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 help protect those whose financial security has been affected by exposure to the harmful mineral. Compensation can cover medical costs funeral and burial costs as well as pain and suffering and the loss of quality of life.
Our lawyers are involved in the mass litigation of toxic torts on a regional, national and local level. As a result, we are knowledgeable about the specific issues and the complex scientific aspects associated with asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos is a deadly fiber that can trigger numerous serious medical conditions, including mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is adept at handling asbestos lawsuits that seek compensation for victims and their families for exposure to this toxic substance. These cases can be complex and therefore it is essential to have an experienced mesothelioma law firm by your side.
New York has a long history of asbestos litigation, and many residents have been exposed to this hazardous substance. In recent times, there have been more lawsuits against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases are the result of the realization that asbestos can cause illnesses such as mesothelioma or lung cancer. These companies were aware the dangers that asbestos posed but did not take the time to warn the employees and the public.
The New York City area is particularly susceptible to asbestos-related illnesses due to its old structures and a myriad of construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic site that continues to impact on the surrounding community.
Mesothelioma can be caused by direct exposure to asbestos, and many workers were exposed to asbestos at work. Baton Rouge asbestos attorneys can also cause mesothelioma. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposed workers who were wearing their husband's work clothes and came in contact with asbestos dust on a regular basis.
The litigation associated with mesothelioma can be expensive for defendants, particularly when they are incorrectly named as a defendant. A study shows that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could increase. Specialized asbestos law firms often advertise on TV during the day and encourage victims to file claims under the premise that they will receive substantial settlements.
Defendants might be able to lower some of the costs arising from these cases by arguing that their policy periods have expired or they are only responsible for a small portion of the claim value. However, New York law has not provided a definitive rule on how to divide liabilities when the alleged exposure occurs partly within and outside the insurance company's policy.
Asbestos-Related Diseases
Exposure to asbestos can trigger various ailments. The most serious of these is mesothelioma. Many have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer and asbestosis. Pleural plaques and effusion are also asbestos-related.
Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal disease caused by exposure to asbestos fibers that accumulate in the lungs and cause irritation to the lining of the chest cavity, ribcage and abdominal cavity (the Pleura). The inhalation of these tiny fibers can cause scarring to the lungs known as asbestosis and occasionally, the formation of thickened patches on the pleura, known as plaques on the pleura, or the more widespread fibrosis of the pleura called diffused pleural the fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrisis reduce lung capacity as measured by breathing tests. They can also cause pain and difficulty in breathing, but they don't cause mesothelioma or cancer.
The majority of the time, signs of asbestos-related diseases don't appear until decades after the initial exposure. It can take up to 50 years for asbestos-related fibers to be inhaled to cause lung damage. 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, in addition to mesothelioma, include laryngeal cancer and lung cancer as well as peritoneal, ovarian and peritoneal cancer. Ovarian cancer is the deadliest mesothelioma type for women, but it is less prevalent than mesothelioma in general. It is diagnosed later than other mesothelioma types, because it is found in the linings of the reproductive organs. The symptoms can be similar to other illnesses.
A number of companies used asbestos in the 20th century. They were aware that it was hazardous. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos if they failed to remove asbestos from their products. The affected people are now able to claim financial compensation. A lot of asbestos-related manufacturers have filed for bankruptcy. The victims are now able to seek compensation from the trust funds established by bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
For decades, asbestos-related companies put profits above the safety of their employees and consumers, manufacturing hazardous products without warning of the dangers. These companies are now paying for their carelessness. People who have suffered from asbestos-related illnesses such as mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and full settlement.
The attorneys at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to helping families and individuals obtain 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 lawyers work to hold responsible large corporations accountable and seek maximum compensation for our clients.
Many states have established asbestos courts that are specifically designed so that claims can be filed more efficiently. Additionally judges have created special procedures for evaluating and resolving such cases.
New York, a state that has its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL) is one of the states. The number of cases filed in this court has increased steadily, as asbestos victims are becoming more and more likely to seek compensation from solvent former asbestos defendants who have become bankrupt. To ensure that the justice system isn't overwhelmed the New York Supreme Court has ordered the creation of an extra judicial panel to supervise NYCAL.
A panel comprised of six Supreme Court judges will review every case filed in NYCAL to determine whether or not to accept it. Judges will also assess the merits of every claim to determine how much the plaintiff's compensation should be.
The panel is currently examining more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to issue its final decision before the end of the year.
New York asbestos lawsuits are typically complex and often include allegations of several defendants. Belluck and Fox's lawyers have a wealth of experience in defending these complicated issues. 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 vast experience serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients across the country in complex, multi-district litigation. In this capacity, lawyers develop strategies, manage local and regional counsel, and ensure that they are able to provide consistent and effective defenses for clients. They have collaborated 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 approach 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 on matters involving claims of mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm also assists clients to create internal programs for identifying and addressing potential safety and liability issues.
In addition to its national asbestos practice, Bowles Rice serves as the national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this role Bowles Rice formulates litigation strategies and manages local and region counsel to ensure a uniform and cost-effective defence in coordination with the client's needs. Additionally it plays a crucial part in the administration of asbestos dockets as well as negotiations with counsel for plaintiffs and lead discovery for its clients.
The attorneys of the firm have a wealth of trial and appellate experience in defending clients against claims made by injured claimants, including those who claim mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are acquainted with the complex science associated with these cases, and the unique legal issues that arise when representing companies in federal and state courts across the United States.
Catherine has represented numerous manufacturers as the lead counsel in asbestos and personal injury lawsuits related to product liability, and in consolidated cases that involve multiple plaintiffs. She has substantial experience litigating asbestos-related cases before the federal and state courts and before a variety of supreme and appellate courts.
While 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 about the plaintiffs. The files contained medical reports and work histories, as well as an inventory of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs used or worked near. Vogel was required to use a password to access the files and was able to review the SEAR forms of any case with her current employer.
In addition to its extensive trial and appellate experience as well as its vast trial and appellate experience, the Bowles Rice Asbestos Team is well-known throughout the country for its ability to negotiate settlements on behalf of its clients. In this capacity, the company collaborates with lawyers representing plaintiffs in the development and execution of settlement agreements. It also has extensive experience in defending businesses against appeals.