An Asbestos Defense Attorney Can Help Protect the Financial Security of Those Harmed by Exposure to This Harmful Mineral
external pageA defense attorney for asbestos can help protect those who's financial security has been affected by exposure to the toxic mineral. Compensation can cover medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, lost quality of life, and suffering and pain.
Our attorneys serve as local, regional and national counsel in large toxic tort litigation. As such, we are familiar with the unique issues and the complex science that go along asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos fibers are deadly and can cause serious medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is skilled in handling asbestos lawsuits that seek financial compensation for victims and their families who have been exposed to this harmful substance. These cases can be extremely complex, and it is critical to have a reputable mesothelioma law firm on your side.
New York has had a long history with asbestos litigation. Many residents were exposed to this hazardous substance. In recent years there have been more lawsuits against former asbestos producers than ever 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 of the dangers of the asbestos-containing mineral, yet they didn't warn their employees and consumers.
The New York City area is particularly susceptible to asbestos-related ailments because of its older structures and a myriad of construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic site that continues to impact on the community surrounding it.
Mesothelioma can be caused by exposure to asbestos directly and many workers were exposed at work. However, some people are diagnosed with mesothelioma attorneys after experiencing an exposure secondarily to the harmful substances. This is especially true for spouses who wear husband's clothes at work and come in contact with asbestos dust frequently.
The mesothelioma litigation is costly for defendants, especially when they are mistakenly identified as a defendant. A study indicates that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could grow. This type of litigation is typically supported by asbestos law firms that advertise on daytime TV and entice victims to file claims, with the promise of substantial settlements.
The defendants might be able to reduce the cost of these cases by arguing their policy periods are overdue or that they are only responsible for a small portion of the amount claimed. However, New York law has not set out a clear policy on how to allocate liability when the alleged exposure occurs partly outside of the insurer's policy periods.
Asbestos-related diseases
Exposure to asbestos can trigger various ailments. The condition known as mesothelioma is the most serious. Many people have died due to mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques, and pleural effusion.
mesothelioma attorney, a rare, but fatal illness, is caused by asbestos fibers that are found in the lung. They then irritate the linings of the ribcage (the the pleura), chest cavity, and abdominal cavity. The inhalation of these tiny fibers can cause scarring of the lungs called 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 known as diffused fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis may reduce lung capacity, as determined by a breathing test. They also cause breathing problems and pain however they do not cause mesothelioma lawsuits or cancer.
The signs of asbestos-related illness typically do not manifest until decades after the initial exposure. It can take as long as 50 years for asbestos fibers inhaled to cause lung damage. The people at risk of developing mesothelioma or other asbestos-related ailments include those who handled, cleaned, and removed these materials from their workplaces and their spouses and children of those who were exposed to asbestos.
In addition to mesothelioma lawyer other asbestos-related illnesses include laryngeal cancer, lung cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma and ovarian mesothelioma. Ovarian cancer is among the most deadly mesothelioma that women suffer from, but it is less common than mesothelioma lawyer general. It is usually diagnosed later than other types of mesothelioma because it is a cancer that develops in the lining of the reproductive organs and symptoms can be similar to those of other illnesses.
There were many companies that employed asbestos in the 20th century, however they knew that it was a risk. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos when they didn't remove it from their products. These people can now claim financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are insolvent. In the aftermath, victims can seek the compensation they deserve from the trust funds established by the bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
For decades, asbestos-related companies put profits above the security of their employees and consumers, manufacturing hazardous products, without warning of the risks. These companies are now confronting the consequences of their negligence. Victims of asbestos-related illnesses such as mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and complete compensation.
The attorneys at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to assisting families and individuals receive the justice they need. With more than 25 years of experience, we have secured millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. Our New York mesothelioma lawyers work to hold responsible large corporations accountable and to secure maximum compensation for our clients.
Many states have established special asbestos courts in which claims can be filed and resolving more efficiently. In addition 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 the states. The number of cases filed in this court has grown steadily, as increasing numbers of asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants who have become bankrupt. In order to ensure that the justice system isn't overloaded the New York Supreme Court has established an additional judicial panel that will oversee NYCAL.
A panel of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine whether it should be accepted or rejected. Judges will also evaluate the merits of every claim to determine the amount of amount of money each plaintiff should receive.
Currently, the panel is studying more than 3,500 lawsuits. The panel is expected issue its final decision by the end of the year.
New York asbestos lawsuits are usually complex and include allegations of several defendants. Belluck and Fox's lawyers have vast experience in the litigation of these difficult matters. 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 where they have handled multidistrict litigation.
The firm also has extensive experience as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in complex, multidistrict litigation. In this role, attorneys develop strategies, coordinate and manage regional and local counsel, and ensure consistent and cost-effective defenses for every client. They have worked closely with coordinating and trial judges and special masters of litigation in various jurisdictions where they have been involved in asbestos litigation.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A knowledgeable Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best strategy to defend a client from a claim for personal injury resulting from asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels suppliers, manufacturers contractors, distributors, contractors, and property owners in cases involving claims for mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm works with clients in the development of internal programs to determine and deal with potential liability and safety issues.
In addition to its asbestos practice across the nation, Bowles Rice serves as the national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this capacity Bowles Rice formulates strategies for litigation and supervises local and region counsel to ensure a consistent and cost-effective defense that is in line with the client's goals. Additionally it plays a crucial role in the administration of asbestos dockets and negotiations with counsel for plaintiffs and also leads discovery for its clients.
The firm's attorneys are experienced in defending clients against mesothelioma claims and other asbestos-related illnesses. Asbestos defense attorneys are acquainted with the complex science that is associated with these cases, and the particular legal issues that arise when defending companies before federal and state courts across the United States.
Catherine has represented a variety of companies in asbestos and products liability personal injury cases, acting as the lead counsel in consolidated trials involving a variety of plaintiffs. She has extensive experience litigating asbestos-related lawsuits before federal and state courts as well as various Supreme Court and appellate courts.
During her time at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos cases for respondents, including those in the Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The case files included SEAR forms (Short encapsulated Evaluative reports), which contained confidential information about claimants. These included medical reports as well as work histories and the list of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs used or worked near. Vogel was required to use access to these files and could look over the SEAR forms of any case she had with her current employer.
The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to its vast experience in trial and appellate work, is nationally recognized for its ability to successfully negotiate settlements for its 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 from appeals.