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

A defense attorney for asbestos can assist those who's financial security was affected by exposure to the toxic mineral. Compensation can cover medical costs funeral and burial expenses as well as pain and suffering and the loss of quality of life.

Our lawyers are involved in mass toxic tort litigation on a regional, national and local level. We are familiarized with the unique issues and complex aspects of science of asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos fibers can be deadly and can cause serious medical conditions like mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is adept at 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's crucial to have a mesothelioma lawyer to assist you.

New York has had a long history of asbestos compensation litigation. Many residents were exposed to this dangerous substance. In recent times, there have been more lawsuits against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases are a result of the recognition of a link between asbestos and diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer and asbestosis. These companies were aware asbestos's dangers, but failed to warn the employees and the public.

New York City is especially vulnerable to illnesses caused by asbestos because of its old structures and many construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic location that continues to impact on the community around it.

Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos directly, and many workers were exposed to it at work. In addition, exposure to asbestos through secondhand sources can result in mesothelioma. This includes spouses who wear husband's clothes at work and come in contact with asbestos dust regularly.

The mesothelioma lawsuit can be costly for defendants. This is particularly true if they have been incorrectly identified as defendants. According to a study, more that 3,600 claims have been filed in New York courts since 2014 and the number is expected to rise further. This niche litigation is often driven by asbestos law firms, which advertise on daytime TV and entice victims to file claims, with the promise of substantial settlements.

The defendants may be able reduce some of the costs of these cases by arguing their policy periods are expired or that they are only responsible for a small portion of the value of the claim. However, New York law has not established a clear rule on how to allocate liability when the alleged exposure occurs partly in and out of the policy period of the insurer.

Asbestos-related diseases

A myriad of asbestos-related illnesses can develop due to exposure to the toxic mineral. The mesothelioma disease is the most serious. Many have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related illnesses include asbestosis and lung cancer. Pleural plaques and pleural effusion are also asbestos-related.

Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal illness that is caused by exposure to asbestos fibers which accumulate in the lungs and irritate the lining of the ribcage, chest cavity, and abdominal cavity (the the pleura). Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause scarring in the lungs, called asbestosis. It can also result in thickened patches of pleura (pleural plaques) or an increase in fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis could reduce lung capacity as measured by a breath test. They can also cause discomfort and breathing difficulties, though they do not cause mesothelioma or cancer.

Often, symptoms of asbestos-related diseases don't show up until decades after the initial exposure. It can take as long as 50 years for asbestos fibers inhaled to cause lung damage. Workers who handled, cleaned, and removed asbestos from their workplaces and their children, spouses, and others exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing mesothelioma.

As well as mesothelioma, other asbestos-related illnesses include laryngeal cancer, lung cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma and mesothelioma ovarian. Ovarian cancer is among the most deadly mesothelioma type for women however it is much less prevalent than mesothelioma in general. It is diagnosed later than most other types of mesothelioma, because it occurs in the linings of the reproductive organs. Symptoms can be similar to other illnesses.

A number of companies used asbestos in the 20th century. They were aware that it was dangerous. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos if they failed to remove it from their products. These people now are able to claim financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are insolvent. In the aftermath, victims are able to seek the compensation they deserve from the trust funds established by the bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

Asbestos companies have put profits over the safety of their employees and consumers for decades creating dangerous products without warning about the risks. These companies are now paying for their carelessness. Patients who have suffered asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and full compensation.

The attorneys 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 to secure the highest amount of compensation for their clients.

Many states have created asbestos courts with specialization, where claims can be filed more efficiently. Judges have also developed specific procedures to assess and resolve asbestos-related cases.

New York, a state with 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 supervise NYCAL to stop the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.

A panel composed of six Supreme Court judges will review each case in NYCAL to determine whether to accept or reject it. Judges will also assess the merits of each case to decide how much money the plaintiff is entitled to.

Currently, the panel is looking into more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected issue its final ruling at the end of this year.

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

The firm also has vast experience in serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients nationwide in multi-district litigation that is complex and complex. In this capacity lawyers formulate strategies, oversee regional and local counsel, and ensure consistent and efficient defenses for clients. They have worked closely with trial and coordination judges and special masters of litigation in various jurisdictions where they have been involved in asbestos case litigation.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will decide which strategy is the best way to defend the client from an injury claim that involves asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, contractors, and premises owners on matters involving mesothelioma claims, lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm works with clients to develop internal programs to identify 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 role, the firm develops strategies for litigation, oversees regional and local counsel and achieves consistent and cost-effective defense in coordination with client goals. It also plays a major part in the administration and management of asbestos dockets as well in negotiations with plaintiffs' lawyers and in coordinating discovery for its client.

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

Catherine has represented a variety of manufacturers as the 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 substantial experience litigating asbestos-related cases before state and federal courts and before a variety of supreme and appellate court bodies.

During her time at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos cases for respondents, including the Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The case files included SEAR forms (Short Evaluative Reports Encapsulated) that contained confidential information about plaintiffs. These included medical reports as well as work histories and an inventory of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs worked with or near. Vogel was required to use access to these files and could look over the SEAR forms of any case she had with her current employer.

In addition to its extensive trial and appellate experience as well as its vast trial and appellate experience, the Bowles Rice Asbestos Team is acknowledged nationally for its ability to negotiate settlements on behalf of its clients. In this capacity, the company works closely with lawyers representing plaintiffs in the development and execution of settlement agreements, and it has extensive experience in defending businesses against appeals.