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

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

Our lawyers are involved in mass toxic tort litigation on a regional, national and local scale. We are knowledgeable about the specific issues and complex scientific aspects that are associated with asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos fibers are deadly and can trigger serious medical conditions like mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney is experienced in handling lawsuits seeking the financial compensation of those affected by asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be extremely complex and therefore it is essential to have an experienced mesothelioma lawyer law firm 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 lawsuits against asbestos producers in the past than ever before. These cases are a result of the recognition that asbestos is associated with illnesses such as mesothelioma or lung cancer. The companies were aware of asbestos' dangers however, they failed to inform their employees and customers.

The New York City area is particularly susceptible to asbestos-related illnesses because of its older structures and the numerous construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously hazardous area that continues to affect the surrounding community.

Many workers were exposed asbestos in their work environments. However, many people are diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of secondhand exposure to the harmful substances. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposure workers who had their husbands' work clothes and came in contact with asbestos dust regularly.

The mesothelioma lawsuit can be costly for defendants, especially when they are incorrectly named as a defendant. According to an investigation, more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed in New York courts since 2014 and the number could increase even more. This niche litigation is often fueled by specialized asbestos law firms that advertise on television during the day and encourage 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 argument that their policy terms have expired or they're only responsible for a small percentage of the value of the claim. New York law does not have a clear rule on how to distribute the liability if the alleged exposure is within and part outside of the insurance policies.

Asbestos-related illnesses

Exposure to asbestos can cause various illnesses. The most serious of these is mesothelioma. Many people have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos lawyers-related diseases include asbestosis and lung cancer. Pleural plaques and effusion are also asbestos-related.

Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal disease caused by exposure to asbestos fibers that collect 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 cause scarring to the lungs called asbestosis, and sometimes the formation of thickened patches on the pleura, known as plaques on the pleura, or the more widespread fibrosis of the pleura known as diffused fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrisis reduce lung capacity, as measured by breathing tests. They can also cause pain and difficulty breathing however they do not lead to cancer or mesothelioma.

Most of the time, symptoms of asbestos-related illnesses don't show up until decades after the initial exposure. It can take as long as 50 years for asbestos-related fibers to be inhaled to cause lung damage. Workers who handled, cleaned, and removed asbestos from their workplaces as well as spouses, children and other people who are exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing mesothelioma.

Other asbestos-related illnesses, apart from mesothelioma, include laryngeal carcinoma and lung cancer and peritoneal, ovarian and peritoneal cancer. The most fatal mesothelioma type is ovarian cancer, but it's less common than the general mesothelioma. It is typically diagnosed later than other kinds of mesothelioma due to the fact that it develops in the tissues of the reproductive organs and the symptoms may be similar to those of other diseases.

There were many companies that employed asbestos in the 20th century, but they were aware that it was hazardous. When they did not 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 insolvent. As a result, the victims can seek the money they deserve from the trust funds set up by the 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. They are now paying the price for their inattention to. People who have suffered from life-altering issues caused by mesothelioma and lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses are seeking full and fair compensation.

The lawyers at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to helping individuals and families receive the justice they need. With more than 25 years of experience and accomplishments, we have secured millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. Our New York mesothelioma attorneys work to hold corporations accountable and obtain the highest amount of compensation for their clients.

A number of states have set up asbestos courts with specialization, where claims can be filed more efficiently. Judges have also created special procedures to review and resolve these cases.

New York is one such state with its own asbestos court, known as NYCAL. As asbestos victims continue to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants that have gone bankrupt the number of cases that have come through this special court has been steadily increasing. The New York Supreme Court created a special judicial board to oversee NYCAL in order to prevent the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.

A panel comprised of six Supreme Court judges will review every case in NYCAL to decide whether or not to accept it. Judges will also consider the merits of each case to determine how much the plaintiff is entitled to.

At present, the panel is reviewing more than 3,500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to issue its final decision by the end of the year.

New York asbestos lawsuits can be complex and involve multiple defendants. Belluck & Fox's lawyers have extensive experience in the litigation of these difficult matters. They are knowledgeable of the asbestos courts in New York and their rules and regulations in addition to other jurisdictions where they have handled multi-district litigation.

The firm also has extensive experience as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in complex, multidistrict litigation. In this capacity, attorneys create strategies, coordinate and oversee regional and local counsel and ensure consistent and cost-effective defenses for every client. They have worked closely with trial and coordination judges and litigation special masters in various jurisdictions in which they were involved in asbestos litigation.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will determine what strategy is most effective to defend the client from a personal injury claim involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises product manufacturers, suppliers and contractors, distributors, and property owners on issues that involve mesothelioma claims, lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm works with clients on developing internal programs to deal with potential liability and safety issues.

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

The firm's lawyers are skilled in defending clients from mesothelioma-related claims and other asbestos-related illnesses. Asbestos defense lawyers are familiar with the complex science that is associated with these cases, as well as the particular legal issues that arise when representing companies before federal and state courts across the United States.

Catherine has represented a variety of manufacturers as the lead trial counsel in asbestos lawsuit and personal injury lawsuits related to product liability, and in consolidated cases involving multiple claimants. She has a wealth of experience arguing asbestos-related cases in the federal and state courts as well as before various appellate and supreme court bodies.

During her time at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those of respondents in the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files included SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports) which contained confidential information on the plaintiffs, including medical reports, work history, and a list of asbestos products that plaintiffs worked with or around. Vogel was required to have access to the files and was able to review the SEAR forms of any case she had with 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 its clients. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs’ lawyers to create and implement settlement agreements. The firm also has extensive experience in defending businesses from appeals.