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

A lawyer for asbestos defense can help protect those who's financial security has been affected by exposure to the toxic mineral. Compensation can cover medical costs, funeral and burial expenses as well as pain and suffering and the loss of quality of life.

Our attorneys serve as national, regional and local counsel in large toxic tort litigation. As such, we are familiar with the specific issues and complex science associated with asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos is a dangerous fiber that can lead to numerous serious medical conditions, such as mesothelioma attorney. A New York asbestos lawyer is adept at dealing with asbestos lawsuits, which seek financial compensation for the victims and their families who have been exposed to this toxic substance. These cases can be complicated and therefore it is essential to have an experienced mesothelioma law firm on your side.

New York has had a long history with asbestos litigation. Many residents were exposed to this hazardous material. In recent years there have been more claims against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases stem from the recognition of a connection between asbestos and certain diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. These companies were aware of asbestos' dangers, but failed to warn the employees and the public.

New York City is especially susceptible to diseases caused by asbestos due to its old structures and construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously toxic area that continues affect the community around it.

Many workers were exposed to asbestos in the workplace. However, people also get diagnosed with mesothelioma after experiencing exposure to 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.

The mesothelioma lawsuit (My Home Page) is costly for defendants, especially when they are incorrectly named as a defendant. A study indicates that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could increase. Specialized asbestos law firms often advertise on daytime TV and encourage victims to file claims under the premise that they will receive significant settlements.

The defendants may be able lower some of the expenses arising from these cases by arguing that their policy periods expire or they are only responsible for a tiny percentage of the amount of the claim. New York law does not have a clear rule on how to divide the liability if the alleged exposure is within and part outside of the insurance policies.

Asbestos-related illnesses

A myriad of asbestos-related illnesses can develop due to exposure to the toxic mineral. The most serious condition is mesothelioma. Many people have died due to mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques, and pleural effusion.

Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal illness, is caused by asbestos fibers that are found in the lungs. They then cause irritation to the linings of the ribcage (the pleura), chest cavity and abdominal cavity. The inhalation of these tiny fibers can cause scarring of the lungs called asbestosis, and occasionally, the development of thickened patches on the pleura called pleural plaques or an enlargement of fibrosis in the pleura, referred to as diffused pleural fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis may reduce lung capacity, as determined by a breathing test. They also cause pain and difficulty breathing however they do not cause mesothelioma or cancer.

The majority of the time, signs of asbestos-related diseases do not manifest until decades after initial exposure. This is due to the fact that it can take between 20 to 50 years for exposure to asbestos fibers to cause lung damage. Workers who handled, cleaned and removed asbestos from the workplace as well as spouses, children and others who were exposed to asbestos are at risk for developing mesothelioma.

Other asbestos-related diseases in addition to mesothelioma include laryngeal carcinoma and lung cancer, peritoneal, ovarian, and peritoneal cancer. Ovarian cancer is the most fatal mesothelioma type for women, but it is less prevalent than mesothelioma lawyers in general. It is usually diagnosed later than other types of mesothelioma because it develops in the lining of the reproductive organs and the symptoms may be similar to those of other illnesses.

A number of companies used asbestos in the 20th century. They knew it was a risk. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos because they didn't remove it from their products. Now, these people have the right to claim financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are insolvent. The victims are now able to claim compensation from trust funds created by bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

Asbestos-related companies have put profit over the safety of their employees and customers for a long time creating dangerous products without warning about the risks. These companies are now facing the consequences of their inattention. People who have suffered from life-altering issues caused by mesothelioma, cancer of the lung, and other asbestos-related illnesses are seeking full and fair compensation.

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

Many states have set up special asbestos courts in which claims can be filed and resolving more efficiently. Additionally, judges have established special procedures for evaluating and resolving asbestos cases.

New York is one such state that has its own asbestos court known as NYCAL. The number of cases filed in this court has been increasing steadily as increasing numbers of asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent former asbestos defendants who have become bankrupt. The New York Supreme Court created an extra judicial board to oversee NYCAL to stop the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.

A panel composed 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 case to determine the amount a plaintiff should be awarded.

The panel is currently looking at more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected make a final decision before the end of the year.

New York asbestos lawsuits can be complicated and can involve several defendants. Belluck & Fox's lawyers have extensive experience in defending these complicated issues. They are well-versed in New York's asbestos courts and their rules and regulations and other jurisdictions in which they have handled multi-district litigation.

The firm also has extensive experience in serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients throughout the nation in complex, multi-district litigation. In this role, attorneys develop strategies, coordinate and manage regional and local counsel and ensure cost-effective and consistent defenses for each client. They have been in close contact with trial judges, coordination judges and special masters of litigation from different jurisdictions.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will decide which strategy is the best way to defend the client in a personal injury lawsuit involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, contractors and premises owners in cases involving claims for mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm also works with clients to create internal programs for identifying and addressing any risks to safety and liability.

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 Bowles Rice formulates litigation strategies and oversees local and region counsel to ensure a consistent and cost-effective defense that is in line with the client's objectives. It also plays an important 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 in defending clients against claims 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 unique legal issues that arise when defending companies before federal and state courts across the United States.

Catherine has represented numerous manufacturers as the lead trial counsel in asbestos and personal injury lawsuits involving product liability, and in cases that have been consolidated involving multiple plaintiffs. She has extensive experience in litigating asbestos-related lawsuits before the federal and state courts, as well as a variety of 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 on the plaintiffs, including medical reports, a history of work, and a list of asbestos products that plaintiffs worked with or around. Vogel was required to use access to these files, and she could also look over the SEAR forms of any case with her current employer.

In addition to its extensive trial and appellate experience in addition to its extensive trial and appellate experience, the Bowles Rice Asbestos Team is recognized nationally for its ability to negotiate settlements on behalf of 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 from appeals.