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 who's financial security has been affected by exposure to the harmful 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 large toxic tort litigation. As such, we are familiar with the particular issues and complicated science associated with asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos fibers are deadly and can cause severe medical conditions like mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is experienced in dealing with asbestos lawsuits, which seek compensation for victims and their families for exposure to this toxic substance. These cases can be complicated and therefore it is essential to have a mesothelioma attorney to assist you.

New York has a long history of asbestos litigation, and many residents have been exposed to this dangerous material. In recent years, there are more lawsuits filed against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases result from the recognition of a link between asbestos and diseases like mesothelioma and lung cancer and asbestosis. These companies knew of the dangers of the hazardous mineral, but failed to warn their employees and consumers.

New York City is especially vulnerable to illnesses caused by asbestos due to its old structures and many construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously toxic area that continues to affect the surrounding community.

Many workers were exposed to asbestos in the workplace. However, people also get diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of exposure to harmful substances. This is especially true for spouses who wear husband's clothing to work and come into contact with asbestos dust frequently.

The mesothelioma litigation can be costly for defendants, particularly when they are incorrectly named as a defendant. According to a study, more that 3,600 claims have been filed in New York courts since 2014 and the number could increase even more. Specialized asbestos law firms typically advertise on television during the day and encourage victims to submit claims with the promise that they will receive significant settlements.

The defendants might be able to reduce some of the costs of these cases by arguing their policy periods are expired or that they only have to pay a small portion of the claim value. However, New York law has not provided a definitive rule on how to allocate liability when the alleged exposure occurs partly outside of the policy period of the insurer.

Asbestos-related Illnesses

A myriad of asbestos-related diseases can develop because of exposure to the mineral that causes cancer. The mesothelioma condition is the most severe. Many people have died due to mesothelioma lawyers. Other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer and asbestosis. Pleural plaques and pleural effusion are also asbestos-related.

Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal condition, is caused by asbestos fibers that collect in the lung. They then cause irritation to the linings of the ribcage (the pleura), chest cavity and abdominal cavity. Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause scarring of the lungs, known as asbestosis. It can also result in thickened patches of pleura (pleural plaques) or an increased fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis could reduce lung capacity, as measured by breathing test. They can also cause pain and difficulties in breathing, but they are not the cause of cancer or mesothelioma.

Symptoms of asbestos-related disease often are not evident until years after exposure. It could take up to 50 years for asbestos fibers that are inhaled to cause lung damage. People who are at risk of developing mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related diseases include those who handled, laundered and removed asbestos-containing materials from the workplace and their spouses and children of those who were exposed to asbestos.

Other asbestos-related diseases in addition to mesothelioma, include lung cancer and laryngeal carcinoma as well as peritoneal, ovarian and peritoneal cancer. Ovarian cancer is among the most deadly mesothelioma lawsuits type for women however, it is much less prevalent than mesothelioma lawyers in general. It is diagnosed later than other mesothelioma types, because it develops in the linings of the reproductive organs. The symptoms may be similar to other illnesses.

Several companies used asbestos during the 20th century. They knew it was a risk. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos when they didn't remove asbestos from their products. Now, these people are able to sue for financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are bankrupt. The victims are now able to claim compensation from trust funds established by bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

Asbestos companies have put profit before the safety of their workers and their customers for decades, producing hazardous products without warning of the dangers. They are now paying for their negligence. People who have suffered from asbestos-related illnesses such as mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and complete settlement.

Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals receive the justice they deserve. Our lawyers have over 25 years experience and have helped our clients receive millions of dollars of compensation. Our New York mesothelioma attorneys work to hold corporations accountable and obtain maximum compensation for clients.

Many states have set up special asbestos courts in which claims can be filed and resolving more efficiently. Additionally, judges have established specialized procedures to evaluate and resolve asbestos cases.

New York, a state that has its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL) is one of the states. As asbestos victims continue to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants who have gone bankrupt, the caseload of this court has steadily increased. The New York Supreme Court created an additional judicial board that will oversee NYCAL in order to keep the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.

A panel comprised of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine if it is accepted or not. Judges will also evaluate the merits of each claim to determine how much amount of money each plaintiff should receive.

At present, the panel is reviewing more than 3,500 lawsuits. The panel is expected issue its final ruling by the end of this year.

New York asbestos lawsuits can be complicated and involve multiple defendants. Belluck and Fox's lawyers have a wealth of experience in litigating these complex matters. They are well-versed in the asbestos courts in New York and their rules and regulations and other jurisdictions where they have handled multi-district litigation.

The firm also has extensive experience as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in complex, multidistrict litigation. In this capacity, attorneys develop strategies, coordinate and manage local and regional counsel, and ensure cost-effective, consistent defenses for every client. They have worked closely with trial and coordination judges and special masters of litigation in various jurisdictions where they were involved in asbestos litigation.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A skilled Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best approach to defend a client against an asbestos personal injury claim. 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 determine and resolve potential liability and safety concerns.

Bowles Rice, in addition to its asbestos practice in the national level and multi-state asbestos litigation is also the national Coordinating counsel. In this capacity the firm designs litigation strategies, supervises local and regional counsel, and ensures a consistent and cost-effective defense in coordination with client objectives. Additionally, it plays a key part in the administration of asbestos dockets and negotiations with plaintiffs' counsel and also leads discovery for its clients.

The attorneys of the firm have a wealth of trial and appellate experience in defending clients from claims brought by injured claimants, such as those who are claiming mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense lawyers are familiar with the intricate science involved with these cases, as well as the unique legal issues that arise when defending businesses in state and federal courts across the United States.

Catherine has represented a variety of manufacturers as lead counsel in asbestos and personal injury lawsuits involving product liability and in consolidated cases involving multiple claimants. She has extensive experience in arguing asbestos-related cases in federal and state courts as well as before a variety of appellate and supreme court bodies.

While 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 Evaluative Reports Encapsulated), which contained confidential information about claimants. The files contained medical reports as well as work histories and the list of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs used or worked near. Vogel had to have access to a password to access the files. Then, she could look over any SEAR forms that she received from her current employer.

The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to its extensive experience in trial and appellate work, is widely acclaimed for its ability to negotiate settlements for clients. In this capacity, the firm collaborates closely with lawyers representing plaintiffs in the development and execution of settlement agreements. It also has extensive experience defending companies against appeals.