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

Our lawyers are involved in the mass litigation of toxic torts on a national, regional and local scale. As a result, we are familiarized with the unique issues and complex aspects of science of 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 skilled in dealing with asbestos lawsuits, which seek financial compensation for victims and their families for exposure to this toxic substance. These cases can be a bit complicated and therefore it is essential to have a mesothelioma lawyer to assist you.

New York has had a long history with asbestos litigation, and many residents were exposed to this dangerous material. In recent years there have been more lawsuits filed against former asbestos settlement producers than ever before. These cases result from the recognition of a link between asbestos and certain diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. These companies were aware of the dangers associated with the asbestos-containing mineral, yet they did not warn their employees and consumers.

The New York City area is particularly prone to asbestos-related diseases due to its older structures and the numerous construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic location that continues to have an impact on the community around it.

Mesothelioma is caused by direct exposure to asbestos and many workers were exposed to it at work. Secondhand exposure can also result in mesothelioma. This is especially true for spouses who wear husband's clothes at work and come in contact with asbestos dust on a regular basis.

The litigation associated with mesothelioma is costly for defendants, especially when they are incorrectly 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. This type of litigation is typically supported by asbestos law firms, which advertise on daytime TV and entice victims to file claims with the promise of substantial settlements.

The defendants might be able to reduce some of the costs of these cases by arguing their policies are in a lapse or that they are only responsible for only a small percentage of the value of the claim. New York law does not provide a definitive rule on how to distribute liability when the alleged risk is of the insurer's 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 serious. 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 condition, is caused by asbestos fibers which collect in the lung. They then irritate the linings of the ribcage (the the pleura), chest cavity, and abdominal cavity. The inhalation of these tiny fibers can cause scarring of the lungs known as asbestosis and sometimes the development 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 fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrisis reduce lung capacity as measured by breathing tests. They can also cause pain and difficulty breathing, though they do not cause mesothelioma or cancer.

The symptoms of asbestos-related diseases typically do not manifest until decades after the initial exposure. This is due to the fact that it can take between 20 and 50 years for the inhalation of asbestos fibers to damage the lungs. The people at risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases include those who handled, laundered, and removed these materials from their workplaces and spouses and children of those exposed to asbestos.

In addition to mesothelioma, other asbestos-related diseases include laryngeal cancer, lung cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma and mesothelioma ovarian. Ovarian cancer is among the most deadly form of mesothelioma 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 in the linings of reproductive organs. The symptoms may be similar to other diseases.

A number of companies used asbestos in the 20th century. They were aware that it was a risk. When they failed to remove asbestos from their products thousands of people were exposed. Now, those exposed have the right to seek financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are insolvent. The victims are now able to seek compensation from trust funds set up by bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

For decades, asbestos lawyer companies put profits above the security of their employees and consumers, producing dangerous products, without warning of the risks. These companies are now facing the consequences of their inattention. People whose lives have been disrupted by mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases are seeking full and fair compensation.

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

Many states have created special asbestos courts, where claims can be filed more efficiently. Additionally judges have created specialized procedures for evaluating and resolving asbestos cases.

New York, a state which has its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL), is one of the states. The number of cases filed in this court has been increasing steadily as more and more asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants who went bankrupt. The New York Supreme Court created an additional judicial board that will supervise NYCAL in order to keep the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.

A panel comprised of six Supreme Court judges will review each case in NYCAL to determine whether or not to accept it. Judges will also consider the merits of each case to determine the amount the plaintiff is entitled to.

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

New York asbestos claim lawsuits can be complicated and can involve several defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience with the litigation of these complex matters. They are knowledgeable of New York's asbestos courts and their rules regulations, policies and guidelines in addition to 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 create strategies, coordinate and manage local and regional counsel, and ensure consistent and cost-effective defenses for every client. They have worked closely with coordinating and trial judges and special masters of litigation in various jurisdictions in which they were 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 advises manufacturers, suppliers and contractors, distributors and property owners on issues involving mesothelioma claims, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm also assists clients to develop internal programs for identifying and addressing safety and liability concerns.

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 designs litigation strategies, manages regional and local counsel and provides a cost-effective and consistent defense that is in sync with client objectives. Additionally it plays an important role in the management of asbestos dockets as well as negotiations with plaintiffs' counsel and also leads discovery for its clients.

The firm's attorneys have a wealth of trial and appellate experience defending clients against claims made by injured claimants, which includes those claiming mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are familiar with the complex scientific issues involved in these cases, as and particular legal issues that arise when defending businesses before 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 a wealth of experience litigating asbestos-related cases in the federal and state courts as well as before various supreme and appellate court bodies.

During her time at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those for respondents to the asbestos lawsuit Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files included SEAR forms (Short Evaluative Reports Encapsulated) which contained confidential data about the plaintiffs. This included medical reports as well as work histories and a list asbestos products that plaintiffs used or worked near. Vogel was required to have a password to access these files and could review the SEAR forms of any case with 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 negotiate settlements for clients. In this capacity, the company collaborates closely with the lawyers of plaintiffs in the preparation and execution of settlement agreements. Additionally, it has extensive experience in defending businesses against appeals.