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

An asbestos defense attorney can protect the financial security of those harmed by exposure to this harmful mineral. Compensation could cover medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, lost quality of life, as well as suffering and pain.

Our lawyers are local, regional, and national counsel in mass toxic tort litigation. As as such, we are acquainted with the unique issues and complicated science associated with asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos fibers are dangerous and can cause serious 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 complicated and therefore it is essential to have an experienced mesothelioma attorney law firm on your side.

New York has a long history of asbestos litigation, and many residents have been exposed to the dangerous 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 diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. These companies were aware of asbestos' dangers however, they failed to inform employees and consumers.

The New York City area is particularly susceptible to asbestos-related ailments due to its older structures and a myriad of construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic place that continues to have an impact on the community surrounding it.

Many workers were exposed asbestos at work. Secondhand exposure can also cause mesothelioma lawsuit. This includes spouses who wear their husband's clothes to work and come into contact with asbestos dust regularly.

Mesothelioma-related litigation can be expensive for defendants. This is particularly true if they have been incorrectly identified as defendants. A study indicates that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could rise. Specialized asbestos law firms often advertise on TV during the day and encourage victims to submit claims with the promise that they will receive significant settlements.

The defendants could be able to reduce the cost of these cases by arguing their policy periods are expired or that they are only responsible for only for a small proportion of the claim value. New York law does not have a clear rule on how to distribute the liability if the alleged risk is of and outside the insurance policies.

Asbestos-related illnesses

A wide range of asbestos-related illnesses can be triggered due to exposure to the harmful mineral. The condition known as mesothelioma is the most severe. Many people have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer asbestosis, pleural plaques, and pleural effusion.

Mesothelioma, a rare, but fatal illness that is caused by asbestos lawsuit fibers which collect in the lung. They then cause irritation to the linings of the ribcage (the pleura) as well as the chest cavity and abdominal cavity. Inhaling these tiny fibers can result in scarring of the lungs known as asbestosis and sometimes the development of thickened patches on the pleura called plaques on the pleura, or the more widespread fibrosis of the pleura known as diffused fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis could reduce lung capacity as measured by breathing test. They can also cause pain and difficulties in breathing, but they don't cause cancer or mesothelioma.

The symptoms of asbestos-related diseases typically do not manifest until decades after initial exposure. It can take as long as 50 years for asbestos-related fibers to be inhaled to cause lung damage. Workers who handled, cleaned and removed asbestos from their workplaces and their spouses, children, and others exposed to asbestos are at risk for developing mesothelioma.

As well as mesothelioma, other asbestos-related diseases include laryngeal cancer, lung cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma, and mesothelioma of the ovary. Ovarian cancer is the deadliest form of mesothelioma for women however it is much less prevalent than mesothelioma in general. It is diagnosed later than other mesothelioma types, because it occurs in the linings of the reproductive organs. Symptoms can be similar to those of other illnesses.

Many companies used asbestos in the 20th century, but they were aware that it was a risk. When they did not remove asbestos from their products thousands of people were exposed. Now, these people are able to claim financial compensation. Many asbestos-related manufacturers are bankrupt. The victims are now able to seek compensation from the trust funds established by bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

Asbestos companies have put profits before the safety of their employees and customers for a long time making dangerous products, without warning of the dangers. These companies are now facing the consequences of their negligence. People who have suffered from asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and full compensation.

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

A number of states have established special asbestos courts where claims can be filed and resolved more efficiently. Judges have also established special procedures to review and resolve such cases.

New York, a state with its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL), is one of the states. The caseload in this specialty court has increased steadily, as more and more asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants who have become bankrupt. The New York Supreme Court created a special judicial board to oversee NYCAL in order to prevent the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.

A panel comprised of six Supreme Court judges will review each case in NYCAL to decide whether or not to take it up with it. Judges will also evaluate the merits of each claim to determine the amount of the plaintiff's compensation should be.

The panel is currently examining more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to announce its final decision before the end this year.

New York asbestos lawsuits can be complex and can involve several defendants. Belluck and Fox's lawyers have a wealth of experience in the litigation of these difficult issues. They are familiar with the rules, regulations, 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 in serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients throughout the nation in complex, multi-district litigation. In this capacity, attorneys develop strategies, coordinate and oversee local and regional counsel, and ensure consistent and cost-effective defenses for every client. They have worked closely with trial judges, coordinating judges and special masters of litigation from various jurisdictions.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A skilled Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best approach to defend a client from a claim for personal injury resulting from asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises manufacturers, suppliers and distributors, contractors, and owners of premises on matters involving mesothelioma claims, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm also assists clients to develop internal programs for identifying and addressing potential risks to safety and liability.

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 develops strategies for litigation and supervises local and region counsel to achieve a consistent and cost-effective defense that is in line with the client's objectives. It also plays a major role in the administration and management of asbestos dockets, as well as negotiations with plaintiffs' lawyers and in coordinating discovery for its client.

The attorneys of the firm have extensive trial and appellate experience, defending clients against claims by injured claimants, including those claiming mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are familiar with the intricate research and technology involved in these cases as and particular legal issues that arise when defending companies before federal and state courts across the United States.

Catherine has represented numerous manufacturers in asbestos and product liability personal injury cases, defending them as the lead trial counsel in consolidated trials that involved multiple plaintiffs. She has a wealth of experience litigating asbestos-related cases before federal and state courts, as well as before a variety of supreme and appellate court bodies.

While at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those of respondents in the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The cases files included SEAR forms (Short Evaluative Reports Encapsulated), which contained confidential information about the plaintiffs. The files contained medical reports as well as work histories and an inventory of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs used or worked near. Vogel required a password in order to access the files. Then, she could look over any SEAR forms provided by her current employer.

The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to having extensive experience in trial and appellate work, is widely acclaimed for its ability to negotiate settlements for clients. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs' lawyers to create and implement settlement agreements. The firm also has extensive experience defending businesses against appeals.