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 protect those who's financial security has been affected by exposure to the harmful mineral. Compensation can cover medical expenses, funeral and burial expenses, pain and suffering, and lost quality of life.
Our lawyers are national, regional and local counsel in mass toxic tort litigation. This means that we are knowledgeable about the specific issues and the complex scientific aspects of asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos fibers are dangerous and can cause severe medical conditions such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney is adept at 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 attorney on your side.
New York has a long history of asbestos litigation, and many residents have been exposed to this hazardous material. In recent years, there have been more lawsuits filed against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases stem from the recognition of a link between asbestos and certain diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. These companies were aware of the dangers associated with the dangerous mineral, but they failed to warn their employees and consumers.
The New York City area is particularly susceptible to asbestos-related illnesses due to its old structures and numerous construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic place that continues to have an impact on the community around it.
Many workers were exposed asbestos in their work environments. Exposure to asbestos from the outside can result in mesothelioma. This is especially true for spouses who wear husband's clothes at work and come in contact with asbestos dust on a regular basis.
The mesothelioma litigation is costly for defendants, particularly when they are incorrectly named as a defendant. According to a study, more that 3,600 claims have been filed in New York courts since 2014, and the number could rise further. This niche litigation is often supported by asbestos law firms that advertise on television during the day and encourage victims to file claims with the promise of huge settlements.
The defendants may be able reduce some of the costs of these cases by arguing that their policies are in a lapse or that they are only responsible for only a small percentage of the claim value. However, New York law has not established a clear rule on how to allocate liability when the alleged exposure is in and out of the insurer's policy periods.
Asbestos-related diseases
Exposure to asbestos can lead to many different ailments. The condition known as mesothelioma is the most serious. Mesothelioma has caused the death of many people. Other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques and pleural effusion.
Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal condition is caused by asbestos fibers which collect in the lungs. They then irritate the linings of the ribcage (the pleura), chest cavity, and abdominal cavity. Inhaling these fibers can lead to scarring in the lungs. This is called asbestosis. It can also result in thickened pleura patches (pleural plaques) or an increased fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrisis reduce lung capacity, as measured by breathing tests. They also cause discomfort and breathing difficulties but they don't cause mesothelioma or cancer.
Often, symptoms of asbestos-related diseases do not show up until decades after the initial exposure. It could take up to 50 years for asbestos fibers inhaled to cause lung damage. People at risk of developing mesothelioma or other asbestos-related conditions include workers who handled, laundered and removed asbestos-containing materials from their workplaces and spouses and children of those exposed to asbestos.
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 often diagnosed later than other types of mesothelioma because it is a cancer that develops in the tissue of the reproductive organs and symptoms can be similar to those of other illnesses.
Many companies used asbestos in the 20th century, however they were aware that it was dangerous. When they failed to remove asbestos from their products thousands of people were exposed. These people can now seek financial compensation. A lot of asbestos-related manufacturers have gone bankrupt. The victims can now seek compensation from trust funds established by bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
For decades, asbestos companies put profits above the safety of their employees and consumers by producing dangerous products without warning of the risks. They are now facing the consequences of their inattention. People who's lives have been affected by mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases are seeking full and fair 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 and accomplishments, we have secured millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. Our New York mesothelioma attorneys work to hold corporations accountable and seek the maximum amount of compensation for our clients.
Many states have set up special asbestos courts in which claims can be filed and resolved more efficiently. Judges have also created specialized procedures to evaluate and resolve such 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 been increasing steadily as increasing numbers of asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent former asbestos defendants who have become bankrupt. In order to ensure that the justice system does not get overloaded and overwhelmed, the New York Supreme Court has ordered the creation of a special judicial panel to oversee NYCAL.
A panel comprised of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine if it is accepted or rejected. Judges will also consider the merits of each claim to determine how much the plaintiff's compensation should be.
The panel is currently reviewing more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected issue its final ruling by the end of this year.
New York asbestos lawsuits are often complex and include allegations of multiple defendants. Belluck and Fox's lawyers have a wealth of experience in defending these complicated 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 also has extensive experience in serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients nationwide in multi-district litigation that is complex and complex. In this role lawyers formulate strategies, oversee local and regional counsel, and ensure that they are able to provide consistent and efficient defenses for clients. They have worked 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 Tulsa asbestos lawyer will decide which strategy is best to defend the client in an injury claim that involves asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels product manufacturers, suppliers contractors, distributors, contractors and premises owners in matters involving claims of mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm works with clients on developing internal programs to identify and address potential safety and liability concerns.
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 develops litigation strategies and manages regional and local counsel to ensure a consistent and cost-effective defense in accordance with the client's needs. It also plays a significant part in the administration and management of asbestos dockets aswell in negotiations with plaintiffs' attorneys and coordinating discovery for its clients.
The attorneys of the firm have a wealth of trial and appellate experience defending clients against claims by injured claimants, including those who claim mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense lawyers are acquainted with the intricate research and technology involved in these cases, as and particular legal issues that arise while defending businesses before state and federal courts throughout the United States.
Catherine has represented numerous companies in asbestos and products liability personal injury cases, defending them as lead trial counsel and in consolidated trials involving multiple plaintiffs. She has extensive experience in litigating asbestos-related cases in the federal and state courts, as well as before various supreme and appellate courts.
While at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos cases for respondents, including the Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The case files contained SEAR forms (Short Evaluative reports that are encapsulated), which contained confidential data about the plaintiffs. The files contained medical reports as well as work histories and a list asbestos products that plaintiffs worked with or near. Vogel was required to have an account password to access the files. She could then go through any SEAR forms from her current employer.
The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to its vast experience in appellate and trial work, is nationally recognized for its ability to negotiate settlements for its clients. In this capacity, the firm works closely with plaintiffs' lawyers in the creation and implementation of settlement agreements. Additionally, it has extensive experience in defending businesses against appeals.