14 Questions You Might Be Afraid To Ask About 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 lawyer can protect the financial security of those who have been harmed through exposure to this dangerous mineral. Compensation can cover medical costs, funeral and burial expenses as well as pain and suffering and the loss of quality of life.
Our lawyers are local, regional, and national counsel in massive toxic tort litigation. As our lawyers are well-versed with the unique issues and complex science associated asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos fibers can be deadly and can trigger serious medical conditions like mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is adept at handling asbestos lawsuits that seek compensation for victims and their families who have been exposed to this toxic substance. These cases can be complex, and it is critical to have an experienced mesothelioma lawsuits law firm on your side.
New York has had a long-running history of asbestos litigation, and many residents were exposed to this hazardous substance. In recent years there have been more claims against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases stem from the recognition of a link between asbestos and certain diseases such as mesothelioma lawyers and lung cancer and asbestosis. The companies were aware of the dangers that asbestos posed, but failed to warn their employees and customers.
The New York City area is particularly prone to asbestos-related diseases because of its older structures and a myriad of construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic site that continues to have an impact on the community surrounding it.
Many workers were exposed to asbestos at work. Exposure to asbestos from the outside can cause mesothelioma. This includes spouses who wear their husband's clothes at work and come in contact with asbestos dust frequently.
The mesothelioma lawsuit is costly for defendants, especially when they are mistakenly identified 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 grow. Specialized asbestos law firms typically advertise on daytime TV and encourage victims to file claims with the promise that they will receive substantial settlements.
The defendants may be able mitigate some of the costs associated with these cases by arguing that their policy periods have expired or they are only responsible for a tiny percentage of the total amount of the claim. However, New York law has not set out a clear policy on how to divide liabilities when the alleged exposure is within and outside the insurer's policy periods.
Asbestos-related Illnesses
A variety of asbestos-related illnesses can be triggered because of exposure to the mineral that causes cancer. The condition known as mesothelioma is the most severe. Many people have died due to mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques, and the pleural effusion.
Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal illness caused by exposure to asbestos fibers which accumulate in the lungs and irritate the lining of the ribcage, chest cavity and abdominal cavity (the Pleura). Inhaling these tiny fibers can result in scarring of the lungs called asbestosis, and occasionally, the development of thickened patches on the pleura referred to as plaques on the pleura, or an enlargement of fibrosis in the pleura, referred to as diffused pleural fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrosis reduce lung capacity as determined by breathing tests. They can also cause pain and difficulties in breathing, but they don't cause mesothelioma or cancer.
The symptoms of asbestos-related diseases typically do not manifest until decades after exposure. It can take up to 50 years for asbestos fibers inhaled to cause lung damage. Workers who handled, cleaned, and removed asbestos from the workplace and their children, spouses and others who were 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 ovarian mesothelioma lawyer. The most deadly form of mesothelioma is called ovarian cancer, however it is less common than the general mesothelioma lawyers. It is usually diagnosed later than other forms of mesothelioma since it is a cancer that develops in the lining of the reproductive organs, and the symptoms may be similar to symptoms of other illnesses.
A number of companies used asbestos in the 20th century. They were aware that it was a risk. If they didn't remove asbestos from their products thousands of people were exposed. They can now seek financial compensation. Many asbestos-related manufacturers are bankrupt. In the aftermath, victims can seek the compensation they deserve from the trust funds set up by the bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
Asbestos companies have put profit before the safety of their employees and customers for a long time making dangerous products, without warning about the risks. These companies are now confronting the consequences of their negligence. People who have suffered from life-altering issues caused by mesothelioma, cancer of the lung and other asbestos-related illnesses are seeking fair and full settlement.
The attorneys at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to helping 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 corporations accountable and seek the highest amount of compensation for their clients.
Many states have established asbestos courts that are specifically designed so that claims can be filed more efficiently. Judges have also created specialized procedures to evaluate and resolve these cases.
New York, a state that has its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL) is one of them. The number of cases filed in this court has been increasing steadily as more and more 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 composed of six Supreme Court judges will review each case in NYCAL to decide whether or not to accept it. Judges will also evaluate the merits of each case to decide how much money a plaintiff should be awarded.
The panel is currently examining more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to issue its final decision before the end of the year.
New York asbestos lawsuits can be complicated and involve several defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience in the litigation of these difficult cases. 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 extensive experience in serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients across the country in multi-district, complex litigation. In this role lawyers formulate strategies, oversee local and regional counsel, and ensure consistent and efficient defenses for clients. They have been in close contact with trial judges, coordinating judges, and special masters of litigation from various jurisdictions.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A knowledgeable Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best approach to defend a client against a claim for personal injury resulting from asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, contractors, and property owners on issues concerning mesothelioma-related claims, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm collaborates with clients on developing internal programs to identify and deal with potential liability and safety issues.
Bowles Rice in addition to its national asbestos practice and multi-state asbestos litigation, is also the national Coordinating counsel. In this role Bowles Rice devises litigation strategies and manages local and region counsel to ensure a consistent and cost-effective defence in coordination with the client's objectives. In addition, it plays a key part in the administration of asbestos dockets and negotiations with counsel for plaintiffs and lead discovery for its clients.
The firm's lawyers have experience in defending clients from claims of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense lawyers are acquainted with the complex scientific issues involved in these cases as well as unique legal issues that arise while defending companies before federal and state courts across the United States.
Catherine has represented a variety of manufacturers in asbestos and products liability personal injury cases, representing them as lead trial counsel and in consolidated trials involving multiple claimants. She has a wealth of experience litigating asbestos-related lawsuits in the state and federal courts, as well as a variety of Supreme Court and appellate courts.
During her time at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those involving respondents of the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files contained SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports), which contained confidential information about claimants, such as medical reports, work histories and an inventory of asbestos-related products that the plaintiff worked with or around. Vogel required a password in order to access the files. Then, she could look over any SEAR forms that she received from her current employer.
The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to having extensive experience in trial and appellate work, is nationally recognized for its ability to successfully negotiate settlements for clients. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs’ lawyers to develop and execute settlement agreements. The firm also has extensive experience in defending businesses against appeals.