An Asbestos Defense Attorney Can Help Protect the Financial Security of Those Harmed by Exposure to This Harmful Mineral
A lawyer who is a defense attorney for asbestos can protect those whose financial security has been affected by exposure to the toxic mineral. Compensation may cover medical costs funeral and burial costs, pain and suffering, and the loss of quality of life.
Our lawyers serve as local, regional, and national counsel in massive toxic tort litigation. As our lawyers are well-versed with the particular issues and complex science associated with asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos is a deadly fiber that can trigger various serious medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney is adept at handling lawsuits to seek financial compensation for those who have suffered from asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be complex, and it is critical to have an experienced mesothelioma lawyer on your side.
New York has had a long history of asbestos litigation. Many residents were exposed to this dangerous substance. In recent years there have been more claims against former asbestos manufacturers than ever before. These cases result from the recognition of a connection between asbestos and diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. These companies were aware of the dangers associated with this asbestos-containing mineral, yet they did not warn their employees and consumers.
The New York City area is particularly susceptible to asbestos-related illnesses due to its old structures and a myriad of construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously hazardous area that continues to impact the surrounding community.
Mesothelioma is triggered by direct exposure to asbestos and a lot of workers were exposed to it in the workplace. However, people also get diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of exposure to harmful substances. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposed workers who were wearing their husband’s work clothes and came in contact with asbestos dust regularly.
The mesothelioma lawsuit can be costly for defendants. This is particularly true if they have been wrongly 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 grow. The asbestos law firms that specialize in asbestos often advertise on television during the day and encourage victims to submit claims with the promise that they will receive significant settlements.
The defendants may be able reduce some of the costs of these cases by arguing that their policies are in a lapse or that they are only responsible only a small percentage of the value of the claim. New York law does not have a clear rule on how to distribute liability when the alleged risk is of the insurance policies.
Asbestos-related illnesses
Exposure to asbestos can lead to a wide range of diseases. The most serious condition is mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is the cause of death of many people. Other austin asbestos attorney-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 that collect in the lungs, and can cause irritation to the lining of the ribcage, chest cavity, and abdominal cavity (the Pleura). The inhalation of these tiny fibers can cause scarring to the lungs, a condition known as asbestosis and, sometimes, the formation of thickened patches on the pleura called plaques on the pleura, or a more widespread fibrosis of the pleura, referred to as diffused pleural fibrisis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrosis reduce lung capacity as measured by breathing tests. They can also cause pain and difficulties in breathing, however they are not the cause of mesothelioma or cancer.
The symptoms of asbestos attorney cancer lawyer mesothelioma settlement-related diseases typically do not manifest until decades after the initial exposure. It can take as long as 50 years for asbestos-related fibers to be inhaled to cause lung damage. Workers who handled, cleaned, and removed asbestos from the workplace as well as children, spouses, and others exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing mesothelioma.
In addition to mesothelioma, other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma and mesothelioma of the ovary. Ovarian cancer is the most fatal mesothelioma type for women, but it is less common than mesothelioma in general. It is usually diagnosed later than other types of mesothelioma since it is a cancer that develops in the lining of the reproductive organs, and the symptoms may be similar to those of other diseases.
Many companies employed asbestos in the 20th century, but they knew that it was a risk. If they didn’t remove asbestos from their products, thousands of people were exposed. Now, those exposed are able to claim financial compensation. Many of the asbestos-related manufacturers have gone bankrupt. The victims are now able to seek compensation from trust funds created by bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
Asbestos companies have put profit over the safety of their employees and consumers for decades making dangerous products, without warning of the dangers. These companies are now confronting the consequences of their negligence. People who have suffered from asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and complete 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 and accomplishments, we have secured millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. Our New York mesothelioma attorneys work to hold corporations accountable and seek the highest amount of compensation for their clients.
A number of states have set up asbestos courts that are specifically designed so that claims can be filed more efficiently. Additionally judges have developed specific procedures for evaluating and resolving asbestos cases.
New York is one such state that has its own asbestos court known as NYCAL. The caseload in this specialty court has increased steadily, as asbestos victims are becoming more and more likely to seek compensation from solvent former asbestos defendants who have gone bankrupt. The New York Supreme Court created a special judicial board to supervise NYCAL in order to keep 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 consider the merits of each claim to determine how much amount of money each plaintiff should receive.
The panel is currently looking at more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to issue its final ruling by the end of this year.
New York asbestos lawsuits can be complicated and involve multiple defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience in the litigation of these complicated cases. They are knowledgeable of 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 in serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients nationwide in multi-district litigation that is complex and complex. In this role lawyers devise strategies, oversee local and regional counsel, and ensure 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 Tulsa asbestos lawyer will decide which strategy is most effective to defend the client in an injury claim that involves asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, contractors and owners of premises in matters involving claims of mesothelioma and lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm collaborates with clients to develop internal programs to resolve potential liability and safety issues.
Bowles Rice in addition to its asbestos cancer attorney practice in the national level and attorney for asbestos multi-state asbestos litigation, serves as national Coordinating counsel. In this capacity the firm designs litigation strategies, supervises regional and local counsel and provides a cost-effective and consistent defense that is in sync with the client’s goals. It also plays a significant role in the administration and management of asbestos dockets, as well as negotiations with plaintiffs’ attorneys and leading discovery for its clients.
The firm’s lawyers have experience in defending clients from claims of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense lawyers are familiar with the complex scientific issues involved in these cases, as well as specific legal issues that arise when defending businesses before federal and state courts across the United States.
Catherine has defended numerous manufacturers in asbestos and products liability personal injury cases, defending them as the lead counsel in consolidated trials involving a variety of plaintiffs. She has substantial experience arguing asbestos-related cases in state and federal courts and before various appellate and supreme court bodies.
While at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those involving respondents of the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files contained SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports), which contained confidential information about the claimants, such as medical reports, work history and the list of asbestos-related products that the plaintiff worked with or around. Vogel had to have a password in order to access the files. Then, she could look over 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. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs’ lawyers to develop and execute settlement agreements. It also has extensive experience defending businesses against appeals.