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 was affected due to exposure to the hazardous mineral. Compensation could cover medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, lost quality of life, as well as pain and suffering.
Our lawyers are involved in the mass litigation of toxic torts at a national, regional and local level. As our lawyers are well-versed with the particular issues and complicated science associated with asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos fibers can be deadly and can trigger serious medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney is skilled in handling lawsuits to seek the financial compensation of those affected by 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 had a long history of asbestos litigation, and many residents were exposed to this hazardous substance. In recent years there have been more lawsuits filed against asbestos producers from the past than before. These cases are the result of the realization that asbestos is associated with diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. These companies were aware of asbestos’ dangers, but failed to warn their employees and customers.
The New York City area is particularly prone to asbestos-related diseases due to its old structures and a myriad of construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic place that continues to impact on the surrounding community.
Many workers were exposed to asbestos at work. Secondhand exposure can also lead to mesothelioma lawyer. This includes spouses who wear their husband’s clothes to work and come into contact with asbestos dust frequently.
Litigation involving mesothelioma Lawyer is expensive for defendants. This is particularly the case if they were incorrectly 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. This kind of litigation is usually fueled by specialized asbestos law firms that advertise on television during the day and encourage victims to file claims, with the promise of large settlements.
The defendants may be able reduce some of the costs of these cases by arguing that their policy periods are expired 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 regarding how to allocate liabilities when the alleged exposure occurs partly in and out of the policy period of the insurer.
Asbestos-related illnesses
A myriad of asbestos-related illnesses can develop due to exposure to the mineral that causes cancer. The most serious condition is mesothelioma. Mesothelioma has caused the death of many people. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer asbestosis, pleural plaques, and the pleural effusion.
Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal disease caused by exposure to asbestos fibers that accumulate in the lungs, and can cause irritation to the lining of the ribcage, chest cavity, and abdominal cavity (the pleura). Inhaling these tiny fibers can cause scarring of the lungs, a condition known as asbestosis and occasionally, the formation of thickened patches on the pleura called plaques of pleura or the more widespread fibrosis of the pleura called diffused pleural fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis may reduce lung capacity as determined by a breathing test. They can also cause pain and difficulties in breathing, however they don’t cause mesothelioma lawyer or cancer.
Often, symptoms of asbestos-related diseases 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 as well as children, spouses, and others exposed to asbestos are at risk for developing mesothelioma.
In addition to mesothelioma other asbestos-related illnesses include laryngeal cancer, lung cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma, and mesothelioma ovarian. The most deadly form of mesothelioma is called ovarian cancer, however it is less prevalent than mesothelioma in general. It is usually diagnosed later than other forms of mesothelioma since it is a cancer that develops in the lining of the reproductive organs, and the symptoms can be similar to symptoms of other diseases.
There were many companies that used asbestos in the 20th century, but they knew that it was a risk. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos when they failed to remove asbestos from their products. These people now are able to sue for financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are insolvent. As a result, the victims are able to seek the compensation they are entitled to from trust funds established by the bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
Asbestos companies have put profits before the safety of their workers and consumers for decades creating dangerous products without warning of the dangers. These companies are now paying for their inattention to. Patients who have suffered asbestos-related illnesses such as mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and full compensation.
Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals obtain the justice they deserve. Our lawyers have more than 25 years of experience and have helped clients receive millions of dollars in compensation. Our New York mesothelioma lawyers work to hold accountable large corporations accountable and to secure the highest amount of compensation for our clients.
A number of states have established special asbestos courts where claims can be filed and resolving more efficiently. Judges have also established specific procedures to assess and resolve these cases.
New York is one such state, with its own asbestos court known as NYCAL. The number of cases filed in this court has grown steadily, as increasing numbers of asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent former asbestos defendants who went bankrupt. To ensure that the justice system does not get overwhelmed, the New York Supreme Court has created an additional judicial panel that will oversee NYCAL.
A panel comprised of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine if it should be accepted or rejected. Judges will also assess the merits of each claim to determine how much the plaintiff is entitled to.
The panel is currently examining more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected issue its final ruling at the end of this year.
New York asbestos lawsuits can be complex and involve several defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience in the litigation of these complicated 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 where they have handled multidistrict litigation.
The firm also has vast experience serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients across the country in multi-district litigation that is complex and complex. In this role, lawyers develop strategies, oversee regional and local counsel, and ensure consistent and effective defenses for clients. They have collaborated closely with coordinating and trial judges and special masters of litigation in various jurisdictions in which they were involved in asbestos litigation.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A knowledgeable Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best way to defend a client against an asbestos personal injury claim. 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 illnesses. The firm also works with clients to create internal programs for identifying and addressing safety and liability issues.
In addition to its asbestos practice in the national level, Bowles Rice serves as the national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this capacity Bowles Rice formulates strategies for litigation and supervises regional and local counsel to ensure a uniform and cost-effective defense that is in line with the client’s needs. It also plays a significant role in the administration and management of asbestos dockets as well in negotiations with plaintiffs’ attorneys and leading discovery for its client.
The firm’s lawyers have extensive trial and appellate experience in defending clients against claims by injured claimants, which includes those who claim mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are familiar with the complex science associated with these cases, and the unique legal issues that arise when defending companies before federal and state courts across the United States.
Catherine has represented numerous manufacturers as lead trial counsel in asbestos and personal injury lawsuits related to product liability and in consolidated cases involving multiple claimants. She has extensive experience in arguing asbestos-related lawsuits before federal and state courts, as well as various Supreme Court and appellate bodies.
During her time at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those involving respondents of the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files included SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports), which contained confidential information on the plaintiffs, such as medical reports, work histories and an inventory of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs worked with or around. Vogel had 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 extensive experience in appellate and trial work, is recognized nationally for its ability to successfully negotiate settlements for its clients. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs’ lawyers to create and implement settlement agreements. It also has a wealth of experience defending businesses against appeals.
