Are You Getting The Most From Your Asbestos Defense Attorney
An Asbestos Defense Attorney Can Help Protect the Financial Security of Those Harmed by Exposure to This Harmful Mineral
An asbestos defense lawyer can assist in ensuring the financial security of those who have been harmed through exposure to this dangerous mineral. Compensation could cover medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, loss of quality of life, and suffering and pain.
Our lawyers are involved in mass toxic tort litigation on a regional, national and local level. As our lawyers are well-versed with the unique issues and complicated science associated asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos is a dangerous fiber that can lead to various serious medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is skilled in dealing with asbestos lawsuits, which seek compensation for victims and their families due to exposure to this toxic substance. These cases can be complex and therefore it is essential to have a mesothelioma lawyer to assist you.
New York has a long history of asbestos litigation, and many residents have been exposed to this dangerous substance. In recent times there have been more lawsuits against former asbestos manufacturers than ever before. These cases are a result of the recognition that asbestos is associated with illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer. The companies were aware of the dangers associated with the asbestos-containing mineral, yet they did not inform their employees and customers.
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 surrounding community.
Mesothelioma is triggered by direct exposure to asbestos settlement, and many workers were exposed in the workplace. However, some people are diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of secondhand exposure to the harmful substances. This includes spouses who wear their husband's clothing to work and come into contact with asbestos dust frequently.
The mesothelioma lawsuit can be costly for defendants, especially when they are incorrectly named as defendants. According to an investigation, more than 3,600 claims have been filed in New York courts since 2014 and the number could rise further. Specialized asbestos law firms often advertise on television during the day and encourage victims to submit claims, promising they will receive substantial settlements.
The defendants might be able to reduce the cost of these cases by arguing their policies are in a lapse or that they only have to pay only a small percentage of the amount claimed. However, New York law has not provided a definitive rule on how to divide liabilities when the alleged exposure occurs partly in and out of the insurer's policy periods.
Asbestos-Related Illnesses
Exposure to asbestos can trigger a wide range of diseases. The most serious condition is mesothelioma. Many people have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques, and the pleural effusion.
Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal illness that is caused by exposure to asbestos fibers that collect in the lungs, and can cause irritation to the lining of the chest cavity, ribcage and abdominal cavity (the Pleura). Inhaling these fibers can lead to scarring of the lungs, known as asbestosis. It can also result in thickened patches of pleura (pleural plaques) or a more extensive fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis may decrease lung capacity, as measured by a breath test. They also cause discomfort and breathing difficulties, though they do not cause mesothelioma or cancer.
Often, symptoms of asbestos-related diseases do not show up until decades after the initial exposure. It could take up to 50 years for asbestos fibers that are inhaled to cause lung damage. Workers who handled, cleaned, and removed asbestos from their workplaces as well as children, spouses and others who were exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing mesothelioma.
Other asbestos-related diseases apart from mesothelioma, include laryngeal carcinoma and lung cancer, peritoneal, ovarian, and peritoneal cancer. The most dangerous form of mesothelioma is ovarian cancer, but it's much less frequent than the general mesothelioma. It is often diagnosed later than other kinds of mesothelioma because it develops in the lining of the reproductive organs and the symptoms can be similar to those of other illnesses.
Many companies employed asbestos during the 20th century. They knew it was a risk. When they failed to remove it from their products, thousands of people were exposed. These people can now seek financial compensation. Many of the asbestos-related manufacturers have filed for bankruptcy. The victims can now seek compensation from the trust funds created by bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
For decades, asbestos-related companies have placed profits over the safety of their employees and consumers, manufacturing hazardous products, without warning of the risks. These companies are now paying for their negligence. People who have suffered from life-altering issues caused by mesothelioma and lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses are seeking full and fair compensation.
Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals get the justice they deserve. Our attorneys have more than 25 years experience and have helped our clients receive millions of dollars in compensation. Our New York mesothelioma lawyers work to hold responsible large corporations accountable and to obtain maximum compensation for our clients.
A number of states have established special asbestos courts in which claims can be filed and resolving more efficiently. In addition judges have developed specialized procedures for evaluating and resolving such cases.
New York is one such state, with its own asbestos court known as NYCAL. As asbestos victims continue to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants that have gone bankrupt, the caseload of this court has been steadily increasing. The New York Supreme Court created a special judicial board to oversee NYCAL in order to prevent the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.
A panel composed of six Supreme Court judges will review every case in NYCAL to determine whether or not to take it up with it. Judges will also assess the merits of each claim to determine how much amount of money each plaintiff should receive.
The panel is currently looking into more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected issue its final ruling before the end of the year.
New York asbestos lawsuits can be complex and can involve several defendants. Belluck & Fox's lawyers have extensive experience in the litigation of these difficult matters. They are familiar with the asbestos courts in New York, including their rules, regulations and policies and other jurisdictions in which 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 multi-district litigation that is complex and complex. In this role lawyers formulate strategies, manage regional and local counsel, and ensure 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 Tulsa asbestos lawyer will decide which strategy is most effective to defend the client in a personal injury claim involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises suppliers, manufacturers, contractors, distributors and owners of premises on matters involving mesothelioma claims, lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm also assists clients to create internal programs for identifying and addressing any risks to safety and liability.
Bowles Rice, in addition to its asbestos practice across the country and multi-state asbestos case litigation, serves as national Coordinating counsel. In this role, the firm develops litigation strategies, manages regional and local counsel, and provides a cost-effective and consistent defense, in line with the client's goals. Additionally, it plays a key role in the management of asbestos dockets and negotiations with plaintiffs' counsel and also leads discovery for its clients.
The firm's attorneys are experienced in defending clients against mesothelioma claims and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are acquainted with the complex science that is associated with these cases, as well as the particular legal issues that arise when representing companies before federal and state courts across the United States.
Catherine has represented a variety of manufacturers as lead trial counsel in asbestos and product liability personal injury lawsuits and in consolidated cases that involve multiple claimants. She has a wealth of experience litigating asbestos-related lawsuits before federal and state courts, as well as a variety of Supreme Court and appellate courts.
During her time at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those for respondents in the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files included SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports) which contained confidential information about claimants, 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 could then review any SEAR forms from 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 recognized nationally for its ability to negotiate settlements on behalf of its clients. In this capacity, the firm collaborates with plaintiffs' lawyers in the preparation and execution of settlement agreements. Additionally, it has a vast experience in defending companies against appeals.
