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 help protect those who's financial security was affected due to exposure to the hazardous mineral. Compensation may cover medical costs funeral and burial expenses as well as pain and suffering and lost quality of life.

Our lawyers are local, regional, and national counsel in massive toxic tort litigation. We are familiarized with the unique issues and complex scientific aspects associated with 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 experienced in handling asbestos lawsuits which seek financial compensation for victims and their families for exposure to this harmful substance. These cases can be complex and it is crucial to have a mesothelioma expert lawyer on your side.

New York has had a long history of asbestos litigation, and many residents were exposed to this dangerous material. In recent years, there are more lawsuits filed against asbestos producers in the past than ever before. These cases are the result of the realization that asbestos is linked to illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer. These companies were aware of asbestos's dangers but did not take the time to warn the employees and the public.

New York City is especially susceptible to illnesses caused by asbestos because of its old structures and many 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 in direct contact and many workers were exposed to it in the workplace. However, people also get diagnosed with mesothelioma following exposure to harmful substances. This is especially true for spouses who wear husband's clothes at work and come in contact with asbestos dust frequently.

The litigation associated with mesothelioma is costly for defendants, particularly if they are wrongfully named as defendants. According to a study, 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 television during the day and encourage victims to submit claims, promising they will receive significant settlements.

Defendants may be able to mitigate some of the costs arising from these cases by arguing that their policy periods have expired or they're only responsible for a small percentage of the value of the claim. However, New York law has not established a clear rule on how to divide liabilities when the alleged exposure occurs partly in and out of the insurer's policy periods.

Asbestos-related Diseases

A myriad of asbestos-related illnesses can be triggered due to exposure to the toxic mineral. The mesothelioma condition is the most serious. Mesothelioma has led to the deaths of many people. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer and asbestosis. Pleural plaques and effusion are also asbestos settlement-related.

Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal illness caused by exposure to asbestos fibers that accumulate in the lungs, and can cause irritation to the lining of the chest cavity, ribcage and abdominal cavity (the the pleura). The inhalation of these tiny fibers can result in scarring of the lungs known as asbestosis and sometimes the formation of thickened patches on the pleura, known as plaques of pleura or the more widespread fibrosis of the pleura, referred to as diffused pleural the fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis can decrease lung capacity, as measured by breathing test. They can also cause pain and discomfort in breathing, however they are not the cause of mesothelioma or cancer.

Symptoms of asbestos-related disease often do not manifest until decades after the initial exposure. This is because it can take between 20 to 50 years for the inhalation of asbestos-containing fibers to damage the lungs. Workers who handled, cleaned, and removed asbestos from the workplace as well as spouses, children, and others exposed to asbestos are at risk for developing mesothelioma.

In addition to mesothelioma other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma and mesothelioma of the ovary. The most deadly mesothelioma type is ovarian cancer, but it's much less prevalent than mesothelioma in general. It is usually diagnosed later than other types of mesothelioma since it develops in the tissues of the reproductive organs, and symptoms can be similar to symptoms of other diseases.

A number of companies used asbestos claim in the 20th century. They knew it was hazardous. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos if they didn't eliminate asbestos from their products. Now, those exposed are able to claim financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies have declared bankruptcy. The victims can now seek compensation from trust funds created by bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

Asbestos companies have put profit before the safety of their employees and their customers for decades creating dangerous products without warning about the risks. They are now confronting the consequences of their carelessness. Victims of asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and complete settlement.

The attorneys at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to helping individuals and families receive the justice they need. With more than 25 years of experience in the field, we have secured a million of dollars in compensation for our clients. Our New York mesothelioma lawyers work to hold large corporations responsible accountable and to secure the maximum amount of compensation for our clients.

Many states have established special asbestos courts, where claims can be filed more efficiently. In addition judges have created specific procedures to evaluate and resolve asbestos cases.

New York is one such state that has its own asbestos court, known as NYCAL. The number of cases filed in this court has grown steadily, as increasing numbers of asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants who have become bankrupt. To ensure that the justice system is not overloaded, the New York Supreme Court has ordered the creation of an additional judicial panel that will oversee NYCAL.

A panel of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine whether it should be accepted or not. Judges will also evaluate the merits of every claim to determine the amount of the plaintiff's compensation should be.

At present, the panel is studying more than 3,500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to issue its final ruling before the end of the year.

New York asbestos lawsuits are often complex and include allegations of multiple defendants. Belluck and Fox's lawyers have vast experience in litigating these complex issues. They are knowledgeable of the rules, regulations, and policies of the asbestos courts in New York, as well as the laws of other jurisdictions where they have handled multidistrict litigation.

The firm also has extensive experience serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients nationwide in complex, multi-district litigation. In this role, lawyers develop strategies, oversee regional and local counsel, and ensure consistent and effective defenses for clients. They have collaborated closely with coordinating and trial judges and special masters of litigation in the various jurisdictions where they were involved in asbestos litigation.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A knowledgeable Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best strategy to defend a client in an asbestos personal injury claim. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels suppliers, manufacturers contractors, distributors, contractors, and owners of premises on matters involving claims of mesothelioma and lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm also assists clients to develop internal programs for identifying and addressing risks to safety and liability.

In addition to its Asbestos claim practice across the nation, Bowles Rice serves as national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this role the firm designs litigation strategies, supervises local and regional counsel, and provides a cost-effective and consistent defense that is in sync with client objectives. It also plays a significant part in the administration and management of asbestos dockets as well in negotiations with plaintiffs' lawyers and leading discovery for its client.

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

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

During her time at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those of respondents in the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files included SEAR forms (Short Evaluative Reports Encapsulated) that contained confidential data about the claimants. The files contained medical reports as well as work histories and the list of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs worked with or near. Vogel was required to have an account password to access the files and was able to review the SEAR forms of any case with 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 negotiate settlements for clients. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs' lawyers to create and implement settlement agreements. It also has a wealth of experience in defending businesses from appeals.