15 Reasons To Not Ignore 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 assist those who's financial security has been affected due to exposure to the hazardous mineral. Compensation can cover medical costs funeral and burial expenses as well as pain and suffering and the loss of quality of life.

Our attorneys are involved in the mass litigation of toxic torts on a national, regional and local level. As such, we are familiar with the particular issues and complicated science associated asbestos cases.

New York asbestos attorney Lawsuits

Asbestos fibers are deadly and can cause serious medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is adept at dealing with asbestos lawsuits, which seek compensation for victims and their families due to exposure to this toxic substance. These cases can be extremely complex, and it is critical to have a mesothelioma expert lawyer on your side.

New York has had a long-running history of asbestos litigation, and many residents were exposed to this dangerous substance. In recent years, there have been more claims against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases result from the recognition of a link between asbestos and diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer and asbestosis. The companies were aware of the dangers that asbestos posed however, they failed to inform their employees and customers.

New York City is especially susceptible to diseases caused by asbestos because of its older structures and construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously toxic area that continues to impact the surrounding community.

Mesothelioma is triggered by exposure to asbestos in direct contact, and many workers were exposed to it in the workplace. In addition, exposure to asbestos through secondhand sources can result in mesothelioma. This includes spouses who wear husband's clothes to work and come into contact with asbestos dust on a regular basis.

The litigation associated with mesothelioma can be costly for defendants, especially when they are incorrectly 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 is expected to increase even more. This type of litigation is typically supported by asbestos law firms that advertise on television during the day and encourage victims to file claims, with the promise of huge settlements.

The defendants might be able to reduce some of the costs of these cases by arguing that their policy periods are expired or that they are only responsible only for a small proportion of the value of the claim. However, New York law has not provided a definitive rule on how to divide liabilities when the alleged exposure is outside of the policy period of the insurer.

Asbestos-Related Diseases

Exposure to asbestos can trigger various ailments. The most severe condition is mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is the cause of death of many people. Other asbestos-related diseases include asbestosis and lung cancer. Pleural plaques and pleural effusion are also asbestos-related.

Mesothelioma, a rare, but fatal condition is caused by asbestos fibers which collect in the lungs. They then cause irritation to the linings of the ribcage (the the pleura), chest cavity and abdominal cavity. Inhaling these tiny fibers can result in scarring of the lungs, a condition known as asbestosis and sometimes the development of thickened patches on the pleura referred to as plaques of pleura or an enlargement of fibrosis in the pleura called diffused pleural fibrisis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis can reduce lung capacity as determined by a breathing test. They can also cause pain and difficulty in breathing, however they don't cause cancer or mesothelioma.

The signs of asbestos-related illness typically are not evident until years after the initial exposure. This is because it can take between 20 to 50 years for the exposure to asbestos fibers to damage the lungs. People at risk of developing mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases include those who handled, laundered and removed asbestos-containing products from their workplaces and their spouses and children of asbestos-related exposure.

Other asbestos-related diseases in addition to mesothelioma include laryngeal carcinoma and lung cancer and peritoneal, ovarian and peritoneal cancer. Ovarian cancer is the most fatal mesothelioma that women suffer from, but it is less common than mesothelioma in general. It is diagnosed later than other mesothelioma types, because it is found within the linings of reproductive organs. The symptoms may be similar to other diseases.

A number of companies used asbestos in the 20th century. They knew it was dangerous. When they failed to remove asbestos from their products, thousands of people were exposed. Now, those exposed are able to claim financial compensation. Many asbestos-related manufacturers are bankrupt. In the aftermath, victims can seek the compensation they are entitled to from trust funds set up by the bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

For decades, asbestos companies have put profits ahead of the safety of their employees and consumers, producing dangerous products without warning of the dangers. These companies are now facing the consequences of their inattention. People who have suffered from asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and full settlement.

Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals receive the justice they deserve. Our lawyers have more than 25 years experience and have helped our clients receive millions of dollars of compensation. Our New York mesothelioma lawyers work to hold responsible large corporations accountable and to secure the maximum amount of compensation for our clients.

A number of states have set up asbestos courts that are specifically designed so that claims can be filed more efficiently. Additionally judges have developed special procedures for evaluating and resolving asbestos cases.

New York, a state which has its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL) is one of them. As asbestos victims continue to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants that have gone bankrupt, the caseload of the court has steadily increased. The New York Supreme Court created an additional judicial board that will oversee NYCAL to stop the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.

A panel composed of six Supreme Court judges will review every case filed in NYCAL to determine whether to accept or reject it. Judges will also evaluate the merits of each case to decide how much money the plaintiff is entitled to.

The panel is currently examining more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to issue its final ruling at the end of this year.

New York asbestos lawsuits can be complex and involve multiple defendants. Belluck and Fox's lawyers have vast experience in defending these complicated matters. They are knowledgeable of the asbestos courts in New York as well as their rules regulations, policies and guidelines, as well as other jurisdictions where they have handled multi-district litigation.

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

Representation of Plaintiffs

A Tulsa asbestos lawyer (more info here) will determine what strategy is most effective to defend the client against a personal injury claim involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises manufacturers, suppliers and distributors, contractors, and property owners on issues involving mesothelioma claims, lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm also works with clients to develop internal programs for identifying and addressing potential safety and liability 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 capacity Bowles Rice devises litigation strategies and oversees local and region counsel to ensure a consistent and cost-effective defense in accordance with the client's goals. In addition, it plays a key role in the management of asbestos dockets, negotiations with counsel for plaintiffs and leads discovery for its clients.

The firm's lawyers are skilled in defending clients from claims of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense lawyers are familiar with the complex science that is associated with these cases, and the unique legal issues that arise when representing companies in state and federal courts across the United States.

Catherine has represented a variety of companies in asbestos and products liability personal injury cases, representing them as lead trial counsel and in consolidated trials involving multiple plaintiffs. She has extensive experience in litigating asbestos-related lawsuits in the state and federal courts as well as various appellate and Supreme Court bodies.

During her tenure at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos cases for respondents, including those in the Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The case files contained SEAR forms (Short Evaluative reports that are encapsulated) which contained confidential information about plaintiffs. These included medical reports, work histories, and an inventory of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs used or worked near. Vogel was required to have access to the files and was able to review the SEAR forms of any case she had with 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 well-known throughout the country for its ability to negotiate settlements on behalf of its clients. In this capacity, the firm collaborates closely with lawyers representing plaintiffs in the development and execution of settlement agreements. It also has extensive experience in defending businesses against appeals.