So You ve Bought Asbestos Defense Attorney ... Now What
An Asbestos Defense Attorney Can Help Protect the Financial Security of Those Harmed by Exposure to This Harmful Mineral
An asbestos defense lawyer can help protect the financial security of those who have been harmed by exposure to this toxic mineral. Compensation can cover medical costs funeral and burial costs, loss of quality of life, as well as pain and suffering.
Our attorneys serve as national, regional and local counsel in massive toxic tort litigation. As such, we are familiar with the specific issues and complex science associated asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos fibers are dangerous and can cause serious medical conditions like mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney is adept at handling lawsuits to seek the financial compensation of those affected by asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be extremely complex and it is crucial to have an experienced mesothelioma law firm on your side.
New York has a long history of asbestos litigation and many residents have been exposed to this dangerous material. In recent years, there have been more lawsuits filed against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases arise out of the recognition that asbestos is linked to illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer. These companies were aware asbestos' dangers however, they failed to inform employees and consumers.
New York City is especially susceptible to diseases caused by asbestos because of its old structures and many construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously hazardous area that continues to impact the surrounding community.
Many workers were exposed to asbestos in the workplace. However, some people are diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of an exposure secondarily to the harmful substances. This is especially true for spouses who wear husband's clothes to work and come into contact with asbestos dust on a regular basis.
The mesothelioma lawsuit is costly for defendants, especially if they are wrongfully 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. The asbestos law firms that specialize in asbestos often advertise on daytime TV and encourage victims to submit claims under the premise that they will receive substantial settlements.
Defendants may be able to mitigate some of the costs arising from these cases by argument that their policy terms have expired or they are only responsible for a small percentage of the total claim value. However, New York law has not provided a definitive rule on how to allocate liability when the alleged exposure occurs within and outside the insurance company's policy.
Asbestos-related Diseases
A wide range of asbestos-related illnesses can develop due to exposure to the toxic mineral. The condition known as mesothelioma is the most severe. Mesothelioma has led to the deaths of many people. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer asbestosis, pleural plaques, and the pleural effusion.
mesothelioma lawyer is a rare but fatal illness that is caused by exposure to asbestos fibers that collect in the lungs and cause irritation to the lining of the ribcage, chest cavity, and abdominal cavity (the pleura). Inhaling these tiny fibers can cause scarring to the lungs known as asbestosis and, sometimes, the development of thickened patches on the pleura referred to as pleural plaques or the more widespread fibrosis of the pleura, referred to as diffused pleural fibrisis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrosis decrease lung capacity as measured by breathing tests. They also cause discomfort and breathing difficulties however they do not cause mesothelioma or cancer.
The signs of asbestos-related illness typically don't manifest until decades after initial exposure. It could take up to 50 years for asbestos fibers inhaled to cause lung damage. Workers who handled, cleaned and removed asbestos from their workplaces and their children, spouses, and others exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing mesothelioma.
In addition to mesothelioma, other asbestos-related diseases include laryngeal cancer, lung cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma lawyer and mesothelioma attorney ovarian. The most dangerous mesothelioma type is ovarian cancer, but it's less frequent than the general mesothelioma. It is diagnosed later than most other types of mesothelioma, because it is found in the linings of reproductive organs. The symptoms may be similar to other illnesses.
There were many companies that used asbestos in the 20th century, however they knew that it was hazardous. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos because they didn't eliminate asbestos from their products. The affected people are now able to seek financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are insolvent. The victims are now able to claim compensation from the trust funds set up by bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
Asbestos companies have put profits before the safety of their workers and customers for a long time, producing hazardous products without warning of the dangers. They are now paying for their carelessness. People who have suffered from asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma lawsuit and lung cancer are seeking fair and full settlement.
The lawyers at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to helping individuals and families obtain the justice they deserve. Our lawyers have over 25 years experience and have helped clients receive millions of dollars in 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 established special asbestos courts where claims can be filed and resolved more efficiently. In addition judges have developed specialized procedures for evaluating and resolving such cases.
New York is one such state with its own asbestos court known as NYCAL. The caseload in this specialty court has increased steadily, as increasing numbers of asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants who have gone bankrupt. The New York Supreme Court created an extra judicial board to supervise NYCAL in order to keep the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.
A panel comprised of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine if it is accepted or rejected. Judges will also consider the merits of each claim to determine the amount the plaintiff is entitled to.
The panel is currently reviewing more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to make a final decision before the end of the year.
New York asbestos lawsuits are often complex and involve allegations of several defendants. Belluck & Fox's lawyers have extensive experience in the litigation of these difficult cases. They are familiar with the asbestos courts of New York and their rules, regulations and policies in addition to other jurisdictions in which they have handled multi-district litigation.
The firm has also extensive experience as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in complex, multidistrict litigation. In this capacity lawyers formulate strategies, manage regional and local counsel, and ensure consistent and effective defenses for clients. They have worked closely with trial judges, coordination judges and litigation special masters from various jurisdictions.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will determine which strategy is best to defend the client in a personal injury lawsuit involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels product manufacturers, suppliers contractors, distributors, contractors, and owners of premises in cases involving claims for mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm also assists clients to develop internal programs for identifying and addressing any safety and liability concerns.
Bowles Rice, in addition to its national asbestos practice and multi-state asbestos litigation is also the national Coordinating Counsel. In this capacity the firm formulates litigation strategies, manages regional and local counsel and achieves consistent and cost-effective defense, in line with the client's goals. Additionally it plays an important part in the administration of asbestos dockets and negotiations with counsel for plaintiffs and leads discovery for its clients.
The attorneys of the firm have a wealth of trial and appellate experience, defending clients against claims by injured claimants, such as those claiming mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense lawyers are acquainted with the intricate research and technology involved in these cases as in addition to unique legal issues that arise while defending companies before federal and state courts across the United States.
Catherine has defended numerous manufacturers in asbestos and product liability personal injury cases, representing them as lead trial counsel and in consolidated trials involving multiple claimants. She has a wealth of experience arguing asbestos-related cases in 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 for respondents of the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The cases files contained SEAR forms (Short Evaluative Reports Encapsulated) that contained confidential information about plaintiffs. This included medical reports, work histories, and the list of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs worked with or near. Vogel was required to have a password to access these files, and she could also look over the SEAR forms of any case she had with her current employer.
The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to its vast experience in trial and appellate work, is recognized nationally for its ability to negotiate settlements for its clients. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs' lawyers to create and implement settlement agreements. The firm also has extensive experience defending businesses against appeals.