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

A lawyer who is a defense attorney for asbestos can assist those who's financial security was affected due to exposure to the hazardous mineral. Compensation may cover medical costs funeral and burial costs as well as pain and suffering and lost quality of life.

Our lawyers are local, regional and national counsel in mass toxic tort litigation. As such, we are familiar with the specific issues and complex science associated asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos is a dangerous fiber that can trigger a variety of severe medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney is adept at handling lawsuits seeking the financial compensation of those affected by asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be complex and it's crucial to have a mesothelioma attorney 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 against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases stem from the recognition of a connection between asbestos and certain diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. These companies were aware of the dangers of the hazardous mineral, but did not warn their employees and clients.

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

Many workers were exposed asbestos at work. However, some people are diagnosed with mesothelioma after experiencing exposure to harmful substances. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposure workers who had their husbands' work clothes and came into contact with asbestos dust on a regular basis.

The mesothelioma litigation is costly for defendants, especially when they are mistakenly identified as a defendant. According to a study, more that 3,600 lawsuits 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 with the promise that they will receive significant settlements.

Defendants might be able to mitigate some of the expenses arising from these cases by asserting that their policy periods expire or they are only accountable for a small percentage of the total value of the claim. However, New York law has not established a clear rule regarding how to allocate liabilities when the alleged exposure occurs in and out of the insurer's policy periods.

Asbestos-related diseases

A wide range of asbestos-related illnesses can be triggered because of exposure to the toxic mineral. The condition known as mesothelioma is the most serious. Mesothelioma is the cause of death of many people. Other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques, and the 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 pleura). Inhaling these fibers can lead to scarring of the lungs, called asbestosis. It can also lead to thickened pleura patches (pleural plaques) or an increase in fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrosis reduce lung capacity as determined by breathing tests. They can also cause discomfort and breathing difficulties, though they do not cause mesothelioma or cancer.

Often, symptoms of asbestos-related illnesses don't manifest until decades after 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 their workplaces and their children, spouses and other people who are exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing mesothelioma.

In addition to mesothelioma, other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma, and mesothelioma ovarian. Ovarian cancer is among the most deadly form of mesothelioma for women however it is much less common than mesothelioma in general. It is typically diagnosed later than other types of mesothelioma because it is a cancer that develops in the lining of the reproductive organs, and the symptoms may be similar to symptoms of other illnesses.

A number of companies used asbestos in the 20th century, however they knew that it was a risk. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos if they didn't remove asbestos from their products. These people can now claim financial compensation. A lot of asbestos-related manufacturers have filed for bankruptcy. In the aftermath, victims can seek the money they are entitled to from trust funds established by the bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

Asbestos-related companies have put profit before the safety of their workers and consumers for decades creating dangerous products without warning of the dangers. They are now paying the price for their carelessness. Victims of asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and complete settlement.

Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals obtain 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 the maximum amount of compensation for our clients.

A number of states have set up asbestos courts that are specifically designed so that claims can be filed more efficiently. Judges have also established special procedures to review and resolve these cases.

New York is one such state that has its own asbestos settlement court, known as NYCAL. As asbestos claim victims continue to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants who have declared bankruptcy, the caseload of this special court has steadily increased. The New York Supreme Court created an extra judicial board to oversee NYCAL to stop the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.

A panel comprised of six Supreme Court judges will review each case in NYCAL to determine whether to accept or reject it. Judges will also consider the merits of each case to determine the amount the plaintiff is entitled to.

At present, the panel is studying more than 3,500 lawsuits. The panel is expected issue its final decision before the end of the year.

New York asbestos lawsuits can be complicated and can involve several defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience in the litigation of these complex cases. They are familiar with the rules regulations, rules, and policies of the asbestos courts in New York, as well as the laws of other jurisdictions where they have handled multidistrict litigation.

The firm has also extensive experience as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in multidistrict litigation that is complex and complex. In this capacity, lawyers develop strategies, coordinate and oversee 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 different jurisdictions.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will determine what strategy is best to defend the client against an injury claim that involves asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels product manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, contractors and owners of premises in matters involving claims of mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm collaborates with clients on developing internal programs to determine and address potential safety and liability issues.

In addition to its national asbestos practice, Bowles Rice serves as national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos attorney litigation. In this capacity Bowles Rice devises litigation strategies and manages regional and local counsel to ensure a uniform and cost-effective defence in coordination with the client's objectives. It also plays a major role in the administration and management of asbestos dockets, as well in negotiations with plaintiffs' lawyers and coordinating discovery for its clients.

The firm's attorneys have a wealth of trial and appellate experience defending clients from claims brought by injured claimants, which includes those claiming mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense lawyers are familiar with complex science involved in these cases as well as particular legal issues that arise when defending companies before federal and state courts across the United States.

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

During her time at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those involving respondents in the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The cases files included SEAR forms (Short encapsulated Evaluative reports) that contained confidential information about claimants. These included medical reports and work histories, as well as the list of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs worked with or near. Vogel required a password in order to access the files. She was then able to look over any SEAR forms from her current employer.

The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to its extensive experience in appellate and trial work, is nationally recognized for its ability to successfully negotiate settlements for its clients. In this capacity, the firm collaborates closely with lawyers representing plaintiffs in the development and execution of settlement agreements, and it has extensive experience defending companies against appeals.