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 whose financial security has been affected due to exposure to the hazardous mineral. Compensation can cover medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, loss of quality of life, and pain and suffering.
Our attorneys are involved in the mass litigation of toxic torts on a national, regional and local scale. We are knowledgeable about the specific issues and complex aspects of science that are associated with asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos fibers can be deadly and can cause severe medical conditions such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney is adept at handling lawsuits seeking financial compensation for victims of asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be complicated and it is crucial to have a mesothelioma expert law firm on your side.
New York has a long history of asbestos litigation and many residents have been exposed to this dangerous 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 that asbestos is linked to illnesses such as mesothelioma or lung cancer. These companies knew of the dangers of the hazardous mineral, but did not warn their employees and clients.
New York City is especially vulnerable 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 community around it.
Many workers were exposed to asbestos at work. In addition, exposure to asbestos through secondhand sources can lead to 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 expensive for defendants, particularly if they are wrongfully named as a defendant. A study has revealed that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could grow. Specialized asbestos law firms typically advertise on television during the day and encourage victims to submit claims under the premise that they will receive significant settlements.
Defendants might be able to reduce some of the expenses arising from these cases by arguing that their policy periods expire or they are only responsible for a tiny portion of the claim value. However, New York law has not provided a definitive rule on how to allocate liability when the alleged exposure is in and out of the policy period of the insurer.
Asbestos-related diseases
Exposure to asbestos can lead to a wide range of illnesses. The most serious condition is mesothelioma. Many people have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer and asbestosis. Pleural plaques and pleural effusion are also asbestos-related.
Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal condition is caused by asbestos fibers which 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 small fibers can result in scarring of the lungs called asbestosis, and occasionally, the formation of thickened patches on the pleura, known as plaques of pleura or an enlargement of fibrosis in the pleura known as diffused the fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis may reduce lung capacity, as determined by a breathing test. They can also cause pain and difficulty in breathing, but they are not the cause of cancer or mesothelioma.
The majority of the time, signs of asbestos-related illnesses don't show up 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 and other asbestos-related ailments include those who handled, laundered and removed asbestos-containing products from their workplaces and spouses and children of asbestos-related exposure.
In addition to mesothelioma, other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma and mesothelioma of the ovary. The most fatal mesothelioma type is ovarian cancer, however it is less prevalent than mesothelioma in general. It is diagnosed later than most other types of mesothelioma, because it occurs within the linings of reproductive organs. Symptoms can be similar to those of other illnesses.
Many companies employed asbestos during the 20th century. They were aware that it was hazardous. When they did not remove asbestos from their products, thousands of people were exposed. Now, these people are able to seek 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
Asbestos-related companies have put profit over the safety of their workers and consumers for decades making dangerous products, without warning of the dangers. These companies are now paying for their negligence. People who have suffered from asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and complete settlement.
The attorneys for asbestos exposure attorneys at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to helping families and individuals get the justice they deserve. 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 obtain maximum compensation for our clients.
Many states have set up special asbestos courts where claims can be filed and resolved more efficiently. Judges have also created specific procedures to assess and resolve asbestos-related cases.
New York is one such state with its own asbestos court, known as NYCAL. The number of cases in this court has increased steadily, as asbestos victims are becoming more and more likely to seek compensation from solvent former asbestos defendants who have become bankrupt. The New York Supreme Court created an extra judicial board to supervise 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 evaluate the merits of each claim to determine the amount of the plaintiff's compensation should be.
At present, the panel is reviewing more than 3,500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to issue its final ruling before the end of the year.
New York asbestos lawsuits are often complex and include allegations of several defendants. Belluck and Fox's lawyers have vast experience in litigating these complex matters. They are familiar with the asbestos courts in 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 also has vast experience serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients across the country in complex, multi-district litigation. In this role, lawyers develop strategies, oversee regional and local counsel, and ensure that they are able to provide consistent and efficient defenses for clients. They have worked closely with trial and coordination judges and litigation special masters in 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 from an asbestos personal injury claim. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises suppliers, manufacturers, contractors, distributors and owners of premises on matters that involve mesothelioma claims, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm also assists clients to develop internal programs for identifying and addressing potential safety and liability concerns.
Bowles Rice in addition to its asbestos practice across the country and multi-state asbestos litigation, is also the national Coordinating Counsel. In this role, the firm develops strategies for litigation, oversees regional and local counsel and ensures a consistent and cost-effective defense in coordination with client goals. It also plays a significant role in the administration and management of asbestos dockets as well in negotiations with plaintiffs' lawyers and leading discovery for its clients.
The firm's attorneys are experienced in defending clients from claims of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses. Asbestos defense attorneys are familiar with the intricate science involved in these cases as well as unique legal issues that arise while representing companies in federal and state courts across the United States.
Catherine has represented a variety of manufacturers as lead counsel in asbestos and product liability personal injury lawsuits as well as in consolidated cases involving multiple plaintiffs. She has extensive experience arguing asbestos-related lawsuits before federal and state courts, as well as various appellate and Supreme Court bodies.
During her time at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos cases for respondents, including the Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The case files included SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports) that contained confidential information about the claimants, such as medical reports, a history of work and a list of asbestos products that plaintiffs worked with or around. Vogel was required to have a password to access the files and was able to go through the SEAR forms of any case with her current employer.
The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to its extensive experience in trial and appellate work, is recognized nationally for its ability to successfully negotiate settlements for clients. In this capacity, the company collaborates with the lawyers of plaintiffs in the development and execution of settlement agreements. Additionally, it has a vast experience in defending companies against appeals.