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 affected by exposure to this toxic mineral. Compensation may cover medical costs funeral and burial costs as well as pain and suffering and the loss of quality of life.
Our attorneys are involved in the mass litigation of toxic torts at a national, regional and local scale. As our lawyers are well-versed with the unique issues and complicated science associated with asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos fibers can be deadly and can cause serious medical conditions such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney is skilled in dealing with lawsuits that seek financial compensation for those who have suffered from asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be a bit complicated and it's crucial to have a mesothelioma lawyer to assist you.
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 against asbestos producers from the past than before. These cases stem from the recognition of a link between asbestos and diseases like mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. These companies were aware of the dangers associated with the asbestos-containing mineral, yet they didn't inform their employees and customers.
New York City is especially susceptible to diseases caused by asbestos because of its old structures and construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously toxic area that continues to affect the community around it.
Many workers were exposed asbestos at work. However, many people are diagnosed with mesothelioma following secondhand exposure to the harmful substances. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposed workers who had their husbands' work clothes and came in contact with asbestos dust on a regular basis.
The mesothelioma lawsuit can be costly for defendants. This is especially the case if they were incorrectly identified as defendants. According to a study, more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed in New York courts since 2014 and the number could rise further. This kind of litigation is usually driven by asbestos law firms, which advertise on daytime TV and entice victims to file claims with the promise of large settlements.
Defendants might be able to reduce some of the expenses arising from these cases by argument that their policy terms have expired or they are only responsible for a tiny portion of the claim value. New York law does not have a specific rule for how to divide the liability if the alleged exposure is of the insurance policies.
Asbestos-Related Diseases
Exposure to asbestos can lead to various ailments. The most serious of these is mesothelioma. Paterson asbestos lawyer have died due to mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer asbestosis, pleural plaques and pleural effusion.
Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal condition, is caused by asbestos fibers that are found in the lung. They then cause irritation to the linings of the ribcage (the Pleura), chest cavity, and abdominal cavity. Inhaling these fibers can lead to scarring in the lungs, called asbestosis. It can also lead to thickened patches of pleura (pleural plaques) or an increase in fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis may decrease lung capacity, as determined by a breathing test. They can also cause discomfort and breathing difficulties however they do not lead to cancer or mesothelioma.
Often, symptoms of asbestos-related diseases do not manifest until decades after initial exposure. It can take as long as 50 years for asbestos-related fibers to be inhaled to cause lung damage. People who are at risk of developing mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related conditions include workers who handled, cleaned and removed asbestos-containing materials from their workplaces, as well as spouses and children of asbestos-related exposure.
In addition to mesothelioma, other asbestos-related diseases include laryngeal cancer, lung cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma, and mesothelioma ovarian. The most deadly form of mesothelioma is ovarian cancer, but it's less common than the general mesothelioma. It is diagnosed later than other mesothelioma types, because it is found within the linings of reproductive organs. The symptoms can be similar to other illnesses.
A number of companies used asbestos in the 20th century. They knew it was a risk. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos because they didn't eliminate it from their products. These people now are able to claim financial compensation. Many asbestos-related manufacturers are bankrupt. In the aftermath, victims can seek the money they deserve from the trust funds established by the bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
For decades, asbestos-related companies have put profits ahead of the safety of their employees and consumers, manufacturing hazardous products without warning of the risks. These companies are now facing the consequences of their carelessness. Victims of asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and complete settlement.
The lawyers at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to helping families and individuals receive the justice they need. Our attorneys have more than 25 years of experience and have assisted our clients to receive millions of dollars in compensation. Our New York mesothelioma lawyers work to hold large corporations responsible accountable and to secure the highest amount of compensation for our clients.
Many states have set up special asbestos courts where claims can be filed and resolving more efficiently. Additionally, judges have established special procedures for evaluating and resolving asbestos 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 been bankrupt and have been unable to pay, the workload of the court has steadily increased. In order to ensure that the justice system is not overwhelmed the New York Supreme Court has created an additional judicial panel that will supervise NYCAL.
A panel comprised of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine if it is accepted or rejected. Judges will also assess the merits of each case to determine the amount the plaintiff is entitled to.
The panel is currently looking at more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to issue its final ruling at the end of this year.
New York asbestos lawsuits can be complicated and can involve several defendants. Belluck and Fox's lawyers have a wealth of experience in defending these complicated issues. They are familiar with the asbestos courts in New York as well as their rules regulations, policies and guidelines 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 develop strategies, coordinate and manage regional and local counsel and ensure cost-effective and consistent defenses for every client. They have been in close contact with trial judges, coordinating judges, and special masters of litigation from various jurisdictions.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will determine what strategy is the best way to defend the client in a personal injury claim involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels product manufacturers, suppliers contractors, distributors, contractors and property owners on matters involving claims of mesothelioma and lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm collaborates with clients on developing internal programs to address potential safety and liability concerns.
Bowles Rice in addition to its asbestos practice across the country and multi-state asbestos litigation is also the national Coordinating counsel. In this capacity the firm designs litigation strategies, manages regional and local counsel and provides a cost-effective and consistent defense, in line with client goals. It also plays a major part in the administration and management of asbestos dockets, as well as negotiations with plaintiffs' attorneys and in coordinating discovery for its clients.
The attorneys of the firm have a wealth of trial and appellate experience, defending clients against claims by injured claimants, such as those who claim mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense lawyers are familiar with the intricate science involved with these cases, and the particular legal issues that arise when representing companies in federal and state courts across the United States.
Catherine has represented a variety of manufacturers as the lead counsel in asbestos and personal injury lawsuits involving product liability and in cases that have been consolidated involving multiple plaintiffs. She has extensive experience in arguing asbestos-related cases in state and federal 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 of the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files included SEAR forms (Short Evaluative reports that are encapsulated) that contained confidential information about the plaintiffs. This included medical reports and work histories, as well as the list of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs worked with or near. Vogel was required to use access to the files and was able to look over the SEAR forms of any case she had with her current employer.
In addition to its extensive trial and appellate experience 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 lawyers representing plaintiffs in the creation and implementation of settlement agreements. Additionally, it has extensive experience defending companies against appeals.