15 Reasons Why You Shouldn t Overlook 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 protect the financial security of those who have been injured by exposure to this toxic mineral. Compensation can 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 regional, national and local scale. As such, we are familiar with the unique issues and complex science associated with asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos is a harmful fiber that can cause numerous serious medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney is adept at handling lawsuits seeking the financial compensation of those affected by asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be a bit complicated and it's crucial to have a mesothelioma attorney on your side.
New York has had a long history with asbestos litigation and many residents were exposed to this dangerous substance. In recent years, there have been more lawsuits filed against asbestos producers from the past than before. These cases are a result of the recognition of a connection between asbestos and diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer and asbestosis. These companies were aware the dangers that asbestos posed but did not take the time 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.
Many workers were exposed to asbestos in their work environments. However, people also get diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of an exposure secondarily to the harmful substances. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposed workers who wore their husband's work clothes and came in contact with asbestos dust regularly.
The litigation associated with mesothelioma is costly for defendants, particularly when they are incorrectly named as a defendant. A study has revealed that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could rise. The asbestos law firms that specialize in asbestos often advertise on TV during the day and encourage victims to submit claims, promising they will receive significant settlements.
The defendants may be able lower some of the costs arising from these cases by argument that their policy terms expire or they are only accountable for a small portion of the amount of the claim. New York law does not have a clear rule on how to divide responsibility when the alleged exposure is part of the insurer's policies.
Asbestos-Related Illnesses
Exposure to asbestos can cause many different ailments. The mesothelioma lawsuit disease is the most severe. Many have died from mesothelioma lawyers. Other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer and asbestosis. Pleural plaques and pleural effusion are also asbestos-related.
Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal illness that is caused by exposure to asbestos fibers that collect in the lungs and irritate the lining of the ribcage, chest cavity and abdominal cavity (the Pleura). The inhalation of these small fibers can cause scarring to the lungs, a condition known as asbestosis and occasionally, the development of thickened patches on the pleura referred to as plaques of pleura or an enlargement of fibrosis in the pleura, referred to as diffused pleural fibrisis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis can reduce lung capacity, as measured by breathing test. They can also cause pain and difficulties in breathing, however they are not the cause of cancer or mesothelioma.
Most of the time, symptoms of asbestos-related diseases do not appear until decades after the initial exposure. This is because it can take between 20 to 50 years for exposure to asbestos fibers to damage the lungs. People who are at risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases include those who handled, washed and removed asbestos-containing materials from the workplace and spouses and children of those who were exposed to asbestos.
As well as mesothelioma, other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma, and mesothelioma of the ovary. The most dangerous mesothelioma lawyer type is ovarian cancer, but it's much less common than the general mesothelioma. It is diagnosed later than most other types of mesothelioma because it is found in the linings of reproductive organs. The symptoms may be similar to other diseases.
A number of companies used asbestos in the 20th century. They were aware that it was dangerous. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos when they didn't eliminate asbestos from their products. Now, those exposed have the right to sue for financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are bankrupt. This means that the victims are able to seek the compensation they are entitled to from trust funds established 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 confronting the consequences of their carelessness. People who's lives have been affected by mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases are seeking full and fair settlement.
The lawyers at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to helping families and individuals obtain the justice they deserve. Our lawyers have over 25 years of experience and have helped clients receive millions of dollars in compensation. Our New York mesothelioma lawyers work to hold accountable large corporations accountable and to obtain maximum compensation for our clients.
Many states have established special asbestos courts in which claims can be filed and resolving more efficiently. Additionally, judges have established specific procedures to evaluate and resolve asbestos cases.
New York is one such state, with its own asbestos court, known as NYCAL. The number of cases filed in this court has increased steadily, as increasing numbers of asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants who have become bankrupt. The New York Supreme Court created a special judicial board to oversee NYCAL in order to keep the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.
A panel of six Supreme Court judges will review each case in NYCAL to determine whether to accept or reject it. Judges will also consider the merits of each claim to determine how much a plaintiff should receive.
The panel is currently examining more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to make a final decision at the end of this year.
New York asbestos lawsuits can be complex and can involve multiple defendants. Belluck and Fox's lawyers have a wealth of experience in litigating these complex issues. They are well-versed in New York's asbestos courts as well as their rules, regulations and policies and other jurisdictions in which they have handled multi-district litigation.
The firm also has extensive experience serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients throughout the nation in multi-district litigation that is complex and complex. In this role, lawyers develop strategies, manage regional and local counsel, and ensure consistent and effective defenses for clients. They have been in close contact with trial judges, coordination judges and special masters of litigation from different jurisdictions.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will determine what strategy is the best way to defend the client from an injury claim that involves asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels product manufacturers, suppliers contractors, distributors, contractors and property owners in matters involving claims of mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm works with clients on developing internal programs to determine and resolve potential liability and safety issues.
In addition to its national asbestos practice, Bowles Rice serves as national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this capacity the firm formulates litigation strategies, manages regional and local counsel and ensures a consistent and cost-effective defense that is in sync with client objectives. It also plays a significant part in the administration and management of asbestos dockets as well as negotiations with plaintiffs' lawyers and in coordinating discovery for its client.
The attorneys of the firm have a wealth of trial and appellate experience, defending clients from claims brought by injured claimants, including those who are claiming mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense lawyers are familiar with the intricate scientific issues involved in these cases, as and unique legal issues that arise while representing companies in federal and state courts across the United States.
Catherine has defended numerous manufacturers in asbestos and product liability personal injury cases, defending them as the lead counsel in consolidated trials that involved multiple plaintiffs. She has extensive experience in litigating asbestos-related lawsuits before the state and federal courts, as well as a variety of Supreme Court and appellate bodies.
While at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those of respondents to the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The cases files included SEAR forms (Short encapsulated Evaluative reports) which contained confidential information about plaintiffs. This included medical reports, work histories, and the list of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs used or worked near. Vogel was required to have an account password to access the files. She could then go through any SEAR forms that she received from her current employer.
In addition to its extensive trial and appellate experience in addition to its extensive trial and appellate experience, the Bowles Rice Asbestos Team is well-known throughout the country for its ability to negotiate settlements on behalf of its clients. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs’ lawyers to create and implement settlement agreements. It also has extensive experience in defending businesses against appeals.