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

A defense attorney for asbestos can assist those who's financial security has been affected by exposure to the toxic mineral. Compensation can cover medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, lost quality of life, as well as pain and suffering.

Our lawyers are local, regional and national counsel in large toxic tort litigation. As a result, we are familiarized with the unique issues and the complex scientific aspects that are associated with asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos is a dangerous fiber that can cause various serious medical conditions, including mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney is experienced in handling lawsuits seeking the financial compensation of those affected by asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be complex, so it's important to have a mesothelioma lawyer on your side.

New York has had a long-running history of asbestos litigation. Many residents were exposed to this dangerous substance. In recent years, there have been more claims against former asbestos settlement manufacturers than ever before. These cases are the result of the recognition that asbestos is linked to illnesses such as mesothelioma or lung cancer. These companies were aware of asbestos' dangers but did not take the time to warn employees and consumers.

New York City is especially susceptible to illnesses caused by asbestos due to its older structures and construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic place that continues to have an impact on the community surrounding it.

Many workers were exposed asbestos at work. Exposure to asbestos from the outside can result in mesothelioma. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposure workers who had their husbands' work clothes and came in contact with asbestos dust regularly.

Mesothelioma-related litigation can be expensive for defendants. This is particularly the case if they were wrongly identified 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. This kind of litigation is usually driven by asbestos law firms that promote on television during the day and encourage victims to file claims with the promise of huge settlements.

Defendants may be able to mitigate some of the expenses arising from these cases by asserting that their policy periods expire or they are only responsible for a tiny percentage of the claim value. New York law does not have a clear rule on how to divide the liability if the alleged exposure is of and outside the insurer's policies.

Asbestos-Related Illnesses

Exposure to asbestos can cause various diseases. The mesothelioma condition is the most severe. Mesothelioma is the cause of death of many people. Other asbestos-related diseases 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 can cause irritation to the lining of the ribcage, chest cavity and abdominal cavity (the Pleura). The inhalation of these small fibers can cause scarring to the lungs called asbestosis, and sometimes the formation of thickened patches on the pleura referred to as plaques of pleura or the more widespread fibrosis of the pleura called diffused pleural the fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis can reduce lung capacity, as measured by a breath test. They also cause pain and difficulty breathing however they do not lead to cancer or mesothelioma.

Symptoms of asbestos-related disease often do not manifest until decades after initial exposure. It can take up to 50 years for asbestos-related fibers to be inhaled to cause lung damage. People at risk of developing mesothelioma or other asbestos-related ailments include those who handled, washed and removed asbestos-containing materials from their workplaces, as well as spouses and children of those who were exposed to asbestos.

In addition to mesothelioma other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma and mesothelioma ovarian. The most deadly mesothelioma type is ovarian cancer, but it's much less common than the general mesothelioma. It is often diagnosed later than other kinds of mesothelioma due to the fact that it is a cancer that develops in the tissue of the reproductive organs, and the symptoms can be similar to those of other illnesses.

A number of companies used asbestos in the 20th century. They knew it was hazardous. When they failed to remove it from their products, thousands of people were exposed. These people now have the right to seek financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are insolvent. This means that the victims can seek the compensation they are entitled to from trust funds established by the bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

For decades, asbestos-related companies put profits above the safety of their employees as well as consumers, manufacturing hazardous products without warning of the risks. These companies are now confronting the consequences of their inattention. Victims of asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and full settlement.

Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals receive the justice they deserve. Our lawyers have more than 25 years experience and have helped our clients receive millions of dollars in compensation. Our New York mesothelioma attorneys work to hold large corporations accountable and to secure 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. In addition judges have created specific procedures for evaluating and resolving asbestos cases.

New York, a state with its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL), is one of them. The caseload in this specialty court has increased steadily, as more and more asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent former asbestos settlement defendants who have gone bankrupt. To ensure that the justice system isn't overloaded the New York Supreme Court has established an extra judicial panel to oversee NYCAL.

A panel comprised of six Supreme Court judges will review each case in NYCAL to decide whether or not to take it up with it. Judges will also consider the merits of each claim to decide how much money a plaintiff should receive.

At present, the panel is looking into more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to issue its final decision by the end of the year.

New York asbestos lawsuits can be complex and can involve several defendants. Belluck and Fox's lawyers have vast experience in the litigation of these difficult cases. They are familiar with 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 as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in complex, multidistrict litigation. In this capacity, lawyers create strategies, coordinate and oversee regional and local counsel, and ensure cost-effective and consistent defenses for every client. They have been in close contact with trial judges, coordinating judges, and special masters of litigation from different jurisdictions.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A Tulsa asbestos claim, relevant site, lawyer will determine what strategy is the best way to defend the client in a personal injury lawsuit involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises product manufacturers, suppliers and contractors, distributors and property owners on issues concerning mesothelioma-related claims, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses. 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 across the nation, Bowles Rice serves as 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 coordination with client goals. Additionally it plays a crucial role in the management of asbestos dockets as well as negotiations with plaintiffs' counsel and lead discovery for its clients.

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

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

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

In addition to its extensive 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 works closely with lawyers representing plaintiffs in the development and execution of settlement agreements. Additionally, it has extensive experience defending companies against appeals.