Five Things Everyone Makes Up About Asbestos Defense Attorney

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

An asbestos defense lawyer can protect the financial security of those who have been affected by exposure to this toxic mineral. Compensation could cover medical expenses funeral and burial costs, lost quality of life, as well as suffering and pain.

Our attorneys are involved in the mass litigation of toxic torts on a national, regional and local scale. As such, we are familiar with the unique issues and the complex science that go along asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos fibers are deadly and can cause severe medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos compensation lawyer (try this) is skilled in handling asbestos lawsuits which seek compensation for victims and their families due to exposure to this harmful substance. These cases can be complicated, so it's important to have a mesothelioma lawyer on your side.

New York has had a long history with asbestos litigation, and many residents were exposed to this dangerous substance. In recent years, there have been more lawsuits against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases are a result of the realization that asbestos is associated with illnesses such as mesothelioma or lung cancer. These companies were aware of the dangers associated with the dangerous mineral, but they did not warn their employees and clients.

New York City is especially vulnerable to illnesses caused by asbestos because of its older structures and construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously toxic area that continues impact the surrounding community.

Mesothelioma is triggered by direct exposure to asbestos and many workers were exposed at work. However, many people are diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of an exposure secondarily to the harmful substances. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposure workers who had their husbands' work clothes and came in contact with asbestos dust on a regular basis.

The litigation associated with mesothelioma can be costly for defendants, particularly when they are incorrectly named as defendants. A study indicates that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could rise. This niche litigation is often driven by asbestos law firms, which advertise on daytime TV and entice victims to file claims with the promise of huge settlements.

The defendants may be able mitigate some of the costs arising from these cases by arguing that their policy periods have expired or they are only responsible for a tiny portion of the claim value. However, New York law has not provided a definitive rule on how to divide liabilities when the alleged exposure occurs outside of the insurance company's policy.

Asbestos-Related Illnesses

A myriad of asbestos-related illnesses can develop because of exposure to the harmful mineral. The mesothelioma disease is the most severe. Many have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related illnesses include asbestosis and lung cancer. Pleural plaques and effusion are also asbestos-related.

Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal illness that is caused by exposure to asbestos fibers that collect in the lungs and irritate the lining of the ribcage, chest cavity and abdominal cavity (the pleura). Inhaling these fibers can lead to scarring in the lungs. This is called asbestosis. It can also lead to thickened pleura patches (pleural plaques) or an increase in fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis could reduce lung capacity, as measured by a breath test. They can also cause pain and difficulty breathing, though they do not lead to cancer or mesothelioma.

The signs of asbestos-related illness typically are not evident until years after 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 others who were exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing mesothelioma.

As well as mesothelioma, other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma and ovarian mesothelioma. Ovarian cancer is among the most deadly mesothelioma type 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. Symptoms can be similar to those of other illnesses.

Several companies used asbestos during the 20th century. They were aware that it was hazardous. When they did not remove asbestos from their products, thousands of people were exposed. These people now are able to seek financial compensation. Many asbestos-related manufacturers are bankrupt. The victims are now able to claim compensation from trust funds created by bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

Asbestos-related companies have put profit before the safety of their workers and their customers for decades making dangerous products, without warning about the risks. These companies are now paying the price for their carelessness. People who have suffered from asbestos-related illnesses such as mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and full compensation.

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

Many states have created special asbestos courts, where claims can be filed more efficiently. Judges have also created special procedures to review and resolve such cases.

New York is one such state, with its own asbestos court known as NYCAL. As asbestos victims continue to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants that have been bankrupt the number of cases that have come through the court has steadily increased. To ensure that the justice system isn't overloaded and overwhelmed, the New York Supreme Court has ordered the creation of a special judicial panel to oversee NYCAL.

A panel comprised of six Supreme Court judges will review each case in NYCAL to determine whether to accept or reject it. Judges will also assess the merits of each 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 make a final decision by the end of this year.

New York asbestos lawsuits can be complex and involve multiple defendants. Belluck & Fox's lawyers have extensive experience in defending these complicated matters. They are well-versed in the asbestos courts in New York as well as their rules, regulations and policies, as well as other jurisdictions where they have handled multi-district litigation.

The firm also has extensive experience in serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients nationwide in multi-district, complex litigation. In this role, attorneys develop strategies, coordinate and oversee regional and local counsel and ensure cost-effective and consistent defenses for every client. They have worked closely in the past with trial judges, coordination judges, and litigation special masters from various jurisdictions.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will decide which strategy is best to defend the client from a personal injury claim involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels suppliers, manufacturers contractors, distributors, contractors and owners of premises on matters involving claims of mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm collaborates with clients on developing internal programs to determine and deal with potential liability and safety issues.

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 develops litigation strategies and oversees local and region counsel to ensure a consistent and cost-effective defense in accordance with the client's goals. It also plays a major role in the administration and management of asbestos dockets as well in negotiations with plaintiffs' attorneys and leading discovery for its client.

The attorneys of the firm have extensive trial and appellate experience in defending clients against claims made by injured claimants, such as those who claim mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are familiar with the intricate science involved in these cases as in addition to unique legal issues that arise when defending businesses before state and federal courts throughout the United States.

Catherine has defended numerous manufacturers in asbestos and products liability personal injury cases, representing them as the lead counsel in consolidated trials involving a variety of plaintiffs. She has extensive experience arguing asbestos-related lawsuits before the state and federal courts, as well as various Supreme Court and appellate courts.

While at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos cases for respondents, including 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, work histories, and an inventory of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs worked with or near. Vogel was required to have access to the files and was able to look over the SEAR forms of any case she had with 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. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs’ lawyers to draft and implement settlement agreements. The firm also has extensive experience in defending businesses against appeals.