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 whose financial security has been affected due to exposure to the hazardous mineral. Compensation can cover medical expenses funeral and burial costs, pain and suffering, and lost quality of life.
Our lawyers are involved in mass toxic tort litigation on a national, regional and local scale. As as such, we are acquainted with the particular issues and complex science associated asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos fibers are dangerous and can trigger serious medical conditions such as mesothelioma. A New York
asbestos lawyer is experienced in dealing with asbestos lawsuits, which seek financial compensation for victims and their families who have been exposed to this toxic substance. These cases can be complex and therefore it is essential to have a mesothelioma lawyer to assist you.
New York has had a long history of asbestos litigation, and many residents were exposed to the dangerous material. In recent years, there have been more lawsuits filed against asbestos producers from the past than before. These cases arise out of the realization that asbestos is associated with illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer. These companies were aware of the dangers associated with the dangerous mineral, but they failed to warn their employees and consumers.
The New York City area is particularly susceptible to
asbestos settlement-related ailments due to its older structures and a myriad of construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously toxic area that continues affect the community around it.
Many workers were exposed asbestos at work. In addition, exposure to asbestos through secondhand sources can result in mesothelioma. This includes spouses who wear their husband's clothes to work and come into contact with asbestos dust on a regular basis.
The mesothelioma lawsuit can be costly for defendants. This is particularly 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 rise. This niche litigation is often fueled by specialized asbestos law firms that promote on television during the day and encourage victims to file claims, with the promise of large settlements.
The defendants may be able lower some of the costs arising from these cases by argument that their policy terms have expired or they're only responsible for a tiny portion of the claim value. New York law does not have a specific rule for how to divide liability when the alleged exposure is within and part outside of the insurance policies.
Asbestos-Related Illnesses
Exposure to
asbestos compensation can cause various illnesses. The most severe condition is mesothelioma. Mesothelioma has led to the deaths of many people. Other asbestos-related illnesses include asbestosis and lung cancer. Pleural plaques and effusion are also asbestos-related.
Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal illness caused by exposure to asbestos fibers that accumulate in the lungs, and can cause irritation to the lining of the chest cavity, ribcage and abdominal cavity (the pleura). Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause scarring of the lungs, known as asbestosis. It can also lead to thickened patches of pleura (pleural plaques) or an increase in fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis can decrease lung capacity, as determined by a breathing test. They can also cause pain and difficulties in breathing, however they are not the cause of mesothelioma or cancer.
Often, symptoms of asbestos-related diseases do not show up until decades after the initial exposure. It could take up to 50 years for asbestos fibers inhaled to cause lung damage. Workers who handled, cleaned, and removed asbestos from the workplace and their children, spouses and other people who are exposed to asbestos are at risk for developing mesothelioma.
As well as mesothelioma, other asbestos-related illnesses include laryngeal cancer, lung cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma and ovarian mesothelioma. Ovarian cancer is the most fatal form of mesothelioma for women, but it is less common than mesothelioma general. It is diagnosed later than other types of mesothelioma, because it is found in the linings of reproductive organs. The symptoms may be similar to other diseases.
Many companies employed asbestos during the 20th century. They knew it was a risk. When they did not remove asbestos from their products, thousands of people were exposed. Now, these people are able to seek financial compensation. Many of the asbestos-related manufacturers have declared bankruptcy. As a result, the victims can seek the money they are entitled to from trust funds set up by the bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
Asbestos-related companies have put profit over the safety of their workers and customers for a long time, producing hazardous products without warning about the risks. These companies are now confronting the consequences of their carelessness. People who's lives have been affected by mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases are seeking fair and full settlement.
The attorneys at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to helping families and individuals obtain the justice they deserve. With more than 25 years of experience in the field, we have secured a million 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.
Many states have established special asbestos courts, where claims can be filed more efficiently. Additionally judges have created specific procedures for evaluating and resolving asbestos cases.
New York, a state that has its own
asbestos compensation court (known as NYCAL) is one of them. The number of cases in this court has grown steadily, as more and more asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants who have gone bankrupt. The New York Supreme Court created a special judicial board to supervise NYCAL in order to prevent the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.
A panel comprised of six Supreme Court judges will review every case in NYCAL to determine whether or not to accept it. Judges will also consider the merits of each claim to determine the amount of amount of money each plaintiff should receive.
The panel is currently reviewing more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected issue its final ruling by the end of this year.
New York asbestos lawsuits can be complex and involve several defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience in the litigation of these difficult matters. They are well-versed in the asbestos courts of New York, including their rules, regulations and policies in addition to other jurisdictions where they have handled multi-district litigation.
The firm also has vast experience as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients nationwide in multi-district, complex litigation. In this capacity, lawyers develop strategies, coordinate and oversee local and regional counsel, and ensure cost-effective and consistent defenses for every client. They have worked closely in the past with trial judges, coordination judges, and special masters of litigation from different jurisdictions.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will determine which strategy is most effective to defend the client in an injury claim that involves asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels product manufacturers, suppliers contractors, distributors, contractors and premises owners in cases involving claims for mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm collaborates with clients to develop internal programs to 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 formulates litigation strategies and manages local and region counsel to ensure a uniform 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 in negotiations with plaintiffs' lawyers and leading discovery for its client.
The firm's lawyers have experience in defending clients against mesothelioma-related claims and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense lawyers are familiar with complex science involved in these cases, as well as specific legal issues that arise when 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 and product liability personal injury lawsuits as well as in consolidated cases that involve multiple claimants. She has substantial experience litigating asbestos-related cases before state and federal courts, as well as before a variety of supreme and appellate court bodies.
While at Brobeck, Vogel worked on
asbestos Claim 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, work history and a list of asbestos products that the plaintiff worked with or around. Vogel was required to have access to these files and could look over the SEAR forms of any case with her current employer.
The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to its vast experience in trial and appellate work, is widely acclaimed for its ability to successfully negotiate settlements for its clients. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs' lawyers to draft and implement settlement agreements. It also has a wealth of experience in defending businesses against appeals.
