Why We Enjoy Asbestos Defense Attorney And You Should Too
An Asbestos Defense Attorney Can Help Protect the Financial Security of Those Harmed by Exposure to This Harmful Mineral
An asbestos defense lawyer can protect the financial security of those who have been affected through exposure to this dangerous mineral. Compensation can cover medical costs, funeral and burial costs, lost quality of life, and suffering and pain.
Our attorneys are involved in mass toxic tort litigation on a regional, national and local scale. As as such, we are acquainted with the unique issues and complicated science associated with asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos fibers are dangerous and can cause serious medical conditions like mesothelioma lawsuits. A New York asbestos attorney is adept at handling lawsuits seeking financial compensation for victims of asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be a bit complicated and therefore it is essential to have a mesothelioma attorney to assist you.
New York has a long history of asbestos litigation and many residents have been exposed to the dangerous material. In recent years there have been more lawsuits against asbestos producers from the past than before. These cases are the result of the recognition that asbestos can cause illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer. These companies were aware asbestos's dangers but did not take the time to warn the employees and the public.
The New York City area is particularly susceptible to asbestos-related illnesses because of its older structures and a myriad of construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously toxic area that continues to impact the surrounding community.
Many workers were exposed to asbestos in the workplace. However, many people are diagnosed with mesothelioma after experiencing secondhand exposure to the harmful substances. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposed workers who had their husbands' work clothes and came into contact with asbestos dust on a regular basis.
The mesothelioma lawsuit can be expensive for defendants, especially when they are incorrectly named as defendants. 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 type of litigation is typically fueled by specialized asbestos law firms, which advertise on television during the day and encourage victims to file claims with the promise of substantial settlements.
The defendants might be able to reduce the cost of these cases by arguing that their policies are in a lapse or that they only have to pay a small portion of the claim value. However, New York law has not set out a clear policy regarding how to allocate liabilities when the alleged exposure occurs partly within and outside the insurance company's policy.
Asbestos-related Illnesses
A myriad of asbestos-related illnesses can be triggered due to exposure to the toxic mineral. The most serious of these is mesothelioma. Many people have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer asbestosis, pleural plaques and pleural effusion.
mesothelioma lawyers 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 chest cavity, ribcage and abdominal cavity (the Pleura). Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause scarring in the lungs. This is known as asbestosis. It can also lead to thickened pleura patches (pleural plaques) or a more extensive fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis could reduce lung capacity as measured by breathing test. They can also cause pain and difficulties in breathing, however they do not lead cancer or mesothelioma.
Most of the time, symptoms of asbestos-related diseases do not appear until decades after the initial exposure. It could take up to 50 years for asbestos fibers inhaled to cause lung damage. People who are at risk of developing mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related diseases include those who handled, washed and removed asbestos-containing products from the workplace and spouses and children of those exposed to asbestos.
Other asbestos-related diseases, apart from mesothelioma, include laryngeal carcinoma and lung cancer as well as peritoneal, ovarian and peritoneal cancer. Ovarian cancer is among the most deadly mesothelioma type for women however, it is much less common than mesothelioma in general. It is diagnosed later than most other types of mesothelioma, because it occurs in the linings of the reproductive organs. Symptoms can be similar to those of other illnesses.
There were many companies that employed asbestos in the 20th century, but they were aware that it was dangerous. If they didn't remove it from their products, thousands of people were exposed. Now, these people are able to seek financial compensation. Many of the asbestos-related manufacturers have filed for bankruptcy. The victims are now able to seek compensation from the trust funds created by bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
Asbestos-related companies have put profit before the safety of their workers and consumers for decades making dangerous products, without warning of the dangers. They are now paying for their inattention to. People who's lives have been affected by mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases are seeking fair and full settlement.
The attorneys at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to helping individuals and families get the justice they deserve. 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 corporations accountable and obtain the maximum amount of compensation for our clients.
Many states have set up special asbestos courts in which claims can be filed and resolved more efficiently. Additionally, judges have established specialized procedures to evaluate and resolve asbestos cases.
New York is one such state with its own asbestos court known as NYCAL. The caseload in this specialty court has grown steadily, as asbestos victims are becoming more and more likely to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants who went bankrupt. The New York Supreme Court created an extra judicial board to supervise NYCAL in order to prevent the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.
A panel of six Supreme Court judges will review each case in NYCAL to determine whether or not to take it up with it. Judges will also assess the merits of each claim to determine the amount of amount of money each plaintiff should receive.
At present, the panel is studying more than 3,500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to make a final decision by the end of this year.
New York asbestos lawsuits are usually complex and include allegations of multiple defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience in the litigation of these complicated issues. They are well-versed in the rules, regulations, and policies of the asbestos courts in New York, as well as the laws of other jurisdictions in which they have handled multidistrict litigation.
The firm also has vast experience in serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients nationwide in multi-district, complex litigation. In this capacity, attorneys develop strategies, coordinate and oversee regional and local counsel, and ensure consistent and cost-effective defenses for each client. They have worked closely with trial judges, coordinating judges and litigation special masters from various jurisdictions.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A knowledgeable Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best way to defend a client from a claim for personal injury resulting from asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels suppliers, manufacturers contractors, distributors, contractors, and property owners on matters involving claims of mesothelioma and lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm works with clients in the development of internal programs to identify and deal with potential liability and safety concerns.
Bowles Rice, in addition to its asbestos practice in the national level and multi-state asbestos litigation, serves as national Coordinating counsel. In this role, Bowles Rice develops litigation strategies and manages local and region counsel to achieve a consistent and cost-effective defence in coordination with the client's needs. It also plays a major part in the administration and management of asbestos dockets, as well in negotiations with plaintiffs' attorneys and in coordinating discovery for its client.
The attorneys of the firm have a wealth of trial and appellate experience in defending clients against claims made by injured claimants, such as those who are claiming mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are familiar with the intricate science involved with these cases, as well as the unique legal issues that arise when defending businesses before federal and state courts across the United States.
Catherine has defended numerous manufacturers in asbestos and product liability personal injury cases, representing them as the lead counsel in consolidated trials involving multiple claimants. She has a wealth of experience litigating asbestos-related lawsuits before the state and federal courts, as well as a variety of Supreme Court and appellate courts.
While at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos cases for respondents, including those in the Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The cases files included SEAR forms (Short Evaluative reports that are encapsulated) which contained confidential data about the plaintiffs. The files contained medical reports and work histories, as well as the list of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs used or worked near. Vogel was required to have an account password to access the files and was able to go through the SEAR forms of any case with her current employer.
In addition to its extensive trial and appellate experience, the Bowles Rice Asbestos Team is recognized nationally 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 defending businesses against appeals.