If You ve Just Purchased Asbestos Defense Attorney ... Now What
An Asbestos Defense Attorney Can Help Protect the Financial Security of Those Harmed by Exposure to This Harmful Mineral
A lawyer who is a defense attorney for asbestos can assist those who's financial security has been affected by exposure to the toxic mineral. Compensation can cover medical expenses funeral and burial costs as well as pain and suffering and the loss of quality of life.
Our attorneys are involved in the mass litigation of toxic torts on a regional, national and local level. This means that we are knowledgeable about the specific issues and complex scientific aspects that are associated with asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos is a deadly fiber that can cause a variety of severe medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is experienced in handling asbestos lawsuits which seek financial compensation for victims and their families who have been exposed to this harmful substance. These cases can be complex and therefore it is essential to have a mesothelioma expert lawyer 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 the result of the realization that asbestos is associated with diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. These companies knew of the dangers of the dangerous mineral, but they failed to warn their employees and consumers.
The New York City area is particularly prone to asbestos-related diseases due to its older structures and a myriad of construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously toxic area that continues to impact the surrounding community.
Many workers were exposed asbestos in their work environments. However, people also get diagnosed with mesothelioma after experiencing an exposure secondarily to the harmful substances. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposed workers who had their husbands' work clothes and came into contact with asbestos dust regularly.
Mesothelioma-related litigation can be expensive for defendants. This is particularly true if they have been wrongly named as defendants. A study shows that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could increase. Specialized asbestos law firms typically advertise on daytime TV and encourage victims to file claims, promising they will receive significant settlements.
The defendants might be able to reduce some of the costs of these cases by arguing that their policies are in a lapse or that they are only responsible for only a small percentage of the claim value. However, New York law has not established a clear rule on how to divide liabilities when the alleged exposure occurs partly within and outside the policy period of the insurer.
Asbestos-related Illnesses
Exposure to asbestos can lead to a wide range of illnesses. The most severe condition is mesothelioma. Many people have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer and asbestosis. Pleural plaques and effusion are also asbestos claim-related.
Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal disease 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). Inhaling these fibers can lead to scarring in the lungs. This is called asbestosis. It can also cause thickened patches of pleura (pleural plaques) or a more extensive fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis can reduce lung capacity, as measured by a breath test. They can also cause pain and discomfort in breathing, however they don't cause mesothelioma or cancer.
Most of the time, symptoms of asbestos lawsuit-related diseases do not appear until decades after the initial exposure. This is due to the fact that it can take between 20 to 50 years for the inhalation of asbestos settlement fibers to damage the lungs. People who are at risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related ailments include those who handled, cleaned, and removed these materials from the workplace and their spouses and children of those exposed to asbestos.
Other asbestos-related diseases, in addition to mesothelioma, include laryngeal cancer and lung cancer, peritoneal, ovarian, and peritoneal cancer. The most dangerous mesothelioma type is ovarian cancer, however it is less frequent than the general mesothelioma. It is diagnosed later than other types of mesothelioma because it occurs in the linings of the reproductive organs. The symptoms may be similar to other diseases.
A number of companies used asbestos in the 20th century. They knew it was a risk. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos if they didn't eliminate it from their products. These people now are able to sue for financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies have filed for bankruptcy. The victims are now able to claim compensation from trust funds established by bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
For decades, asbestos-related companies have placed profits over the security of their employees and consumers by producing dangerous products without warning of the risks. They are now paying for their inattention to. Victims of asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and full compensation.
Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals receive the justice they deserve. With more than 25 years of experience and accomplishments, we have secured millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. Our New York mesothelioma attorneys work to hold corporations accountable and seek the highest amount of compensation for their clients.
A number of states have set up asbestos courts that are specifically designed so that claims can be filed more efficiently. In addition, judges have established special procedures for evaluating and resolving asbestos cases.
New York, a state with its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL) is one of the states. The number of cases filed in this court has increased steadily, as more and more asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants who went bankrupt. To ensure that the justice system does not get overloaded the New York Supreme Court has established an additional judicial panel that will oversee NYCAL.
A panel 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 of amount of money each plaintiff should receive.
The panel is currently examining more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to announce its final decision by the end of this year.
New York asbestos lawsuits are often complex and involve multiple defendants. Belluck and Fox's lawyers have a wealth of experience in the litigation of these difficult issues. They are well-versed in the rules, regulations, 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 vast experience serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients nationwide in multi-district, complex litigation. In this capacity, attorneys create strategies, coordinate and manage local and regional counsel, and ensure cost-effective, consistent defenses for each client. They have worked closely with trial judges, coordination judges and special masters of litigation from various jurisdictions.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will determine which strategy is most effective to defend the client from a personal injury lawsuit involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels product manufacturers, suppliers contractors, distributors, contractors and property owners on matters involving claims of mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm also works with clients to develop internal programs for identifying and addressing safety and liability concerns.
Bowles Rice In addition to its national asbestos legal (extra resources) practice and multi-state asbestos litigation, is also the national Coordinating Counsel. In this role the firm formulates litigation strategies, supervises regional and local counsel and achieves consistent and cost-effective defense that is in sync with client goals. Additionally it plays an important role 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 claims of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are familiar with the complex research and technology involved in these cases as well as unique legal issues that arise when defending companies before state and federal courts throughout the United States.
Catherine has defended numerous companies in asbestos and products liability personal injury cases, representing them as lead trial counsel and in consolidated trials that involved multiple plaintiffs. She has substantial experience litigating asbestos-related cases before the federal and state courts and before various supreme and appellate court bodies.
While at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those of respondents in the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The cases files included SEAR forms (Short encapsulated Evaluative reports) that contained confidential information about the claimants. The files contained medical reports, work histories, and a list asbestos products that plaintiffs worked with or near. Vogel required access to a password to access the files. Then, she could go through any SEAR forms that she received from 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 negotiate settlements for its clients. In this capacity, the firm works closely with the lawyers of plaintiffs in the preparation and execution of settlement agreements. It also has a vast experience in defending companies against appeals.