An Asbestos Defense Attorney Can Help Protect the Financial Security of Those Harmed by Exposure to This Harmful Mineral
An asbestos defense attorney can help protect the financial security of those who have been affected by exposure to this toxic mineral. Compensation can cover medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, lost quality of life, and pain and suffering.
Our lawyers serve as local, regional and national counsel in large toxic tort litigation. As such, we are familiar with the specific issues and complex science associated asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos fibers can be deadly and can trigger serious medical conditions like mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is skilled in dealing with asbestos lawsuits, which seek financial compensation for the victims and their families who have been exposed to this toxic substance. These cases can be complicated and therefore it is essential to have a mesothelioma lawyer to assist you.
New York has had a long history of asbestos litigation, and many residents were exposed to this dangerous material. In recent years there have been more lawsuits against asbestos producers from the past than before. These cases stem from the recognition of a connection between asbestos and certain diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. These companies knew of the dangers associated with the dangerous mineral, but they didn’t warn their employees and consumers.
New York City is especially susceptible to diseases caused by asbestos attorney due to its old structures and many construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic place that continues to impact on the community around it.
Many workers were exposed asbestos at work. However, people also get diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of secondhand exposure to the harmful substances. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposed workers who wore their husband’s work clothes and came in contact with asbestos dust regularly.
The mesothelioma litigation can be expensive for defendants, particularly if they are wrongfully named as defendants. A study shows that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could increase. Specialized asbestos law firms typically advertise on daytime TV and encourage victims to file claims, promising they will receive substantial settlements.
Defendants might be able to mitigate some of the costs arising from these cases by arguing that their policy periods have expired or they are only responsible for a tiny percentage of the amount of the claim. However, New York law has not set out a clear policy on how to divide liabilities when the alleged exposure occurs outside of the insurance company’s policy.
Asbestos-related illnesses
Exposure to asbestos can cause many different diseases. The most serious of these is mesothelioma. Many people have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer and asbestosis. Pleural plaques and effusion are also asbestos-related.
Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal disease caused by exposure to asbestos fibers which accumulate in the lungs and irritate the lining of the ribcage, chest cavity and abdominal cavity (the Pleura). Inhaling these tiny fibers can cause scarring to the lungs, a condition known as asbestosis and occasionally, the formation of thickened patches on the pleura, known as pleural plaques or a more widespread fibrosis of the pleura called diffused pleural fibrisis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis may reduce lung capacity, as determined by a breathing test. They can also cause pain and difficulty breathing however they do not lead to cancer or mesothelioma.
The signs of asbestos law-related illness typically do not manifest until decades after initial exposure. This is because it can take between 20 to 50 years for inhalation of asbestos-containing fibers to damage the lungs. People who are at risk of developing mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related diseases include those who handled, washed and removed asbestos-containing materials from their workplaces, as well as spouses and children of those exposed to asbestos.
Other asbestos-related diseases, apart from mesothelioma, include lung cancer and laryngeal carcinoma as well as peritoneal, ovarian and peritoneal cancer. The most deadly form of mesothelioma is called ovarian cancer, but it’s less common than the general mesothelioma. It is diagnosed later than other types of mesothelioma, because it occurs in the linings of the reproductive organs. The symptoms can be similar to other diseases.
A number of companies employed asbestos in the 20th century, but they were aware that it was hazardous. When they failed to remove asbestos legal from their products, thousands of people were exposed. Now, these people are able to sue for financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are bankrupt. The victims are now able to claim compensation from trust funds set up by bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
Asbestos-related companies have put profit before the safety of their employees and customers for a long time, producing hazardous products without warning about the risks. They are now facing the consequences of their negligence. People who have suffered from life-altering issues caused by mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses are seeking full and fair settlement.
The lawyers at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to helping families and individuals obtain the justice they deserve. Our attorneys have more than 25 years of experience and have helped clients receive millions of dollars in compensation. Our New York mesothelioma attorneys work to hold corporations accountable and seek the highest amount of compensation for their clients.
Many states have established special asbestos courts where claims can be filed and resolving more efficiently. Additionally judges have created special procedures to evaluate and resolve asbestos cases.
New York is one such state, with its own asbestos court, known as NYCAL. The number of cases in this court has been increasing steadily as more and more asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent former asbestos defendants who have become bankrupt. To ensure that the justice system does not get overwhelmed and overwhelmed, the New York Supreme Court has created an extra judicial panel to supervise NYCAL.
A panel composed of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine if it is accepted or not. Judges will also consider the merits of each claim to determine the amount of money each plaintiff should receive.
The panel is currently reviewing more than 3,500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to make a final decision before the end of the year.
New York asbestos lawsuits can be complicated and involve several defendants. Belluck & Fox’s lawyers have extensive experience in 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 where they have handled multidistrict litigation.
The firm also has extensive experience as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients throughout the nation in complex, multi-district litigation. In this capacity, lawyers develop strategies, manage local and regional counsel, and ensure that they are able to provide consistent and effective defenses for clients. They have collaborated closely with coordinating and trial judges and special masters of litigation in the various jurisdictions where they were involved in asbestos litigation.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will decide which strategy is most effective to defend the client against an injury claim that involves 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 to develop internal programs to determine and address potential safety and liability 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, supervises regional and local counsel, and achieves consistent and cost-effective defense that is in sync with client objectives. In addition, it plays a key part in the administration of asbestos dockets and negotiations with plaintiffs’ counsel and lead discovery for its clients.
The firm’s lawyers have experience in defending clients from mesothelioma-related claims and other asbestos-related illnesses. Asbestos defense attorneys are acquainted with the complex science associated with these cases, and the particular legal issues that arise when defending companies in federal and state courts across the United States.
Catherine has represented a variety of manufacturers as the lead counsel in asbestos and personal injury lawsuits involving product liability, and in consolidated cases involving multiple plaintiffs. She has extensive experience in litigating asbestos-related cases in state and federal courts and before various supreme and appellate courts.
While at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos cases for respondents, including those in the Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The case files contained SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports) which contained confidential information about plaintiffs, including medical reports, work histories and the list of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs worked with or around. Vogel was required to have access to a password to access the files. She was then able to review any SEAR forms provided by her current employer.
In addition to its extensive trial and appellate experience in addition to its extensive 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 collaborates with the lawyers of plaintiffs in the development and execution of settlement agreements. Additionally, it has extensive experience defending companies against appeals.