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 protect those who's financial security has been affected by exposure to the toxic mineral. Compensation can cover medical expenses funeral and burial costs, loss of quality of life, and pain and suffering.

Our lawyers are national, regional and local counsel in massive toxic tort litigation. We are familiarized with the unique issues and complex scientific aspects associated with asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos fibers are dangerous and can cause serious medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is adept at handling asbestos lawsuits that seek compensation for victims and their families for exposure to this harmful substance. These cases can be complicated and it's crucial to have a mesothelioma attorney 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 are more lawsuits filed against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases arise out of the realization that asbestos can cause diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. The companies were aware of the dangers associated with this hazardous mineral, but did not warn their employees and clients.

New York City is especially susceptible to diseases caused by asbestos lawsuit due to its old structures and construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously hazardous area that continues to affect the community around it.

Mesothelioma is triggered by exposure to asbestos in direct contact, and many workers were exposed in the workplace. Exposure to asbestos from the outside can result in mesothelioma. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposed workers who wore their husband's work clothes and came into contact with asbestos dust regularly.

The mesothelioma lawsuit can be costly for defendants. This is particularly relevant if they've been wrongly 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 fueled by specialized asbestos law firms that advertise on daytime television and encourage victims to file claims, with the promise of huge settlements.

Defendants may be able to reduce some of the costs arising from these cases by asserting that their policy periods have expired or they are only responsible for a small percentage of the total amount of the claim. New York law does not have a clear rule on how to allocate the liability if the alleged exposure is part of the insurance policies.

Asbestos-related Illnesses

Exposure to asbestos can lead to many different diseases. The most severe condition is mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is the cause of death of many people. Other asbestos-related diseases include asbestosis and lung cancer. Pleural plaques and effusion are also asbestos-related.

Mesothelioma, a rare, but fatal disease, is caused by asbestos fibers that collect in the lungs. They then irritate 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 cause thickened pleura patches (pleural plaques) or a more extensive fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis could reduce lung capacity as measured by a breath test. They can also cause breathing problems and pain but they don't cause mesothelioma or cancer.

The symptoms of asbestos-related diseases typically are not evident until years after exposure. This is because it could take between 20 to 50 years for the exposure to asbestos fibers to cause lung damage. People at risk of developing mesothelioma or other asbestos-related conditions include workers who handled, laundered and removed asbestos-containing materials from their workplaces and their spouses and children of asbestos-related exposure.

In addition to mesothelioma other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma and ovarian mesothelioma. Ovarian cancer is the most fatal mesothelioma that women suffer from however, it is much less common than mesothelioma in general. It is diagnosed later than most other mesothelioma types, because it develops within the linings of reproductive organs. Symptoms can be similar to those of other illnesses.

Many companies employed asbestos in the 20th century, but they knew that it was a risk. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos if they didn't remove asbestos from their products. These people now are able to sue for financial compensation. Many asbestos-related manufacturers are bankrupt. The victims can now seek compensation from trust funds set up by bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

Asbestos companies have put profit before the safety of their workers and consumers for decades creating dangerous products without warning about the risks. These companies are now confronting the consequences of their carelessness. Patients who have suffered asbestos-related illnesses such as mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and full settlement.

Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals obtain the justice they deserve. Our attorneys have more than 25 years of experience and have assisted our clients to receive millions of dollars of compensation. Our New York mesothelioma lawyers work to hold accountable large corporations accountable and to obtain maximum compensation for our clients.

Many states have set up special asbestos courts where claims can be filed and resolving more efficiently. Judges have also created special procedures to review and resolve 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 who have declared bankruptcy the number of cases that have come through this special court has been steadily increasing. The New York Supreme Court created an additional judicial board that will oversee NYCAL in order to prevent the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.

A panel composed of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine if it should be accepted or not. Judges will also consider the merits of each claim to determine the amount the plaintiff is entitled to.

The panel is currently examining more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected make a final decision at the end of this year.

New York asbestos lawsuits are usually complex and involve allegations of several defendants. Belluck and Fox's lawyers have vast experience in litigating these complex issues. They are familiar with the rules regulations, policies, and procedures of the asbestos courts in New York, as well as the laws of other jurisdictions in which they have handled multidistrict litigation.

The firm also has vast experience as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in complex, multidistrict litigation. In this role lawyers formulate strategies, manage local and regional counsel, and ensure that they are able to provide consistent and effective defenses for clients. They have worked closely with trial judges, coordinating judges, and litigation special masters from various jurisdictions.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will decide which strategy is the best way to defend the client in a personal injury claim involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises suppliers, manufacturers, contractors, distributors and property owners on issues concerning mesothelioma-related claims, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm also works with clients to create internal programs for identifying and addressing potential risks to safety and liability.

In addition to its asbestos practice across the nation, Bowles Rice serves as the national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this capacity, the firm develops litigation strategies, manages regional and local counsel, and provides a cost-effective and consistent defense in coordination with the client's goals. It also plays a significant part in the administration and management of asbestos dockets as well as negotiations with plaintiffs' lawyers and coordinating discovery for its clients.

The firm's lawyers have experience in defending clients from claims of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense lawyers are familiar with complex scientific issues involved in these cases as and specific legal issues that arise when representing companies in federal and state courts across the United States.

Catherine has represented numerous manufacturers in asbestos and products liability personal injury cases, acting as the lead counsel in consolidated trials involving multiple claimants. She has substantial experience litigating asbestos-related cases before federal and state courts and before a variety of supreme and appellate court bodies.

During her tenure at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos cases for respondents, including those at the Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The cases files included SEAR forms (Short encapsulated Evaluative reports) which contained confidential information about claimants. This included medical reports, work histories, and the list of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs used or worked near. Vogel was required to have access to a password to access the files. She was then able to look over any SEAR forms provided by 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 successfully negotiate settlements for its clients. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs’ lawyers to draft and implement settlement agreements. The firm also has extensive experience in defending businesses against appeals.