An Asbestos Defense Attorney Can Help Protect the Financial Security of Those Harmed by Exposure to This Harmful Mineral
An asbestos defense lawyer can help protect the financial security of those affected by exposure to this toxic mineral. Compensation could cover medical expenses funeral and burial costs, lost quality of life, as well as pain and suffering.
Our attorneys serve as local, regional, and national counsel in mass toxic tort litigation. This means that we are well-versed in the unique issues and complex aspects of science associated with asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos is a dangerous fiber that can trigger numerous serious medical conditions, including mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is experienced in handling asbestos lawsuits that seek compensation for victims and their families for exposure to this harmful substance. These cases can be complicated, so it's important to have a mesothelioma attorney to assist you.
New York has had a long-running history of Asbestos Lawsuit litigation. Many residents were exposed to the dangerous substance. In recent years there are more lawsuits filed against asbestos producers in the past than ever before. These cases stem from the recognition of a connection between asbestos and diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. These companies were aware of asbestos' dangers however, they failed to inform their employees and customers.
The New York City area is particularly susceptible to asbestos-related ailments due to its older structures and numerous construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously hazardous area that continues to affect the surrounding community.
Mesothelioma is triggered by direct exposure to asbestos and many workers were exposed to asbestos in the workplace. However, many people are diagnosed with mesothelioma following secondhand exposure to the harmful substances. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposed workers who were wearing their husband's work clothes and came in contact with asbestos dust regularly.
Litigation involving mesothelioma is expensive for defendants. This is particularly the case if they were 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 niche litigation is often fueled by specialized asbestos law firms, which advertise on television during the day and encourage victims to file claims with the promise of huge settlements.
Defendants might be able to reduce some of the costs associated with these cases by argument that their policy terms expire or they are only responsible for a tiny percentage of the amount of the claim. New York law does not have a clear rule on how to divide responsibility when the alleged risk is of and outside the insurance policies.
Asbestos-Related Diseases
Exposure to asbestos can trigger various ailments. The most serious condition is mesothelioma. Many have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related diseases include asbestosis and lung cancer. Pleural plaques and effusion are also asbestos-related.
Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal illness caused by exposure to asbestos fibers that collect in the lungs, and can cause irritation to the lining of the chest cavity, ribcage and abdominal cavity (the Pleura). Inhaling these tiny fibers can result in scarring of the lungs called asbestosis, and, sometimes, the formation of thickened patches on the pleura called plaques on the pleura, or an enlargement of fibrosis in the pleura called diffused pleural fibrisis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis may reduce lung capacity as determined by a breathing test. They also cause discomfort and breathing difficulties, though they do not cause mesothelioma or cancer.
Most of the time, symptoms of asbestos-related illnesses don't show up until decades after the initial exposure. It could take up to 50 years for asbestos-related fibers to be inhaled to cause lung damage. Workers who handled, cleaned and removed asbestos from the workplace and their children, spouses and others who were exposed to asbestos are at risk for developing mesothelioma.
Other asbestos-related diseases apart from mesothelioma, include laryngeal carcinoma and lung cancer and peritoneal, ovarian and peritoneal cancer. Ovarian cancer is the deadliest mesothelioma that women suffer from however, it is much less common than mesothelioma general. It is diagnosed later than most other mesothelioma types, because it develops in the linings of reproductive organs. Symptoms can be similar to those of other illnesses.
A number of companies used asbestos legal in the 20th century. They were aware that it was hazardous. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos because they failed to remove it from their products. These people can now claim financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies have declared bankruptcy. The victims can now seek compensation from the 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 paying the price for their carelessness. People who's lives have been affected by mesothelioma and lung cancer and other asbestos law-related illnesses are seeking full and fair settlement.
Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals get 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 corporations accountable and obtain the maximum amount of compensation for our clients.
Many states have established special asbestos courts where claims can be filed and resolving more efficiently. Judges have also created special procedures to review and resolve asbestos-related cases.
New York is one such state with its own asbestos court, known as NYCAL. As asbestos victims continue to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants that have been bankrupt, the caseload of the court has steadily increased. The New York Supreme Court created a special 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 claim to determine the amount a plaintiff should be awarded.
The panel is currently looking at more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected issue its final decision before the end of the year.
New York asbestos lawsuits are often complex and include allegations of several defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience in the litigation of these complicated issues. They are well-versed in the asbestos courts of New York, including their rules and regulations and other jurisdictions in which they have handled multi-district 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 create strategies, coordinate and manage local and regional counsel, and ensure cost-effective and consistent defenses for each client. They have worked closely with trial and coordination judges and special masters of litigation in the various jurisdictions where they were involved in asbestos litigation.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will determine what strategy is most effective to defend the client against a personal injury claim involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels product manufacturers, suppliers contractors, distributors, contractors and premises owners on matters involving claims of mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm works with clients in the development of internal programs to determine and address potential safety and liability concerns.
Bowles Rice, in addition to its national asbestos practice and multi-state asbestos litigation is also the national Coordinating counsel. In this role Bowles Rice formulates litigation strategies and oversees regional and local counsel to ensure a uniform and cost-effective defense in accordance with the client's objectives. Additionally it plays a crucial role in the administration of asbestos dockets as well as negotiations with plaintiffs' counsel and also leads discovery for its clients.
The firm's attorneys are experienced in defending clients from mesothelioma-related claims and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are familiar with the intricate research and technology involved in these cases as in addition to particular legal issues that arise when representing companies in state and federal courts throughout the United States.
Catherine has represented a variety of manufacturers as the lead counsel in asbestos and personal injury lawsuits related to product liability as well as in consolidated cases that involve multiple plaintiffs. She has a wealth of experience litigating asbestos-related lawsuits before the state and federal courts, as well as various Supreme Court and appellate courts.
During her tenure at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos cases for respondents, including those at the Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The case files included SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports) that contained confidential information on the plaintiffs, including medical reports, work histories and a list of asbestos products that plaintiffs worked with or around. Vogel was required to use a password to access the files and was able to go through the SEAR forms of any case at her current employer.
The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to having extensive experience in appellate and trial work, is widely acclaimed for its ability to reach settlements on behalf of its clients. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs’ lawyers to draft and implement settlement agreements. The firm also has extensive experience defending businesses against appeals.