15 Shocking 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 for asbestos defense can protect those whose financial security has been affected by exposure to the harmful mineral. Compensation could cover medical expenses funeral and burial costs, lost quality of life, as well as pain and suffering.
Our lawyers are involved in mass toxic tort litigation at a national, regional and local level. As our lawyers are well-versed with the particular issues and the complex science that go along asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos is a harmful fiber that can cause various serious medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos compensation lawyer is adept at handling asbestos lawsuits which seek financial compensation for the victims and their families for exposure to this toxic substance. These cases can be extremely complex, and it is critical to have a reputable mesothelioma law firm on your side.
New York has a long history of asbestos litigation and many residents have been exposed to the dangerous substance. In recent years, there have been more lawsuits against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases are a result of the recognition of a link between asbestos and diseases like mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. These companies knew of the dangers associated with this asbestos-containing mineral, yet they did not warn their employees and clients.
New York City is especially vulnerable to illnesses caused by asbestos due to its old structures and construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic place that continues to have an impact on the community around it.
Many workers were exposed asbestos in the workplace. However, some people are diagnosed with mesothelioma after experiencing secondhand exposure to the harmful substances. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposure workers who were wearing their husband's work clothes and came into contact with asbestos dust regularly.
Litigation involving mesothelioma is expensive for defendants. This is especially relevant if they've been incorrectly identified as defendants. According to a study, more than 3,600 claims have been filed in New York courts since 2014 and the number is expected to rise further. This kind of litigation is usually fueled by specialized asbestos claim (Related Home Page) law firms that promote on daytime TV and entice victims to file claims with the promise of huge settlements.
Defendants may be able to lower some of the expenses arising from these cases by asserting that their policy periods expire or they are only responsible for a tiny percentage of the value of the claim. New York law does not have a clear rule on how to allocate responsibility when the alleged risk is of the insurer's policies.
Asbestos-related diseases
A myriad of asbestos-related illnesses can develop due to exposure to the harmful mineral. The most serious of these is mesothelioma. Many people have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer and asbestosis. Pleural plaques and effusion are also asbestos-related.
Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal illness is caused by asbestos fibers that are found in the lung. They then irritate the linings of the ribcage (the the pleura), chest cavity and abdominal cavity. Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause scarring of the lungs, known as asbestosis. It can also cause thickened pleura patches (pleural plaques) or an increase in fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis may reduce lung capacity as measured by a breath test. They can also cause breathing problems and pain however they do not lead to cancer or mesothelioma.
The majority of the time, signs of asbestos-related diseases don't appear until decades after the initial exposure. This is because it could take between 20 to 50 years for exposure to asbestos fibers to damage the lungs. People at risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases include those who handled, cleaned, and removed these materials from their workplaces, as well as spouses and children of those exposed to asbestos.
In addition to mesothelioma, other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma and ovarian mesothelioma. Ovarian cancer is among the most deadly form of mesothelioma for women however it is much less prevalent than mesothelioma in general. It is diagnosed later than most other types of mesothelioma because it occurs within the linings of reproductive organs. The symptoms can be similar to other illnesses.
A number of companies used asbestos in the 20th century. They were aware that it was dangerous. When they did not remove asbestos from their products thousands of people were exposed. Now, those exposed have the right to sue for financial compensation. Many asbestos-related manufacturers are bankrupt. In the aftermath, victims are able to seek the compensation they deserve from the trust funds established by the bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
Asbestos-related companies have put profit over the safety of their employees and customers for a long time, producing hazardous products without warning of the dangers. They are now confronting the consequences of their inattention. People who's lives have been affected by mesothelioma, cancer of the lung, and other asbestos-related illnesses are seeking fair and full compensation.
The lawyers at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to assisting families and individuals receive the justice they need. 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 large corporations accountable and to secure the maximum amount of compensation for our clients.
Many states have created asbestos courts that are specifically designed so that claims can be filed more efficiently. Judges have also established specialized procedures to evaluate and resolve asbestos-related 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 who have declared bankruptcy the number of cases that have come through this court has been steadily increasing. To ensure that the justice system does not get overloaded, the New York Supreme Court has ordered the creation of an extra judicial panel to oversee NYCAL.
A panel composed of six Supreme Court judges will review every case filed in NYCAL to decide whether or not to take it up with it. Judges will also assess 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 issue its final decision by the end of this year.
New York asbestos lawsuits can be complicated and involve several defendants. Belluck and Fox's lawyers have a wealth of experience in the litigation of these difficult matters. They are knowledgeable of the asbestos courts of New York as well as their rules, regulations and policies and other jurisdictions where they have handled multi-district litigation.
The firm also has vast experience serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients nationwide in multi-district litigation that is complex and complex. In this role, attorneys develop strategies, coordinate and manage regional and local counsel and ensure consistent and cost-effective defenses for each client. They have been in close contact with trial judges, coordinating judges, and special masters of litigation from various jurisdictions.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will determine what strategy is best to defend the client from a personal injury claim involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, contractors, and owners of premises on matters concerning mesothelioma-related claims, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm also works with clients to develop internal programs for identifying and addressing potential risks to safety and liability.
In addition to its asbestos practice in the national level, Bowles Rice serves as the national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this role Bowles Rice devises litigation strategies and oversees local and region counsel to ensure a uniform and cost-effective defence in coordination with the client's goals. It also plays a major role in the administration and management of asbestos dockets, as well in negotiations with plaintiffs' lawyers and in coordinating discovery for its clients.
The firm's attorneys have a wealth of trial and appellate experience in defending clients against claims made by injured claimants, which includes those who claim mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are acquainted with the complex science that is associated with these cases, and the particular legal issues that arise when defending businesses in state and federal courts across the United States.
Catherine has defended numerous companies in asbestos and products liability personal injury cases, representing them as the lead counsel in consolidated trials involving multiple claimants. She has a wealth of experience arguing asbestos-related cases in state and federal courts, as well as before various supreme and appellate court bodies.
While at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those involving respondents in the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files included SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports) which contained confidential information on the plaintiffs, such as medical reports, work history and a list of asbestos products that the plaintiff worked with or around. Vogel was required to have an account password to access the files. She was then able to 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 widely acclaimed for its ability to 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.