An Asbestos Defense Attorney Can Help Protect the Financial Security of Those Harmed by Exposure to This Harmful Mineral
A lawyer for asbestos defense can protect those who's financial security was affected by exposure to the toxic mineral. Compensation can cover medical costs funeral and burial costs as well as pain and suffering and the loss of quality of life.
Our lawyers are involved in the mass litigation of toxic torts on a regional, national and local level. We are well-versed in the unique issues and the complex scientific aspects associated with asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos is a harmful fiber that can trigger various serious medical conditions, including mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is skilled in handling asbestos lawsuits which seek financial compensation for victims and their families due to exposure to this harmful substance. These cases can be complicated, so it's important to have a mesothelioma attorney on your side.
New York has a long history of asbestos litigation and many residents have been exposed to the dangerous substance. In recent years there have been more lawsuits filed against asbestos producers in the past than ever before. These cases arise out of the realization that asbestos is associated with illnesses such as mesothelioma or lung cancer. These companies were aware of the dangers associated with this asbestos-containing mineral, yet they didn't inform their employees and customers.
New York City is especially susceptible to illnesses caused by asbestos due to its old structures and many construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic location that continues to impact on the community around it.
Mesothelioma is triggered by direct exposure to asbestos, and many workers were exposed to it at work. However, some people are diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of an exposure secondarily to the harmful substances. This is especially true for spouses who wear husband's clothes at work and come in contact with asbestos dust on a regular basis.
The mesothelioma lawsuit is costly for defendants, especially if they are wrongfully named as defendants. According to a study, more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed in New York courts since 2014 and the number could increase further. Specialized asbestos law firms typically advertise on TV during the day and encourage victims to file claims with the promise that they will receive significant settlements.
Defendants might be able to mitigate some of the costs associated with these cases by asserting that their policy periods expire or they are only responsible for a small percentage of the claim value. New York law does not have a specific rule for how to divide the liability if the alleged exposure is of the insurance policies.
Asbestos-Related Diseases
A myriad of asbestos-related illnesses can be triggered because of exposure to the harmful mineral. The mesothelioma disease is the most severe. Mesothelioma is the cause of death of many people. Other asbestos-related diseases include asbestosis and lung cancer. Pleural plaques and effusion are also asbestos-related.
Mesothelioma, a rare, but fatal disease, is caused by asbestos fibers which accumulate in the lung. 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 cause scarring to the lungs called asbestosis, and, sometimes, the development of thickened patches on the pleura, known as plaques on the pleura, or an enlargement of fibrosis in the pleura known as diffused fibrisis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis could decrease lung capacity, as determined by a breathing test. They can also cause breathing problems and pain however they do not cause mesothelioma or cancer.
The symptoms of asbestos-related diseases typically don't manifest until decades after exposure. It can take up to 50 years for asbestos-related fibers to be inhaled to cause lung damage. People who are at risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related ailments include those who handled, laundered and removed asbestos-containing products from the workplace and spouses and children of those who were exposed asbestos attorney lawyer mesothelioma to asbestos.
Other asbestos-related diseases, in addition to mesothelioma, include laryngeal carcinoma and lung cancer, peritoneal, ovarian, and peritoneal cancer. The most dangerous form of mesothelioma is ovarian cancer, but it's much less prevalent than mesothelioma in general. It is diagnosed later than other types of mesothelioma because it is found in the linings of reproductive organs. Symptoms can be similar to those of other illnesses.
There were many companies that used asbestos in the 20th century, however they knew that it was dangerous. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos when they failed to remove asbestos from their products. These people now are able to sue for financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are insolvent. The victims can now seek compensation from trust funds created by bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
For decades, asbestos-related companies have placed profits over the security of their employees and consumers, producing dangerous products without warning of the dangers. These companies are now confronting the consequences of their negligence. People who have suffered from life-altering issues caused by mesothelioma and lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses are seeking full and fair settlement.
The attorneys at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to helping individuals and families get the justice they deserve. Our lawyers have over 25 years experience and have assisted our clients to receive millions of dollars of compensation. Our New York mesothelioma attorneys work to hold corporations accountable and seek the maximum amount of compensation for our clients.
Many states have established 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 grown steadily, as more and more asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants who have gone bankrupt. To ensure that the justice system is not overloaded, the New York Supreme Court has created an extra judicial panel to supervise NYCAL.
A panel comprised of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine if it should be accepted or not. Judges will also evaluate the merits of each claim to determine how much amount of money each plaintiff should receive.
The panel is currently examining more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to issue its final ruling before the end of the year.
New York asbestos lawsuits are usually complex and involve multiple defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience with the litigation of these complex 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 vast experience as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in multidistrict litigation that is complex and complex. In this capacity, lawyers develop strategies, coordinate and manage regional and local counsel and ensure cost-effective, consistent defenses for every client. They have worked closely with trial judges, coordinating judges, and special masters of litigation from different jurisdictions.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will determine what strategy is best to defend the client in a personal injury claim involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels suppliers, manufacturers contractors, distributors, contractors and property owners in cases involving claims for mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm collaborates with clients in the development of internal programs to determine and deal with potential liability and safety issues.
In addition to its asbestos practice in the national level, Bowles Rice serves as the national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this capacity Bowles Rice devises strategies for litigation and supervises local and region counsel to ensure a consistent and cost-effective defence in coordination with the client's goals. In addition, it plays a key role in the administration of asbestos dockets, negotiations with plaintiffs' counsel and lead discovery for its clients.
The attorneys of the firm have a wealth of trial and appellate experience defending clients from claims brought by injured claimants, including those who are claiming mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are familiar with the complex scientific issues involved in these cases, as well as specific legal issues that arise while defending businesses before state and federal courts throughout the United States.
Catherine has defended numerous manufacturers in asbestos and products liability personal injury cases, acting as the lead trial counsel in consolidated trials involving multiple claimants. She has a wealth of experience litigating asbestos-related lawsuits in the federal and state courts, as well as a variety of Supreme Court and appellate courts.
While at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those involving respondents to the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files included SEAR forms (Short Evaluative Reports Encapsulated), which contained confidential information about plaintiffs. The files contained medical reports as well as work histories and the list of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs used or worked near. Vogel was required to use an account password to access these files, and she could also go through the SEAR forms of any case with her current employer.
In addition to its extensive trial and appellate experience, the Bowles Rice Asbestos Team is recognized nationally for its ability to negotiate settlements on behalf of its clients. In this capacity, the company works closely with lawyers representing plaintiffs in the creation and implementation of settlement agreements. Additionally, it has extensive experience in defending businesses against appeals.