Then You ve Found Your Asbestos Defense Attorney ... Now What
An Asbestos Defense Attorney Can Help Protect the Financial Security of Those Harmed by Exposure to This Harmful Mineral
A defense attorney for asbestos can assist those who's financial security has been affected by exposure to the harmful mineral. Compensation can cover medical expenses funeral and burial costs, loss of quality of life, and suffering and pain.
Our lawyers are involved in the mass litigation of toxic torts on a national, regional and local scale. As as such, we are acquainted with the unique issues and the complex science that go along with asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos fibers are dangerous and can cause serious medical conditions like mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney is experienced 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 attorney on your side.
New York has a long history of asbestos litigation, and many residents have been exposed to this hazardous material. In recent times, there have been more lawsuits against former asbestos manufacturers than ever before. These cases are a result of the recognition of a connection between asbestos and diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. These companies were aware of the dangers associated with this hazardous mineral, but didn't warn their employees and consumers.
New York City is especially vulnerable to illnesses caused by asbestos because of its old structures and construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic site that continues to impact on the surrounding community.
Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos directly, and many workers were exposed at work. However, many people are diagnosed with mesothelioma after experiencing an exposure secondarily to the harmful substances. This includes spouses who wear husband's clothes to work and come into contact with asbestos dust frequently.
Litigation involving mesothelioma is expensive for defendants. This is particularly true if they have been wrongly named as defendants. According to a study, more that 3,600 lawsuits have been filed in New York courts since 2014, and the number could rise further. This kind of litigation is usually supported by asbestos law firms that advertise on daytime television and encourage victims to file claims, with the promise of huge settlements.
The defendants might be able to reduce the cost of these cases by arguing their policy periods are expired or that they are only responsible for only for a small proportion of the claim value. New York law does not have a specific rule for how to divide liability when the alleged exposure is of and outside the insurance policies.
Asbestos-related illnesses
Exposure to asbestos can trigger various illnesses. The most serious of these is mesothelioma. Many people have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer asbestosis, pleural plaques and pleural effusion.
Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal disease is caused by asbestos fibers that are found in the lungs. They then cause irritation to the linings of the ribcage (the pleura) as well as the chest cavity and abdominal cavity. Inhaling these fibers can lead to scarring of the lungs, known as asbestosis. It can also lead to thickened pleura patches (pleural plaques) or an increased fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrisis reduce lung capacity as measured by breathing tests. They can also cause pain and difficulties in breathing, however they do not lead mesothelioma or cancer.
The signs of asbestos-related illness typically are not evident until years after the initial exposure. It can take as long as 50 years for asbestos fibers that are inhaled to cause lung damage. People who are at risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related conditions include workers who handled, washed and removed asbestos-containing products from the workplace, as well as spouses and children of those who were exposed to asbestos legal.
As well as mesothelioma, other asbestos-related illnesses include laryngeal cancer, lung cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma, and ovarian mesothelioma. Ovarian cancer is the most fatal mesothelioma type for women however it is much less prevalent than mesothelioma in general. It is diagnosed later than most other types of mesothelioma, because it develops within the linings of reproductive organs. Symptoms can be similar to those of other illnesses.
There were many companies that employed asbestos in the 20th century, but they knew that it was dangerous. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos when they failed to remove it from their products. These people now are able to sue for financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are insolvent. The victims can now seek compensation from trust funds set up by bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
For decades, asbestos-related companies put profits above the security of their employees and consumers, manufacturing hazardous products without warning of the risks. They are now confronting the consequences of their negligence. Victims of asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and full compensation.
The lawyers at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to helping individuals and families obtain 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 attorneys work to hold large corporations accountable and obtain the highest amount of compensation for their clients.
Many states have created asbestos courts with specialization, where claims can be filed more efficiently. Additionally, judges have established specialized procedures for evaluating and resolving asbestos cases.
New York is one such state, with its own asbestos lawyer court known as NYCAL. As asbestos settlement victims continue to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants that have been bankrupt, the caseload of this court has steadily increased. In order to ensure that the justice system does not get overwhelmed and overwhelmed, the New York Supreme Court has created an extra judicial panel to supervise NYCAL.
A panel comprised of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine if it should be accepted or rejected. Judges will also evaluate the merits of each claim to determine how much amount of money each plaintiff should receive.
The panel is currently examining more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected issue its final decision before the end this year.
New York asbestos lawsuits can be complicated and involve several defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience with the litigation of these difficult matters. They are well-versed in the asbestos courts of New York and their rules and regulations and other jurisdictions where they have handled multi-district litigation.
The firm also has extensive experience as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients across the country in multi-district, complex litigation. In this role, attorneys create strategies, coordinate and oversee regional and local counsel and ensure cost-effective and consistent defenses for each client. They have collaborated closely with trial and coordination judges and litigation special masters in various jurisdictions where they have been involved in asbestos litigation.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A skilled Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best way to defend a client from an asbestos-related personal injury claim. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises product manufacturers, suppliers and contractors, distributors and property owners on issues involving mesothelioma claims, lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm collaborates with clients in the development of internal programs to determine and deal with potential liability and safety issues.
In addition to its asbestos practice in the national level, Bowles Rice serves as national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this capacity the firm formulates strategies for litigation, oversees regional and local counsel and provides a cost-effective and consistent defense in coordination with client objectives. Additionally, it plays a key role in the management of asbestos dockets and negotiations with counsel for plaintiffs and leads discovery for its clients.
The attorneys of the firm have a wealth of trial and appellate experience in defending clients against claims by injured claimants, including those who are claiming mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are familiar with the intricate scientific issues involved in these cases, as well as particular legal issues that arise when representing companies in federal and state courts across the United States.
Catherine has represented numerous manufacturers as the lead trial counsel in asbestos and personal injury lawsuits related to product liability and in consolidated cases that involve multiple plaintiffs. She has substantial experience litigating asbestos-related cases in state and federal courts, as well as before a variety of supreme and appellate courts.
While at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos cases for respondents, including the Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The case files contained SEAR forms (Short Evaluative Reports Encapsulated) that contained confidential information about the claimants. This included medical reports, work histories, and an inventory 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 review any SEAR forms from her current employer.
The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to its extensive experience in trial and appellate work, is nationally recognized for its ability to successfully reach settlements on behalf of its clients. In this capacity, the firm collaborates with the lawyers of plaintiffs in the creation and implementation of settlement agreements, and it has extensive experience defending companies against appeals.