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 protect those whose financial security has been affected due to exposure to the hazardous mineral. Compensation could cover medical expenses funeral and burial costs, loss of quality of life, as well as pain and suffering.

Our attorneys serve as local, regional and national counsel in massive toxic tort litigation. As our lawyers are well-versed with the specific issues and complicated science associated asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos fibers are deadly and can cause severe medical conditions like mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is skilled in handling asbestos lawsuits that seek financial compensation for victims and their families due to exposure to this harmful substance. These cases can be complex and therefore it is essential to have a mesothelioma attorney 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 are more lawsuits filed against asbestos producers from the past than before. These cases are a result of the recognition of a link between asbestos and diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer and asbestosis. These companies were aware asbestos's dangers however, they failed to inform the employees and the public.

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

Mesothelioma is triggered by direct exposure to asbestos, and many workers were exposed to it at work. Secondhand exposure can also cause mesothelioma. This is especially true for spouses who wear husband's clothes to work and come into contact with asbestos dust regularly.

The mesothelioma lawsuit can be costly for defendants. This is especially the case if they were incorrectly identified as defendants. A study shows 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 daytime TV and encourage victims to file claims under the premise that they will receive substantial settlements.

The defendants may be able lower some of the expenses arising from these cases by arguing that their policy periods have expired or they're only responsible for a small percentage of the total amount of the claim. New York law does not have a specific rule for how to distribute the liability if the alleged exposure is of and outside the insurer's policies.

Asbestos-related illnesses

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

Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal disease is caused by asbestos legal fibers that are found in the lung. They then irritate the linings of the ribcage (the the pleura) as well as the chest cavity and abdominal cavity. Inhaling these fibers can lead to scarring of the lungs, called asbestosis. It can also result in thickened patches of pleura (pleural plaques) or an increased fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis may decrease lung capacity, as measured by breathing test. They can also cause pain and difficulty in breathing, however they do not lead mesothelioma or cancer.

Symptoms of asbestos-related disease often do not manifest until decades after exposure. This is because it can take between 20 to 50 years for the inhalation of asbestos-containing fibers to cause lung damage. Workers who handled, cleaned and removed asbestos from their workplaces as well as spouses, children and other people who are exposed to asbestos are at risk for developing mesothelioma.

Other asbestos-related illnesses, in addition to mesothelioma include laryngeal carcinoma and lung cancer, peritoneal, ovarian, and peritoneal cancer. The most dangerous form of mesothelioma is called ovarian cancer, however it is less prevalent than mesothelioma in general. It is often diagnosed later than other types of mesothelioma because it is a cancer that develops in the tissue of the reproductive organs and the symptoms may be similar to those of other illnesses.

There were many companies that employed asbestos in the 20th century, however they knew that it was hazardous. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos because they didn't remove it from their products. These people now are able to sue for financial compensation. Many of the asbestos-related manufacturers have declared bankruptcy. As a result, the victims are able to seek the compensation they are entitled to from trust funds set up by the bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

Asbestos companies have put profits over the safety of their employees and consumers for decades making dangerous products, without warning of the dangers. These companies are now confronting the consequences of their carelessness. People whose lives have been disrupted by mesothelioma and lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses are seeking full and fair settlement.

Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals get the justice they deserve. With more than 25 years of experience in the field, we have secured a million of dollars in compensation for our clients. Our New York mesothelioma attorneys work to hold large corporations accountable and obtain the highest amount of compensation for their clients.

Many states have set up special asbestos courts in which claims can be filed and resolving more efficiently. Judges have also developed specialized procedures to evaluate and resolve asbestos-related cases.

New York is one such state, with its own asbestos court known as NYCAL. As asbestos victims continue to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants who have been bankrupt the number of cases that have come through this court has been steadily increasing. 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 of six Supreme Court judges will review every case filed in NYCAL to determine whether to accept or reject it. Judges will also consider the merits of each claim to determine how much a plaintiff should receive.

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

New York asbestos lawsuits can be complex and involve several defendants. Belluck & Fox's lawyers have extensive experience in litigating these complex cases. 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 as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients throughout the nation in multi-district litigation that is complex and complex. In this capacity lawyers devise strategies, oversee local and regional counsel and ensure consistent and effective defenses for clients. They have worked closely with trial and coordination judges and litigation special masters in the various jurisdictions where they were involved in asbestos litigation.

Representation of Plaintiffs

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

In addition to its national asbestos practice, Bowles Rice serves as the national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this capacity, Bowles Rice develops litigation strategies and oversees 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 major part in the administration and management of asbestos dockets as well in negotiations with plaintiffs' attorneys and leading discovery for its clients.

The firm's lawyers have a wealth of trial and appellate experience, 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 intricate science involved with these cases, as well as the unique legal issues that arise when representing 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 lead trial counsel and in consolidated trials that involved multiple claimants. She has a wealth of experience litigating asbestos-related lawsuits before the state and federal courts, as well as a variety of Supreme Court and appellate bodies.

During her tenure 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) that contained confidential information on the claimants, such as medical reports, work histories and the list of asbestos-related products that the plaintiff worked with or around. Vogel was required to have an account password to access the files. She could then review any SEAR forms from her current employer.

In addition to its extensive trial and appellate experience, the Bowles Rice Asbestos Team is acknowledged nationally for its ability to negotiate settlements on behalf of its clients. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs’ lawyers to draft and implement settlement agreements. The firm also has extensive experience defending businesses against appeals.