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 harmful mineral. Compensation may cover medical costs funeral and burial costs as well as pain and suffering and the loss of quality of life.

Our lawyers serve as local, regional, and national counsel in large toxic tort litigation. As such, we are familiar with the particular issues and complex science associated with asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos fibers are dangerous and can cause severe 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 therefore it is essential to have a mesothelioma expert lawyer on your side.

New York has a long history of asbestos law litigation, and many residents have been exposed to this hazardous material. In recent times, there have been more claims against former asbestos manufacturers than ever before. These cases stem from the recognition of a link between asbestos and diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. The companies were aware of the dangers associated with the hazardous mineral, but failed to warn their employees and clients.

The New York City area is particularly susceptible to asbestos-related illnesses because of its older structures and numerous construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic site that continues to impact on the community around it.

Many workers were exposed to asbestos in their work environments. Secondhand exposure can also result in mesothelioma. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposure workers who wore their husband's work clothes and came in contact with asbestos dust regularly.

The litigation associated with mesothelioma is costly for defendants, especially when they are incorrectly named as defendants. According to an investigation, more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed in New York courts since 2014 and the number could rise further. Specialized asbestos law firms typically advertise on TV during the day and encourage victims to file claims under the premise that they will receive significant settlements.

The defendants may be able reduce the cost of these cases by arguing that their policies are in a lapse or that they are only responsible only for a small proportion of the value of the claim. New York law does not have a clear rule on how to distribute the liability if the alleged risk is of and outside the insurer's policies.

Asbestos-Related Diseases

Exposure to asbestos case can trigger many different illnesses. The condition known as mesothelioma is the most serious. Mesothelioma has led to the deaths of many people. Other asbestos-related illnesses include asbestosis and lung cancer. Pleural plaques and pleural effusion are also asbestos-related.

Mesothelioma, a rare, but fatal condition, is caused by asbestos fibers that are found in the lung. They then irritate the linings of the ribcage (the Pleura), chest cavity and abdominal cavity. Inhaling these tiny fibers can cause scarring of the lungs called asbestosis, and, sometimes, the formation of thickened patches on the pleura referred to as plaques on the pleura, or a more widespread fibrosis of the pleura, referred to as diffused pleural fibrisis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrosis decrease lung capacity as measured by breathing tests. They can also cause pain and difficulty breathing, though they do not lead to cancer or mesothelioma.

Often, symptoms of asbestos-related diseases do not manifest until decades after initial exposure. It could take up to 50 years for asbestos fibers that are inhaled to cause lung damage. Workers who handled, cleaned, and removed asbestos from the workplace and their spouses, children and other people who are exposed to asbestos settlement are at risk for developing mesothelioma.

In addition to mesothelioma, other asbestos-related diseases include laryngeal cancer, lung cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma and mesothelioma ovarian. Ovarian cancer is among the most deadly mesothelioma that women suffer from however, it is much less common than mesothelioma general. It is often diagnosed later than other kinds of mesothelioma due to the fact that it is a cancer that develops in the tissues of the reproductive organs and the symptoms may be similar to those of other illnesses.

Many companies employed asbestos during the 20th century. They knew it was a risk. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos when they didn't eliminate asbestos from their products. These people can now claim financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are bankrupt. The victims are now able to seek compensation from the trust funds created by bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

For decades, asbestos companies have put profits ahead of the safety of their employees and consumers, manufacturing hazardous products without warning of the dangers. They are now confronting the consequences of their negligence. People who have suffered from asbestos-related illnesses such as mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and full compensation.

The attorneys at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to helping families and individuals get the justice they deserve. Our lawyers have over 25 years of experience and have assisted our clients to receive millions of dollars of compensation. Our New York mesothelioma attorneys work to hold corporations accountable and obtain the highest amount of compensation for their clients.

Many states have established special asbestos courts where claims can be filed and resolved more efficiently. Judges have also developed special procedures to review and resolve such cases.

New York is one such state that has its own asbestos court, known as NYCAL. The caseload in this specialty court has grown steadily, as increasing numbers of asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent former asbestos defendants who went bankrupt. To ensure that the justice system does not get overwhelmed and overwhelmed, the New York Supreme Court has ordered the creation of an extra judicial panel to oversee NYCAL.

A panel composed of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine whether it should be accepted or rejected. Judges will also consider the merits of each claim to determine how much money each plaintiff should receive.

Currently, the panel is looking into more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected make a final decision before the end of the year.

New York asbestos lawsuits are often complex and involve several defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience with the litigation of these complicated issues. They are well-versed in the rules regulations, rules, 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 serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients across the country in complex, multi-district litigation. In this capacity lawyers formulate strategies, manage local and regional counsel and ensure that they are able to provide consistent and efficient defenses for clients. They have worked closely with coordinating and trial judges and special masters of litigation in the various jurisdictions where they have been involved in asbestos litigation.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A knowledgeable Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best strategy to defend a client in a claim for personal injury resulting from asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises suppliers, manufacturers, contractors, distributors and owners of premises on matters involving mesothelioma claims, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm also assists clients to create internal programs to identify and addressing safety and liability concerns.

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, the firm develops litigation strategies, manages regional and local counsel and achieves consistent and cost-effective defense, in line with client objectives. It also plays a significant part in the administration and management of asbestos dockets, as well in negotiations with plaintiffs' lawyers and coordinating discovery for its clients.

The firm's lawyers have extensive trial and appellate experience defending clients against claims made by injured claimants, which includes those who are claiming mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense lawyers are familiar with the complex science associated with these cases, as well as the unique legal issues that arise when defending businesses in federal and state courts across the United States.

Catherine has defended numerous manufacturers in asbestos and products liability personal injury cases, representing them as lead trial counsel and in consolidated trials involving a variety of plaintiffs. She has a wealth of experience litigating asbestos-related cases in state and federal courts, as well as before various appellate and supreme court bodies.

During her tenure 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 that are encapsulated), which contained confidential information about the plaintiffs. The files contained medical reports as well as work histories and the list of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs worked with or near. Vogel was required to have access to a password to access the files. She was then able to review any SEAR forms from her current employer.

The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to its vast experience in trial and appellate work, is nationally recognized for its ability to successfully reach settlements on behalf of its clients. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs’ lawyers to draft and implement settlement agreements. It also has extensive experience in defending businesses against appeals.