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

An asbestos defense attorney can protect the financial security of those injured by exposure to this toxic mineral. Compensation could cover medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, lost quality of life, and pain and suffering.

Our lawyers serve as local, regional and national counsel in large toxic tort litigation. As as such, we are acquainted with the unique issues and complex science associated with asbestos lawsuit (click to read) cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos fibers can be deadly and can trigger serious medical conditions like mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is skilled in handling asbestos lawsuits that seek financial compensation for the victims and their families for exposure to this harmful substance. These cases can be complex, so it's important to have a mesothelioma lawyer on your side.

New York has a long history of asbestos litigation and many residents have been exposed to the dangerous material. In recent years, there have been more claims against former asbestos manufacturers than ever before. These cases stem from the recognition of a connection between asbestos and diseases like mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. The companies were aware of the dangers associated with this hazardous mineral, but didn't warn their employees and consumers.

New York City is especially susceptible to diseases caused by asbestos due to its old structures and construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic place that continues to impact on the community surrounding it.

Mesothelioma is triggered by direct exposure to asbestos and many workers were exposed to asbestos at work. However, some people are diagnosed with mesothelioma after experiencing an exposure secondarily to the harmful substances. This is especially true for spouses who wear husband's clothes at work and come in contact with asbestos dust regularly.

The litigation associated with mesothelioma can be expensive for defendants, particularly if they are wrongfully named as a defendant. According to an investigation, more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed in New York courts since 2014, and the number could rise further. The asbestos law firms that specialize in asbestos often advertise on daytime TV and encourage victims to submit claims under the premise that they will receive substantial settlements.

The defendants might be able to reduce the cost of these cases by arguing that their policy periods are overdue or that they are only responsible for only a small percentage of the amount claimed. New York law does not have a clear rule on how to distribute liability when the alleged exposure is of the insurance policies.

Asbestos-related Illnesses

Exposure to asbestos can cause a wide range of ailments. The most serious of these is mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is the cause of death of many people. Other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer and asbestosis. Pleural plaques and effusion are also asbestos-related.

Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal disease caused by exposure to asbestos fibers that accumulate in the lungs and irritate the lining of the chest cavity, ribcage, and abdominal cavity (the pleura). The inhalation of these small fibers can result in scarring of the lungs called asbestosis, and occasionally, the formation of thickened patches on the pleura, known as plaques of pleura or a more widespread fibrosis of the pleura known as diffused fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis can reduce lung capacity as determined by a breathing test. They also cause pain and difficulty breathing however they do not cause mesothelioma or cancer.

The signs of asbestos-related illness typically don't manifest until decades after initial exposure. It could take up to 50 years for asbestos fibers inhaled to cause lung damage. People who are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other asbestos compensation-related ailments include those who handled, washed and removed asbestos-containing products from the workplace, as well as spouses and children of asbestos-related exposure.

As well as mesothelioma, other asbestos-related diseases include laryngeal cancer, lung cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma, and mesothelioma of the ovary. The most dangerous mesothelioma type is ovarian cancer, but it's much less frequent than the general mesothelioma. It is typically diagnosed later than other forms of mesothelioma due to the fact that it develops in the tissue of the reproductive organs, and the symptoms may be similar to symptoms of other illnesses.

A number of companies employed asbestos in the 20th century, however they were aware that it was a risk. If they didn't remove asbestos from their products thousands of people were exposed. Now, these people have the right to claim financial compensation. Many of the asbestos-related manufacturers have filed for bankruptcy. In the aftermath, victims are able to seek the compensation they are entitled to from trust funds established by the bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

For decades, asbestos companies have placed profits over the safety of their employees and consumers by producing dangerous products, without warning of the dangers. They are now confronting the consequences of their inattention. 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 assisting families and individuals receive the justice they need. Our attorneys have more than 25 years of experience and have helped our clients receive millions of dollars in compensation. Our New York mesothelioma attorneys work to hold corporations accountable and to secure the highest amount of compensation for their clients.

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

New York, a state with its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL), is one of them. The number of cases filed in this court has grown steadily, as asbestos victims are becoming more and more likely to seek compensation from solvent asbestos case defendants who have gone bankrupt. The New York Supreme Court created an additional judicial board that will supervise NYCAL to stop 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 assess the merits of every claim to determine the amount of money each plaintiff should receive.

The panel is currently reviewing more than 3,500 lawsuits. The panel is expected issue its final decision by the end this year.

New York asbestos lawsuits are often complex and include allegations of multiple defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience in the litigation of these difficult matters. They are well-versed in the rules regulations, rules, and policies of the asbestos attorney courts in New York, as well as the laws of other jurisdictions in which they have handled multidistrict litigation.

The firm also has extensive experience as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in complex, multidistrict litigation. In this capacity, attorneys develop strategies, coordinate and manage local and regional counsel, and ensure cost-effective and consistent defenses for every client. They have been in close contact with trial judges, coordination judges, and special masters of litigation from various jurisdictions.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will decide which strategy is the best way to defend the client from a personal injury claim involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels product manufacturers, suppliers contractors, distributors, contractors and owners of premises in cases involving claims for mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm works with clients to develop internal programs to determine and deal with potential liability and safety concerns.

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

The firm's lawyers are skilled in defending clients from claims of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are familiar with the intricate science involved in these cases, as well as specific legal issues that arise when defending companies before federal and state courts across the United States.

Catherine has represented a variety of manufacturers as the lead trial counsel in asbestos and personal injury lawsuits involving product liability as well as in consolidated cases that involve multiple plaintiffs. She has substantial experience litigating asbestos-related cases before federal and state courts and before various supreme and appellate court bodies.

During her time at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those for respondents of the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files included SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports), which contained confidential information about the plaintiffs, including medical reports, a history of work, and the list of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs worked with or around. Vogel had to have access to a password to access the files. She could then go through any SEAR forms from her current employer.

The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to its 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. It also has a wealth of experience defending businesses against appeals.