15 Reasons Not To Overlook Asbestos Defense Attorney
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 expenses funeral and burial costs as well as pain and suffering and the loss of quality of life.
Our attorneys serve as national, regional and local counsel in large toxic tort litigation. As a result, we are knowledgeable about the specific issues and complex aspects of science of asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos fibers are deadly and can trigger serious medical conditions such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney is experienced in handling lawsuits seeking financial compensation for victims of asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be complicated 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 dangerous substance. In recent times there have been more lawsuits against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases are a result of the recognition of a link between asbestos and diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer and asbestosis. These companies knew of the dangers of the hazardous mineral, but failed to warn their employees and clients.
The New York City area is particularly susceptible to asbestos-related illnesses due to its older structures and a myriad of 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. However, many people are diagnosed with mesothelioma after experiencing exposure to harmful substances. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposure workers who had their husbands' work clothes and came into contact with asbestos dust regularly.
The mesothelioma litigation can be expensive for defendants, especially when they are incorrectly named 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. Specialized asbestos law firms often advertise on television during the day and encourage victims to file claims under the premise that they will receive substantial settlements.
Defendants may be able to reduce some of the costs arising from these cases by asserting that their policy periods have expired or they are only responsible for a small percentage of the total value of the claim. New York law does not have a clear rule on how to divide responsibility when the alleged exposure is of the insurance policies.
Asbestos-related diseases
A variety of asbestos-related illnesses can develop because of exposure to the mineral that causes cancer. The most severe condition is mesothelioma. Many people have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos compensation-related diseases include lung cancer and asbestosis. Pleural plaques and pleural effusion are also asbestos-related.
Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal illness that is caused by exposure to asbestos fibers which accumulate 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 called asbestosis. It can also lead to thickened patches of pleura (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 discomfort in breathing, but they are not the cause of cancer or mesothelioma.
The symptoms of asbestos-related diseases typically are not evident until years after the initial exposure. It can take as long as 50 years for asbestos fibers inhaled to cause lung damage. Workers who handled, cleaned, and removed asbestos from their workplaces and their spouses, children, and others exposed to asbestos are at risk for developing mesothelioma.
As well as mesothelioma, other asbestos-related diseases include laryngeal cancer, lung cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma and ovarian mesothelioma. Ovarian cancer is among the most deadly mesothelioma that women suffer from however it is much less prevalent than mesothelioma in general. It is typically diagnosed later than other types of mesothelioma because it develops in the tissues of the reproductive organs and the symptoms may be similar to those of other illnesses.
A number of companies used asbestos in the 20th century, but they were aware that it was hazardous. If they didn't remove asbestos from their products thousands of people were exposed. These people now are able to seek financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are insolvent. In the aftermath, victims are able to seek the compensation they deserve from the trust funds established by the bankruptcy courts.
asbestos lawsuit Litigation in New York
Asbestos companies have put profit over the safety of their employees and customers for a long time creating dangerous products without warning about the risks. These companies are now paying for their negligence. People who have suffered from asbestos-related illnesses such as mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and complete settlement.
Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals obtain the justice they deserve. With more than 25 years of experience in the field, we have secured a million of dollars in compensation for our clients. Our New York mesothelioma lawyers work to hold responsible large corporations accountable and seek the highest amount of compensation for our clients.
Many states have created special asbestos courts, where claims can be filed more efficiently. Judges have also developed specific procedures to assess and resolve these cases.
New York is one such state that has its own asbestos court, known as NYCAL. As asbestos victims continue to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants that have been bankrupt and have been unable to pay, the workload of the court has been steadily increasing. The New York Supreme Court created an extra judicial board to oversee NYCAL to stop the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.
A panel of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine whether it should be accepted or not. Judges will also evaluate the merits of each case to determine how much a plaintiff should receive.
The panel is currently reviewing more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to make a final decision before the end of the year.
New York asbestos lawsuits are often complex and involve several defendants. Belluck and Fox's lawyers have vast experience in defending these complicated cases. They are well-versed in the asbestos courts of New York as well as their rules and regulations and other jurisdictions where they have handled multi-district litigation.
The firm has also extensive experience as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in complex, multidistrict litigation. In this role lawyers devise strategies, oversee local and regional counsel, and ensure that they are able to provide consistent and effective defenses for clients. They have been in close contact with trial judges, coordination judges, and special masters of litigation from different jurisdictions.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A skilled Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best way to defend a client from an asbestos personal injury claim. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels suppliers, manufacturers contractors, distributors, contractors, and property owners in cases involving claims for mesothelioma and lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm also assists clients to create internal programs to identify and addressing safety and liability concerns.
In addition to its national asbestos practice, Bowles Rice serves as national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this capacity the firm designs litigation strategies, supervises local and regional counsel, and achieves consistent and cost-effective defense that is in sync with the client's goals. It also plays a significant part in the administration and management of asbestos dockets, as well as negotiations with plaintiffs' attorneys and coordinating discovery for its client.
The attorneys of the firm have extensive trial and appellate experience, defending clients against claims by injured claimants, including those who claim mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are familiar with the intricate research and technology involved in these cases, as and specific legal issues that arise while defending companies before state and federal courts throughout the United States.
Catherine has represented a variety of manufacturers as lead trial counsel in asbestos and personal injury lawsuits related to product liability and in cases that have been consolidated involving multiple plaintiffs. She has extensive experience litigating asbestos-related lawsuits in the federal and state courts, as well as various Supreme Court and appellate courts.
While at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos cases for respondents, including those at the Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The cases files contained SEAR forms (Short encapsulated Evaluative reports) which contained confidential information about the plaintiffs. The files contained medical reports as well as work histories and an inventory of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs used or worked near. Vogel required access to a password to access the files. Then, she could go through any SEAR forms from her current employer.
The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to its vast experience in appellate and trial work, is nationally recognized for its ability to successfully negotiate settlements for its clients. In this capacity, the company works closely with lawyers representing plaintiffs in the preparation and execution of settlement agreements, and it has extensive experience defending companies against appeals.