The Ultimate Guide To 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 help 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, loss of quality of life, and pain and suffering.
Our lawyers are involved in mass toxic tort litigation on a national, regional and local level. As such, we are familiar with the particular 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 lawyer is adept at handling asbestos lawsuits that seek financial compensation for the victims and their families due to exposure to this toxic substance. These cases can be complex and therefore it is essential to have a reputable mesothelioma 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 producers than ever before. These cases arise out of the recognition that asbestos can cause illnesses such as mesothelioma or lung cancer. These companies were aware asbestos's dangers, but failed to warn employees and consumers.
The New York City area is particularly susceptible to asbestos-related illnesses because of its older structures and numerous construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic place that continues to have an impact on the surrounding community.
Mesothelioma can be caused by exposure to asbestos in direct contact and many workers were exposed in the workplace. In addition, exposure to asbestos through secondhand sources can cause mesothelioma. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposure workers who were wearing their husband's work clothes and came into contact with asbestos lawsuit dust on a regular basis.
The mesothelioma litigation can be expensive for defendants, particularly when they are incorrectly named as defendants. According to a study, more that 3,600 claims have been filed in New York courts since 2014 and the number could increase even more. This type of litigation is typically supported by asbestos law firms, which advertise on television during the day and encourage victims to file claims with the promise of huge settlements.
The defendants could 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 a small portion of the claim value. New York law does not have a specific rule for how to allocate responsibility when the alleged exposure is of and outside the insurance policies.
Asbestos-related diseases
Exposure to asbestos can trigger many different illnesses. The most serious of these is mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is the cause of death of many people. Other asbestos lawsuit-related diseases include lung cancer and asbestosis. Pleural plaques and pleural effusion are also asbestos-related.
Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal disease caused by exposure to asbestos attorney fibers that collect in the lungs and cause irritation to the lining of the chest cavity, ribcage, and abdominal cavity (the pleura). Inhaling these fibers can lead to scarring in the lungs, called asbestosis. It can also lead to thickened patches of pleura (pleural plaques) or a more extensive fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrisis reduce lung capacity, as measured by breathing tests. They also cause discomfort and breathing difficulties but they don't cause mesothelioma or cancer.
The symptoms of asbestos-related diseases typically do not manifest until decades after exposure. It can take as long as 50 years for asbestos fibers that are inhaled to cause lung damage. People who are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other asbestos-related ailments include those who handled, cleaned, and removed these materials from their workplaces, as well as spouses and children of asbestos-related exposure.
In addition to mesothelioma other asbestos-related diseases include laryngeal cancer, lung cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma and ovarian mesothelioma. Ovarian cancer is the most fatal mesothelioma type for women however it is much less common than mesothelioma general. It is diagnosed later than most other mesothelioma types, because it occurs in the linings of reproductive organs. The symptoms may be similar to other illnesses.
A number of companies employed asbestos in the 20th century, however they were aware that it was dangerous. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos because they didn't remove asbestos from their products. They can now sue for financial compensation. Many asbestos-related manufacturers are bankrupt. In the aftermath, victims can seek the compensation they are entitled to from trust funds set up by the bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
For decades, asbestos-related companies have placed profits over the safety of their employees as well as consumers, producing dangerous products without warning of the risks. They are now confronting the consequences of their carelessness. People who have suffered from asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and complete settlement.
Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals obtain 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 lawyers work to hold responsible large corporations accountable and to secure the maximum amount of compensation for our clients.
A number of states have established special asbestos courts where claims can be filed and resolving more efficiently. Additionally judges have developed specific procedures for evaluating and resolving 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 declared bankruptcy and have been unable to pay, the workload of the court has steadily increased. The New York Supreme Court created a special judicial board to oversee NYCAL in order to prevent the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.
A panel composed of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine if it should be accepted or rejected. Judges will also evaluate the merits of each case to decide how much money a plaintiff should receive.
The panel is currently looking at more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to issue its final decision by the end of this year.
New York asbestos lawsuits are typically complex and often involve allegations of several defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience with the litigation of these complex matters. 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 in which they have handled multidistrict litigation.
The firm has also extensive experience as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in complex, multidistrict litigation. In this capacity, lawyers develop strategies, coordinate and manage regional and local counsel, and ensure cost-effective, consistent defenses for every client. They have collaborated closely with trial and coordination judges and litigation special masters in various jurisdictions in which they were involved in asbestos litigation.
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 premises owners on matters involving claims of mesothelioma and lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm works with clients to develop internal programs to deal with potential liability and safety issues.
Bowles Rice In addition to its asbestos practice in the national level and multi-state asbestos litigation, serves as national Coordinating counsel. In this capacity, the firm develops litigation strategies, manages local and regional counsel, and achieves consistent and cost-effective defense that is in sync with the client's goals. In addition, it plays a key part in the administration of asbestos dockets as well as negotiations with counsel for plaintiffs and leads discovery for its clients.
The firm's attorneys are experienced in defending clients against claims of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense lawyers are familiar with the intricate scientific issues involved in these cases, as well as particular 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, defending them as the lead trial counsel in consolidated trials involving multiple plaintiffs. She has extensive experience in arguing asbestos-related lawsuits before the federal and state 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 case files included SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports) that contained confidential information about the plaintiffs, including medical reports, work histories, and a list of asbestos products that plaintiffs worked with or around. Vogel was required to use access to the files and was able to review 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 widely acclaimed for its ability to reach settlements on behalf of its clients. In this capacity, the firm collaborates with lawyers representing plaintiffs in the preparation and execution of settlement agreements. It also has a vast experience in defending companies against appeals.