An Asbestos Defense Attorney Can Help Protect the Financial Security of Those Harmed by Exposure to This Harmful Mineral
An asbestos defense lawyer can protect the financial security of those who have been affected by exposure to this harmful mineral. Compensation can cover medical costs, funeral and burial costs, lost quality of life, as well as pain and suffering.
Our attorneys are involved in mass toxic tort litigation on a regional, national and local scale. As such, we are familiar with the unique issues and complicated science associated with asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos is a dangerous fiber that can trigger numerous serious medical conditions, including mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney is skilled in handling lawsuits seeking financial compensation for victims of asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be complex and therefore it is essential to have a mesothelioma lawyer to assist you.
New York has had a long history with asbestos litigation and many residents were exposed to this hazardous material. In recent years, there have been more lawsuits filed against asbestos producers from the past than 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 asbestos's dangers but did not take the time to warn their employees and customers.
New York City is especially vulnerable to illnesses caused by asbestos due to its old structures and construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic location that continues to have an impact on the community around it.
Mesothelioma is triggered by exposure to asbestos directly and many workers were exposed in the workplace. However, some people are diagnosed with mesothelioma following secondhand exposure to the harmful substances. This includes spouses who wear husband's clothes at work and come in contact with asbestos dust frequently.
The mesothelioma lawsuit can be costly for defendants. This is particularly relevant if they've been wrongly identified as defendants. According to a study, more than 3,600 claims have been filed in New York courts since 2014 and the number could increase even more. This type of litigation is typically driven by asbestos law firms that promote on daytime television and encourage victims to file claims with the promise of huge settlements.
The defendants could be able to reduce some of the costs of these cases by arguing that their policies are in a lapse or that they are only responsible for 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 exposure is of the insurer's policies.
Asbestos-Related Diseases
Exposure to asbestos can trigger various diseases. The most serious of these is mesothelioma. Mesothelioma has caused the death of many people. Other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer and asbestosis. Pleural plaques and pleural effusion are also asbestos-related.
Mesothelioma, a rare, but fatal disease is caused by asbestos fibers which are found in the lung. They then cause irritation to the linings of the ribcage (the the pleura) as well as the chest cavity and abdominal cavity. The inhalation of these small fibers can cause scarring to the lungs called asbestosis, and, sometimes, the formation of thickened patches on the pleura called pleural plaques or an enlargement of fibrosis in the pleura known as diffused fibrisis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrisis reduce lung capacity, as measured by breathing tests. They can also cause pain and difficulties in breathing, however they are not the cause of cancer or mesothelioma.
Often, symptoms of asbestos-related diseases don't manifest until decades after initial exposure. It can take up to 50 years for asbestos fibers inhaled to cause lung damage. The people at risk of developing mesothelioma or other asbestos-related ailments include those who handled, washed, and removed these materials from their workplaces and spouses and children of those who were exposed to asbestos.
In addition to mesothelioma, other asbestos-related illnesses include laryngeal cancer, lung cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma, and mesothelioma of the ovary. The most deadly form of mesothelioma is ovarian cancer, however it is less prevalent than mesothelioma in general. It is usually diagnosed later than other kinds of mesothelioma due to the fact that it develops in the lining of the reproductive organs, and symptoms can be similar to those of other illnesses.
Many companies employed asbestos during the 20th century. They knew it was dangerous. When they did not remove it from their products, thousands of people were exposed. These people can now claim financial compensation. Many of the asbestos-related manufacturers have declared bankruptcy. The victims are now able to seek compensation from trust funds set up by bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
Asbestos-related companies have put profit over the safety of their employees and customers for a long time, producing hazardous products without warning of the dangers. These companies are now paying for their negligence. People who have suffered from life-altering issues caused by mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses are seeking fair and full settlement.
Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals receive 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 large corporations accountable and obtain the highest amount of compensation for their clients.
Many states have established asbestos courts with specialization, where claims can be filed more efficiently. Judges have also developed specialized procedures to evaluate and resolve asbestos-related cases.
New York, a state that has its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL), is one of them. The number of cases filed in this court has been increasing 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 overloaded and overwhelmed, the New York Supreme Court has established an additional judicial panel that will oversee NYCAL.
A panel comprised of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine whether it should be accepted or not. Judges will also assess the merits of each claim to determine how much amount of money each plaintiff should receive.
At present, the panel is studying more than 3,500 lawsuits. The panel is expected issue its final ruling before the end of the year.
New York asbestos lawsuits are typically complex and often involve several defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience with the litigation of these complex cases. They are well-versed in New York's asbestos courts as well as their rules and regulations and other jurisdictions in which they have handled multi-district litigation.
The firm also has vast experience as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in multidistrict litigation that is complex and complex. In this capacity lawyers formulate strategies, manage local and regional counsel, and ensure consistent and effective defenses for clients. They have been in close contact with trial judges, coordinating judges and special masters of litigation from different jurisdictions.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A knowledgeable Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best strategy to defend a client against an asbestos personal injury claim. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels product manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, contractors and property owners in cases involving claims for mesothelioma and lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm also works with clients to create internal programs for identifying and addressing any risks to safety and liability.
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 develops strategies for litigation, oversees local and regional counsel, and ensures a consistent and cost-effective defense that is in sync with client objectives. In addition it plays a crucial role in the administration of asbestos dockets and negotiations with plaintiffs' counsel and leads discovery for its clients.
The firm's lawyers have experience in defending clients from mesothelioma-related claims and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense lawyers are acquainted with the complex research and technology involved in these cases, as and particular legal issues that arise when defending businesses before state and federal courts throughout the United States.
Catherine has defended numerous manufacturers in asbestos and products liability personal injury cases, acting as the lead counsel in consolidated trials that involved multiple claimants. She has a wealth of experience litigating asbestos-related lawsuits before the federal and state courts as well as various Supreme Court and appellate bodies.
During her time at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos cases for respondents, including those in the Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The case files included SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports) which contained confidential information on the plaintiffs, such as medical reports, work history and the list of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs worked with or around. Vogel had to have a password in order to access the files. She was then able to 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 successfully reach settlements on behalf of its clients. In this capacity, houston asbestos attorney the firm collaborates with lawyers representing plaintiffs in the creation and implementation of settlement agreements. It also has extensive experience in defending businesses against appeals.