Why We Why We Asbestos Defense Attorney And You Should Too
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 help protect those who's financial security has been affected by exposure to the toxic mineral. Compensation can cover medical costs, funeral and burial costs, loss of quality of life, as well as suffering and pain.
Our attorneys serve as local, regional and national counsel in massive toxic tort litigation. As such, we are familiar with the specific issues and complex science associated with asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos is a deadly fiber that can lead to numerous serious medical conditions, including mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney is skilled in handling lawsuits seeking financial compensation for those who have suffered from asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be a bit complicated, so it's important to have a mesothelioma attorney to assist you.
New York has had a long history of asbestos litigation. Many residents were exposed to the dangerous material. In recent years there are more lawsuits filed against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases arise out of the recognition that asbestos is associated with illnesses such as mesothelioma or lung cancer. These companies knew of the dangers associated with this hazardous mineral, but didn't warn their 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. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic location that continues to have an impact on the surrounding community.
Mesothelioma is triggered by exposure to asbestos directly and many workers were exposed at work. Exposure to asbestos from the outside can lead to mesothelioma. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposed workers who had their husbands' work clothes and came into contact with asbestos dust regularly.
The litigation associated with mesothelioma can be costly for defendants, particularly when they are incorrectly named as a defendant. A study has revealed 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 file claims with the promise that they will receive significant settlements.
Defendants might be able to lower some of the costs associated with these cases by asserting that their policy periods have expired or they are only responsible for a small percentage of the total claim value. New York law does not have a clear rule on how to allocate responsibility when the alleged exposure is of and outside the insurance policies.
Asbestos-Related Illnesses
Exposure to asbestos can trigger various diseases. The mesothelioma disease is the most serious. Many people have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques, and pleural effusion.
Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal illness caused by exposure to asbestos fibers which 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, a condition known as asbestosis and sometimes the development of thickened patches on the pleura called pleural plaques or the more widespread fibrosis of the pleura, referred to as diffused pleural fibrisis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis can decrease lung capacity, as measured by a breath test. They can also cause pain and discomfort in breathing, but they are not the cause of mesothelioma or cancer.
Symptoms of asbestos-related disease often are not evident until years after the initial exposure. It can take as long as 50 years for asbestos fibers inhaled to cause lung damage. Workers who handled, cleaned, and removed asbestos from their workplaces as well as spouses, children and other people who are exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing mesothelioma.
Other asbestos-related diseases in addition to mesothelioma, include lung cancer and laryngeal carcinoma and peritoneal, ovarian and peritoneal cancer. Ovarian cancer is among the most deadly mesothelioma that women suffer from however it is much less common than mesothelioma general. It is diagnosed later than other types of mesothelioma, because it develops within the linings of reproductive organs. The symptoms can be similar to other diseases.
A number of companies used asbestos in the 20th century, however they were aware that it was dangerous. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos when they didn't remove asbestos from their products. These people can now seek financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are insolvent. In the aftermath, victims are able to seek the compensation they are entitled to from trust funds set up by the bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
Asbestos companies have put profits over the safety of their employees and consumers for decades, producing hazardous products without warning of the dangers. These companies are now confronting the consequences of their inattention. People who have suffered from life-altering issues caused by mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses are seeking fair and full settlement.
The lawyers at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to helping individuals and families get the justice they deserve. Our lawyers have over 25 years of experience and have helped clients receive millions of dollars of compensation. Our New York mesothelioma attorneys work to hold large corporations accountable and to secure maximum compensation for clients.
Many states have established asbestos courts that are specifically designed so that claims can be filed more efficiently. Judges have also established special procedures to review and resolve these cases.
New York, a state which has its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL) is one of the states. As asbestos victims continue to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants who have declared bankruptcy and have been unable to pay, the workload of this court has steadily increased. The New York Supreme Court created an additional judicial board that will oversee NYCAL in order to prevent the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.
A panel comprised of six Supreme Court judges will review every case in NYCAL to determine whether to accept or reject it. Judges will also evaluate the merits of each case to decide how much money the plaintiff is entitled to.
The panel is currently looking into more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected issue its final ruling before the end of the year.
New York asbestos lawsuits are often complex and involve allegations of multiple defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience in the litigation of these difficult cases. They are familiar with New York's asbestos attorney courts and their rules and regulations in addition to other jurisdictions where they have handled multi-district litigation.
The firm also has extensive experience as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients across the country in multi-district litigation that is complex and complex. In this capacity, lawyers create strategies, coordinate and oversee regional and local counsel and ensure cost-effective and consistent defenses for every client. They have collaborated closely with coordinating and trial judges and special masters of litigation in various jurisdictions where they have been involved in asbestos litigation.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will decide which strategy is most effective to defend the client in a personal injury lawsuit involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises manufacturers, suppliers and contractors, distributors, and premises owners on matters concerning mesothelioma-related claims, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm works with clients on developing internal programs to determine and resolve potential liability and safety concerns.
Bowles Rice, in addition to its national asbestos practice and multi-state asbestos litigation is also the national Coordinating counsel. In this role Bowles Rice devises litigation strategies and oversees regional and local counsel to achieve a consistent and cost-effective defense in accordance with the client's needs. It also plays an important 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 have experience in defending clients from claims of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses. Asbestos defense lawyers are familiar with the complex science that is associated with these cases, as well as the unique legal issues that arise when defending businesses before federal and state courts across the United States.
Catherine has represented a variety of manufacturers as the lead counsel in asbestos and product liability personal injury lawsuits as well as in cases that have been consolidated involving multiple plaintiffs. She has a wealth of experience litigating asbestos-related cases in federal and state courts, as well as before a variety of supreme and appellate courts.
During her time at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos cases for respondents, including those in the Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The cases files contained SEAR forms (Short Evaluative reports that are encapsulated) which contained confidential data about the 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 these files and could review the SEAR forms of any case at her current employer.
In addition to its extensive trial and appellate experience as well as its vast 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 collaborates closely with the lawyers of plaintiffs in the creation and implementation of settlement agreements. Additionally, it has extensive experience in defending businesses against appeals.