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 protect those whose financial security has been affected by exposure to the harmful mineral. Compensation could cover medical expenses funeral and burial costs, loss of quality of life, as well as pain and suffering.

Our lawyers are national, regional and local counsel in massive toxic tort litigation. We are knowledgeable about the specific issues and complex aspects of science of asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos fibers are deadly and can cause severe medical conditions such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney is experienced in handling lawsuits to seek financial compensation for victims of asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be complex, and it is critical 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 material. In recent years, there have been more lawsuits filed against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases stem from the recognition of a link between asbestos and diseases like mesothelioma and lung cancer and asbestosis. The companies were aware of the dangers associated with this dangerous mineral, but they didn't warn their employees and consumers.

The New York City area is particularly susceptible to asbestos-related illnesses due to its old structures and numerous construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously toxic area that continues affect the community around it.

Mesothelioma is caused by direct exposure to asbestos and many workers were exposed to it in the workplace. However, many people are diagnosed with mesothelioma following secondhand exposure to the harmful substances. This is especially true for spouses who wear husband's clothes at work and come in contact with asbestos dust regularly.

The mesothelioma litigation can be expensive for defendants, particularly if they are wrongfully 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 rise further. Specialized asbestos lawsuit law firms often advertise on television during the day and encourage victims to submit claims under the premise that they will receive significant settlements.

The defendants may be able reduce the cost of these cases by arguing that their policies are in a lapse or that they only have to pay only a small percentage of the claim value. New York law does not have a specific rule for how to distribute the liability if the alleged risk is within and part outside of the insurance policies.

Asbestos-related diseases

Exposure to asbestos claim can trigger many different ailments. The mesothelioma condition is the most severe. Mesothelioma has caused the death of many people. Other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques, and the pleural effusion.

Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal illness that is caused by exposure to asbestos fibers which accumulate in the lungs and irritate the lining of the chest cavity, ribcage and abdominal cavity (the Pleura). The inhalation of these tiny fibers can cause scarring of the lungs called asbestosis, and, sometimes, the development of thickened patches on the pleura, known as plaques of pleura or an enlargement of fibrosis in the pleura called diffused pleural fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis can reduce lung capacity, as measured by breathing test. They can also cause pain and difficulties in breathing, but they are not the cause of mesothelioma or cancer.

The signs of asbestos-related illness typically don't manifest until decades after exposure. This is because it could take between 20 and 50 years for the inhalation of asbestos fibers to cause lung damage. Workers who handled, cleaned and removed asbestos from the workplace as well as spouses, children and others who were exposed to asbestos are at risk for developing mesothelioma.

Other asbestos-related illnesses, in addition to mesothelioma include laryngeal carcinoma and lung cancer and peritoneal, ovarian and peritoneal cancer. Ovarian cancer is the deadliest mesothelioma that women suffer from, but it is less prevalent than mesothelioma in general. It is usually diagnosed later than other kinds of mesothelioma because it develops in the lining of the reproductive organs and symptoms can be similar to those of other diseases.

Many companies employed asbestos in the 20th century, but they knew 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 seek financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are bankrupt. The victims can now seek compensation from the trust funds established by bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

Asbestos companies have put profit over the safety of their workers and customers for a long time making dangerous products, without warning about the risks. These companies are now facing the consequences of their inattention. Patients who have suffered asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and full settlement.

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

Many states have created asbestos courts that are specifically designed so that claims can be filed more efficiently. In addition, judges have established special procedures to evaluate and resolve asbestos cases.

New York, a state with its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL), is one of the states. The number of cases in this court has been increasing steadily as increasing numbers of asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent former asbestos defendants who have become bankrupt. To ensure that the justice system is not overwhelmed, the New York Supreme Court has created an additional judicial panel that will supervise NYCAL.

A panel composed of six Supreme Court judges will review every case filed in NYCAL to decide whether to accept or reject it. Judges will also assess the merits of each case to decide how much money a plaintiff should be awarded.

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

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

The firm also has vast experience serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients throughout the nation in multi-district litigation that is complex and complex. In this role lawyers formulate strategies, manage local and regional counsel, and ensure consistent and efficient defenses for clients. They have collaborated closely with trial and coordination judges and litigation special masters in the various jurisdictions where they were involved in asbestos litigation.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will determine which strategy is most effective to defend the client against a personal injury lawsuit involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises manufacturers, suppliers and distributors, contractors, and property owners on issues that involve mesothelioma claims, lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm works with clients to develop internal programs to determine and address 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 capacity the firm designs litigation strategies, supervises regional and local counsel and achieves consistent and cost-effective defense in coordination with the client's goals. It also plays a major part in the administration and management of asbestos dockets aswell in negotiations with plaintiffs' lawyers and in coordinating discovery for its client.

The attorneys of the firm have a wealth of trial and appellate experience in defending clients from claims brought by injured claimants, such as those claiming mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases. 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 in asbestos and product liability personal injury cases, defending them as the lead trial counsel in consolidated trials that involved multiple claimants. She has a wealth of experience arguing asbestos-related cases in federal and state courts and before various supreme and appellate courts.

While at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos cases for respondents, including those at the asbestos settlement Claim Facility in Northern California. The case files contained SEAR forms (Short encapsulated Evaluative reports), which contained confidential information about the claimants. The files contained medical reports as well as work histories and an inventory of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs worked with or near. Vogel was required to use access to these files, and she could also review the SEAR forms of any case at her current employer.

The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to having extensive experience in appellate and trial work, is widely acclaimed for its ability to negotiate settlements for its clients. In this capacity, the firm collaborates with plaintiffs' lawyers in the preparation and execution of settlement agreements. It also has a vast experience in defending companies against appeals.