestos from the outside can result in mesothelioma. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposed workers who wore their husband's work clothes and came in contact with Asbestos Lawsuit dust on a regular basis.

The mesothelioma lawsuit can be costly for defendants. This is particularly relevant if they've been wrongly named as defendants. A study shows that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could rise. Specialized asbestos law firms typically advertise on daytime TV and encourage victims to file claims with the promise that they will receive significant settlements.

The defendants might be able to reduce some of the costs of these cases by arguing that their policies are in a lapse or that they are only responsible a small portion of the claim value. New York law does not have a specific rule for how to distribute responsibility when the alleged exposure is of the insurer's policies.

Asbestos-related diseases

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

Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal disease is caused by asbestos fibers which collect 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 in the lungs, known as asbestosis. It can also lead to thickened pleura patches (pleural plaques) or a more extensive fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis could decrease lung capacity, as determined by a breathing test. They can also cause pain and difficulties in breathing, however they do not lead mesothelioma or cancer.

The symptoms of asbestos-related diseases typically are not evident until years after initial exposure. This is due to the fact that it can take between 20 to 50 years for exposure to asbestos fibers to damage the lungs. People who are at risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related conditions include workers who handled, washed and removed asbestos-containing products from the workplace and their spouses and children of those who were exposed to asbestos.

Other asbestos-related illnesses, in addition to mesothelioma, include laryngeal cancer and lung cancer as well as peritoneal, ovarian and peritoneal cancer. The most deadly form of mesothelioma is called ovarian cancer, but it's less frequent than the general mesothelioma. It is diagnosed later than other mesothelioma types, because it occurs in the linings of reproductive organs. The symptoms may be similar to other illnesses.

There were many companies that employed asbestos in the 20th century, but they knew that it was dangerous. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos because they failed to remove it from their products. Now, those exposed have the right to sue for financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies have filed for bankruptcy. The victims can now seek compensation from trust funds established by bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

Asbestos companies have put profits before the safety of their workers and consumers for decades creating dangerous products without warning about the risks. These companies are now confronting the consequences of their carelessness. Patients who have suffered asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and complete settlement.

The lawyers at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to assisting families and individuals receive the justice they need. Our attorneys have more than 25 years of experience and have assisted our clients to receive millions of dollars in compensation. Our New York mesothelioma attorneys work to hold corporations accountable and seek the highest amount of compensation for their clients.

Many states have set up special asbestos courts where claims can be filed and resolved more efficiently. Judges have also developed specific procedures to assess and resolve asbestos-related cases.

New York, a state which has its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL) is one of them. The number of cases in this court has increased steadily, as more and more asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent former asbestos defendants who have become bankrupt. The New York Supreme Court created an extra judicial board to oversee NYCAL in order to keep the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.

A panel comprised of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine if it is accepted or not. Judges will also evaluate the merits of every claim to determine how much amount of money each plaintiff should receive.

At present, the panel is studying more than 3,500 lawsuits. The panel is expected issue its final decision by the end of this year.

New York asbestos lawsuits are typically complex and often involve multiple defendants. Belluck and Fox's lawyers have vast experience in litigating these complex cases. They are familiar with the rules regulations, policies, and procedures 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 throughout the nation in complex, multi-district litigation. In this capacity, lawyers create strategies, coordinate and oversee regional and local counsel and ensure cost-effective and consistent defenses for each client. They have worked closely with coordinating and trial judges and special masters of litigation in various jurisdictions in which they were involved in asbestos litigation.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will decide which strategy is most effective to defend the client against an injury claim that involves asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises manufacturers, suppliers and contractors, distributors and owners of premises on matters concerning mesothelioma-related claims, lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm also assists clients to create internal programs for identifying and addressing any 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 capacity Bowles Rice formulates litigation strategies and oversees regional and local counsel to ensure a uniform and cost-effective defense that is in line with the client's needs. Additionally it plays a crucial part in the administration of asbestos dockets as well as negotiations with plaintiffs' counsel and lead discovery for its clients.

The firm's lawyers have extensive trial and appellate experience in defending clients against claims made by injured claimants, such as those who claim mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are acquainted with the complex science associated with these cases, and the unique legal issues that arise when defending businesses before federal and state courts across the United States.

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

While at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those involving respondents to the asbestos claim Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files contained SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports), which contained confidential information about plaintiffs, including medical reports, work histories and an inventory of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs worked with or around. Vogel required an account password to access the files. She was then able to go through any SEAR forms from her current employer.

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