An Asbestos Claim Defense Attorney Can Help Protect the Financial Security of Those Harmed by Exposure to This Harmful Mineral

An asbestos defense lawyer can assist in ensuring the financial security of those injured by exposure to this toxic mineral. Compensation may cover medical costs, funeral and burial expenses as well as pain and suffering and lost quality of life.

Our attorneys serve as national, regional and local counsel in large toxic tort litigation. We are familiarized with the unique issues and complex aspects of science associated with asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos is a deadly fiber that can lead to a variety of severe medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. 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 extremely complex and it is crucial to have a reputable mesothelioma lawyer on your side.

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 filed against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases are a result of the realization that asbestos is associated with diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. These companies knew of the dangers associated with the hazardous mineral, but did not warn their employees and consumers.

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

Mesothelioma is caused by direct exposure to asbestos, and many workers were exposed to asbestos in the workplace. Exposure to asbestos from the outside can lead to mesothelioma. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposed workers who had their husbands' work clothes and came in contact with asbestos dust regularly.

The litigation associated with mesothelioma can be costly for defendants, particularly when they are mistakenly identified as defendants. A study has revealed that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could increase. This kind of litigation is usually fueled by specialized asbestos lawsuit law firms, which advertise on daytime television and encourage victims to file claims with the promise of huge settlements.

The defendants could be able to reduce some of the costs of these cases by arguing that their policy periods are expired or that they only have to pay only for a small proportion of the amount claimed. New York law does not have a clear rule on how to divide the liability if the alleged exposure is part of and outside the insurance policies.

Asbestos-Related Diseases

Exposure to asbestos can trigger a wide range of ailments. The mesothelioma disease 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 condition, is caused by asbestos fibers that collect in the lungs. They then irritate the linings of the ribcage (the the pleura) as well as the chest cavity and abdominal cavity. Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause scarring in the lungs. This is called asbestosis. It can also cause thickened pleura patches (pleural plaques) or an increase in fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrisis reduce lung capacity as measured by breathing tests. They can also cause pain and difficulty in breathing, however they do not lead cancer or mesothelioma.

Often, symptoms of asbestos claim-related diseases do not show up until decades after the initial exposure. This is because it could take between 20 and 50 years for the inhalation of asbestos-containing fibers to damage the lungs. The people at risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related ailments include those who handled, laundered and removed asbestos-containing products from their workplaces, as well as spouses and children of asbestos-related exposure.

In addition to mesothelioma other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma and ovarian mesothelioma. The most deadly 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 within the linings of reproductive organs. The symptoms can be similar to those of other illnesses.

Several companies used asbestos during the 20th century. They were aware that it was dangerous. When they failed to remove it from their products, thousands of people were exposed. The affected people are now able to seek financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies have gone bankrupt. The victims are now able to seek compensation from trust funds set up by bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

For decades, asbestos companies have put profits ahead of the safety of their employees and consumers by producing dangerous products, without warning of the dangers. They are now facing the consequences of their negligence. People who have suffered from life-altering issues caused by mesothelioma and lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses are seeking full and fair settlement.

Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals 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 resolving more efficiently. Judges have also created specific procedures to assess and resolve asbestos-related 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 asbestos victims are becoming more and more likely to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants who have become bankrupt. To ensure that the justice system does not get overloaded and overwhelmed, the New York Supreme Court has established an extra judicial panel to oversee NYCAL.

A panel comprised of six Supreme Court judges will review each case in NYCAL to decide whether or not to take it up with it. Judges will also assess the merits of every claim to determine the amount of amount of money each plaintiff should receive.

The panel is currently examining more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to make a final decision before the end of the year.

New York asbestos lawsuits can be complex and involve several defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience in the litigation of these complicated issues. They are well-versed in the asbestos courts of New York and their rules, regulations and policies in addition to other jurisdictions where they have handled multi-district litigation.

The firm also has vast experience in serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos legal litigation, representing clients throughout the nation in complex, multi-district litigation. In this capacity, attorneys develop strategies, coordinate and oversee local and regional counsel, and ensure cost-effective, consistent defenses for every client. They have worked closely with trial judges, coordinating judges and litigation special masters from various jurisdictions.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A skilled Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best strategy to defend a client in an asbestos-related personal injury claim. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, contractors and owners of premises on matters involving claims of mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm works with clients to develop internal programs to resolve potential liability and safety issues.

Bowles Rice In addition to its asbestos practice in the national level and multi-state asbestos litigation is also the national Coordinating Counsel. In this capacity, Bowles Rice develops strategies for litigation and supervises regional and local counsel to ensure a uniform and cost-effective defense that is in line with the client's objectives. It also plays a major role in the administration and management of asbestos dockets as well as negotiations with plaintiffs' attorneys and leading discovery for its clients.

The firm's attorneys are experienced in defending clients from mesothelioma-related claims and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are acquainted with the complex science associated with these cases, as well as the particular legal issues that arise when defending businesses 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 involving a variety of claimants. She has extensive experience litigating asbestos-related lawsuits in federal and state courts, as well as various Supreme Court and appellate courts.

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 contained SEAR forms (Short Evaluative Reports Encapsulated), which contained confidential information about claimants. These included medical reports and work histories, as well as an inventory of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs worked with or near. Vogel was required to have access to the files and was able to look over the SEAR forms of any case at 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 recognized nationally for its ability to negotiate settlements on behalf of its clients. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs’ lawyers to develop and execute settlement agreements. The firm also has extensive experience defending businesses against appeals.