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 affected by exposure to this harmful mineral. Compensation could cover medical expenses funeral and burial costs, loss of quality of life, and suffering and pain.
Our lawyers are involved in the mass litigation of toxic torts on a national, regional and local scale. As our lawyers are well-versed with the particular issues and complicated science associated asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos is a harmful fiber that can trigger a variety of severe medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is experienced in dealing with asbestos lawsuits, which seek compensation for victims and their families who have been exposed to this harmful substance. These cases can be a bit complicated and therefore it is essential to have a mesothelioma lawyer on your side.
New York has a long history of asbestos litigation, and many residents have been exposed to this dangerous material. 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 can cause illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer. These companies were aware asbestos' dangers however, they failed to inform the employees and the public.
The New York City area is particularly susceptible to asbestos-related illnesses due to its older structures and the numerous construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously hazardous area that continues to affect the community around it.
Mesothelioma can be caused by exposure to asbestos directly and many workers were exposed at work. In addition, exposure to asbestos through secondhand sources can cause mesothelioma. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposed workers who wore their husband's work clothes and came in contact with asbestos dust regularly.
The mesothelioma lawsuit can be costly for defendants. This is particularly relevant if they've been wrongly named as defendants. A study shows that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could grow. This kind of litigation is usually driven by asbestos law firms, which advertise on daytime television and encourage victims to file claims, with the promise of large settlements.
The defendants might be able to reduce the cost of these cases by arguing their policies are in a lapse or that they are only responsible for only for a small proportion of the amount claimed. However, New York law has not set out a clear policy on how to allocate liability when the alleged exposure occurs partly within and outside the policy period of the insurer.
Asbestos-related illnesses
A myriad of asbestos-related illnesses can be triggered because of exposure to the mineral that causes cancer. The mesothelioma condition is the most serious. Many 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 condition that is caused by asbestos fibers that are found in the lungs. They then cause irritation to the linings of the ribcage (the Pleura), chest cavity and abdominal cavity. Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause scarring in the lungs, called asbestosis. It can also cause 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 breathing problems and pain, though they do not lead to cancer or mesothelioma.
The signs of asbestos-related illness typically are not evident until years after initial exposure. This is because it could take between 20 to 50 years for the exposure to asbestos fibers to damage the lungs. People at risk of developing mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related conditions include workers who handled, cleaned and removed asbestos-containing materials from the workplace, as well as spouses and children of those exposed to asbestos.
Other asbestos-related diseases apart from mesothelioma, include lung cancer and laryngeal carcinoma, peritoneal, ovarian, and peritoneal cancer. Ovarian cancer is the most fatal mesothelioma type for women however, it is much less common than mesothelioma in general. It is diagnosed later than other types of mesothelioma because it develops within the linings of reproductive organs. Symptoms can be similar to other diseases.
A number of companies used asbestos in the 20th century, but they knew that it was a risk. When they failed to remove it from their products, thousands of people were exposed. Now, those exposed are able to sue for financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are insolvent. 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 companies have put profits ahead of the security of their employees and consumers, producing dangerous products, without warning of the dangers. They are now paying for their inattention to. People who's lives have been affected by mesothelioma and lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses are seeking fair and full compensation.
Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals get 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 attorneys work to hold large corporations accountable and obtain the maximum amount of compensation for our clients.
A number of states have established special asbestos courts in which claims can be filed and resolving more efficiently. In addition, 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 in this court has increased steadily, as more and more asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants who went bankrupt. In order to ensure that the justice system is not overwhelmed, the New York Supreme Court has created an additional judicial panel that will oversee NYCAL.
A panel comprised of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine whether it should be accepted or rejected. Judges will also evaluate the merits of each case to decide how much money a plaintiff should be awarded.
At present, the panel is studying more than 3,500 lawsuits. The panel is expected issue its final decision by the end of the year.
New York asbestos lawsuits can be complex and involve several defendants. Belluck and Fox's lawyers have a wealth of experience in the litigation of these difficult matters. They are well-versed in the rules regulations, rules, and policies 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 multidistrict litigation that is complex and complex. In this role, attorneys develop strategies, coordinate and manage regional and local counsel, and ensure cost-effective, consistent defenses for each client. They have worked closely with trial judges, coordinating judges and special masters of litigation from various jurisdictions.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will decide which strategy is best to defend the client in a personal injury lawsuit involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises suppliers, manufacturers, contractors, distributors and property owners on issues that involve mesothelioma claims, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm also assists clients to develop internal programs for identifying and addressing safety and liability concerns.
Richmond asbestos lawyers 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 designs strategies for litigation, oversees local and regional counsel, and provides a cost-effective and consistent defense, in line with client objectives. It also plays a significant part in the administration and management of asbestos dockets, as well as negotiations with plaintiffs' attorneys and leading discovery for its clients.
The attorneys of the firm have extensive trial and appellate experience defending clients against claims made by injured claimants, which includes those who claim mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense lawyers are familiar with the complex science that is associated with these cases, as well as the unique legal issues that arise when defending companies in state and federal courts across the United States.
Catherine has represented numerous companies in asbestos and products liability personal injury cases, representing them as lead trial counsel and in consolidated trials that involved multiple claimants. She has extensive experience arguing asbestos-related lawsuits before federal and state courts as well as various appellate and Supreme Court bodies.
During her time at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those of respondents of the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files included SEAR forms (Short Evaluative Reports Encapsulated) which contained confidential information about the plaintiffs. This included medical reports as well as work histories and the list of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs used or worked near. Vogel was required to have access to a password to access the files. She could then go through any SEAR forms from her current employer.
The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to its extensive experience in appellate and trial work, is nationally recognized for its ability to successfully reach settlements on behalf of its clients. In this capacity, the company collaborates with plaintiffs' lawyers in the development and execution of settlement agreements, and it has a vast experience in defending companies against appeals.