What Freud Can Teach Us 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 assist those whose financial security has been affected by exposure to the harmful mineral. Compensation could cover medical expenses funeral and burial costs, loss of quality of life, as well as pain and suffering.
Our lawyers are involved in the mass litigation of toxic torts at a national, regional and local scale. As such, we are familiar with the unique issues and complicated science associated with asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos fibers can be deadly and can cause serious medical conditions like mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is experienced in handling asbestos lawsuits which seek compensation for victims and their families due to exposure to this toxic substance. These cases can be a bit complicated and therefore it is essential to have a mesothelioma attorney to assist you.
New York has had a long history with asbestos litigation, and many residents were exposed to this dangerous substance. In recent years, there are more lawsuits filed against asbestos producers in the past than ever before. These cases are the result of the recognition that asbestos is linked to diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. These companies were aware of the dangers associated with the hazardous mineral, but did not warn their employees and clients.
New York City is especially susceptible to illnesses caused by asbestos due to its old structures and construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic site that continues to impact on the community around it.
Mesothelioma is caused by direct exposure to asbestos, and many workers were exposed at work. Exposure to asbestos from the outside can result in mesothelioma. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposure workers who were wearing their husband's work clothes and came in contact with asbestos dust regularly.
The mesothelioma litigation can be costly for defendants, particularly when they are incorrectly named as a defendant. According to a study, more that 3,600 lawsuits have been filed in New York courts since 2014, and the number could rise further. This type of litigation is typically driven by asbestos law firms that advertise on daytime TV and entice victims to file claims, with the promise of huge settlements.
Defendants might be able to lower some of the costs associated with these cases by asserting that their policy periods expire or they are only responsible for a tiny portion of the value of the claim. However, New York law has not established a clear rule on how to divide liabilities when the alleged exposure occurs within and outside the insurance company's policy.
Asbestos-related diseases
Exposure to asbestos can trigger a wide range of illnesses. The most serious of these is mesothelioma. Many people have died due to mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer asbestosis, pleural plaques, and pleural effusion.
Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal illness 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 Pleura). Inhaling these fibers can lead to scarring of the lungs, known as asbestosis. It can also result in thickened pleura patches (pleural plaques) or an increase in fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis can reduce lung capacity, as measured by breathing test. They can also cause pain and difficulties in breathing, but they do not lead mesothelioma or cancer.
The signs of asbestos-related illness typically are not evident until years after exposure. This is because it can take between 20 and 50 years for the exposure to asbestos fibers to cause lung damage. Workers who handled, cleaned and removed asbestos from their workplaces as well as spouses, children and others who were exposed to asbestos are at risk for developing mesothelioma.
Other asbestos-related diseases apart from mesothelioma, include lung cancer and laryngeal carcinoma and peritoneal, ovarian and peritoneal cancer. Ovarian cancer is the most fatal form of mesothelioma for women, but it is less prevalent than mesothelioma in general. It is diagnosed later than most other mesothelioma lawyer types, because it develops within the linings of reproductive organs. Symptoms can be similar to other illnesses.
There were many companies that employed asbestos in the 20th century, however they knew that it was hazardous. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos when they didn't eliminate asbestos from their products. These people now have the right to claim financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are insolvent. In the aftermath, victims can seek the compensation they deserve from the trust funds set up by the bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
Asbestos companies have put profits over the safety of their employees and customers for a long time, producing hazardous products without warning of the dangers. They are now paying the price for their negligence. Victims of asbestos-related illnesses such as mesothelioma lawsuit and lung cancer are seeking fair and complete compensation.
The lawyers at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to helping families and individuals get the justice they deserve. With more than 25 years of experience in the field, we have secured a million of dollars in compensation for our clients. Our New York mesothelioma lawyers work to hold large corporations responsible accountable and to secure 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. In addition, judges have established specialized procedures for evaluating and resolving asbestos cases.
New York, a state which has its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL), is one of them. The number of cases filed in this court has increased steadily, as asbestos victims are becoming more and more likely to seek compensation from solvent former asbestos defendants who went bankrupt. The New York Supreme Court created a special judicial board to supervise NYCAL in order to prevent the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.
A panel of six Supreme Court judges will review every case in NYCAL to decide whether or not to accept it. Judges will also evaluate the merits of each case to decide how much money the plaintiff is entitled to.
The panel is currently reviewing more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to issue its final decision by the end this year.
New York asbestos lawsuits are usually complex and involve allegations of multiple defendants. Belluck & Fox's lawyers have extensive experience in defending these complicated issues. They are familiar with the rules regulations, policies, and procedures 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 as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in complex, multidistrict litigation. In this capacity, lawyers create strategies, coordinate and manage regional and local counsel, and ensure cost-effective, consistent defenses for each client. They have worked closely with trial judges, coordination judges and litigation special masters from various jurisdictions.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A knowledgeable Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best approach to defend a client in a claim for personal injury resulting from asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels suppliers, manufacturers contractors, distributors, contractors, and premises owners in cases involving claims for mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm works with clients in the development of internal programs to deal with potential liability and safety concerns.
Bowles Rice, in addition to its asbestos practice in the national level and multi-state asbestos litigation is also the national Coordinating Counsel. In this role the firm formulates litigation strategies, manages regional and local counsel and achieves consistent and cost-effective defense that is in sync with the client's goals. Additionally it plays an important role in the administration of asbestos dockets, negotiations with plaintiffs' counsel and also leads discovery for its clients.
The attorneys of the firm have extensive trial and appellate experience, defending clients from claims brought by injured claimants, including those who claim mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense lawyers are familiar with the complex science associated with these cases, as well as the unique legal issues that arise when defending businesses in federal and state courts across the United States.
Catherine has represented numerous manufacturers in asbestos and product liability personal injury cases, representing them as the lead counsel in consolidated trials involving multiple plaintiffs. She has extensive experience in arguing asbestos-related cases in state and federal courts, as well as before a variety of appellate and supreme court bodies.
During her time at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos cases for respondents, including those at the Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The cases files contained SEAR forms (Short Evaluative reports that are encapsulated) that contained confidential data about the plaintiffs. The files contained medical reports, work histories, and a list asbestos products that plaintiffs worked with or near. Vogel was required to use a password to access these files and could look over the SEAR forms of any case at her current employer.
The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to having extensive experience in appellate and trial work, is recognized nationally 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 a wealth of experience in defending businesses against appeals.