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

An asbestos defense attorney can help protect the financial security of those who have been injured by exposure to this harmful mineral. Compensation can cover medical costs, funeral and burial costs, loss of quality of life, as well as pain and suffering.

Our attorneys serve as national, regional and local counsel in mass toxic tort litigation. As a result, we are knowledgeable about the specific issues and complex aspects of science associated with asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos fibers can be deadly and can trigger serious medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney is adept at handling lawsuits to seek financial compensation for those who have suffered from asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be a bit complicated, so it's important to have a mesothelioma attorney on your side.

New York has had a long-running history of asbestos litigation. Many residents were exposed to the dangerous material. In recent years, there have been more lawsuits against asbestos producers in the past than ever before. These cases arise out of the recognition that asbestos is associated with illnesses such as mesothelioma or lung cancer. The companies were aware of asbestos' 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 toxic area that continues to affect the surrounding community.

Many workers were exposed asbestos in their work environments. However, many people are diagnosed with mesothelioma following an exposure secondarily to the harmful substances. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposure workers who had their husbands' work clothes and came into contact with asbestos lawsuit dust on a regular basis.

Mesothelioma-related litigation can be expensive for defendants. This is especially relevant if they've been wrongly identified as defendants. A study has revealed that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could rise. Specialized asbestos law firms typically advertise on TV during the day and encourage victims to file claims, promising they will receive significant settlements.

The defendants may be able reduce the cost of these cases by arguing their policies are in a lapse or that they are only responsible only for a small proportion of the amount claimed. New York law does not have a clear rule on how to divide liability when the alleged exposure is within and part outside of the insurance policies.

Asbestos-related Diseases

A wide range of asbestos-related illnesses can develop because of exposure to the toxic mineral. The condition known as mesothelioma is the most severe. Many have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related diseases include asbestosis and lung cancer. Pleural plaques and pleural effusion are also asbestos-related.

Mesothelioma, a rare, but fatal illness, is caused by asbestos fibers which collect 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 tiny fibers can result in scarring of the lungs called asbestosis, and, sometimes, the formation of thickened patches on the pleura, known as plaques on the pleura, or the more widespread fibrosis of the pleura, referred to as diffused pleural the fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis may decrease lung capacity, as measured by breathing test. They can also cause discomfort and breathing difficulties, though they do not cause mesothelioma or cancer.

The signs of asbestos-related illness typically don't manifest until decades after exposure. It could take up to 50 years for asbestos fibers inhaled to cause lung damage. Workers who handled, cleaned and removed asbestos from their workplaces and their spouses, children and other people who are exposed to asbestos are at risk for developing mesothelioma.

In addition to mesothelioma other asbestos-related illnesses include laryngeal cancer, lung cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma, and mesothelioma of the ovary. The most fatal form of mesothelioma is called ovarian cancer, however it is less common than the general mesothelioma. It is usually diagnosed later than other forms of mesothelioma since it develops in the tissues of the reproductive organs, and the symptoms may be similar to those of other diseases.

Several companies used asbestos during the 20th century. They knew it was hazardous. When they failed to remove asbestos from their products thousands of people were exposed. They can now seek financial compensation. Many asbestos-related manufacturers are bankrupt. This means that the victims are able to seek the compensation they are entitled to from trust funds established by the bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

Asbestos-related companies have put profit before the safety of their workers and consumers for decades creating dangerous products without warning about the risks. They 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.

The attorneys at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to assisting families and individuals 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 lawyers work to hold accountable large corporations accountable and to secure maximum compensation for our clients.

Many states have established asbestos courts that are specifically designed so that claims can be filed more efficiently. Judges have also established special procedures to review and resolve these cases.

New York, a state that has its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL) is one of the states. The number of cases in this court has increased steadily, as asbestos victims are becoming more and more likely to seek compensation from solvent former asbestos defendants who went bankrupt. In order to ensure that the justice system isn't overwhelmed the New York Supreme Court has established an extra judicial panel to supervise NYCAL.

A panel composed of six Supreme Court judges will review each case in NYCAL to decide whether to accept or reject it. Judges will also consider the merits of each claim to decide how much money a plaintiff should be awarded.

The panel is currently reviewing more than 3,500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to issue its final ruling at the end of this year.

New York asbestos lawsuits are usually complex and include allegations of several defendants. Belluck and Fox's lawyers have a wealth of experience in the litigation of these difficult cases. They are knowledgeable of the asbestos courts in New York as well as their rules and regulations and other jurisdictions in which they have handled multi-district litigation.

The firm also has vast experience in serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients throughout the nation in multi-district, complex litigation. In this capacity lawyers formulate strategies, oversee local and regional counsel and ensure that they are able to provide consistent and efficient 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 claim (Recommended Web page) lawyer will determine which strategy is best to defend the client in a personal injury lawsuit involving asbestos case. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels suppliers, manufacturers contractors, distributors, contractors and property owners in matters involving claims of mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm also assists clients to develop internal programs for identifying and addressing potential safety and liability issues.

Bowles Rice, in addition to its national asbestos practice and multi-state asbestos litigation, serves as national Coordinating counsel. In this capacity the firm formulates strategies for litigation, oversees local and regional counsel, and provides a cost-effective and consistent defense, in line with client goals. It also plays an important role in the administration and management of asbestos dockets as well as negotiations with plaintiffs' attorneys and coordinating discovery for its clients.

The firm's lawyers have experience in defending clients against mesothelioma claims and other asbestos-related illnesses. Asbestos defense lawyers are familiar with the complex science associated with these cases, and the unique legal issues that arise when defending companies before federal and state courts across the United States.

Catherine has represented numerous manufacturers as the lead counsel in asbestos settlement and product liability personal injury lawsuits, and in cases that have been consolidated involving multiple claimants. She has extensive experience in litigating asbestos-related lawsuits before federal and state courts as well as various Supreme Court and appellate bodies.

During her time at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those for respondents in the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files included SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports), which contained confidential information on the plaintiffs, such as medical reports, a history of work, and an inventory of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs worked with or around. Vogel required a password in order to access the files. Then, she could review any SEAR forms that she received from her current employer.

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. In this capacity, the company collaborates with lawyers representing plaintiffs in the development and execution of settlement agreements. Additionally, it has extensive experience defending companies against appeals.