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, loss of quality of life, and suffering and pain.

Our lawyers are involved in mass toxic tort litigation at a national, regional and local level. As such, we are familiar with the particular issues and the complex science that go along with asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos is a dangerous fiber that can cause a variety of severe medical conditions, including mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is adept at handling asbestos lawsuits that seek compensation for victims and their families who have been exposed to this toxic substance. These cases can be extremely complex and therefore it is essential to have a reputable mesothelioma lawyer on your side.

New York has had a long-running history of asbestos litigation, and many residents were exposed to this hazardous substance. In recent years there have been more claims against former asbestos manufacturers than ever before. These cases arise out of the recognition that asbestos is associated with diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. These companies knew of the dangers associated with this asbestos-containing mineral, yet they didn't warn their employees and clients.

New York City is especially susceptible to diseases caused by asbestos due to its older structures and construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic location that continues to have an impact on the community around it.

Mesothelioma is triggered by exposure to asbestos in direct contact, and many workers were exposed at work. Exposure to asbestos from the outside can cause mesothelioma. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposure workers who had their husbands' work clothes and came into contact with asbestos dust on a regular basis.

The mesothelioma lawsuit is costly for defendants, particularly 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 rise. This niche litigation is often fueled by specialized asbestos law firms that promote on daytime TV and entice victims to file claims with the promise of large settlements.

Defendants might be able to reduce some of the costs arising from these cases by asserting that their policy periods have expired or they are only responsible for a small percentage of the total amount of the claim. New York law does not provide a definitive rule on how to divide the liability if the alleged exposure is within and part outside of the insurance policies.

Asbestos-related diseases

A variety of asbestos-related illnesses can be triggered because of exposure to the toxic mineral. The most severe condition is mesothelioma. Many 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 that is caused by asbestos fibers that are found in the lungs. They then irritate the linings of the ribcage (the Pleura), chest cavity and abdominal cavity. Inhaling these fibers can lead to scarring in the lungs, known as asbestosis. It can also cause thickened patches of pleura (pleural plaques) or an increase in fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrosis reduce lung capacity, as measured by breathing tests. They can also cause discomfort and breathing difficulties but they don't cause mesothelioma or cancer.

Often, symptoms of asbestos-related diseases do not appear until decades after the initial exposure. This is due to the fact that it can take between 20 and 50 years for the inhalation of asbestos legal-containing fibers to damage the lungs. The people at risk of developing mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related conditions include workers who handled, laundered and removed asbestos-containing materials from their workplaces and their spouses and children of asbestos-related exposure.

As well as mesothelioma, other asbestos-related diseases include laryngeal cancer, lung cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma, and mesothelioma ovarian. The most fatal form of mesothelioma is ovarian cancer, however it is less frequent than the general mesothelioma. It is diagnosed later than most other types of mesothelioma because it occurs within the linings of reproductive organs. The symptoms may be similar to other illnesses.

There were many companies that employed asbestos in the 20th century, however they were aware that it was dangerous. If they didn't remove it from their products, thousands of people were exposed. Now, those exposed have the right to sue for financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are bankrupt. As a result, the victims can seek the money they deserve from the trust funds established by the bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

For decades, asbestos companies have put profits ahead of the safety of their employees as well as consumers by producing dangerous products, without warning of the risks. These companies are now confronting the consequences of their negligence. People who have suffered from asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and complete settlement.

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

Many states have created asbestos courts that are specifically designed so that claims can be filed more efficiently. Judges have also created specific procedures to assess and resolve these cases.

New York, a state with its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL) is one of them. As asbestos victims continue to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants that have been bankrupt, the caseload of this court has been steadily increasing. The New York Supreme Court created an extra judicial board to supervise NYCAL in order to keep the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.

A panel comprised of six Supreme Court judges will review each case in NYCAL to determine whether or not to take it up with it. Judges will also evaluate the merits of each case to determine the amount a plaintiff should be awarded.

Currently, the panel is looking into more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to issue its final decision by the end of this year.

New York asbestos lawsuits can be complicated and can involve multiple defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience with the litigation of these complicated cases. They are well-versed in New York's asbestos courts as well as their rules, regulations and policies and other jurisdictions where they have handled multi-district litigation.

The firm also has extensive experience in serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients nationwide in complex, multi-district litigation. In this role, lawyers develop strategies, manage regional and local counsel, and ensure that they are able to provide consistent and effective defenses for clients. They have worked closely with trial judges, coordinating judges and special masters of litigation from various jurisdictions.

Representation of Plaintiffs

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

In addition to its national asbestos practice, Bowles Rice serves as the national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos attorney litigation. In this capacity the firm formulates litigation strategies, manages regional and local counsel and ensures a consistent and cost-effective defense that is in sync with client objectives. It also plays an important part in the administration and management of asbestos dockets aswell in negotiations with plaintiffs' attorneys and in coordinating discovery for its clients.

The firm's attorneys have extensive trial and appellate experience in defending clients from claims brought by injured claimants, including those claiming mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense lawyers are familiar with the complex science that is associated with these cases, and the particular legal issues that arise when defending companies in state and federal courts across the United States.

Catherine has represented numerous manufacturers as lead trial counsel in asbestos and personal injury lawsuits involving product liability, and in cases that have been consolidated involving multiple claimants. She has extensive experience in litigating asbestos-related cases before state and federal courts and before various appellate and supreme court bodies.

While at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those of respondents of the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The cases files included SEAR forms (Short encapsulated Evaluative reports) which contained confidential information about the claimants. This included medical reports, work histories, and an inventory of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs worked with or near. Vogel was required to use access to the files and was able to review the SEAR forms of any case with her current employer.

In addition to its extensive trial and appellate experience as well as its vast 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 draft and implement settlement agreements. It also has a wealth of experience in defending businesses against appeals.