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

A lawyer for asbestos defense can help protect those who's financial security has been affected by exposure to the toxic mineral. Compensation can cover medical expenses funeral and burial costs, pain and suffering, and loss of quality of life.

Our attorneys serve as local, regional, and national counsel in mass toxic tort litigation. As such, we are familiar with the specific issues and the complex science that go along with asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos fibers can be deadly and can cause severe medical conditions such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is experienced in handling asbestos lawsuits that seek financial compensation for the victims and their families who have been exposed to this toxic substance. These cases can be complicated, and it is critical to have a reputable mesothelioma lawyer on your side.

New York has a long history of asbestos litigation, and many residents have been exposed to this dangerous material. In recent years, there have been more claims against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases are a result of the recognition that asbestos lawsuit is linked to illnesses such as mesothelioma or lung cancer. The companies were aware of the dangers associated with this hazardous mineral, but did not inform their employees and customers.

New York City is especially susceptible to illnesses caused by asbestos due to its old structures and construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously toxic area that continues affect the surrounding community.

Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos in direct contact and a lot of workers were exposed to asbestos at work. Secondhand exposure can also lead to mesothelioma. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposure workers who had their husbands' work clothes and came into contact with asbestos dust on a regular basis.

Litigation involving mesothelioma is expensive for defendants. This is particularly relevant if they've been wrongly identified as defendants. According to a study, more that 3,600 lawsuits have been filed in New York courts since 2014 and the number could increase even more. Specialized asbestos case law firms often advertise on TV during the day and encourage victims to submit claims with the promise that they will receive significant settlements.

The defendants may be able reduce the cost of these cases by arguing that their policy periods are overdue or that they only have to pay a small portion of the value of the claim. New York law does not have a clear rule on how to distribute liability when the alleged risk is of and outside the insurance policies.

Asbestos-related illnesses

Exposure to asbestos can lead to various illnesses. The mesothelioma disease is the most serious. Many people have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer asbestosis, pleural plaques and pleural effusion.

Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal illness that is caused by asbestos fibers that collect in the lungs. They then cause irritation to the linings of the ribcage (the pleura) as well as the chest cavity and abdominal cavity. The inhalation of these tiny fibers can result in scarring of the lungs known as asbestosis and sometimes the development of thickened patches on the pleura called plaques of pleura or a more widespread fibrosis of the pleura called diffused pleural fibrisis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrosis decrease lung capacity as determined by breathing tests. They can also cause discomfort and breathing difficulties, though they do not lead to cancer or mesothelioma.

Symptoms of asbestos-related disease often are not evident until years after the initial exposure. This is because it could 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 spouses, children and others who were exposed to asbestos are at risk for developing mesothelioma.

Other asbestos-related illnesses, in addition to mesothelioma include lung cancer and laryngeal carcinoma, peritoneal, ovarian, and peritoneal cancer. Ovarian cancer is among the most deadly mesothelioma that women suffer from however it is much less prevalent than mesothelioma in general. It is diagnosed later than other types of mesothelioma, because it occurs in the linings of reproductive organs. The symptoms can be similar to other illnesses.

There were many companies that employed asbestos in the 20th century, but they knew that it was hazardous. When they did not remove asbestos from their products, thousands of people were exposed. These people now are able to sue for financial compensation. A lot of asbestos-related manufacturers have filed for bankruptcy. The victims are now able to claim compensation from the trust funds created by bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

For decades, asbestos companies have placed profits over the safety of their employees and consumers, manufacturing hazardous products, without warning of the dangers. They are now facing the consequences of their negligence. Patients who have suffered asbestos-related illnesses such as mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and complete settlement.

Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals get the justice they deserve. With more than 25 years of experience in the field, we have secured a million of dollars in compensation for our clients. Our New York mesothelioma attorneys work to hold large corporations accountable and obtain the maximum amount of compensation for our clients.

Many states have set up special asbestos courts in which claims can be filed and resolving more efficiently. Judges have also developed special procedures to review and resolve such cases.

New York, a state with its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL) is one of the states. As asbestos victims continue to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants who have been bankrupt and have been unable to pay, the workload of the court has been steadily increasing. The New York Supreme Court created an extra judicial board to oversee NYCAL to stop the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.

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

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

New York asbestos lawsuits are usually complex and include allegations of multiple defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience with the litigation of these complicated issues. They are knowledgeable of New York's asbestos courts and their rules and regulations, as well as other jurisdictions in which they have handled multi-district litigation.

The firm also has vast experience serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients across the country in multi-district, complex litigation. In this capacity, lawyers create strategies, coordinate and oversee regional and local counsel and ensure cost-effective and consistent defenses for each client. They have worked closely with trial judges, coordination judges and litigation special masters from various jurisdictions.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A knowledgeable Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best strategy to defend a client in an asbestos-related personal injury claim. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises manufacturers, suppliers and distributors, contractors, and premises owners on matters concerning mesothelioma-related claims, lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm also assists clients to create internal programs to identify and addressing safety and liability concerns.

Bowles Rice In addition to its asbestos practice in the national level and multi-state asbestos litigation, is also the national Coordinating counsel. In this role, the firm develops litigation strategies, manages local and regional counsel, and ensures a consistent and cost-effective defense in coordination with client objectives. It also plays an important role in the administration and management of asbestos dockets as well in negotiations with plaintiffs' attorneys and coordinating discovery for its client.

The firm's lawyers have a wealth of trial and appellate experience in defending clients against claims made by injured claimants, such as those claiming mesothelioma or other Asbestos case-related diseases. Asbestos defense lawyers are familiar with the complex science associated with these cases, and the unique legal issues that arise when defending companies in state and federal courts across the United States.

Catherine has represented a variety of manufacturers as lead counsel in asbestos and personal injury lawsuits related to product liability and in consolidated cases that involve multiple plaintiffs. She has a wealth of experience arguing asbestos-related cases in federal and state courts as well as before various supreme and appellate courts.

While at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those for respondents in the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The cases files included SEAR forms (Short Evaluative reports that are encapsulated) which contained confidential data about the claimants. These included medical reports and work histories, as well as an inventory of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs used or worked near. Vogel was required to have a password to access the files and was able to go through the SEAR forms of any case she had with her current employer.

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