So You ve Bought Asbestos Defense Attorney ... Now What

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

An asbestos defense attorney can assist in ensuring the financial security of those injured through exposure to this dangerous mineral. Compensation can cover medical expenses, funeral and burial expenses, pain and suffering, and loss of quality of life.

Our lawyers are involved in mass toxic tort litigation on a regional, national and local level. As our lawyers are well-versed with the specific issues and complex science associated asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos fibers are dangerous and can cause severe medical conditions such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney is experienced in handling lawsuits to seek the financial compensation of those affected by asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be complex, so it's important 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 hazardous material. In recent years, there have been more lawsuits filed against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases stem from the recognition of a connection between asbestos and diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. These companies were aware the dangers that asbestos posed however, they failed to inform the employees and the public.

The New York City area is particularly susceptible to asbestos-related illnesses because of its older structures and the numerous construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously toxic area that continues affect the community around it.

Mesothelioma is triggered by direct exposure to asbestos and a lot of workers were exposed to asbestos in the workplace. However, some people are diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of an exposure secondarily to the harmful substances. 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 mesothelioma lawsuit can be costly for defendants. This is particularly true if they have been wrongly identified as defendants. A study shows that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could rise. The asbestos law firms that specialize in asbestos often advertise on television during the day and encourage victims to file claims with the promise that they will receive substantial settlements.

The defendants could be able to reduce some of the costs of these cases by arguing their policies are in a lapse or that they are only responsible for only for a small proportion of the claim value. However, New York law has not established a clear rule regarding how to allocate liabilities when the alleged exposure occurs within and outside the insurance company's policy.

Asbestos-Related Diseases

Exposure to asbestos can cause various illnesses. The most severe condition is mesothelioma. Many have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques and the pleural effusion.

Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal disease caused by exposure to asbestos fibers which accumulate in the lungs and irritate the lining of the chest cavity, ribcage and abdominal cavity (the pleura). The inhalation of these tiny fibers can cause scarring of the lungs called asbestosis, and, sometimes, the formation of thickened patches on the pleura referred to as plaques on the pleura, or the more widespread fibrosis of the pleura known as diffused the fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrosis reduce lung capacity, as measured by breathing tests. They can also cause pain and discomfort in breathing, however they don't cause mesothelioma or cancer.

The majority of the time, signs of asbestos-related diseases do not appear until decades after the initial exposure. This is because it can take between 20 and 50 years for the inhalation of asbestos-containing fibers to damage the lungs. People at risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases include those who handled, washed and removed asbestos-containing materials from the workplace, as well as spouses and children of those who were exposed to asbestos.

In addition to mesothelioma other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma, and mesothelioma ovarian. The most deadly form of mesothelioma is called ovarian cancer, but it's much less frequent than the general mesothelioma lawyers. It is diagnosed later than other types of mesothelioma attorney because it develops within the linings of reproductive organs. The symptoms may be similar to other illnesses.

A number of companies employed asbestos in the 20th century, however they were aware that it was a risk. When they did not remove asbestos from their products thousands of people were exposed. Now, these people are able to sue for financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are insolvent. The victims are now able to seek compensation from trust funds set up by bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

Asbestos companies have put profits over the safety of their employees and their customers for decades creating dangerous products without warning about the risks. They are now confronting the consequences of their inattention. People whose lives have been disrupted by mesothelioma, cancer of the lung and other asbestos-related illnesses are seeking fair and full settlement.

The lawyers at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to helping individuals and families get the justice they deserve. Our lawyers have over 25 years of experience and have helped clients receive millions of dollars of compensation. Our New York mesothelioma attorneys [more information] work to hold large corporations accountable and seek maximum compensation for clients.

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

New York, a state with its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL) is one of the states. As asbestos victims continue to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants that have declared bankruptcy, the caseload of the court has steadily increased. The New York Supreme Court created an additional judicial board that will supervise NYCAL in order to prevent the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.

A panel comprised of six Supreme Court judges will review each case in NYCAL to decide whether or not to accept it. Judges will also assess the merits of each 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 usually complex and involve allegations of several defendants. Belluck and Fox's lawyers have a wealth of experience in the litigation of these difficult issues. They are well-versed in the rules, regulations, and policies of the asbestos courts in New York, as well as the laws of other jurisdictions where they have handled multidistrict litigation.

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

Representation of Plaintiffs

A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will determine which strategy is best to defend the client from a personal injury claim involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels product manufacturers, suppliers contractors, distributors, contractors, and premises owners in matters involving claims of mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm collaborates with clients on developing internal programs to identify and deal with potential liability and safety issues.

In addition to its national asbestos practice, Bowles Rice serves as national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this capacity Bowles Rice devises litigation strategies and oversees regional and local counsel to achieve a consistent and cost-effective defense that is in line with the client's objectives. 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 attorneys of the firm have a wealth of trial and appellate experience, defending clients against claims made by injured claimants, which includes those who are claiming mesothelioma lawyers or any other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense lawyers are familiar with the complex science associated with these cases, and the unique legal issues that arise when defending companies in federal and state courts across the United States.

Catherine has represented a variety of manufacturers as lead counsel in asbestos and product liability personal injury lawsuits and in consolidated cases involving multiple plaintiffs. She has extensive experience in litigating asbestos-related cases in state and federal courts, as well as before a variety of appellate and supreme court bodies.

While at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos cases for respondents, including the Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The case files contained SEAR forms (Short encapsulated Evaluative reports) which contained confidential information about the plaintiffs. This included medical reports as well as work histories and an inventory of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs used or worked near. Vogel was required to have a password to access these files and could go through the SEAR forms of any case 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 acknowledged nationally for its ability to negotiate settlements on behalf of its clients. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs’ lawyers to draft and implement settlement agreements. It also has extensive experience in defending businesses from appeals.