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

A lawyer who is a defense attorney for asbestos can help protect those whose financial security has been affected due to exposure to the hazardous mineral. Compensation can cover medical expenses funeral and burial costs, pain and suffering, and lost quality of life.

Our attorneys are involved in the mass litigation of toxic torts on a regional, national and local scale. As our lawyers are well-versed with the unique issues and complicated science associated with asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos fibers are dangerous and can trigger serious medical conditions such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is skilled in dealing with asbestos lawsuits, which seek financial compensation for victims and their families for exposure to this toxic substance. These cases can be complex and therefore it is essential to have a mesothelioma expert law firm on your side.

New York has a long history of asbestos litigation, and many residents have been exposed to this dangerous substance. In recent years, there are more lawsuits filed against asbestos producers from the past than before. These cases are a result of the recognition of a connection between asbestos and certain diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer and asbestosis. These companies were aware asbestos's dangers however, they failed to inform employees and consumers.

The New York City area is particularly prone to asbestos-related diseases because of its older structures and a myriad of construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously toxic area that continues affect the community around it.

Many workers were exposed asbestos in the workplace. However, some people are diagnosed with mesothelioma following an exposure secondarily to the harmful substances. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposure workers who wore their husband's work clothes and came in contact with asbestos dust on a regular basis.

Litigation involving mesothelioma is expensive for defendants. This is especially relevant if they've been wrongly named as defendants. According to a study, more than 3,600 claims have been filed in New York courts since 2014 and the number is expected to increase even more. This type of litigation is typically fueled by specialized asbestos law firms that promote on daytime television and encourage victims to file claims, with the promise of substantial settlements.

The defendants may be able mitigate some of the costs associated with these cases by arguing that their policy periods expire or they are only responsible for a small percentage of the amount of the claim. New York law does not provide a definitive rule on how to allocate responsibility when the alleged risk is of the insurer's policies.

Asbestos-Related Diseases

A variety of asbestos-related illnesses can be triggered because of exposure to the harmful mineral. The condition known as mesothelioma is the most serious. Many people have died due to mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer and asbestosis. Pleural plaques and pleural effusion are also asbestos-related.

Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal condition, is caused by asbestos fibers which are found in the lung. They then cause irritation to the linings of the ribcage (the pleura), chest cavity and abdominal cavity. Inhaling these tiny fibers can cause scarring of the lungs, a condition known as asbestosis and, sometimes, the development of thickened patches on the pleura referred to as plaques of pleura or a more widespread fibrosis of the pleura called diffused pleural fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis can reduce lung capacity as measured by breathing test. They can also cause pain and difficulties in breathing, however they do not lead cancer or mesothelioma.

Often, symptoms of asbestos-related diseases do not manifest until decades after initial exposure. This is because it can take between 20 to 50 years for inhalation of asbestos fibers to cause lung damage. People who are at risk of developing mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related conditions include workers who handled, cleaned, and removed these materials from the workplace and their spouses and children of those who were exposed to asbestos.

As well as mesothelioma, other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma and mesothelioma of the ovary. The most dangerous form of mesothelioma is ovarian cancer, but it's much less frequent than the general mesothelioma. It is diagnosed later than most other mesothelioma types, because it develops in the linings of reproductive organs. The symptoms may 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 if they didn't remove asbestos from their products. Now, those exposed have the right to seek 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

Asbestos companies have put profit before the safety of their employees and customers for a long time creating dangerous products without warning about the risks. These companies are now paying for their carelessness. People whose lives have been disrupted by mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses are seeking full and fair settlement.

The attorneys at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to assisting families and individuals receive the justice they need. Our lawyers have over 25 years of experience and have helped clients receive millions of dollars in compensation. Our New York mesothelioma attorneys work to hold large corporations accountable and to secure the maximum amount of compensation for our clients.

Many states have established special asbestos courts, where claims can be filed more efficiently. Judges have also developed special procedures to review and resolve these cases.

New York is one such state with its own asbestos court known as NYCAL. The number of cases in this court has increased steadily, as asbestos victims are becoming more and more likely to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants who have become bankrupt. In order to ensure that the justice system is not overwhelmed the New York Supreme Court has created a special judicial panel to supervise NYCAL.

A panel composed of six Supreme Court judges will review every case filed in NYCAL to decide whether or not to accept it. Judges will also consider the merits of each case to decide how much money a plaintiff should receive.

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

New York asbestos lawsuits can be complicated and can involve multiple defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience with the litigation of these difficult issues. They are knowledgeable of the asbestos courts in New York as well as their rules and regulations, as well as other jurisdictions where 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 role, lawyers develop strategies, oversee regional and local counsel, and ensure consistent and efficient defenses for clients. They have worked closely in the past with trial judges, coordinating judges and litigation special masters from various jurisdictions.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A knowledgeable Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best approach to defend a client in a claim for personal injury resulting from asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises suppliers, manufacturers, contractors, distributors and property owners on issues concerning mesothelioma-related claims, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm works with clients in the development of internal programs to determine and address potential safety and liability concerns.

In addition to its asbestos law practice across the nation, Bowles Rice serves as national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this capacity the firm designs strategies for litigation, oversees local and regional counsel, and achieves consistent and cost-effective defense, in line with client objectives. It also plays a major role in the administration and management of asbestos dockets aswell in negotiations with plaintiffs' attorneys and in coordinating discovery for its clients.

The firm's attorneys are experienced in defending clients from mesothelioma-related claims and other asbestos claim (recent Tissuearray blog post)-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are familiar with complex scientific issues 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 defended numerous manufacturers in asbestos and product liability personal injury cases, representing them as lead trial counsel and in consolidated trials involving multiple plaintiffs. She has extensive experience arguing asbestos-related lawsuits before the federal and state courts, as well as a variety of Supreme Court and appellate bodies.

During her time at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos lawsuit cases, including those involving respondents of the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files contained SEAR forms (Short encapsulated Evaluative reports) which contained confidential information about plaintiffs. The files contained medical reports and work histories, as well as a list asbestos products that plaintiffs used or worked near. Vogel was required to use access to these files and could 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 recognized nationally for its ability to successfully negotiate settlements for clients. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs’ lawyers to develop and execute settlement agreements. It also has a wealth of experience in defending businesses against appeals.