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

An asbestos defense attorney can protect the financial security of those who have been affected by exposure to this harmful mineral. Compensation can cover medical expenses funeral and burial expenses, pain and suffering, and loss of quality of life.

Our attorneys are involved in the mass litigation of toxic torts on a regional, national and local scale. We are well-versed in the unique issues and the complex scientific aspects that are associated with asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

asbestos case is a dangerous fiber that can cause numerous serious medical conditions, including mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is skilled in handling asbestos lawsuits that seek compensation for victims and their families who have been exposed to this harmful substance. These cases can be extremely complex, and it is critical to have a mesothelioma expert lawyer on your side.

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

The New York City area is particularly susceptible to asbestos-related illnesses due to its old structures and numerous construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously toxic area that continues to impact the surrounding community.

Many workers were exposed to asbestos in their work environments. However, people also get diagnosed with mesothelioma after experiencing an exposure secondarily to the harmful substances. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposure 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 the case if they were wrongly named as defendants. A study shows that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could rise. This niche litigation is often driven by asbestos law firms that promote on daytime television and encourage victims to file claims with the promise of substantial settlements.

Defendants may be able to mitigate some of the expenses arising from these cases by asserting that their policy periods have expired or they're only responsible for a tiny percentage of the total claim value. However, New York law has not provided a definitive rule regarding how to allocate liabilities when the alleged exposure occurs partly outside of the insurance company's policy.

Asbestos-related Diseases

A wide range of asbestos-related illnesses can develop because of exposure to the harmful mineral. The most serious of these is mesothelioma. Many people have died due to mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer asbestosis, pleural plaques, and pleural effusion.

Mesothelioma, a rare, but fatal illness, is caused by asbestos fibers that are found in the lung. They then irritate the linings of the ribcage (the Pleura) as well as the chest cavity and abdominal cavity. Inhaling these tiny fibers can result in scarring of the lungs, a condition known as asbestosis and occasionally, the formation of thickened patches on the pleura referred to as plaques of pleura or an enlargement of fibrosis in the pleura known as diffused fibrisis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrosis reduce lung capacity as measured by breathing tests. They also cause discomfort and breathing difficulties but they don't lead to cancer or mesothelioma.

The signs of asbestos-related illness typically are not evident until years after initial exposure. This is due to the fact that it can take between 20 and 50 years for the inhalation of asbestos fibers to damage the lungs. Workers who handled, cleaned, and removed asbestos from the workplace as well as spouses, children and other people who are exposed to asbestos are at risk for developing mesothelioma.

Other asbestos-related diseases, apart from mesothelioma, include laryngeal carcinoma and lung cancer and peritoneal, ovarian and peritoneal cancer. The most fatal mesothelioma type is ovarian cancer, but it's less prevalent than mesothelioma in general. It is diagnosed later than most other mesothelioma types, because it occurs within the linings of reproductive organs. Symptoms can be similar to other illnesses.

A number of companies used asbestos in the 20th century. They knew it was hazardous. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos if they failed to remove Asbestos lawsuit from their products. They can now claim financial compensation. Many of the asbestos-related manufacturers have filed for bankruptcy. This means that the victims are able to seek the compensation they deserve from the trust funds set up by the bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

asbestos case-related companies have put profit before the safety of their workers and their customers for decades creating dangerous products without warning of the dangers. They are now paying the price for their carelessness. Victims of asbestos-related illnesses such as mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and complete settlement.

The lawyers at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to helping families and individuals obtain the justice they deserve. Our attorneys have more than 25 years of experience and have helped clients receive millions of dollars of compensation. Our New York mesothelioma lawyers work to hold responsible large corporations accountable and to obtain the maximum amount of compensation for our clients.

Many states have established special asbestos courts where claims can be filed and resolved more efficiently. Additionally judges have created specific procedures for evaluating and resolving asbestos cases.

New York is one such state that has its own asbestos court, known as NYCAL. The number of cases filed in this court has been increasing steadily as more and more asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants who went bankrupt. 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 whether it should be accepted or not. Judges will also consider the merits of each claim to determine the amount of amount of money each plaintiff should receive.

The panel is currently studying more than 3,500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to announce its final decision by the end of the year.

New York asbestos lawsuits are typically complex and often include allegations of multiple defendants. Belluck and Fox's lawyers have vast experience in the litigation of these difficult matters. They are familiar with New York's asbestos courts and their rules and regulations and other jurisdictions in which they have handled multi-district litigation.

The firm also has extensive experience in serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients nationwide in multi-district, complex litigation. In this capacity, lawyers develop strategies, manage local and regional counsel and ensure consistent and efficient defenses for clients. They have worked closely with trial and coordination judges and litigation special masters in the various jurisdictions where they were involved in asbestos litigation.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A knowledgeable Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best strategy to defend a client from an asbestos-related personal injury claim. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels suppliers, manufacturers contractors, distributors, contractors, and property owners in matters involving claims of mesothelioma and lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm collaborates with clients in the development of internal programs to identify and resolve potential liability and safety concerns.

In addition to its asbestos practice across the nation, Bowles Rice serves as national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this role, Bowles Rice develops litigation strategies and manages local and region counsel to ensure a consistent and cost-effective defense in accordance with the client's needs. In addition, it plays a key role in the management of asbestos dockets, negotiations with plaintiffs' counsel and leads discovery for its clients.

The firm's lawyers have experience in defending clients against mesothelioma claims and other asbestos-related illnesses. Asbestos defense attorneys are familiar with the complex science associated with these cases, as well as the particular legal issues that arise when defending businesses before federal and state courts across the United States.

Catherine has represented numerous manufacturers in asbestos and products liability personal injury cases, acting as the lead trial counsel in consolidated trials that involved multiple claimants. She has a wealth of experience arguing asbestos-related lawsuits before the state and federal courts, as well as a variety of Supreme Court and appellate bodies.

While at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those for respondents of the asbestos lawsuit Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files contained SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports) that contained confidential information about claimants, such as medical reports, a history of work, and a list of asbestos products that plaintiffs worked with or around. Vogel was required to have access to these files and could review 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 firm collaborates closely with plaintiffs' lawyers in the creation and implementation of settlement agreements. Additionally, it has extensive experience in defending businesses against appeals.