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 assist those who's financial security was 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 local, regional, and national counsel in mass toxic tort litigation. As a result, we are familiarized with the unique issues and complex aspects of science of asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos is a deadly fiber that can trigger a variety of severe medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney is experienced in dealing with lawsuits that seek financial compensation for those who have suffered from asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be complicated and it's crucial to have a
mesothelioma lawyer to assist you.
New York has a long history of asbestos litigation, and many residents have been exposed to this hazardous substance. In recent years there have been more lawsuits filed against asbestos producers in the past than ever before. These cases arise out of the realization that asbestos can cause illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer. These companies were aware of asbestos' dangers but did not take the time to warn their employees and customers.
New York City is especially vulnerable to illnesses caused by asbestos because of its old structures and many construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic site that continues to impact on the surrounding community.
Mesothelioma is triggered by exposure to asbestos in direct contact and a lot of workers were exposed in the workplace. However, people also get diagnosed with mesothelioma after experiencing secondhand exposure to the harmful substances. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposure workers who wore their husband's work clothes and came into contact with asbestos dust regularly.
The
mesothelioma lawsuit (
Telegra blog entry) is costly for defendants, particularly when they are incorrectly named as a defendant. According to an investigation, more than 3,600 claims have been filed in New York courts since 2014 and the number is expected to increase even more. This niche litigation is often supported by asbestos law firms that advertise on daytime TV and entice victims to file claims, with the promise of large settlements.
Defendants might be able to mitigate some of the costs arising from these cases by asserting that their policy periods expire or they are only accountable for a small percentage of the amount of the claim. New York law does not have a specific rule for how to divide responsibility when the alleged risk is of and outside the insurance policies.
Asbestos-related Diseases
A myriad of asbestos-related illnesses can be triggered due to exposure to the toxic mineral. The mesothelioma disease is the most serious. Many have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer and asbestosis. Pleural plaques and effusion are also asbestos-related.
Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal illness caused by exposure to asbestos fibers which accumulate in the lungs, and can cause irritation to the lining of the chest cavity, ribcage and abdominal cavity (the pleura). Inhaling these tiny fibers can result in scarring of the lungs known as asbestosis and, sometimes, the development of thickened patches on the pleura referred to as pleural plaques or an enlargement of fibrosis in the pleura called diffused pleural fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis could reduce lung capacity, as measured by a breath test. They can also cause pain and difficulties in breathing, however they don't cause cancer or mesothelioma.
The signs of asbestos-related illness typically do not manifest until decades after exposure. This is because it can take between 20 and 50 years for the inhalation of asbestos fibers to damage the lungs. People who are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other asbestos-related ailments include those who handled, cleaned, and removed these materials from the workplace and spouses and children of asbestos-related exposure.
Other asbestos-related diseases, in addition to mesothelioma include laryngeal cancer and lung cancer, peritoneal, ovarian, and peritoneal cancer. The most dangerous mesothelioma type is ovarian cancer, but it's much less prevalent than mesothelioma in general. It is diagnosed later than other types of
mesothelioma attorney, because it develops within the linings of reproductive organs. The symptoms may be similar to other diseases.
Many companies employed asbestos in the 20th century, but they knew that it was hazardous. If they didn't remove asbestos from their products thousands of people were exposed. The affected people are now able to sue for financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are bankrupt. In the aftermath, victims can seek the money they are entitled to from trust funds established by the bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
For decades, asbestos-related companies have put profits ahead of the safety of their employees as well as consumers, manufacturing hazardous products without warning of the risks. They are now confronting the consequences of their inattention. People whose lives have been disrupted by mesothelioma and lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses are seeking full and fair compensation.
The attorneys at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to assisting families and individuals obtain 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 lawyers work to hold accountable large corporations accountable and to secure 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. In addition, judges have established special procedures for evaluating and resolving asbestos cases.
New York is one such state, with its own asbestos court, known as NYCAL. The caseload in this specialty court has increased steadily, as increasing numbers of asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent former asbestos defendants who went bankrupt. In order to ensure that the justice system isn't overwhelmed and overwhelmed, the New York Supreme Court has created an extra judicial panel to 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 how much a plaintiff should be awarded.
The panel is currently examining more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to issue its final ruling by the end of this year.
New York asbestos lawsuits can be complicated and can involve several defendants. Belluck and Fox's lawyers have a wealth of experience in the litigation of these difficult matters. They are familiar with the asbestos courts of New York as well as their rules regulations, policies and guidelines in addition to other jurisdictions in which they have handled multi-district litigation.
The firm has also extensive experience as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in complex, multidistrict litigation. In this capacity, lawyers develop strategies, coordinate and oversee regional and local counsel and ensure cost-effective, consistent defenses for each client. They have worked closely with trial judges, coordinating judges, and special masters of litigation from different jurisdictions.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A knowledgeable Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best approach to defend a client against a claim for personal injury resulting from asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels product manufacturers, suppliers contractors, distributors, contractors and property owners in cases involving claims for
mesothelioma lawyers, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm also works with clients to develop internal programs for identifying and addressing potential safety and liability concerns.
In addition to its national asbestos practice, Bowles Rice serves as the national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this role the firm designs litigation strategies, manages regional and local counsel and provides a cost-effective and consistent defense in coordination with client objectives. Additionally, it plays a key part in the administration of asbestos dockets, negotiations with plaintiffs' counsel and leads discovery for its clients.
The attorneys of the firm have a wealth of trial and appellate experience, defending clients against claims made by injured claimants, such as 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 businesses before state and federal courts throughout the United States.
Catherine has represented a variety of manufacturers as lead counsel in asbestos and personal injury lawsuits related to product liability, and in consolidated cases involving multiple plaintiffs. She has extensive experience in litigating asbestos-related lawsuits in the state and federal courts as well as various appellate and Supreme Court bodies.
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 plaintiffs. These included medical reports and work histories, as well as a list asbestos products that plaintiffs used or worked near. Vogel was required to use an account 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 its extensive experience in appellate and trial work, is widely acclaimed for its ability to negotiate settlements for clients. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs’ lawyers to draft and implement settlement agreements. It also has extensive experience in defending businesses from appeals.