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

A lawyer for asbestos defense can help protect those who's financial security was affected by exposure to the harmful mineral. Compensation may cover medical costs funeral and burial expenses, pain and suffering, and lost quality of life.

Our lawyers serve as local, regional, and national counsel in mass toxic tort litigation. As such, we are familiar with the specific issues and the complex science that go along with asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos fibers can be deadly and can trigger serious medical conditions like mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney is adept at dealing with lawsuits that seek financial compensation for those who have suffered from asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be complicated and therefore it is essential to have an experienced mesothelioma lawyer on your side.

New York has had a long-running history of asbestos litigation and many residents were exposed to the dangerous substance. In recent years there have been more lawsuits filed against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases are a result of the recognition of a connection between asbestos and diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer and asbestosis. The companies were aware of asbestos's dangers but did not take the time to warn employees and consumers.

The New York City area is particularly prone to asbestos-related diseases due to its old structures and a myriad of construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously toxic area that continues affect the community around it.

Mesothelioma is caused by direct exposure to asbestos and a lot of workers were exposed to it in the workplace. However, some people are diagnosed with mesothelioma after experiencing secondhand exposure to the harmful substances. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposure workers who were wearing their husband's work clothes and came in contact with asbestos dust on a regular basis.

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

The defendants could be able to reduce some of the costs of these cases by arguing that their policy periods are expired or that they only have to pay only a small percentage of the claim value. New York law does not have a specific rule for how to divide liability when the alleged exposure is part of the insurance policies.

asbestos law-related Diseases

Exposure to asbestos can lead to many different illnesses. The most severe condition is mesothelioma. Many have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques and the pleural effusion.

Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal illness, is caused by asbestos fibers that collect in the lungs. They then irritate the linings of the ribcage (the Pleura), chest cavity and abdominal cavity. The inhalation of these tiny fibers can cause scarring of the lungs, a condition known as asbestosis and occasionally, the development of thickened patches on the pleura called plaques of pleura or the more widespread fibrosis of the pleura called diffused pleural the fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis may reduce lung capacity, as determined by a breathing test. They can also cause pain and difficulties in breathing, but they don't cause mesothelioma or cancer.

Symptoms of asbestos-related disease often do not manifest until decades after exposure. It can take up to 50 years for asbestos fibers that are inhaled to cause lung damage. People at risk of developing mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related conditions include workers who handled, cleaned, and removed these materials from the workplace and spouses and children of asbestos-related exposure.

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

Many companies employed asbestos in the 20th century, but they knew that it was dangerous. When they failed to remove it from their products, thousands of people were exposed. Now, those exposed are able to sue for financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies have filed for bankruptcy. In the aftermath, victims can seek the money they deserve from the trust funds established by the bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

Asbestos companies have put profit over the safety of their workers and customers for a long time creating dangerous products without warning about the risks. These companies are now paying the price for their negligence. People whose lives have been disrupted by mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases are seeking fair and full settlement.

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

A number of states have established special asbestos courts in which claims can be filed and resolving more efficiently. In addition, judges have established specific procedures for evaluating and resolving asbestos 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 gone bankrupt, the caseload of the court has been steadily increasing. In order to ensure that the justice system is not overloaded and overwhelmed, the New York Supreme Court has created a special judicial panel to supervise NYCAL.

A panel composed of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine whether it should be accepted or rejected. Judges will also assess the merits of each claim to determine the amount of the plaintiff's compensation should be.

The panel is currently reviewing more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected make a final decision before the end of the year.

New York asbestos lawsuits are often complex and include allegations of several defendants. Belluck & Fox's lawyers have extensive experience in the litigation of these difficult cases. They are familiar with the rules regulations, policies, and procedures of the asbestos courts in New York, as well as the laws of other jurisdictions in which they have handled multidistrict litigation.

The firm also has vast experience serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients throughout the nation in complex, multi-district litigation. In this capacity, lawyers develop strategies, manage regional and local counsel, and ensure consistent and efficient defenses for clients. They have worked closely with trial and coordination judges and litigation special masters in various jurisdictions in which they have been involved in asbestos litigation.

Representation of Plaintiffs

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

In addition to its national asbestos practice, Bowles Rice serves as the national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this capacity Bowles Rice formulates litigation strategies and manages regional and local counsel to achieve a consistent and cost-effective defense in accordance with the client's needs. In addition, it plays a key part in the administration of asbestos dockets as well as negotiations with plaintiffs' counsel and lead discovery for its clients.

The firm's attorneys have a wealth of trial and appellate experience defending clients from claims brought by injured claimants, such as those who are claiming mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense lawyers are familiar with the complex research and technology involved in these cases as in addition to specific legal issues that arise while defending companies before state and federal courts throughout the United States.

Catherine has represented a variety of manufacturers as the lead counsel in asbestos and personal injury lawsuits involving product liability and in cases that have been consolidated involving multiple plaintiffs. She has a wealth of experience arguing asbestos-related lawsuits before the federal and state courts as well as various Supreme Court and appellate courts.

While at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos cases for respondents, including those at the Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The cases files contained SEAR forms (Short Evaluative reports that are encapsulated) which contained confidential information about plaintiffs. These included medical reports as well as work histories and the list of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs used or worked near. Vogel was required to have access to a password to access the files. She could then review any SEAR forms provided by her current employer.

In addition to its extensive trial and appellate experience, the Bowles Rice Asbestos Team is well-known throughout the country for its ability to negotiate settlements on behalf of its clients. In this capacity, the company works closely with lawyers representing plaintiffs in the development and execution of settlement agreements. It also has extensive experience in defending businesses against appeals.