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 costs funeral and burial expenses as well as pain and suffering and lost quality of life.

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

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

asbestos Claim fibers can be deadly and can cause serious medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is experienced in handling asbestos lawsuits that seek financial compensation for victims and their families due to exposure to this harmful substance. These cases can be complex, and it is critical to have an experienced mesothelioma law firm by your side.

New York has a long history of asbestos litigation and many residents have been exposed to this hazardous substance. In recent years there have been more lawsuits filed against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases are the result of the realization that asbestos settlement can cause illnesses such as mesothelioma or lung cancer. The companies were aware of the dangers of the asbestos-containing mineral, yet they didn't warn their employees and consumers.

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

Many workers were exposed to asbestos in the workplace. In addition, exposure to asbestos through secondhand sources can lead to mesothelioma. This is especially true for spouses who wear husband's clothing at work and come in contact with asbestos settlement dust on a regular basis.

The mesothelioma litigation is costly for defendants, particularly when they are mistakenly identified as a defendant. According to a study, more that 3,600 claims have been filed in New York courts since 2014 and the number is expected to increase even more. This niche litigation is often fueled by specialized asbestos law firms, which advertise on daytime television and encourage victims to file claims, with the promise of large settlements.

The defendants may be able reduce some of the costs associated with these cases by asserting that their policy periods have expired or they're only responsible for a small portion of the value of the claim. However, New York law has not set out a clear policy on how to divide liabilities when the alleged exposure occurs partly in and out of the insurance company's policy.

Asbestos-related Diseases

A wide range of asbestos-related illnesses can be triggered because of exposure to the harmful mineral. The mesothelioma condition is the most serious. Many have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques and pleural effusion.

Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal illness caused by exposure to asbestos fibers that accumulate in the lungs and cause irritation to the lining of the chest cavity, ribcage, and abdominal cavity (the Pleura). The inhalation of these tiny fibers can cause scarring to the lungs, a condition known as asbestosis and, sometimes, the development of thickened patches on the pleura referred to as pleural plaques or a more widespread fibrosis of the pleura, referred to as diffused pleural fibrisis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrosis reduce lung capacity as determined by breathing tests. They also cause discomfort and breathing difficulties, though they do not lead to cancer or mesothelioma.

Often, symptoms of asbestos-related illnesses don't manifest until decades after initial exposure. It can take up to 50 years for asbestos-related fibers to be inhaled to cause lung damage. The people at risk of developing mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases include those who handled, laundered and removed asbestos-containing products from the workplace, as well as spouses and children of those exposed to asbestos.

As well as mesothelioma, other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma, and mesothelioma of the ovary. The most deadly form of mesothelioma is ovarian cancer, however it is less frequent than the general mesothelioma. It is typically diagnosed later than other types of mesothelioma because it develops in the lining of the reproductive organs, and symptoms can be similar to those of other illnesses.

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

Asbestos Litigation in New York

Asbestos companies have put profits before the safety of their workers and their customers for decades making dangerous products, without warning about the risks. They are now facing the consequences of their negligence. People whose lives have been disrupted by mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses are seeking full and fair compensation.

The lawyers at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to helping individuals and families get the justice they deserve. Our lawyers have more than 25 years experience and have helped clients receive millions of dollars in compensation. Our New York mesothelioma lawyers work to hold responsible large corporations accountable and to secure maximum compensation for our clients.

Many states have established special asbestos courts in which claims can be filed and resolving more efficiently. Additionally, judges have established specific procedures for evaluating and resolving such cases.

New York, a state with its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL), is one of them. As asbestos victims continue to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants who have declared bankruptcy the number of cases that have come through this court has steadily increased. In order to ensure that the justice system isn't overloaded, the New York Supreme Court has ordered the creation of a special judicial panel to supervise NYCAL.

A panel comprised of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine if it is accepted or rejected. Judges will also consider the merits of each case to determine the amount a plaintiff should receive.

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

New York asbestos lawsuits can be complex and can involve several defendants. Belluck & Fox's lawyers have extensive experience in defending these complicated matters. They are knowledgeable of the asbestos courts of New York as well as their rules and regulations, as well as other jurisdictions where they have handled multi-district litigation.

The firm has also extensive experience as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in complex, multidistrict litigation. In this capacity, attorneys create strategies, coordinate and manage regional and local counsel, and ensure consistent and cost-effective 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 Tulsa asbestos lawyer will determine what strategy is most effective to defend the client against a personal injury lawsuit involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels suppliers, manufacturers contractors, distributors, contractors, and premises owners in cases involving claims for mesothelioma and lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm works with clients on developing internal programs to resolve potential liability and safety issues.

In addition to its asbestos practice across the nation, Bowles Rice serves as the national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this role, Bowles Rice develops strategies for litigation and supervises local and region counsel to ensure a uniform and cost-effective defense in accordance with the client's needs. Additionally, it plays a key role in the administration of asbestos dockets and negotiations with counsel for plaintiffs and also leads discovery for its clients.

The firm's lawyers are skilled in defending clients from mesothelioma-related claims and other asbestos case-related diseases. Asbestos defense lawyers are familiar with the intricate science involved in these cases, as in addition to particular legal issues that arise when defending businesses before state and federal courts throughout the United States.

Catherine has represented numerous manufacturers in asbestos and product liability personal injury cases, acting as the lead trial counsel in consolidated trials involving multiple plaintiffs. She has extensive experience arguing asbestos-related lawsuits before the state and federal courts as well as various Supreme Court and appellate bodies.

While at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those of respondents to the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files contained SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports) that contained confidential information about the plaintiffs, including medical reports, work history, and a list of asbestos products that plaintiffs worked with or around. Vogel required access to a password to access the files. She could then look over any SEAR forms from her current employer.

The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to its extensive experience in trial and appellate work, is recognized nationally for its ability to reach settlements on behalf of its clients. In this capacity, the company works closely with the lawyers of plaintiffs in the preparation and execution of settlement agreements, and it has extensive experience defending companies against appeals.