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 by exposure to this harmful mineral. Compensation could cover medical expenses funeral and burial costs, loss of quality of life, as well as suffering and pain.
Our attorneys 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 cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
asbestos settlement fibers are dangerous and can trigger serious medical conditions like mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is skilled in handling asbestos lawsuits that seek financial compensation for the victims and their families who have been exposed to this harmful substance. These cases can be complex, and it is critical to have a mesothelioma expert law firm on your side.
New York has a long history of asbestos litigation, and many residents have been exposed to this hazardous substance. In recent years there have been more lawsuits against former asbestos manufacturers than ever before. These cases arise out of the realization that asbestos is associated with diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. These companies were aware asbestos' dangers, but failed to warn the employees and the public.
The New York City area is particularly susceptible to asbestos-related ailments because of its older structures and the numerous construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously toxic area that continues affect the surrounding community.
Many workers were exposed to asbestos in the workplace. Secondhand exposure can also cause mesothelioma. This includes spouses who wear their husband's clothing to work and come into contact with asbestos dust regularly.
The mesothelioma lawsuit can be costly for defendants, especially if they are wrongfully named as a defendant. A study indicates that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could rise. This type of litigation is typically driven by
asbestos law firms that promote on television during the day 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 that their policies are in a lapse or that they are only responsible only for a small proportion of the claim value. However, New York law has not provided a definitive rule on how to divide liabilities when the alleged exposure occurs partly outside of the policy period of the insurer.
Asbestos-related Illnesses
Exposure to
asbestos attorney can trigger many different diseases. The most severe condition is mesothelioma. Many people have died due to mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques and pleural effusion.
Mesothelioma, a rare, but fatal disease is caused by
asbestos attorney fibers which are found in the lung. They then cause irritation to the linings of the ribcage (the the pleura), chest cavity, and abdominal cavity. Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause scarring of the lungs, called asbestosis. It can also lead to thickened patches of pleura (pleural plaques) or an increase in fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis could reduce lung capacity as measured by breathing test. They can also cause pain and difficulty in breathing, but they do not lead mesothelioma or cancer.
The symptoms of asbestos-related diseases typically don't manifest until decades after initial exposure. It can take up to 50 years for asbestos fibers inhaled to cause lung damage. People who are at risk of developing mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related ailments include those who handled, cleaned and removed asbestos-containing materials from their workplaces and spouses and children of those who were exposed to asbestos.
Other asbestos-related illnesses, apart from 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 common than the general mesothelioma. It is often diagnosed later than other forms of mesothelioma because it develops in the lining of the reproductive organs and the symptoms can be similar to those of other diseases.
There were many companies that employed asbestos in the 20th century, however they knew that it was hazardous. When they did not remove it from their products, thousands of people were exposed. Now, those exposed are able to claim financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are insolvent. In the aftermath, victims can seek the compensation they are entitled to from trust funds set up by the bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
Asbestos companies have put profit before the safety of their employees and consumers for decades creating dangerous products without warning of the dangers. They are now facing the consequences of their negligence. People whose lives have been disrupted by mesothelioma and lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses are seeking fair and full compensation.
The lawyers at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to helping individuals and families get 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 established special asbestos courts where claims can be filed and resolved more efficiently. Judges have also created specific procedures to assess and resolve these cases.
New York, a state with its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL) is one of the states. The number of cases filed in this court has increased steadily, as asbestos victims are becoming more and more likely to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants who have become bankrupt. To ensure that the justice system does not get overloaded, the New York Supreme Court has established an additional judicial panel that will oversee NYCAL.
A panel comprised of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine whether it should be accepted or not. Judges will also evaluate the merits of each claim to determine the amount of the plaintiff's compensation should be.
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 are usually complex and involve allegations of several defendants. Belluck and Fox's lawyers have vast experience in the litigation of these difficult cases. They are well-versed in the rules, regulations, and policies of the asbestos courts in New York, as well as the laws of other jurisdictions in which they have handled multidistrict litigation.
The firm also has extensive experience serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients across the country in complex, multi-district litigation. In this capacity, lawyers develop strategies, coordinate and manage regional and local counsel and ensure cost-effective, consistent defenses for each client. They have worked closely in the past with trial judges, coordination judges, and special masters of litigation from various jurisdictions.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A Tulsa
asbestos lawyer will determine which strategy is the best way to defend the client against a personal injury claim involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises manufacturers, suppliers and distributors, contractors, and property owners on issues involving mesothelioma claims, lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm works with clients on developing internal programs to deal with potential liability and safety issues.
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 role the firm formulates litigation strategies, supervises regional and local counsel and provides a cost-effective and consistent defense, in line with the client's goals. It also plays a major part in the administration and management of asbestos dockets as well as negotiations with plaintiffs' attorneys and leading discovery for its clients.
The firm's lawyers are skilled in defending clients from mesothelioma claims and other asbestos-related illnesses. Asbestos defense attorneys are acquainted with the complex science that is associated with these cases, as well as the unique legal issues that arise when defending businesses before federal and state courts across the United States.
Catherine has defended numerous manufacturers in asbestos and product liability personal injury cases, acting as the lead trial counsel in consolidated trials involving a variety of plaintiffs. She has extensive experience in arguing 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 involving respondents to the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The cases files included SEAR forms (Short encapsulated Evaluative reports) that contained confidential data about the plaintiffs. These included medical reports and work histories, as well as an inventory of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs worked with or near. Vogel was required to use a password to access these files and could review the SEAR forms of any case with her current employer.
In addition to its extensive trial and appellate experience, the Bowles Rice Asbestos Team is well-known throughout the country for its ability to negotiate settlements on behalf of its clients. In this capacity, the company collaborates with lawyers representing plaintiffs in the development and execution of settlement agreements. It also has extensive experience defending companies against appeals.
