How To Save Money On 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 assist in ensuring the financial security of those who have been injured by exposure to this harmful mineral. Compensation can cover medical expenses, funeral and burial expenses, pain and suffering, and loss of quality of life.
Our lawyers serve as national, regional and local counsel in massive toxic tort litigation. We are knowledgeable about the specific issues and complex scientific aspects of asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos is a dangerous fiber that can cause a variety of severe medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is skilled in dealing with asbestos lawsuits, which seek financial compensation for victims and their families due to exposure to this toxic substance. These cases can be a bit complicated, so it's important to have a mesothelioma attorney on your side.
New York has a long history of asbestos litigation, and many residents have been exposed to this hazardous substance. In recent times, there have been more claims against former asbestos manufacturers than ever before. These cases are a result of the recognition that asbestos is associated with illnesses such as mesothelioma or lung cancer. The companies were aware of the dangers of the asbestos-containing mineral, yet they failed to warn their employees and clients.
The New York City area is particularly susceptible to asbestos-related ailments due to its old structures and a myriad of construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic location that continues to impact on the community around it.
Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos directly and a lot of workers were exposed to asbestos in the workplace. Secondhand exposure can also result in mesothelioma. This includes spouses who wear husband's clothes to work and come into contact with asbestos dust on a regular basis.
The litigation associated with mesothelioma is costly for defendants, particularly if they are wrongfully named as a defendant. According to a study, more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed in New York courts since 2014 and the number could rise further. This niche litigation is often supported by asbestos law firms that promote on daytime television and encourage victims to file claims with the promise of huge settlements.
The defendants may be able reduce some of the costs of these cases by arguing their policies are in a lapse or that they are only responsible a small portion of the claim value. New York law does not have a clear rule on how to distribute liability when the alleged risk is of and outside the insurer's policies.
Asbestos-related Diseases
Exposure to asbestos can cause many different diseases. The condition known as mesothelioma is the most serious. Many people have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related diseases 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 which accumulate in the lungs and irritate the lining of the chest cavity, ribcage and abdominal cavity (the the pleura). Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause scarring in the lungs. This is called asbestosis. It can also lead to thickened pleura patches (pleural plaques) or an increased fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrosis decrease lung capacity as determined by breathing tests. They also cause pain and difficulty breathing but they don't cause mesothelioma or cancer.
The majority of the time, signs of asbestos-related diseases don't show up until decades after the initial exposure. This is because it could take between 20 to 50 years for inhalation of asbestos fibers to cause lung damage. Workers who handled, cleaned, and removed asbestos from the workplace and their children, spouses, and others exposed to asbestos are at risk for developing mesothelioma.
In addition to mesothelioma, other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma, and mesothelioma of the ovary. Ovarian cancer is the deadliest mesothelioma type for women, but it is less common than mesothelioma general. It is diagnosed later than other types of mesothelioma, because it is found within the linings of reproductive organs. The symptoms can be similar to other diseases.
Many companies employed asbestos during the 20th century. They knew it was hazardous. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos because they failed to remove asbestos from their products. Now, these people have the right to claim financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are insolvent. In the aftermath, victims can seek the money they are entitled to from trust funds established by the bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
For decades, asbestos companies put profits above the safety of their employees and consumers, manufacturing hazardous products, without warning of the risks. These companies are now facing the consequences of their negligence. Patients who have suffered asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and complete compensation.
The attorneys at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to assisting families and individuals receive the justice they need. Our lawyers have over 25 years of experience and have helped our clients receive millions of dollars of compensation. Our New York mesothelioma lawyers work to hold large corporations responsible accountable and to obtain the highest amount of compensation for our clients.
A number of states have set up asbestos courts that are specifically designed so that claims can be filed more efficiently. Additionally judges have developed specialized procedures to evaluate and resolve asbestos cases.
New York is one such state that has its own asbestos court known as NYCAL. As asbestos victims continue to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants that have been bankrupt, the caseload of the court has steadily increased. 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 each case to determine whether it should be accepted or rejected. Judges will also evaluate the merits of every claim to determine the amount of the plaintiff's compensation should be.
The panel is currently examining more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to make a final decision at the end of this year.
New York asbestos lawsuits can be complicated and involve multiple defendants. Belluck and Fox's lawyers have a wealth of experience in defending these complicated cases. They are well-versed in the rules regulations, rules, and policies of the asbestos courts in New York, as well as the laws of other jurisdictions where they have handled multidistrict litigation.
The firm also has extensive experience serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients nationwide in multi-district, complex litigation. In this capacity, attorneys develop strategies, coordinate and oversee regional and local counsel, and ensure consistent and cost-effective defenses for each client. They have worked closely with trial and coordination judges and litigation special masters in the various jurisdictions where they have been involved in asbestos litigation.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A knowledgeable Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best way to defend a client in a claim for personal injury resulting from asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels product manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, contractors and owners of premises on matters involving claims of mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm also assists clients to create internal programs for identifying and addressing safety and liability concerns.
In addition to its national asbestos practice, Bowles Rice serves as national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this role the firm designs litigation strategies, supervises regional and local counsel and ensures a consistent and cost-effective defense that is in sync with the client's goals. In addition it plays a crucial part in the administration of asbestos dockets and negotiations with plaintiffs' counsel and lead discovery for its clients.
The firm's attorneys are experienced in defending clients against mesothelioma-related claims and other asbestos-related illnesses. Asbestos defense lawyers are familiar with the intricate research and technology involved in these cases, as in addition to specific legal issues that arise while representing companies in state and federal courts throughout the United States.
Catherine has represented 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 federal and state courts as well as various Supreme Court and appellate 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 included SEAR forms (Short Evaluative Reports Encapsulated) that contained confidential information about claimants. This included medical reports, work histories, and an inventory of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs worked with or near. Vogel had to have access to a password to access the files. She could then go through any SEAR forms provided by her current employer.
The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to its extensive experience in appellate and trial 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 create and implement settlement agreements. It also has extensive experience in defending businesses against appeals.