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

An asbestos defense attorney can assist in ensuring the financial security of those injured by exposure to this toxic mineral. Compensation can cover medical costs funeral and burial costs, pain and suffering, and loss of quality of life.

Our lawyers are local, regional, and national counsel in massive 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 trigger serious medical conditions like mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is adept at handling asbestos lawsuits that seek financial compensation for the victims and their families who have been exposed to this toxic substance. These cases can be a bit complicated, so it's important to have a mesothelioma lawyer to assist you.

New York has a long history of asbestos litigation, and many residents have been exposed to the dangerous substance. In recent years there have been more lawsuits against asbestos producers from the past than before. These cases stem from the recognition of a connection between asbestos and diseases like mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. These companies knew of the dangers of the hazardous mineral, but failed to inform their employees and customers.

The New York City area is particularly susceptible to asbestos-related ailments due to its older structures and numerous construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously toxic area that continues affect the surrounding community.

Many workers were exposed to asbestos at work. However, some people are diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of secondhand exposure to the harmful substances. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposed workers who were wearing their husband's work clothes and came in contact with asbestos dust regularly.

Mesothelioma-related litigation can be expensive for defendants. This is especially true if they have been wrongly identified 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 kind of litigation is usually fueled by specialized asbestos law firms that promote on television during the day and encourage victims to file claims, with the promise of substantial settlements.

The defendants could be able to reduce some of the costs of these cases by arguing that their policy periods are overdue or that they are only responsible only a small percentage of the claim value. However, New York law has not set out a clear policy regarding how to allocate liabilities when the alleged exposure occurs outside of the insurer's policy periods.

Asbestos-related Diseases

Exposure to asbestos can lead to a wide range of illnesses. The condition known as mesothelioma is the most serious. Mesothelioma has caused the death of many people. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer and asbestosis. Pleural plaques and pleural effusion are also asbestos-related.

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

Often, symptoms of asbestos-related diseases don't manifest until decades after initial exposure. It could take up to 50 years for asbestos fibers inhaled to cause lung damage. Workers who handled, cleaned and removed asbestos from their workplaces as well as spouses, children and others who were exposed to asbestos are at risk for developing mesothelioma.

As well as mesothelioma, other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma, and mesothelioma ovarian. The most dangerous mesothelioma type is ovarian cancer, but it's less common than the general mesothelioma. It is typically diagnosed later than other forms of mesothelioma due to the fact that it 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, but they were aware that it was hazardous. When they failed to remove asbestos from their products, thousands of people were exposed. Now, these people are able to seek financial compensation. Many asbestos-related manufacturers are bankrupt. As a result, the victims can seek the money they deserve from the trust funds set up by the bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

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

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

Many states have established asbestos courts that are specifically designed so that claims can be filed more efficiently. In addition, judges have established specialized procedures for evaluating and resolving asbestos 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 caseload of this court has been steadily increasing. In order to ensure that the justice system is not overloaded and overwhelmed, the New York Supreme Court has ordered the creation of an additional judicial panel that will oversee NYCAL.

A panel 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 consider the merits of each claim to determine the amount the plaintiff is entitled to.

The panel is currently studying more than 3,500 lawsuits. The panel is expected issue its final decision before the end of this year.

New York asbestos lawsuits are usually complex and include allegations of multiple defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience with the litigation of these complicated matters. They are knowledgeable of the rules, regulations, and policies of the asbestos compensation 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 in asbestos litigation, representing clients across the country in complex, multi-district litigation. In this role, attorneys create strategies, coordinate and oversee regional and local counsel, and ensure cost-effective and consistent defenses for each client. They have collaborated closely with trial and coordination judges and special masters of litigation in the various jurisdictions where they have been involved in asbestos litigation.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will determine what strategy is the best way to defend the client from a personal injury claim involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels product manufacturers, suppliers contractors, distributors, contractors and owners of premises in matters involving claims of mesothelioma and lung cancer and other asbestos Case-related illnesses. The firm also works with clients to develop internal programs for identifying and addressing safety and liability concerns.

Bowles Rice in addition to its asbestos practice in the national level and multi-state asbestos litigation, is also the national Coordinating Counsel. In this capacity, the firm develops litigation strategies, manages local and regional counsel, and achieves consistent and cost-effective defense that is in sync with the client's goals. Additionally it plays a crucial role in the management of asbestos dockets and negotiations with counsel for plaintiffs and also leads discovery for its clients.

The firm's attorneys have a wealth of trial and appellate experience, defending clients against claims made by injured claimants, which includes those who claim mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense lawyers are familiar with the intricate science involved with these cases, as well as the particular legal issues that arise when defending companies in federal and state courts across the United States.

Catherine has represented a variety of manufacturers as the lead trial counsel in asbestos and personal injury lawsuits related to product liability, and in cases that have been consolidated involving multiple plaintiffs. She has extensive experience in arguing asbestos-related cases in federal and state courts and before various supreme and appellate court bodies.

During her time at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those of respondents to the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The cases files contained SEAR forms (Short Evaluative reports that are encapsulated) that contained confidential data about the claimants. The files contained medical reports as well as work histories and a list asbestos products that plaintiffs used or worked near. Vogel was required to use a password to access these files and could look over the SEAR forms of any case at her current employer.

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