The Biggest Problem With Asbestos Defense Attorney, And How You Can Fix It

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

A defense attorney for asbestos can protect those who's financial security was affected due to exposure to the hazardous mineral. Compensation can cover medical expenses funeral and burial costs, 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 scale. As such, we are familiar with the specific issues and complex science associated with asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos fibers are deadly and can trigger serious medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is experienced in handling asbestos lawsuits that seek financial compensation for the victims and their families for exposure to this harmful substance. These cases can be extremely complex and therefore it is essential to have an experienced mesothelioma lawyer on your side.

New York has had a long history of asbestos litigation, and many residents were 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 connection between asbestos and diseases like mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. These 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 due to its old structures and many construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic place that continues to have an impact on the surrounding community.

Mesothelioma can be caused by direct exposure to asbestos and a lot of workers were exposed to asbestos at work. In addition, exposure to asbestos claim through secondhand sources can result in mesothelioma. This includes spouses who wear husband's clothing to work and come into contact with asbestos dust regularly.

Litigation involving mesothelioma is expensive for defendants. This is especially the case if they were wrongly named as defendants. A study shows that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could grow. This niche litigation is often supported by asbestos law firms that advertise on daytime TV and entice 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 their policy periods are overdue or that they only have to pay only a small percentage of the amount claimed. New York law does not have a clear rule on how to distribute liability when the alleged exposure is part of and outside the insurance policies.

Asbestos-related Illnesses

Exposure to asbestos can cause a wide range of diseases. The mesothelioma disease is the most severe. Mesothelioma is the cause of death of many people. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer asbestosis, pleural plaques and pleural effusion.

Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal disease caused by exposure to asbestos fibers that collect in the lungs and cause irritation to the lining of the chest cavity, ribcage and abdominal cavity (the the pleura). The inhalation of these small fibers can cause scarring of the lungs known as asbestosis and sometimes the formation of thickened patches on the pleura called plaques on the pleura, or the more widespread fibrosis of the pleura known as diffused fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrosis reduce lung capacity, as measured by breathing tests. They also cause pain and difficulty breathing, though they do not cause mesothelioma or cancer.

Symptoms of asbestos-related disease often don't manifest until decades after the initial exposure. It could take up to 50 years for asbestos-related fibers to be inhaled to cause lung damage. Workers who handled, cleaned and removed asbestos case from their workplaces and their spouses, children, and others exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing mesothelioma.

As well as mesothelioma, other asbestos-related illnesses include laryngeal cancer, lung cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma and ovarian mesothelioma. Ovarian cancer is the deadliest form of mesothelioma for women however, it is much less prevalent than mesothelioma in general. It is often diagnosed later than other kinds of mesothelioma since it is a cancer that develops in the tissues of the reproductive organs and the symptoms can be similar to symptoms of other diseases.

There were many companies that used asbestos in the 20th century, however they knew that it was dangerous. When they did not remove asbestos from their products, thousands of people were exposed. Now, these people are able to sue for financial compensation. Many of the asbestos-related manufacturers have declared bankruptcy. In the aftermath, victims can seek the money they are entitled to from trust funds established by the bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

Asbestos-related companies have put profit before the safety of their workers and consumers for decades, producing hazardous products without warning about the risks. These companies are now facing the consequences of their negligence. People whose lives have been disrupted by mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses are seeking fair and full settlement.

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

Many states have created special asbestos courts, where claims can be filed more efficiently. In addition judges have created specialized procedures for evaluating and resolving such cases.

New York is one such state, with its own asbestos court known as NYCAL. As asbestos settlement victims continue to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants that have been bankrupt, the caseload of this special court has steadily increased. To ensure that the justice system isn't overloaded and overwhelmed, the New York Supreme Court has established an extra judicial panel to supervise NYCAL.

A panel composed of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine if it is accepted or rejected. Judges will also consider the merits of each claim to determine how much amount of money each plaintiff should receive.

The panel is currently reviewing more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to make a final decision at the end of this year.

New York asbestos lawsuits can be complicated and involve multiple defendants. Belluck & Fox's lawyers have extensive experience in litigating these complex issues. They are knowledgeable of the rules regulations, rules, 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 has also extensive experience as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in complex, multidistrict litigation. In this capacity, attorneys create strategies, coordinate and oversee local and regional counsel, and ensure cost-effective, consistent defenses for every client. They have collaborated closely with trial and coordination judges and special masters of litigation in the various jurisdictions where they have been involved in asbestos litigation.

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 counsels suppliers, manufacturers contractors, distributors, contractors and owners of premises in matters involving claims of mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm also works with clients to create internal programs for identifying and addressing potential risks to safety and liability.

In addition to its asbestos practice in the national level, Bowles Rice serves as the national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this role Bowles Rice devises litigation strategies and oversees local and region counsel to ensure a uniform and cost-effective defense in accordance with the client's goals. It also plays a significant role in the administration and management of asbestos dockets, as well in negotiations with plaintiffs' attorneys and leading discovery for its clients.

The firm's lawyers have extensive trial and appellate experience in defending clients against claims by injured claimants, including those claiming mesothelioma or other Asbestos Claim-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are acquainted with the intricate science involved with these cases, as well as the unique legal issues that arise when representing companies in state and federal courts across the United States.

Catherine has represented a variety of manufacturers as the lead trial counsel in asbestos and personal injury lawsuits related to product liability, and in consolidated cases involving multiple plaintiffs. She has extensive experience in litigating asbestos-related lawsuits before the state and federal courts, as well as a variety of Supreme Court and appellate bodies.

While at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those of respondents in the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files included SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports), which contained confidential information on the claimants, such as medical reports, a history of work, and the list of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs worked with or around. Vogel was required to use access to 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 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. It also has extensive experience in defending businesses from appeals.