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 costs, funeral and burial costs, lost quality of life, as well as suffering and pain.

Our lawyers are involved in the mass litigation of toxic torts at a national, regional and local level. We are knowledgeable about the specific issues and complex aspects of science that are associated with 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 dealing with lawsuits that seek financial compensation for those who have suffered from asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be complex, so it's important to have a mesothelioma lawyer on your side.

New York has a long history of asbestos litigation, and many residents have been exposed to this hazardous substance. In recent years there have been more lawsuits filed against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases are the result of the recognition that asbestos is linked to illnesses such as mesothelioma or lung cancer. These companies were aware of the dangers associated with the asbestos-containing mineral, yet they did not warn their employees and consumers.

New York City is especially vulnerable to illnesses caused by asbestos because of its older structures and construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously toxic area that continues to impact the surrounding community.

Mesothelioma can be caused by exposure to asbestos directly and a lot of workers were exposed in the workplace. Secondhand exposure can also lead to mesothelioma. This is especially true for spouses who wear husband's clothing to work and come into contact with asbestos dust regularly.

Litigation involving mesothelioma is expensive for defendants. This is particularly the case if they were wrongly named 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 further. The asbestos law firms that specialize in asbestos often advertise on daytime TV and encourage victims to file claims under the premise that they will receive substantial settlements.

Defendants may be able to lower some of the costs arising from these cases by arguing that their policy periods expire or they are only responsible for a tiny percentage of the claim value. However, New York law has not set out a clear policy on how to divide liabilities when the alleged exposure is outside of the policy period of the insurer.

Asbestos-related illnesses

Exposure to asbestos can lead to various illnesses. The mesothelioma disease is the most serious. Mesothelioma has caused the death of many people. Other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer and asbestosis. Pleural plaques and pleural effusion are also asbestos-related.

Mesothelioma, a rare, but fatal condition that is caused by asbestos fibers which collect in the lung. They then cause irritation to the linings of the ribcage (the Pleura), chest cavity and abdominal cavity. Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause scarring in the lungs, known as asbestosis. It can also cause thickened patches of pleura (pleural plaques) or an increase in fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrisis reduce lung capacity as determined by breathing tests. They can also cause pain and difficulty in breathing, but they don't cause mesothelioma or cancer.

Most of the time, symptoms of asbestos case-related diseases do not manifest until decades after initial exposure. It can take up to 50 years for asbestos fibers inhaled to cause lung damage. Workers who handled, cleaned and removed asbestos from the workplace as well as spouses, children and other people who are exposed to asbestos are at risk for developing mesothelioma.

In addition to mesothelioma, other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma and mesothelioma ovarian. The most deadly form of mesothelioma is called ovarian cancer, however it is less common than the general mesothelioma. It is diagnosed later than other mesothelioma types, because it is found within the linings of reproductive organs. The symptoms can be similar to other diseases.

Several companies used asbestos during the 20th century. They knew it was dangerous. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos when they didn't remove asbestos from their products. The affected people are now able to seek financial compensation. Many of the asbestos lawsuit-related manufacturers have filed for bankruptcy. The victims are now able to seek compensation from trust funds set up by bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

Asbestos-related companies have put profit over the safety of their workers and customers for a long time creating dangerous products without warning of the dangers. They are now facing the consequences of their carelessness. Victims of asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and full settlement.

Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals get the justice they deserve. Our attorneys have more than 25 years experience and have assisted our clients to receive millions of dollars in compensation. Our New York mesothelioma lawyers work to hold responsible large corporations accountable and to obtain maximum compensation for our clients.

A number of states have set up asbestos courts with specialization, where claims can be filed more efficiently. Additionally judges have developed special procedures for evaluating and resolving asbestos cases.

New York, a state which has its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL) is one of them. The caseload in this specialty court has increased steadily, as more and more asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent former asbestos defendants who have become bankrupt. In order to ensure that the justice system is not overwhelmed, the New York Supreme Court has ordered the creation of an additional judicial panel that will oversee NYCAL.

A panel composed 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 the amount a plaintiff should be awarded.

The panel is currently looking at more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to make a final decision by the end of this year.

New York asbestos lawsuits can be complex and involve multiple defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience in the litigation of these complex cases. They are well-versed in the rules regulations, policies, and procedures of the asbestos courts in New York, as well as the laws of other jurisdictions in which they have handled multidistrict litigation.

The firm also has extensive experience serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients throughout the nation in multi-district, complex litigation. In this capacity, lawyers create strategies, coordinate and manage local and regional counsel, and ensure cost-effective, consistent defenses for every client. They have collaborated closely with coordinating and trial 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 decide which strategy is the best way to defend the client from an injury claim that involves asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, contractors, and owners of premises on matters concerning mesothelioma-related claims, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm works with clients in the development of internal programs to resolve potential liability and safety concerns.

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 the firm designs strategies for litigation, oversees local and regional counsel, and provides a cost-effective and consistent defense, in line with client goals. It also plays a significant part in the administration and management of asbestos dockets aswell as negotiations with plaintiffs' attorneys and coordinating discovery for its client.

The firm's lawyers have experience in defending clients from claims of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense lawyers are acquainted with the complex research and technology involved in these cases as in addition to particular legal issues that arise while representing companies in state and federal courts throughout the United States.

Catherine has represented numerous companies in asbestos and products liability personal injury cases, representing them as lead trial counsel and in consolidated trials involving multiple claimants. She has substantial experience litigating asbestos-related cases before federal and state courts as well as before a variety of appellate and supreme court bodies.

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

The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to its extensive experience in appellate and trial work, is widely acclaimed for its ability to negotiate settlements for its clients. In this capacity, the company collaborates closely with the lawyers of plaintiffs in the development and execution of settlement agreements. It also has a vast experience in defending companies against appeals.