Now That You've Purchased Asbestos Defense Attorney ... Now What?

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 whose financial security has been affected by exposure to the toxic mineral. Compensation can cover medical costs funeral and burial costs, loss of quality of life, and pain and suffering.

Our lawyers serve as national, regional and local counsel in large toxic tort litigation. As such, we are familiar with the particular issues and the complex science that go along asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos fibers can be deadly and can cause serious medical conditions such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is skilled in handling asbestos lawsuits that seek financial compensation for the victims and their families who have been exposed to this harmful substance. These cases can be complex and therefore it is essential to have a mesothelioma lawyer to assist you.

New York has a long history of asbestos litigation and many residents have been exposed to this hazardous material. 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 connection between asbestos and diseases like mesothelioma and lung cancer and asbestosis. These companies were aware the dangers that asbestos posed however, they failed to inform the employees and the public.

New York City is especially susceptible to illnesses caused by asbestos due to its older structures and construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously toxic area that continues to affect the community around it.

Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos in direct contact and a lot of workers were exposed to it at work. However, some people are diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of exposure to harmful substances. This is especially true for spouses who wear husband's clothing at work and come in contact with asbestos dust frequently.

The mesothelioma litigation can be expensive for defendants, particularly if they are wrongfully named as a defendant. According to a study, more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed in New York courts since 2014, and the number could increase further. This niche litigation is often driven by asbestos law firms that promote on daytime television and encourage victims to file claims, with the promise of large settlements.

Defendants might be able to mitigate some of the costs associated with these cases by arguing that their policy periods expire or they are only responsible for a tiny percentage of the total value of the claim. However, New York law has not set out a clear policy regarding how to allocate liabilities when the alleged exposure occurs partly in and out of the insurer's policy periods.

Asbestos-related illnesses

Exposure to asbestos can cause a wide range of ailments. The most serious condition is mesothelioma. Many have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related illnesses include asbestosis and lung cancer. 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 cause irritation to the linings of the ribcage (the the pleura), chest cavity, and abdominal cavity. Inhaling these fibers can lead to scarring of the lungs, known as asbestosis. It can also lead to thickened patches of pleura (pleural plaques) or a more extensive fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrosis decrease lung capacity as measured by breathing tests. They can also cause pain and difficulty in breathing, however they do not lead mesothelioma or cancer.

The signs of asbestos-related illness typically do not manifest until decades after the initial exposure. It can take up to 50 years for asbestos fibers that are inhaled to cause lung damage. Workers who handled, cleaned and removed asbestos from their workplaces and their children, spouses, and others exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing mesothelioma.

In addition to mesothelioma, other asbestos-related diseases include laryngeal cancer, lung cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma and mesothelioma of the ovary. The most dangerous form of mesothelioma is called ovarian cancer, however it is less frequent than the general mesothelioma. It is diagnosed later than most other types of mesothelioma, because it develops in the linings of reproductive organs. The symptoms can be similar to other illnesses.

Several companies used asbestos during the 20th century. They were aware that it was hazardous. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos if they didn't eliminate it from their products. Now, those exposed have the right to seek financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are insolvent. In the aftermath, victims can seek the money they are entitled to from trust funds established by the bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

Asbestos companies have put profit over the safety of their workers and consumers for decades making dangerous products, without warning of the dangers. These companies are now paying for their carelessness. People who have suffered from life-altering issues caused by mesothelioma and lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases 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 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. In addition, judges have established specific procedures to evaluate and resolve asbestos cases.

New York, a state which has its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL) is one of them. The caseload in this specialty court has increased steadily, as asbestos victims are becoming more and more likely to seek compensation from solvent former asbestos defendants who have gone bankrupt. To ensure that the justice system does not get overloaded 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 in NYCAL to determine whether to accept or reject it. Judges will also consider the merits of each case to determine how much a plaintiff should be awarded.

The panel is currently examining more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected issue its final decision by the end this year.

New York asbestos compensation lawsuits are usually complex and involve allegations of several defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience in the litigation of these difficult matters. They are knowledgeable of New York's asbestos courts, including their rules, regulations and policies, as well as other jurisdictions where they have handled multi-district litigation.

The firm also has vast experience as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients throughout the nation in multi-district litigation that is complex and complex. In this role, attorneys create strategies, coordinate and oversee regional and local counsel and ensure cost-effective, consistent defenses for each client. They have worked closely with coordinating and trial judges and special masters of litigation in the various jurisdictions where they were involved in asbestos litigation.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will determine which strategy is best to defend the client in a personal injury lawsuit involving 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 illnesses. The firm collaborates with clients to develop internal programs to deal with potential liability and safety issues.

In addition to its asbestos practice in the national level, Bowles Rice serves as national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this role the firm designs litigation strategies, supervises regional and local counsel and provides a cost-effective and consistent defense in coordination with client goals. It also plays an important role in the administration and management of asbestos dockets as well in negotiations with plaintiffs' lawyers and in coordinating discovery for its client.

The firm's lawyers have a wealth of 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 complex scientific issues involved in these cases, as well as unique legal issues that arise when defending businesses before federal and state courts across the United States.

Catherine has represented a variety of manufacturers as lead trial counsel in asbestos and personal injury lawsuits involving product liability, and in cases that have been consolidated involving multiple claimants. She has a wealth of experience litigating asbestos-related cases in state and federal courts, as well as before a variety of 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 included SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports) that contained confidential information about the plaintiffs, such as medical reports, work history, and a list of asbestos legal products that plaintiffs worked with or around. Vogel was required to have access to the files and was able to go through the SEAR forms of any case with her current employer.

The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to its extensive experience in trial and appellate work, is widely acclaimed for its ability to negotiate settlements for its clients. In this capacity, the company works closely with plaintiffs' lawyers in the development and execution of settlement agreements, and it has a vast experience in defending companies against appeals.