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 lawyer can assist in ensuring the financial security of those affected through exposure to this dangerous mineral. Compensation may cover medical costs funeral and burial costs, 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 complex science associated asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos is a deadly fiber that can trigger a variety of severe medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney is experienced in handling lawsuits seeking the financial compensation of those affected by asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be complex, and it is critical to have a mesothelioma expert law firm by your side.
New York has had a long history of asbestos litigation and many residents were exposed to the dangerous material. In recent years there have been more lawsuits against former asbestos manufacturers than ever before. These cases are a result of the realization that asbestos can cause illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer. The companies were aware of asbestos's dangers, but failed to warn employees and consumers.
The New York City area is particularly susceptible to asbestos-related ailments because of its older structures and a myriad of construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously hazardous area that continues to impact the surrounding community.
Many workers were exposed to asbestos at work. However, people also get diagnosed with mesothelioma following exposure to harmful substances. This includes spouses who wear husband's clothes at work and come in contact with asbestos dust regularly.
The mesothelioma lawsuit can be costly for defendants, particularly if they are wrongfully 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 increase further. This niche litigation is often driven by asbestos law firms, which advertise on television during the day and encourage victims to file claims with the promise of large settlements.
Defendants may be able to mitigate some of the expenses arising from these cases by arguing that their policy periods have expired or they are only accountable for a small percentage of the amount of the claim. New York law does not have a specific rule for how to divide responsibility when the alleged exposure is part of and outside the insurer's policies.
Asbestos-Related Illnesses
A variety of asbestos-related diseases can develop because of exposure to the mineral that causes cancer. The mesothelioma disease is the most serious. Many people have died due to mesothelioma attorneys. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer asbestosis, pleural plaques and the pleural effusion.
Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal illness caused by exposure to asbestos fibers that collect in the lungs, and can cause irritation to the lining of the ribcage, chest cavity, and abdominal cavity (the the pleura). Inhaling these fibers can lead to scarring of the lungs, known as asbestosis. It can also cause thickened pleura patches (pleural plaques) or an increased fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis may reduce lung capacity, as measured by a breath test. They can also cause pain and difficulty in breathing, but they do not lead cancer or mesothelioma.
The majority of the time, signs of asbestos-related diseases do not appear until decades after the initial exposure. It can take up to 50 years for asbestos fibers inhaled to cause lung damage. People at risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related ailments include those who handled, laundered and removed asbestos-containing materials from their workplaces and their spouses and children of those who were exposed to asbestos.
In addition to mesothelioma attorneys other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma, and ovarian mesothelioma lawsuits. Ovarian cancer is the most fatal form of mesothelioma for women, but it is less common than mesothelioma in general. It is diagnosed later than most other types of mesothelioma because it is found in the linings of the reproductive organs. Symptoms can be similar to other diseases.
There were many companies that used asbestos in the 20th century, but they knew that it was a risk. When they failed to remove asbestos from their products thousands of people were exposed. They can now seek financial compensation. A lot of asbestos-related manufacturers have filed for bankruptcy. As a result, the victims are able to seek the compensation they deserve from the trust funds established by the bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
For decades, asbestos companies put profits above the security of their employees and consumers by producing dangerous products without warning of the dangers. These companies are now paying for their negligence. Patients who have suffered asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer 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, we have secured millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. Our New York mesothelioma attorney Attorneys (80.82.64.206) work to hold corporations accountable and seek maximum compensation for clients.
Many states have established special asbestos courts where claims can be filed and resolved more efficiently. Additionally judges have developed specialized procedures to evaluate and resolve asbestos cases.
New York is one such state, with its own asbestos court, known as NYCAL. The number of cases in this court has increased steadily, as increasing numbers of asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent former asbestos defendants who have become bankrupt. 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 of six Supreme Court judges will review every case filed in NYCAL to determine whether or not to accept it. Judges will also consider the merits of each claim to determine the amount of the plaintiff's compensation should be.
The panel is currently reviewing more than 3,500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to issue its final decision before the end this year.
New York asbestos lawsuits can be complicated and can involve multiple defendants. Belluck and Fox's lawyers have a wealth of experience in defending these complicated issues. They are knowledgeable of the rules regulations, policies, and procedures 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 vast experience as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in complex, multidistrict litigation. In this capacity, lawyers create strategies, coordinate and oversee local and regional counsel, and ensure consistent and cost-effective defenses for each client. They have worked closely with coordinating and trial judges and litigation special masters in various jurisdictions in which they have been involved in asbestos litigation.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will decide which strategy is best to defend the client from an injury claim that involves asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels product manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, contractors and owners of premises in matters involving claims of mesothelioma and lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm also works with clients to develop internal programs for identifying and addressing potential 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 role Bowles Rice formulates strategies for litigation and supervises local and region counsel to ensure a consistent and cost-effective defence in coordination with the client's objectives. Additionally, it plays a key part in the administration of asbestos dockets and negotiations with plaintiffs' counsel and also leads discovery for its clients.
The firm's lawyers have experience in defending clients against mesothelioma lawsuits-related claims and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are familiar with the complex science associated with these cases, and the unique legal issues that arise when defending businesses before federal and state courts across the United States.
Catherine has defended numerous manufacturers in asbestos and products liability personal injury cases, representing them as the lead trial counsel in consolidated trials involving multiple plaintiffs. She has extensive experience in litigating asbestos-related cases in state and federal courts and before various appellate and supreme court bodies.
During her tenure at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos cases for respondents, including the Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The case files included SEAR forms (Short Evaluative Reports Encapsulated), which contained confidential data about the plaintiffs. This included medical reports and work histories, as well as a list asbestos products that plaintiffs worked with or near. Vogel was required to have a password to access these files and could look over the SEAR forms of any case at her current employer.
The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to having extensive experience in appellate and trial work, is widely acclaimed for its ability to reach settlements on behalf of its clients. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs' lawyers to create and implement settlement agreements. It also has extensive experience defending businesses against appeals.