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 was affected by exposure to the harmful mineral. Compensation can cover medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, lost quality of life, as well as pain and suffering.

Our attorneys are involved in the mass litigation of toxic torts on a regional, national and local scale. This means that we are knowledgeable about the specific issues and complex scientific aspects associated with asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos is a deadly fiber that can lead to various serious medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney (go to Sunexcavator) is skilled in handling lawsuits seeking financial compensation for those who have suffered from asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be extremely complex, and it is critical to have a mesothelioma expert law firm by your side.

New York has had a long-running history of asbestos litigation. Many residents were exposed to this dangerous material. In recent years there have been more lawsuits filed against asbestos producers from the past than before. These cases are the result of the recognition that asbestos is linked to illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer. These companies were aware of the dangers that asbestos posed but did not take the time to warn their employees and customers.

The New York City area is particularly susceptible to asbestos-related illnesses due to its old structures and the numerous construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic location that continues to have an impact on the surrounding community.

Many workers were exposed to asbestos at work. However, some people are diagnosed with mesothelioma following an exposure secondarily to the harmful substances. This includes spouses who wear husband's clothing to work and come into contact with asbestos dust frequently.

The mesothelioma litigation is costly for defendants, especially when they are mistakenly identified as defendants. A study shows that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could increase. This type of litigation is typically driven by asbestos law firms that advertise on television during the day and encourage victims to file claims, with the promise of substantial settlements.

Defendants might be able to reduce some of the costs associated with these cases by arguing that their policy periods expire or they are only responsible for a tiny percentage of the total claim value. However, New York law has not provided a definitive rule on how to divide liabilities when the alleged exposure occurs partly within and outside the insurer's policy periods.

Asbestos-related Diseases

A variety of asbestos-related illnesses can develop because of exposure to the mineral that causes cancer. The condition known as mesothelioma is the most severe. Many people have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques and the pleural effusion.

Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal illness caused by exposure to asbestos fibers that accumulate in the lungs and irritate the lining of the ribcage, chest cavity and abdominal cavity (the the pleura). 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 called plaques on the pleura, or a more widespread fibrosis of the pleura known as diffused fibrisis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrosis reduce lung capacity as determined by breathing tests. They can also cause pain and difficulties in breathing, but they are not the cause of mesothelioma or cancer.

The majority of the time, signs of asbestos-related illnesses don't manifest until decades after initial exposure. This is because it could take between 20 to 50 years for inhalation of asbestos-containing fibers to damage the lungs. People who are at risk of developing mesothelioma or any other asbestos lawsuit-related conditions include workers who handled, cleaned and removed asbestos-containing products from the workplace and spouses and children of those who were exposed to asbestos.

Other asbestos-related illnesses, in addition to mesothelioma include laryngeal cancer and lung cancer as well as peritoneal, ovarian and peritoneal cancer. Ovarian cancer is the deadliest mesothelioma type for women however, it is much less prevalent than mesothelioma in general. It is usually diagnosed later than other forms of mesothelioma since it is a cancer that develops in the tissue of the reproductive organs, and symptoms can be similar to symptoms of other illnesses.

A number of companies used asbestos in the 20th century, however they knew that it was dangerous. When they did not remove asbestos from their products, thousands of people were exposed. The affected people are now able to seek financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are bankrupt. The victims are now able to seek compensation from the trust funds set up by bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

For decades, asbestos-related companies put profits above the security of their employees and consumers, manufacturing hazardous products, without warning of the dangers. These companies are now facing the consequences of their negligence. 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.

Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping 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 large corporations responsible accountable and seek maximum compensation for our clients.

A number of states have set up special asbestos courts, where claims can be filed more efficiently. Judges have also created specific procedures to assess and resolve such cases.

New York, a state with its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL), is one of the states. As asbestos victims continue to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants that have declared bankruptcy and have been unable to pay, the workload of the court has been steadily increasing. The New York Supreme Court created a special judicial board to supervise NYCAL in order to keep the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.

A panel of six Supreme Court judges will review each case in NYCAL to determine whether to accept or reject it. Judges will also evaluate the merits of each case to determine the amount the plaintiff is entitled to.

The panel is currently examining more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to announce its final decision by the end of this year.

New York asbestos settlement lawsuits are usually complex and involve allegations of multiple defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience in the litigation of these complicated 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 in which they have handled multidistrict litigation.

The firm also has vast experience in serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients nationwide in multi-district, complex litigation. In this role, attorneys create strategies, coordinate and manage regional and local counsel and ensure consistent and cost-effective defenses for each client. They have worked closely in the past with trial judges, coordination judges and special masters of litigation from various jurisdictions.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A knowledgeable Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best strategy to defend a client in an asbestos personal injury claim. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels suppliers, manufacturers contractors, distributors, contractors, and owners of premises in cases involving claims for mesothelioma and lung cancer and other asbestos legal-related diseases. The firm also assists clients to create internal programs to identify and addressing risks to safety and liability.

In addition to its national asbestos practice, Bowles Rice serves as the national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this role Bowles Rice formulates litigation strategies and oversees regional and local counsel to achieve a consistent and cost-effective defense that is in line with the client's needs. It also plays a significant role in the administration and management of asbestos dockets, as well as negotiations with plaintiffs' lawyers and leading discovery for its clients.

The firm's lawyers have experience in defending clients from claims of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses. Asbestos defense attorneys 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 defended numerous manufacturers in asbestos and product liability personal injury cases, acting as lead trial counsel and in consolidated trials that involved multiple plaintiffs. She has extensive experience in arguing asbestos-related lawsuits before 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 at the Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The case files contained SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports) which contained confidential information about the claimants, such as medical reports, work histories, and an inventory of asbestos-related products that the plaintiff worked with or around. Vogel had to have an account password to access the files. Then, she could review any SEAR forms that she received from 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 well-known throughout the country 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 in defending businesses from appeals.