An Asbestos Defense Attorney Can Help Protect the Financial Security of Those Harmed by Exposure to This Harmful Mineral
An asbestos defense lawyer can protect the financial security of those who have been affected by exposure to this toxic 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. As a result, we are well-versed in the unique issues and complex scientific aspects associated with asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos fibers are deadly and can cause serious medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York
asbestos lawyer is experienced in handling
asbestos lawsuits which seek compensation for victims and their families due to exposure to this harmful substance. These cases can be complex and it is crucial 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 the dangerous substance. In recent years there have been more lawsuits filed against asbestos producers in the past than ever before. These cases are the result of the recognition that asbestos can cause illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer. The companies were aware of asbestos's dangers however, they failed to inform the employees and the public.
New York City is especially susceptible to illnesses caused by asbestos due to its old structures and construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic location that continues to have an impact on the community around it.
Many workers were exposed to asbestos in their work environments. However, some people are diagnosed with mesothelioma after experiencing an exposure secondarily to the harmful substances. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposed workers who wore their husband's work clothes and came into contact with asbestos dust on a regular basis.
The litigation associated with mesothelioma can be expensive for defendants, especially if they are wrongfully named as defendants. According to an investigation, more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed in New York courts since 2014 and the number could increase even more. Specialized asbestos law firms often advertise on daytime TV and encourage victims to file claims with the promise that they will receive significant settlements.
The defendants could be able to reduce the cost of these cases by arguing that their policy periods are overdue or that they are only responsible a small portion of the claim value. New York law does not provide a definitive rule on how to allocate the liability if the alleged exposure is part of the insurer's policies.
Asbestos-related diseases
A wide range of asbestos-related illnesses can develop because of exposure to the mineral that causes cancer. The mesothelioma disease is the most severe. Mesothelioma has led to the deaths of many people. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques and pleural effusion.
Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal illness that is caused by exposure to asbestos fibers that accumulate in the lungs, and can cause irritation to the lining of the ribcage, chest cavity, and abdominal cavity (the the pleura). Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause scarring in the lungs. This is called asbestosis. It can also result in thickened patches of pleura (pleural plaques) or an increased fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis can decrease lung capacity, as measured by breathing test. They can also cause pain and discomfort in breathing, however they do not lead mesothelioma or cancer.
The symptoms of asbestos-related diseases typically are not evident until years after exposure. It could take up to 50 years for asbestos-related fibers to be inhaled to cause lung damage. The people at risk of developing mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related diseases include those who handled, laundered and removed asbestos-containing materials from their workplaces, as well as spouses and children of those exposed to asbestos.
Other asbestos-related diseases, in addition to mesothelioma, include laryngeal cancer and lung cancer and peritoneal, ovarian and peritoneal cancer. The most dangerous mesothelioma type is ovarian cancer, but it's less frequent than the general mesothelioma. It is often diagnosed later than other types of mesothelioma due to the fact that it develops in the lining of the reproductive organs and symptoms can be similar to those of other diseases.
Several companies used asbestos during the 20th century. They knew it was a risk. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos if they didn't eliminate asbestos from their products. These people can now sue for financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are bankrupt. As a result, the victims are able to seek the compensation they deserve from the trust funds established by the bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
For decades, asbestos companies have placed profits over the safety of their employees as well as consumers, manufacturing hazardous products, without warning of the risks. These companies are now paying the price for their inattention to. People who have suffered from asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and complete compensation.
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 helped our clients receive millions of dollars of compensation. Our New York mesothelioma attorneys work to hold large corporations accountable and obtain the maximum amount of compensation for our clients.
A number of states have set up
asbestos case courts with specialization, where claims can be filed more efficiently. Judges have also created specialized procedures to evaluate and resolve such cases.
New York is one such state that has its own asbestos court, known as NYCAL. As asbestos victims continue to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants that have declared bankruptcy the number of cases that have come through this special court has been steadily increasing. 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 composed of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine whether it should be accepted or rejected. Judges will also assess the merits of each case to determine how much a plaintiff should receive.
The panel is currently reviewing more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to issue its final decision by the end of the year.
New York asbestos lawsuits can be complicated 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 and their rules regulations, policies and guidelines in addition to other jurisdictions in which they have handled multi-district litigation.
The firm also has extensive experience serving as National Coordinating Counsel in
asbestos litigation, representing clients nationwide in complex, multi-district litigation. In this role lawyers devise strategies, manage local and regional counsel and ensure that they are able to provide consistent and effective defenses for clients. They have collaborated closely with trial and coordination judges and special masters of litigation in various jurisdictions in which they have been involved in asbestos litigation.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A knowledgeable Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best way to defend a client from a claim for personal injury resulting from asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises manufacturers, suppliers and contractors, distributors and premises owners on matters concerning mesothelioma-related claims, lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm also works with clients to create internal programs for identifying and addressing potential safety and liability concerns.
In addition to its national asbestos practice, Bowles Rice serves as national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this role the firm formulates strategies for litigation, oversees local and regional counsel, and provides a cost-effective and consistent defense in coordination with the client's goals. It also plays a major role in the administration and management of asbestos dockets, as well as negotiations with plaintiffs' lawyers and in coordinating discovery for its clients.
The firm's attorneys are experienced in defending clients against mesothelioma-related claims and other asbestos-related illnesses. Asbestos defense lawyers are acquainted with the intricate research and technology involved in these cases, as and specific legal issues that arise when defending companies before state and federal courts throughout the United States.
Catherine has represented numerous manufacturers in asbestos and products liability personal injury cases, representing them as the lead trial counsel in consolidated trials that involved multiple plaintiffs. She has a wealth of experience litigating asbestos-related lawsuits in federal and state courts, as well as a variety of Supreme Court and appellate courts.
During her tenure at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos cases for respondents, including those at the Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The case files included SEAR forms (Short Evaluative reports that are encapsulated) that contained confidential data about the plaintiffs. These included medical reports, work histories, and a list asbestos products that plaintiffs used or worked near. Vogel was required to use an account password to access these files and could review the SEAR forms of any case with her current employer.
The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to its extensive experience in appellate and trial work, is widely acclaimed for its ability to successfully negotiate settlements for clients. In this capacity, the company works closely with the lawyers of plaintiffs in the preparation and execution of settlement agreements. Additionally, it has extensive experience defending companies against appeals.
