10 Misconceptions That Your Boss May Have 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 assist in ensuring the financial security of those who have been affected by exposure to this toxic mineral. Compensation can cover medical costs, funeral and burial expenses, pain and suffering, and the loss of quality of life.

Our attorneys serve as local, regional and national counsel in mass 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 dangerous and can trigger serious medical conditions such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is skilled in handling asbestos lawsuits that seek financial compensation for victims and their families who have been exposed to this harmful substance. These cases can be extremely complex and therefore it is essential 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 dangerous material. In recent times there have been more lawsuits against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases are the result of the recognition that asbestos can cause diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. These companies were aware of the dangers associated with this asbestos claim-containing mineral, yet they didn't warn their employees and clients.

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

Many workers were exposed asbestos at work. In addition, exposure to asbestos through secondhand sources can cause mesothelioma. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposure workers who had their husbands' work clothes and came in contact with asbestos dust regularly.

The mesothelioma litigation can be costly for defendants, particularly if they are wrongfully named as a defendant. A study indicates that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could rise. The asbestos law firms that specialize in asbestos often advertise on TV during the day and encourage victims to file claims under the premise that they will receive substantial settlements.

Defendants may be able to lower some of the costs arising from these cases by arguing that their policy periods have expired or they're only responsible for a small percentage of the amount of the claim. However, New York law has not provided a definitive rule on how to divide liabilities when the alleged exposure occurs partly within and outside the policy period of the insurer.

Asbestos-related Illnesses

Exposure to asbestos can lead to various illnesses. The mesothelioma condition is the most severe. 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 is a rare, but fatal illness caused by exposure to asbestos fibers which accumulate in the lungs and cause irritation to the lining of the ribcage, chest cavity and abdominal cavity (the the pleura). The inhalation of these tiny fibers can result in scarring of the lungs called asbestosis, and, sometimes, the formation of thickened patches on the pleura called plaques on the pleura, or a more widespread fibrosis of the pleura called diffused pleural fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis may decrease lung capacity, as determined by a breathing test. They can also cause breathing problems and pain but they don't cause mesothelioma or cancer.

The signs of asbestos-related illness typically are not evident until years after the initial exposure. It can take as long as 50 years for asbestos-related fibers to be inhaled to cause lung damage. People at risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related conditions include workers who handled, laundered and removed asbestos-containing materials from their workplaces and their spouses and children of those exposed to asbestos.

As well as mesothelioma, other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma and mesothelioma of the ovary. The most fatal form of mesothelioma is ovarian cancer, but it's much less prevalent than mesothelioma in general. It is diagnosed later than other mesothelioma types, because it occurs within the linings of reproductive organs. Symptoms can be similar to other diseases.

There were many companies that used asbestos in the 20th century, however they knew that it was hazardous. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos if they didn't remove it from their products. These people now are able to sue for financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies have gone 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

Asbestos companies have put profit before the safety of their workers and their customers for decades making dangerous products, without warning about the risks. These companies are now paying for their inattention to. People who have suffered from asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and complete settlement.

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

Many states have created special asbestos courts, where claims can be filed more efficiently. Additionally judges have created special procedures to evaluate and resolve asbestos cases.

New York, a state with its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL), is one of the states. The caseload in this specialty court has grown steadily, as more and more asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent former asbestos defendants who have become bankrupt. The New York Supreme Court created a special judicial board to oversee NYCAL to stop the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.

A panel composed of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine if it is accepted or not. Judges will also evaluate the merits of each case to determine how much a plaintiff should receive.

The panel is currently examining more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected issue its final decision before the end of this year.

New York asbestos lawsuits can be complicated and involve several defendants. Belluck & Fox's lawyers have extensive experience in the litigation of these difficult cases. They are familiar with 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 as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients across the country in multi-district litigation that is complex and complex. In this role lawyers devise strategies, oversee local and regional counsel, and ensure consistent and efficient defenses for clients. They have worked closely with coordinating and trial judges and litigation special masters in various jurisdictions in which they have been involved in asbestos settlement litigation.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will determine what strategy is the best way to defend the client against an injury claim that involves asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels product manufacturers, suppliers contractors, distributors, contractors and premises owners on matters involving claims of mesothelioma and lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm also works with clients to create internal programs to identify and addressing safety and liability concerns.

In addition to its asbestos practice across the nation, Bowles Rice serves as the national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this capacity the firm formulates litigation strategies, manages regional and local counsel, and ensures a consistent and cost-effective defense in coordination with client objectives. It also plays an important part in the administration and management of asbestos dockets, as well in negotiations with plaintiffs' attorneys and coordinating discovery for its clients.

The attorneys of the firm have a wealth of trial and appellate experience in defending clients from claims brought by injured claimants, which includes those who are claiming mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense lawyers are familiar with the intricate science involved with these cases, as well as the particular legal issues that arise when defending businesses in federal and state courts across the United States.

Catherine has represented a variety of manufacturers as the lead trial counsel in asbestos and product liability personal injury lawsuits, and in consolidated cases involving multiple plaintiffs. She has substantial experience arguing asbestos-related cases in state and federal courts, as well as before various appellate and supreme court bodies.

While at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those for respondents of the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files included SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports), which contained confidential information about the plaintiffs, including medical reports, work histories, and an inventory of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs worked with or around. Vogel was required to use a password to access these files, and she could also review 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 well-known throughout the country 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. It also has a wealth of experience in defending businesses from appeals.