20 Fun Facts About Asbestos Defense Attorney
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 protect those who's financial security has been affected by exposure to the harmful mineral. Compensation can cover medical costs funeral and burial costs, lost quality of life, and suffering and pain.
Our attorneys are involved in the mass litigation of toxic torts on a national, regional and local scale. As our lawyers are well-versed with the specific issues and complicated science associated with asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos is a deadly fiber that can lead to numerous serious medical conditions, including mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney is experienced in dealing with lawsuits that seek financial compensation for those who have suffered from asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be complicated, and it is critical to have a mesothelioma expert law firm by your side.
New York has a long history of asbestos litigation, and many residents have been exposed to the dangerous material. In recent years, there have been more lawsuits against asbestos producers from the past than before. These cases are a result of the recognition that asbestos can cause diseases such as mesothelioma and 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 a myriad of construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously toxic area that continues to affect the community around it.
Many workers were exposed to asbestos in their work environments. However, some people are diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of exposure to harmful substances. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposure workers who wore their husband's work clothes and came in contact with asbestos dust regularly.
Mesothelioma-related litigation can be expensive for defendants. This is particularly relevant if they've been incorrectly identified as defendants. A study shows that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could rise. Specialized asbestos law firms typically advertise on daytime TV and encourage victims to submit claims under the premise that they will receive substantial settlements.
The defendants may be able reduce some of the costs of these cases by arguing their policy periods are expired or that they are only responsible a small portion of the amount claimed. New York law does not have a specific rule for how to distribute liability when the alleged exposure is part of the insurance policies.
Asbestos-related Diseases
Exposure to asbestos can lead to various ailments. The mesothelioma condition is the most severe. Many have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques and the pleural effusion.
Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal disease caused by exposure to asbestos fibers that accumulate in the lungs, and can cause irritation to the lining of the chest cavity, ribcage, and abdominal cavity (the the pleura). Inhaling these fibers can lead to scarring in the lungs, known as asbestosis. It can also lead to thickened pleura patches (pleural plaques) or an increase in fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrisis reduce lung capacity as determined by breathing tests. They can also cause pain and difficulties in breathing, but they are not the cause of cancer or mesothelioma.
The majority of the time, signs of asbestos law-related diseases do not appear until decades after the initial exposure. It can 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 spouses, children and others who were exposed to asbestos are at risk for developing mesothelioma.
Other asbestos-related diseases, in addition to mesothelioma, include laryngeal cancer and lung cancer, peritoneal, ovarian, and peritoneal cancer. Ovarian cancer is the most fatal mesothelioma type for women, but it is less common than mesothelioma general. It is usually diagnosed later than other forms of mesothelioma due to the fact that it develops in the tissues of the reproductive organs and symptoms can be similar to those of other illnesses.
A number of companies employed asbestos in the 20th century, however they knew that it was a risk. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos if they didn't eliminate asbestos from their products. These people can now claim financial compensation. Many asbestos-related manufacturers are bankrupt. In the aftermath, victims can seek the compensation they deserve from the trust funds established by the bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
asbestos compensation companies have put profits before the safety of their workers and consumers for decades, producing hazardous products without warning about the risks. These companies are now confronting the consequences of their negligence. Patients who have suffered asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and full settlement.
Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals receive 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 large corporations responsible accountable and to obtain maximum compensation for our clients.
Many states have established asbestos courts that are specifically designed so that claims can be filed more efficiently. Additionally judges have developed special procedures to evaluate and resolve asbestos cases.
New York, a state with its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL), is one of them. The caseload in this specialty court has been increasing steadily as increasing numbers of asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent former asbestos defendants who have gone bankrupt. The New York Supreme Court created an additional judicial board that will supervise NYCAL in order to keep the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.
A panel composed of six Supreme Court judges will review each case in NYCAL to decide whether to accept or reject it. Judges will also consider the merits of each claim to determine the amount a plaintiff should receive.
The panel is currently looking into more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to make a final decision by the end of this year.
New York asbestos lawsuits can be complicated and can involve multiple defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience in the litigation of these complex issues. They are knowledgeable of the asbestos courts of New York, including their rules and regulations in addition to other jurisdictions in which they have handled multi-district litigation.
The firm also has vast experience as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in multidistrict litigation that is complex and complex. In this capacity lawyers formulate strategies, manage local and regional counsel, and ensure consistent and efficient defenses for clients. They have collaborated closely with coordinating and trial judges and special masters of litigation in the various jurisdictions where they have been involved in asbestos litigation.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will determine which strategy is best to defend the client from a personal injury lawsuit involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises product manufacturers, suppliers and contractors, distributors, and owners of premises on matters involving mesothelioma claims, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm also works with clients to create internal programs to identify and addressing safety and liability issues.
Bowles Rice in addition to its asbestos practice across the country and multi-state asbestos litigation is also the national Coordinating Counsel. In this capacity Bowles Rice devises litigation strategies and manages local and region counsel to ensure a uniform and cost-effective defense in accordance with the client's needs. In addition it plays a crucial role in the administration of asbestos dockets as well as negotiations with counsel for plaintiffs and lead discovery for its clients.
The attorneys of the firm have a wealth of trial and appellate experience in defending clients against claims made by injured claimants, such as those claiming mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense lawyers are familiar with the complex scientific issues involved in these cases as well as particular legal issues that arise when representing companies in state and federal courts throughout the United States.
Catherine has represented a variety of companies in asbestos and products liability personal injury cases, acting as the lead trial counsel in consolidated trials that involved multiple claimants. She has extensive experience litigating asbestos legal-related lawsuits before the state and federal courts as well as various appellate and Supreme Court bodies.
While at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those of respondents to the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files contained SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports) that contained confidential information on the claimants, such as medical reports, work histories and an inventory of asbestos-related products that the plaintiff worked with or around. Vogel had to have an account password to access the files. Then, she could look over any SEAR forms from her current employer.
The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to its vast experience in trial and appellate work, is nationally recognized for its ability to negotiate settlements for clients. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs' lawyers to draft and implement settlement agreements. It also has a wealth of experience in defending businesses from appeals.