An Asbestos Defense Attorney Can Help Protect the Financial Security of Those Harmed by Exposure to This Harmful Mineral
external pageA lawyer for asbestos defense can protect those who's financial security was affected by exposure to the harmful mineral. Compensation can cover medical expenses funeral and burial expenses as well as pain and suffering and loss of quality of life.
Our attorneys serve as local, regional, and national counsel in mass toxic tort litigation. As as such, we are acquainted with the particular issues and complicated science associated asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos is a harmful fiber that can lead to various serious medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is skilled in handling asbestos lawsuits which seek financial compensation for victims and their families for exposure to this toxic substance. These cases can be complicated and therefore it is essential to have an experienced mesothelioma attorney 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 have been more lawsuits filed against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases result from the recognition of a link between asbestos and diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. These companies were aware 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 numerous construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic location that continues to impact on the community surrounding it.
Many workers were exposed to asbestos at work. However, many people are diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of 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 litigation associated with mesothelioma can be costly for defendants, particularly if they are wrongfully named as defendants. According to a study, more that 3,600 claims have been filed in New York courts since 2014, and the number could increase further. This niche litigation is often fueled by specialized asbestos law firms, which advertise on daytime television and encourage victims to file claims with the promise of large settlements.
The defendants could be able to reduce some of the costs of these cases by arguing that their policies are in a lapse or that they only have to pay a small portion of the value of the claim. New York law does not have a specific rule for how to distribute liability when the alleged risk is within and part outside of the insurance policies.
Asbestos-related diseases
Exposure to asbestos can cause many different diseases. The most serious of these is mesothelioma lawsuit. 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 is caused by asbestos fibers which are found in the lungs. They then cause irritation to the linings of the ribcage (the the pleura), chest cavity, and abdominal cavity. The inhalation of these tiny fibers can result in scarring of the lungs called asbestosis, and occasionally, the development of thickened patches on the pleura referred to as plaques on the pleura, or an enlargement of fibrosis in the pleura, referred to as diffused pleural the fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrosis reduce lung capacity, as measured by breathing tests. They can also cause pain and discomfort in breathing, but they are not the cause of cancer or mesothelioma.
Often, symptoms of asbestos-related diseases do not appear until decades after the initial exposure. It can take as long as 50 years for asbestos fibers inhaled to cause lung damage. Workers who handled, cleaned, and removed asbestos from their workplaces as well as spouses, children, and others exposed to asbestos are at risk for developing mesothelioma.
Other asbestos-related diseases, in addition to mesothelioma lawsuit, include laryngeal cancer and lung cancer, peritoneal, ovarian, and peritoneal cancer. The most fatal form of mesothelioma is ovarian cancer, however it is less prevalent than mesothelioma lawyers in general. It is diagnosed later than most other types of mesothelioma because it develops in the linings of the reproductive organs. Symptoms can be similar to other diseases.
Several companies used asbestos during the 20th century. They were aware that it was hazardous. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos if they didn't remove it from their products. These people now are able to claim financial compensation. Many of the asbestos-related manufacturers have filed for bankruptcy. The victims can now seek compensation from trust funds set up by bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
Asbestos companies have put profits over the safety of their workers and customers for a long time making dangerous products, without warning about the risks. They are now paying the price for their negligence. People who's lives have been affected by mesothelioma and lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses are seeking full and fair settlement.
The attorneys at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to assisting families and individuals receive the justice they need. Our lawyers have more than 25 years experience and have helped clients receive millions of dollars of compensation. Our New York mesothelioma attorneys (have a peek at this website) work to hold corporations accountable and to secure the maximum amount of compensation for our clients.
A number of states have established special asbestos courts in which claims can be filed and resolving more efficiently. In addition, judges have established special procedures for evaluating and resolving such cases.
New York is one such state, with its own asbestos court, known as NYCAL. The number of cases filed in this court has grown steadily, as more and more asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent former asbestos defendants who have gone bankrupt. To ensure that the justice system isn't overloaded and overwhelmed, the New York Supreme Court has established an extra judicial panel to oversee NYCAL.
A panel composed of six Supreme Court judges will review every case filed in NYCAL to determine whether or not to accept it. Judges will also consider the merits of each claim to determine how much money each plaintiff should receive.
Currently, the panel is looking into more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected issue its final decision before the end 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 difficult issues. 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 has also extensive experience as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in complex, multidistrict litigation. In this capacity, attorneys create strategies, coordinate and manage regional and local counsel, and ensure cost-effective, consistent defenses for every client. They have worked closely in the past with trial judges, coordinating judges and special masters of litigation from different jurisdictions.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A skilled Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best strategy to defend a client against a claim for personal injury resulting from asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels product manufacturers, suppliers contractors, distributors, contractors and owners of premises in cases involving claims for mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm also works with clients to develop internal programs for identifying and addressing safety and liability issues.
In addition to its national asbestos practice, Bowles Rice serves as national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this capacity, the firm develops litigation strategies, manages regional and local counsel, and achieves consistent and cost-effective defense, in line with client objectives. Additionally, it plays a key part in the administration of asbestos dockets, negotiations with plaintiffs' counsel and lead discovery for its clients.
The firm's attorneys are experienced in defending clients against claims of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses. Asbestos defense lawyers are acquainted with complex research and technology involved in these cases, as in addition to unique legal issues that arise while representing companies in state and federal courts throughout the United States.
Catherine has represented numerous manufacturers as lead counsel in asbestos and personal injury lawsuits involving product liability, and in cases that have been consolidated involving multiple claimants. She has extensive experience litigating asbestos-related lawsuits in the federal and state courts, as well as various Supreme Court and appellate courts.
While 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 Evaluative Reports Encapsulated) which contained confidential information about the claimants. This included medical reports as well as work histories and an inventory of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs used or worked near. Vogel was required to have an account password to access these files, and she could also review the SEAR forms of any case at 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 well-known throughout the country for its ability to negotiate settlements on behalf of its clients. In this capacity, the company works closely with the lawyers of plaintiffs in the development and execution of settlement agreements, and it has extensive experience defending companies against appeals.