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 harmed through exposure to this dangerous mineral. Compensation could cover medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, lost quality of life, as well as suffering and pain.
Our attorneys serve as national, regional and local counsel in massive toxic tort litigation. We are well-versed in the unique issues and the complex scientific aspects associated with asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos fibers are dangerous and can cause serious medical conditions like mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney is skilled in handling lawsuits to seek financial compensation for those who have suffered from asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be complex 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 dangerous substance. In recent years, there have been more lawsuits against asbestos producers from the past than before. These cases arise out of the realization that asbestos can cause diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. The companies were aware of the dangers that asbestos posed but did not take the time to warn employees and consumers.
The New York City area is particularly prone to asbestos-related diseases due to its old structures and the numerous construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic site that continues to impact on the community surrounding it.
Mesothelioma is triggered by exposure to asbestos in direct contact and many workers were exposed to it in the workplace. In addition, exposure to asbestos through secondhand sources can result in mesothelioma. This includes spouses who wear husband's clothing 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 wrongly named as defendants. A study has revealed that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could grow. This niche litigation is often supported by asbestos law firms that advertise on daytime TV and entice victims to file claims with the promise of substantial settlements.
Defendants may be able to lower some of the expenses arising from these cases by arguing that their policy periods expire or they are only responsible for a small percentage of the value of the claim. However, New York law has not set out a clear policy on how to divide liabilities when the alleged exposure is within and outside the insurance company's policy.
Asbestos-Related Diseases
Exposure to asbestos can lead to a wide range of diseases. The most severe condition is mesothelioma. Mesothelioma has caused the 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 which accumulate in the lungs and irritate the lining of the ribcage, chest cavity and abdominal cavity (the the pleura). Inhaling these tiny fibers can result in scarring of the lungs called asbestosis, and, sometimes, the development of thickened patches on the pleura called pleural plaques or the more widespread fibrosis of the pleura called diffused pleural fibrisis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis could decrease lung capacity, as determined by a breathing test. They can also cause pain and discomfort in breathing, however they are not the cause of mesothelioma or cancer.
Often, symptoms of asbestos-related illnesses don't show up until decades after the initial exposure. It can take up to 50 years for asbestos fibers inhaled to cause lung damage. The people at risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases include those who handled, washed and removed asbestos-containing products from their workplaces, as well as spouses and children of those who were exposed to asbestos.
In addition to mesothelioma, other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma, and mesothelioma of the ovary. Glendale asbestos lawsuits of mesothelioma is ovarian cancer, but it's much less common than the general mesothelioma. It is usually diagnosed later than other kinds of mesothelioma because it develops in the tissues of the reproductive organs, and the symptoms can be similar to symptoms of other diseases.
A number of companies used asbestos in the 20th century. They were aware that it was dangerous. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos because they didn't eliminate asbestos from their products. Now, these people have the right to seek financial compensation. Many asbestos-related manufacturers are bankrupt. As a result, the victims are able to seek the compensation they are entitled to from trust funds set up by the bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
For decades, asbestos companies have put profits ahead of the security of their employees and consumers by producing dangerous products without warning of the dangers. They are now paying for their negligence. People who's lives have been affected by mesothelioma and lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses are seeking fair and full settlement.
The attorneys at Belluck & Fox are 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 lawyers work to hold responsible large corporations accountable and seek maximum compensation for our clients.
Many states have created special asbestos courts, where claims can be filed more efficiently. Judges have also established specialized procedures to evaluate and resolve these cases.
New York, a state with its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL), is one of the states. The caseload in this specialty court has grown steadily, as more and more asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent former asbestos defendants who have gone bankrupt. 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 comprised of six Supreme Court judges will review every case filed in NYCAL to decide 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.
The panel is currently looking at more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to issue its final decision before the end this year.
New York asbestos lawsuits can be complex and involve multiple defendants. Belluck & Fox's lawyers have extensive experience in litigating these complex matters. They are well-versed in the asbestos courts in New York and their rules, regulations and policies and other jurisdictions where they have handled multi-district litigation.
The firm also has vast experience as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients across the country in complex, multi-district litigation. In this capacity 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 skilled Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best approach to defend a client against a claim for personal injury resulting from asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises product manufacturers, suppliers and distributors, contractors, and premises owners on matters that involve mesothelioma claims, lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm collaborates with clients on developing internal programs to determine and deal with potential liability and safety issues.
In addition to its national asbestos practice, Bowles Rice serves as the national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this role Bowles Rice devises litigation strategies and manages local and region counsel to achieve a consistent 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 aswell in negotiations with plaintiffs' attorneys and leading discovery for its clients.
The firm's lawyers have experience in defending clients against mesothelioma claims and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense lawyers are acquainted with complex research and technology involved in these cases, as in addition to particular legal issues that arise when defending companies before federal and state courts across the United States.
Catherine has defended numerous manufacturers in asbestos and product liability personal injury cases, acting as the lead counsel in consolidated trials involving multiple claimants. She has a wealth of experience arguing asbestos-related lawsuits before the state and federal courts, as well as various Supreme Court and appellate courts.
During her time at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those of respondents of the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files contained SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports) which contained confidential information on the plaintiffs, including medical reports, work histories, and the list of asbestos-related products that the plaintiff worked with or around. Vogel required an account password to access the files. She could then look over any SEAR forms from her current employer.
The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to its vast experience in trial and appellate work, is nationally recognized for its ability to negotiate settlements for clients. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs' lawyers to draft and implement settlement agreements. It also has extensive experience in defending businesses from appeals.