An Asbestos Defense Attorney Can Help Protect the Financial Security of Those Harmed by Exposure to This Harmful Mineral
An asbestos defense attorney can assist in ensuring the financial security of those who have been affected by exposure to this toxic mineral. Compensation could cover medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, lost quality of life, as well as pain and suffering.
Our attorneys serve as local, regional, and national counsel in mass toxic tort litigation. As such, we are familiar with the unique issues and complex science associated asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos fibers can be deadly and can cause severe medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is experienced in dealing with asbestos lawsuits, which seek financial compensation for the victims and their families who have been exposed to this harmful substance. These cases can be complex and therefore it is essential to have an experienced mesothelioma law firm by your side.
New York has a long history of asbestos litigation, and many residents have been exposed to the dangerous material. In recent years, there have been more lawsuits filed against asbestos producers from the past than before. These cases are a result of the recognition that asbestos is linked to illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer. These companies were aware asbestos's dangers but did not take the time to warn employees and consumers.
New York City is especially susceptible to illnesses caused by asbestos due to its old structures and construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously toxic area that continues affect the community around it.
Many workers were exposed asbestos at work. However, many people are diagnosed with mesothelioma following exposure to harmful substances. This includes spouses who wear husband's clothing to work and come into contact with asbestos dust regularly.
Mesothelioma-related litigation can be expensive for defendants. This is especially true if they have been incorrectly identified as defendants. A study has revealed 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, which advertise on television during the day and encourage victims to file claims, with the promise of substantial settlements.
The defendants might be able to reduce the cost of these cases by arguing that their policy periods are expired or that they are only responsible for only for a small proportion of the value of the claim. However, New York law has not established a clear rule on how to divide liabilities when the alleged exposure occurs partly within and outside the policy period of the insurer.
Asbestos-Related Diseases
A variety of asbestos-related illnesses can develop due to exposure to the mineral that causes cancer. The most serious condition is mesothelioma. Many people have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related diseases include asbestosis and lung cancer. Pleural plaques and effusion are also asbestos-related.
Mesothelioma, a rare, but fatal condition that is caused by asbestos fibers which are found in the lungs. They then irritate the linings of the ribcage (the pleura) as well as the chest cavity and abdominal cavity. Inhaling these tiny fibers can cause scarring to the lungs, a condition known as asbestosis and occasionally, the development of thickened patches on the pleura called plaques on the pleura, or the more widespread fibrosis of the pleura, referred to as diffused pleural fibrisis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrosis decrease lung capacity as measured by breathing tests. They can also cause pain and difficulty in breathing, but they don't cause mesothelioma or cancer.
The signs of asbestos-related illness typically do not manifest until decades after the initial exposure. This is because it can take between 20 and 50 years for the exposure to asbestos fibers to cause lung damage. People at risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related ailments include those who handled, cleaned and removed asbestos-containing products from their workplaces and their spouses and children of those exposed to asbestos.
In addition to mesothelioma other asbestos-related diseases include laryngeal cancer, lung cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma and mesothelioma ovarian. The most deadly form of mesothelioma is ovarian cancer, but it's much less frequent than the general mesothelioma. It is usually diagnosed later than other types of mesothelioma because it is a cancer that develops in the tissues of the reproductive organs and the symptoms can be similar to those of other illnesses.
A number of companies employed asbestos in the 20th century, but they were aware that it was dangerous. If they didn't remove asbestos from their products, thousands of people were exposed. They can now seek financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are insolvent. The victims are now able to claim compensation from trust funds created by bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
Asbestos companies have put profits before the safety of their employees and customers for a long time creating dangerous products without warning about the risks. They are now facing the consequences of their negligence. Patients who have suffered asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and full settlement.
Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals get the justice they deserve. Our lawyers have more than 25 years experience and have helped clients receive millions of dollars in compensation. Our New York mesothelioma attorneys work to hold large corporations accountable and obtain the maximum amount of 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 special procedures to review and resolve such cases.
New York is one such state, with its own asbestos court known as NYCAL. The number of cases in this court has increased steadily, as increasing numbers of asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants who have gone bankrupt. In order to ensure that the justice system is not overloaded the New York Supreme Court has ordered the creation of an extra judicial panel to oversee NYCAL.
A panel composed of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine if it should be accepted or not. Judges will also assess the merits of every claim to determine the amount of amount of money each plaintiff should receive.
The panel is currently looking into more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected issue its final decision before the end of this year.
New York asbestos lawsuits can be complex and involve multiple defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience with the litigation of these complex issues. Wilmington asbestos lawsuit are knowledgeable of New York's asbestos courts as well as their rules and regulations 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 throughout the nation in multi-district litigation that is complex and complex. In this capacity, lawyers develop strategies, oversee local and regional counsel, and ensure that they are able to provide consistent and effective defenses for clients. They have worked closely in the past with trial judges, coordination judges and litigation special masters from various jurisdictions.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A skilled Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best approach to defend a client against an asbestos-related personal injury claim. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, contractors and owners of premises in cases involving claims for mesothelioma and lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm works with clients in the development of internal programs to determine and deal with potential liability and safety concerns.
In addition to its national asbestos practice, Bowles Rice serves as the national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this capacity the firm designs litigation strategies, manages local and regional counsel, and ensures a consistent and cost-effective defense that is in sync with the client's goals. It also plays a significant role in the administration and management of asbestos dockets aswell in negotiations with plaintiffs' lawyers and coordinating discovery for its clients.
The firm's attorneys are experienced in defending clients from claims of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses. Asbestos defense lawyers are acquainted with complex science involved in these cases, as in addition to specific legal issues that arise while defending companies before federal and state courts across the United States.
Catherine has represented numerous manufacturers as lead trial counsel in asbestos and personal injury lawsuits involving product liability as well as in consolidated cases involving multiple claimants. She has extensive experience arguing asbestos-related lawsuits before federal and state courts, as well as a variety of appellate and Supreme Court bodies.
While at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those of respondents in the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files contained SEAR forms (Short encapsulated Evaluative reports) that contained confidential data about the plaintiffs. The files contained medical reports, work histories, and a list asbestos products that plaintiffs worked with or near. Vogel was required to have access to 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, the Bowles Rice Asbestos Team is acknowledged nationally for its ability to negotiate settlements on behalf of its clients. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs’ lawyers to develop and execute settlement agreements. It also has extensive experience in defending businesses against appeals.