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 may cover medical costs, funeral and burial expenses as well as pain and suffering and lost quality of life.

Our attorneys are involved in the mass litigation of toxic torts at a national, regional and local level. This means that we are well-versed in the unique issues and complex scientific aspects that are associated with asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos is a deadly fiber that can trigger various serious medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is skilled in handling asbestos lawsuits that seek financial compensation for the victims and their families for exposure to this toxic substance. These cases can be complex and it is crucial to have a mesothelioma expert lawyer 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 producers than ever before. These cases result from the recognition of a connection between asbestos and diseases like mesothelioma and lung cancer and asbestosis. These companies were aware of the dangers of the asbestos-containing mineral, yet they did not inform their employees and customers.

The New York City area is particularly susceptible to asbestos-related illnesses due to its older structures and numerous construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously toxic area that continues to affect the surrounding community.

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

Mesothelioma-related litigation can be expensive for defendants. This is particularly true if they have been incorrectly identified as defendants. According to an investigation, more than 3,600 claims have been filed in New York courts since 2014, and the number could increase even more. This kind of litigation is usually driven by asbestos law firms, which advertise on daytime TV and entice victims to file claims with the promise of large settlements.

The defendants may be able mitigate some of the costs arising from these cases by asserting that their policy periods have expired or they are only accountable for a small portion of the amount of the claim. However, New York law has not provided a definitive 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 variety of asbestos-related illnesses can be triggered because of exposure to the toxic mineral. The mesothelioma condition is the most serious. Many people have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related diseases include asbestosis and lung cancer. Pleural plaques and pleural effusion are also asbestos-related.

Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal illness is caused by asbestos fibers which accumulate in the lungs. They then cause irritation to the linings of the ribcage (the Pleura), chest cavity and abdominal cavity. Inhaling these tiny fibers can cause scarring of the lungs, a condition known as asbestosis and, sometimes, the development of thickened patches on the pleura referred to as plaques on the pleura, or the more widespread fibrosis of the pleura known as diffused fibrisis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrosis decrease lung capacity as determined by breathing tests. They can also cause pain and discomfort in breathing, but they are not the cause of mesothelioma or cancer.

Often, symptoms of asbestos-related diseases do not manifest until decades after initial exposure. This is due to the fact that it can take between 20 to 50 years for inhalation of asbestos fibers to cause lung damage. Workers who handled, cleaned and removed asbestos from the workplace as well as spouses, children and others who were exposed to asbestos are at risk for developing mesothelioma.

Other asbestos-related illnesses, apart from mesothelioma, include laryngeal cancer and lung cancer, peritoneal, ovarian, and peritoneal cancer. Ovarian cancer is among the most deadly mesothelioma type for women, but it is less common than mesothelioma in general. It is typically diagnosed later than other forms 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 diseases.

Several companies used asbestos during the 20th century. They were aware that it was a risk. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos lawyers if they didn't remove asbestos from their products. These people now are able to claim financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies have declared bankruptcy. The victims can now seek compensation from trust funds established by bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

For decades, asbestos-related companies have placed profits over the security of their employees and consumers, producing dangerous products without warning of the dangers. They are now facing the consequences of their negligence. Patients who have suffered asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and full compensation.

Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals get 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 seek the highest amount of compensation for our clients.

Many states have established asbestos courts with specialization, where claims can be filed more efficiently. Additionally judges have developed specialized procedures for evaluating and resolving such cases.

New York is one such state that has its own asbestos court known as NYCAL. 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 former asbestos defendants who have become bankrupt. The New York Supreme Court created an additional judicial board that will supervise NYCAL in order to keep the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.

A panel composed of six Supreme Court judges will review every case in NYCAL to determine whether or not to take it up with it. Judges will also assess the merits of each case to determine the amount a plaintiff should be awarded.

The panel is currently looking into more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to announce its final decision before the end this year.

New York asbestos lawsuits are often complex and include allegations of several defendants. Belluck and Fox's lawyers have vast experience in the litigation of these difficult matters. They are well-versed in the rules regulations, rules, 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 as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in complex, multidistrict litigation. In this capacity, lawyers develop strategies, oversee regional and local counsel, and ensure that they are able to provide consistent and effective defenses for clients. They have worked closely with trial judges, coordination judges, and special masters of litigation from different jurisdictions.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A skilled Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best approach to defend a client in a claim for personal injury resulting from asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises product manufacturers, suppliers and contractors, distributors, and premises owners on matters involving mesothelioma lawsuit claims, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm also assists clients to create internal programs for identifying and addressing risks to safety and liability.

In addition to its asbestos practice in the national level, Bowles Rice serves as national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this capacity, Bowles Rice develops strategies for litigation and supervises local and region counsel to achieve a consistent and cost-effective defence in coordination with the client's objectives. Additionally it plays a crucial part in the administration of asbestos dockets and negotiations with counsel for plaintiffs and also leads discovery for its clients.

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

Catherine has represented numerous manufacturers as lead trial counsel in asbestos and personal injury lawsuits involving product liability, and in consolidated cases that involve multiple plaintiffs. She has substantial experience litigating asbestos-related cases before state and federal courts, as well as before a variety of supreme and appellate court bodies.

While at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those of respondents in the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files included SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports), which contained confidential information on the plaintiffs, including medical reports, work histories and a list of asbestos products that the plaintiff worked with or around. Vogel was required to have an account password to access 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. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs’ lawyers to create and implement settlement agreements. It also has extensive experience in defending businesses from appeals.