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 can cover medical costs funeral and burial costs, loss of quality of life, as well as suffering and pain.

Our attorneys are involved in mass toxic tort litigation on a national, regional and local scale. As such, we are familiar with the unique issues and complicated science associated asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos fibers are dangerous and can cause severe medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney is skilled in handling lawsuits seeking financial compensation for those who have suffered from asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be complicated and therefore it is essential to have a mesothelioma lawyer to assist you.

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 filed against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases are the result of the realization that asbestos is associated with diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. These companies were aware the dangers that asbestos posed but did not take the time to warn their employees and customers.

New York City is especially susceptible to illnesses caused by asbestos because of its old structures and many construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic place that continues to have an impact on the surrounding community.

Many workers were exposed to asbestos in the workplace. However, people also get diagnosed with mesothelioma after experiencing exposure to harmful substances. This includes spouses who wear their husband's clothes to work and come into contact with asbestos dust on a regular basis.

The mesothelioma litigation can be costly for defendants, particularly when they are mistakenly identified 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 increase further. Specialized asbestos law firms typically advertise on TV during the day and encourage victims to file claims, promising 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 for only a small percentage of the value of the claim. However, New York law has not established a clear rule regarding how to allocate liabilities when the alleged exposure occurs partly within and outside the insurer's policy periods.

Asbestos-Related Illnesses

A myriad of asbestos-related diseases can develop because of exposure to the harmful mineral. The most serious condition is mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is the cause of death of many people. 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 collect in the lungs and irritate the lining of the chest cavity, ribcage, and abdominal cavity (the pleura). Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause scarring in the lungs. This is known as asbestosis. It can also cause thickened patches of pleura (pleural plaques) or an increased fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis may reduce lung capacity, as measured by breathing test. They can also cause discomfort and breathing difficulties, though they do not cause mesothelioma or cancer.

Most of the time, symptoms of asbestos-related diseases do not show up until decades after the initial exposure. This is due to the fact that it can take between 20 and 50 years for the inhalation of asbestos-containing fibers to damage the lungs. Workers who handled, cleaned and removed asbestos from their workplaces as well as children, spouses and other people who are exposed to asbestos are at risk for developing mesothelioma.

In addition to mesothelioma, other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma and ovarian mesothelioma. Ovarian cancer is the deadliest form of mesothelioma for women however, it is much less common than mesothelioma general. It is diagnosed later than other mesothelioma types, because it is found in the linings of reproductive organs. The symptoms may be similar to those of other illnesses.

Several companies used asbestos during the 20th century. They knew it was hazardous. If they didn't remove asbestos from their products, thousands of people were exposed. These people can now sue for financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are insolvent. This means that the victims can seek the compensation they are entitled to from trust funds set up by the bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

For decades, asbestos case companies have put profits ahead of the safety of their employees and consumers, producing dangerous products, without warning of the risks. These companies are now paying the price for their carelessness. People who's lives have been affected by mesothelioma and lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses are seeking full and fair compensation.

Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals receive the justice they deserve. With more than 25 years of experience and accomplishments, we have secured millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. Our New York mesothelioma lawyers work to hold large corporations responsible accountable and to secure the highest amount of compensation for our clients.

A number of states have established special asbestos courts where claims can be filed and resolving more efficiently. Judges have also developed specific procedures to assess and resolve such cases.

New York is one such state that has its own asbestos court, known as NYCAL. The caseload in this specialty court has increased steadily, as asbestos victims are becoming more and more likely to seek compensation from solvent asbestos claim defendants who have become bankrupt. In order to ensure that the justice system does not get overwhelmed, the New York Supreme Court has created a special judicial panel to oversee NYCAL.

A panel of six Supreme Court judges will review each case in NYCAL to decide whether or not to take it up with it. Judges will also evaluate the merits of each case to determine how much a plaintiff should receive.

The panel is currently reviewing more than 3,500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to issue its final decision before the end of this year.

New York asbestos lawsuits can be complicated and involve multiple defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience in the litigation of these complex matters. They are familiar with New York's asbestos courts as well as their rules regulations, policies and guidelines, as well as other jurisdictions where they have handled multi-district litigation.

The firm also has vast experience as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation; check out your url,, representing clients across the country in complex, multi-district litigation. In this role, attorneys create strategies, coordinate and oversee regional and local counsel, and ensure consistent and cost-effective defenses for each client. They have worked closely with coordinating and trial judges and special masters of litigation in various jurisdictions in which they have been involved in asbestos litigation.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A skilled Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best way to defend a client from an asbestos personal injury claim. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels suppliers, manufacturers contractors, distributors, contractors and property owners on matters involving claims of mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm works with clients in the development of internal programs to determine and deal with potential liability and safety issues.

In addition to its national asbestos practice, Bowles Rice serves as national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this capacity the firm formulates strategies for litigation, oversees regional and local counsel, and ensures a consistent and cost-effective defense in coordination with the client's goals. It also plays a significant part in the administration and management of asbestos dockets as well as negotiations with plaintiffs' lawyers and leading discovery for its clients.

The firm's lawyers have experience in defending clients from claims of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are familiar with the complex research and technology involved in these cases, as well as unique legal issues that arise when representing companies in federal and state courts across the United States.

Catherine has defended numerous companies in asbestos and products liability personal injury cases, representing them as the lead trial counsel in consolidated trials involving a variety of plaintiffs. She has a wealth of experience litigating asbestos-related lawsuits before the federal and state courts, as well as a variety of Supreme Court and appellate bodies.

During her time at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those involving respondents of the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The cases files included SEAR forms (Short encapsulated Evaluative reports), which contained confidential information about the claimants. The files contained medical reports as well as work histories and a list asbestos products that plaintiffs used or worked near. Vogel was required to have a password to access these files and could look over the SEAR forms of any case she had 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 reach settlements on behalf of its clients. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs' lawyers to create and implement settlement agreements. The firm also has extensive experience in defending businesses against appeals.