14 Questions You Might Be Anxious To Ask 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 attorney can protect the financial security of those harmed by exposure to this toxic mineral. Compensation can cover medical costs, funeral and burial costs, lost quality of life, as well as suffering and pain.
Our attorneys serve as local, regional and national counsel in large toxic tort litigation. As as such, we are acquainted with the specific issues and complicated science associated with asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos is a deadly fiber that can cause various serious medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is adept at handling asbestos lawsuits that seek financial compensation for the victims and their families for exposure to this toxic substance. These cases can be complicated and it's crucial to have a mesothelioma attorney to assist you.
New York has a long history of asbestos litigation, and many residents have been exposed to the dangerous substance. In recent years there have been more lawsuits against asbestos producers from the past than before. These cases are a result of the recognition of a connection between asbestos and diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer and asbestosis. These companies were aware of asbestos's dangers but did not take the time to warn their employees and customers.
New York City is especially susceptible to diseases caused by asbestos due to its old structures and many construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously toxic area that continues affect the surrounding community.
Many workers were exposed asbestos at work. Exposure to asbestos from the outside can lead to mesothelioma. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposed workers who wore their husband's work clothes and came in contact with asbestos dust regularly.
The mesothelioma litigation is costly for defendants, especially if they are wrongfully named as a defendant. A study shows that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could grow. This type of litigation is typically driven by asbestos law firms that advertise on television during the day and encourage victims to file claims, with the promise of 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 are only responsible for a small portion of the value of the claim. However, New York law has not established a clear rule regarding how to allocate liabilities when the alleged exposure occurs outside of the insurer's policy periods.
Asbestos-related illnesses
A variety of asbestos-related diseases can develop due to exposure to the mineral that causes cancer. The most serious of these is mesothelioma. Many people have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer and asbestosis. Pleural plaques and effusion are also asbestos-related.
Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal disease caused by exposure to asbestos fibers that collect in the lungs, and can cause irritation to the lining of the ribcage, chest cavity, and abdominal cavity (the Pleura). The inhalation of these small fibers can result in scarring of the lungs, a condition known as asbestosis and occasionally, the formation of thickened patches on the pleura referred to as plaques of pleura or an enlargement of fibrosis in the pleura known as diffused fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrisis reduce lung capacity, as measured by breathing tests. They also cause breathing problems and pain but they don't lead to cancer or mesothelioma.
Often, symptoms of asbestos-related illnesses don't appear until decades after the initial exposure. It can take up to 50 years for asbestos fibers inhaled to cause lung damage. People at risk of developing mesothelioma or other asbestos-related ailments include those who handled, cleaned and removed asbestos-containing materials from the workplace and their spouses and children of those exposed to asbestos.
Other asbestos-related illnesses, apart from mesothelioma, include laryngeal carcinoma and lung cancer, peritoneal, ovarian, and peritoneal cancer. The most dangerous form of mesothelioma is ovarian cancer, however it is less common than the general mesothelioma. It is usually diagnosed later than other types of mesothelioma due to the fact that it develops in the lining of the reproductive organs and symptoms can be similar to those of other illnesses.
Many companies employed asbestos during the 20th century. They knew it was dangerous. When they failed to remove it from their products, thousands of people were exposed. Now, those exposed have the right to claim financial compensation. Many asbestos-related manufacturers are bankrupt. In the aftermath, victims can seek the money they are entitled to from trust funds set up by the bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
For decades, asbestos-related companies put profits above the safety of their employees as well as consumers by producing dangerous products without warning of the dangers. These companies are now confronting the consequences of their negligence. Patients who have suffered asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and complete compensation.
The lawyers at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to assisting families and individuals get the justice they deserve. With more than 25 years of experience, 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 highest amount of compensation for their clients.
Many states have set up special asbestos courts in which claims can be filed and resolving more efficiently. Judges have also developed specific procedures to assess and resolve asbestos case-related cases.
New York, a state which has its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL) is one of the states. The number of cases in this court has been increasing steadily as more and more asbestos lawsuit (on the main page) victims seek compensation from solvent former asbestos defendants who went bankrupt. The New York Supreme Court created an additional judicial board that will supervise NYCAL to stop the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.
A panel of six Supreme Court judges will review every case in NYCAL to decide whether to accept or reject it. Judges will also assess the merits of each case to determine the amount a plaintiff should be awarded.
The panel is currently examining more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to issue its final ruling at the end of this year.
New York asbestos lawsuits are usually complex and include allegations of several defendants. Belluck & Fox's lawyers have extensive experience in litigating these complex cases. They are knowledgeable of the rules regulations, rules, and policies 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 in serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients throughout the nation in multi-district litigation that is complex and complex. In this role, attorneys create strategies, coordinate and oversee regional and local counsel and ensure cost-effective, consistent defenses for each client. They have been in close contact with trial judges, coordination judges, and special masters of litigation from various jurisdictions.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A knowledgeable Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best strategy to defend a client from an asbestos personal injury claim. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels suppliers, manufacturers contractors, distributors, contractors, and property owners in cases involving claims for mesothelioma and lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm also works with clients to create internal programs for identifying and addressing potential safety and liability issues.
Bowles Rice, in addition to its asbestos practice across the country and multi-state asbestos litigation serves as national Coordinating counsel. In this role the firm formulates strategies for litigation, oversees regional and local counsel, and ensures a consistent and cost-effective defense in coordination with client goals. It also plays a major part in the administration and management of asbestos dockets, as well in negotiations with plaintiffs' lawyers and in coordinating 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 are claiming mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense lawyers are acquainted with the complex scientific issues involved in these cases, as well as unique legal issues that arise while representing companies in federal and state courts across the United States.
Catherine has represented a variety of manufacturers as lead trial counsel in asbestos and personal injury lawsuits related to product liability, and in cases that have been consolidated involving multiple claimants. She has extensive experience in litigating asbestos-related cases before state and federal courts and before a variety of appellate and supreme court bodies.
While at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those involving respondents of the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files included SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports), which contained confidential information about claimants, such as medical reports, a history of work, and an inventory of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs worked with or around. Vogel had to have a password in order to access the files. She was then able to look over any SEAR forms provided by her current employer.
The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to having extensive experience in trial and appellate work, is widely acclaimed for its ability to successfully reach settlements on behalf of its clients. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs’ lawyers to develop and execute settlement agreements. It also has extensive experience defending businesses against appeals.