An Asbestos Defense Attorney Can Help Protect the Financial Security of Those Harmed by Exposure to This Harmful Mineral

An asbestos defense lawyer can help protect the financial security of those harmed by exposure to this toxic mineral. Compensation could cover medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, loss of quality of life, as well as pain and suffering.

Our attorneys are involved in the mass litigation of toxic torts on a regional, national and local scale. As such, we are familiar with the particular issues and complex science associated with asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos fibers are deadly and can cause serious medical conditions like mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is experienced in handling asbestos lawsuits that seek financial compensation for victims and their families for exposure to this harmful substance. These cases can be a bit complicated, so it's important to have a mesothelioma lawyer on your side.

New York has a long history of asbestos litigation and many residents have been exposed to this dangerous material. In recent years, there have been more lawsuits against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases arise out of the realization that asbestos is linked to illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer. These companies were aware of the dangers associated with this dangerous mineral, but they did not warn their employees and consumers.

The New York City area is particularly susceptible to asbestos-related illnesses due to its older structures and a myriad of construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously toxic area that continues to affect the community around it.

Many workers were exposed to asbestos in their work environments. However, people also get diagnosed with mesothelioma following an exposure secondarily to the harmful substances. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposed workers who had their husbands' work clothes and came in contact with asbestos dust on a regular basis.

Litigation involving mesothelioma is expensive for defendants. This is particularly true if they have been wrongly named 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. Specialized asbestos law firms often advertise on daytime TV and encourage victims to file claims with the promise that they will receive substantial settlements.

The defendants may be able mitigate some of the costs arising from these cases by asserting that their policy periods have expired or they are only accountable for a small portion of the value of the claim. New York law does not have a specific rule for how to allocate responsibility when the alleged risk is of and outside the insurer's policies.

Asbestos-related diseases

A myriad of asbestos-related illnesses can develop due to exposure to the toxic mineral. The most severe condition is mesothelioma. Mesothelioma has caused the death of many people. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques and pleural effusion.

Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal illness that is caused by exposure to asbestos fibers which accumulate in the lungs and cause irritation to the lining of the chest cavity, ribcage, and abdominal cavity (the the pleura). Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause scarring in the lungs. This is called asbestosis. It can also cause thickened patches of pleura (pleural plaques) or an increased fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis may reduce lung capacity as measured by a breath test. They also cause breathing problems and pain but they don't cause mesothelioma or cancer.

The majority of the time, signs of asbestos-related diseases do not show up until decades after the initial exposure. It can take up to 50 years for asbestos settlement-related fibers to be inhaled to cause lung damage. The people at risk of developing mesothelioma or other asbestos-related ailments include those who handled, cleaned, and removed these materials from the workplace and spouses and children of those exposed to asbestos.

In addition to mesothelioma other asbestos-related illnesses include laryngeal cancer, lung cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma, and ovarian mesothelioma. Ovarian cancer is among the most deadly mesothelioma type for women however, it is much less prevalent than mesothelioma in general. It is diagnosed later than most other types of mesothelioma, because it develops in the linings of the reproductive organs. Symptoms can be similar to other illnesses.

There were many companies that employed asbestos in the 20th century, but they knew that it was dangerous. When they failed to remove asbestos from their products, thousands of people were exposed. They can now seek financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies have declared bankruptcy. In the aftermath, victims are able to seek the compensation they are entitled to from trust funds established by the bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

Asbestos companies have put profit over the safety of their employees and their customers for decades creating dangerous products without warning of the dangers. These companies are now confronting the consequences of their inattention. People who have suffered from life-altering issues caused by mesothelioma and lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses are seeking fair and full compensation.

Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals get the justice they deserve. With more than 25 years of experience in the field, we have secured a million of dollars in compensation for our clients. Our New York mesothelioma attorneys work to hold corporations accountable and to secure the maximum amount of compensation for our clients.

A number of states have established special asbestos courts in which claims can be filed and resolved more efficiently. In addition judges have developed specialized 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 grown steadily, as asbestos victims are becoming more and more likely to seek compensation from solvent former 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 supervise NYCAL.

A panel composed of six Supreme Court judges will review each case in NYCAL to determine whether to accept or reject it. Judges will also consider the merits of each claim to determine the amount of money each plaintiff should receive.

Currently, the panel is looking into more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to issue its final decision before the end this year.

New York asbestos lawsuits are usually complex and involve several defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience in the litigation of these complex issues. They are familiar with the rules regulations, rules, and policies of the asbestos courts in New York, as well as the laws of other jurisdictions in which they have handled multidistrict litigation.

The firm also has extensive experience serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients across the country in multi-district litigation that is complex and complex. In this role, lawyers develop strategies, manage local and regional counsel, and ensure consistent and effective defenses for clients. They have worked closely with coordinating and trial judges and special masters of litigation in various jurisdictions in which they were involved in asbestos litigation.

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 advises product manufacturers, suppliers and contractors, distributors, and premises owners on matters that involve mesothelioma claims, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm works with clients in the development of internal programs to identify and deal with potential liability and safety concerns.

In addition to its national asbestos practice, Bowles Rice serves as national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this role the firm formulates litigation strategies, supervises local and regional counsel, and provides a cost-effective and consistent defense in coordination with the client's goals. It also plays a significant role in the administration and management of asbestos dockets as well in negotiations with plaintiffs' lawyers and in coordinating 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, which includes those claiming mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are acquainted with the complex science associated with these cases, as well as the particular legal issues that arise when representing companies before federal and state courts across the United States.

Catherine has represented a variety of manufacturers as lead counsel in asbestos and personal injury lawsuits related to product liability and in cases that have been consolidated involving multiple claimants. She has a wealth of experience arguing asbestos-related lawsuits before the federal and state courts as well as various Supreme Court and appellate courts.

While at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those of respondents of the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The cases files contained SEAR forms (Short Evaluative Reports Encapsulated) which contained confidential data about the plaintiffs. This included medical reports, work histories, and the list of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs used or worked near. Vogel was required to use a password to access these files, and she could also review the SEAR forms of any case she had with her current employer.

The Bowles Rice asbestos attorney Team, in addition to having extensive experience in trial and appellate work, is recognized nationally for its ability to reach settlements on behalf of its clients. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs’ lawyers to develop and execute settlement agreements. It also has a wealth of experience in defending businesses from appeals.