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 through exposure to this dangerous mineral. Compensation may cover medical costs funeral and burial expenses, pain and suffering, and lost quality of life.

Our attorneys serve as local, regional and national counsel in mass toxic tort litigation. This means that we are knowledgeable about the specific issues and the complex scientific aspects that are associated with asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos fibers are deadly and can cause serious medical conditions like mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney (image source) is experienced in handling lawsuits seeking financial compensation for those who have suffered from asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be extremely complex and it is crucial to have a reputable mesothelioma lawyer on your side.

New York has had a long history with asbestos litigation. Many residents were exposed to the dangerous substance. In recent years there have been more lawsuits against asbestos producers from the past than before. These cases are a result of the recognition of a connection between asbestos and certain diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. The companies were aware of the dangers of the hazardous mineral, but didn’t warn their employees and consumers.

The New York City area is particularly susceptible to asbestos-related ailments due to its older structures and numerous construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic location that continues to have an impact on the community surrounding it.

Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos in direct contact and many workers were exposed to it in the workplace. However, people also get 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 regularly.

The mesothelioma litigation can be costly for defendants, especially if they are wrongfully named as a defendant. According to a study, more that 3,600 lawsuits have been filed in New York courts since 2014 and the number is expected to rise further. This kind of litigation is usually driven by asbestos law firms that advertise on television during the day and encourage victims to file claims, with the promise of large settlements.

The defendants may be able reduce some of the costs of these cases by arguing that their policy periods are expired or that they are only responsible only a small percentage 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 is within and outside the insurer’s policy periods.

Asbestos-related Diseases

A variety of asbestos-related illnesses can develop due to exposure to the toxic mineral. The mesothelioma disease is the most serious. Many people have died due to mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques and the pleural effusion.

Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal illness caused by exposure to asbestos fibers that collect in the lungs and cause irritation to the lining of the chest cavity, ribcage and abdominal cavity (the the pleura). Inhaling these fibers can lead to scarring in the lungs. This is known as asbestosis. It can also cause thickened patches of pleura (pleural plaques) or an increased fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrisis reduce lung capacity as measured by breathing tests. They can also cause pain and discomfort in breathing, however they don’t cause mesothelioma or cancer.

Symptoms of asbestos-related disease often are not evident until years after exposure. It could take up to 50 years for asbestos fibers inhaled to cause lung damage. Workers who handled, cleaned, and removed asbestos from the workplace and their children, spouses, and others exposed to asbestos are at risk for developing mesothelioma.

Other asbestos-related diseases, in addition to mesothelioma include laryngeal carcinoma and lung cancer as well as peritoneal, ovarian and peritoneal cancer. Ovarian cancer is the deadliest form of mesothelioma for women however, it is much less common than mesothelioma in general. It is often diagnosed later than other forms of mesothelioma because it is a cancer that develops in the tissue of the reproductive organs and symptoms can be similar to symptoms of other illnesses.

A number of companies used asbestos lawsuit in the 20th century. They were aware that it was a risk. When they failed to remove asbestos from their products, thousands of people were exposed. Now, these people have the right to sue for financial compensation. Many asbestos-related manufacturers are bankrupt. As a result, the victims can seek the compensation they deserve from the trust funds set up by the bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

For decades, asbestos companies have placed profits over the safety of their employees as well as consumers by producing dangerous products without warning of the dangers. These companies are now facing the consequences of their negligence. People who have suffered from life-altering issues caused by mesothelioma, cancer of the lung, and other asbestos-related illnesses are seeking full and fair compensation.

The attorneys at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to helping individuals and families obtain 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 seek the highest amount of compensation for their clients.

Many states have set up special asbestos courts in which claims can be filed and resolved more efficiently. Additionally judges have developed specific procedures for evaluating and resolving such 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 been bankrupt and have been unable to pay, the workload of the court has steadily increased. The New York Supreme Court created an extra judicial board to oversee NYCAL to stop the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.

A panel composed of six Supreme Court judges will review every case in NYCAL to determine whether or not to accept it. Judges will also assess the merits of each claim to determine how much the plaintiff’s compensation should be.

The panel is currently reviewing more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to issue its final ruling at the end of this year.

New York asbestos lawsuits can be complex and can involve several defendants. Belluck and Fox’s lawyers have vast experience in defending these complicated cases. They are knowledgeable of the rules regulations, policies, and procedures 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 vast experience in serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients throughout the nation in complex, multi-district litigation. In this role lawyers devise strategies, oversee regional and local counsel, and ensure consistent and effective defenses for clients. They have been in close contact with trial judges, coordination judges, and special masters of litigation from various jurisdictions.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will determine which strategy is best to defend the client in a personal injury lawsuit involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises manufacturers, suppliers and contractors, distributors, and premises owners on matters that involve mesothelioma claims, lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm works with clients in the development of internal programs to identify and resolve potential liability and safety concerns.

In addition to its asbestos practice across the nation, Bowles Rice serves as the national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this role, the firm develops litigation strategies, supervises local and regional counsel, and ensures a consistent and cost-effective defense, in line with client goals. In addition, it plays a key part in the administration of asbestos dockets and negotiations with plaintiffs’ counsel and leads discovery for its clients.

The firm’s lawyers are skilled in defending clients against claims of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. asbestos lawsuit defense lawyers are familiar with complex science involved in these cases as in addition to specific legal issues that arise while defending businesses before federal and state courts across the United States.

Catherine has represented a variety of companies in asbestos legal and products liability personal injury cases, representing them as lead trial counsel and in consolidated trials involving a variety of plaintiffs. She has extensive experience in arguing asbestos-related lawsuits before the state and federal courts, as well as various Supreme Court and appellate bodies.

While at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos cases for respondents, including those at the Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The case files included SEAR forms (Short Evaluative Reports Encapsulated) which contained confidential information about plaintiffs. These included medical reports, work histories, and a list asbestos products that plaintiffs worked with or near. Vogel was required to have access to a password to access the files. She could then review any SEAR forms provided by 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 acknowledged nationally for its ability to negotiate settlements on behalf of its clients. In this capacity, the company collaborates closely with the lawyers of plaintiffs in the creation and implementation of settlement agreements. It also has a vast experience in defending companies against appeals.