10 Inspiring Images About Asbestos Defense Attorney
An Asbestos Defense Attorney Can Help Protect the Financial Security of Those Harmed by Exposure to This Harmful Mineral
A lawyer for asbestos defense can protect those who's financial security has been affected due to exposure to the hazardous mineral. Compensation can cover medical expenses, funeral and burial expenses, pain and suffering, and lost quality of life.
Our lawyers are involved in the mass litigation of toxic torts on a national, regional and local level. We are knowledgeable about the specific issues and complex scientific aspects of asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos is a dangerous fiber that can trigger various serious medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is adept at handling asbestos lawsuits that seek financial compensation for the victims and their families who have been exposed to this harmful substance. These cases can be complex and therefore it is essential to have a reputable mesothelioma lawyer on your side.
New York has had a long-running history of asbestos litigation, and many residents were exposed to the dangerous substance. In recent times there have been more claims against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases result from the recognition of a link between asbestos and certain diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. The companies were aware of the dangers that asbestos posed, but failed to warn their employees and customers.
The New York City area is particularly susceptible to asbestos-related ailments due to its old structures and a myriad of construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously hazardous area that continues to affect the community around it.
Many workers were exposed to asbestos in their work environments. Secondhand exposure can also lead to mesothelioma. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposed workers who wore their husband's work clothes and came in contact with asbestos dust on a regular basis.
Litigation involving mesothelioma is expensive for defendants. This is especially the case if they were wrongly 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. This kind of litigation is usually supported by asbestos law firms that advertise on daytime TV and entice victims to file claims, with the promise of large settlements.
The defendants may be able reduce some of the costs of these cases by arguing their policies are in a lapse or that they only have to pay a small portion of the amount claimed. However, New York law has not set out a clear policy on how to allocate liability when the alleged exposure occurs within and outside the insurance company's policy.
Asbestos-related Illnesses
Exposure to asbestos can trigger many different diseases. The condition known as mesothelioma is the most severe. Mesothelioma is the cause of death of many people. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer and asbestosis. Pleural plaques and pleural effusion are also asbestos claim-related.
Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal illness caused by exposure to asbestos fibers that collect 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 cause scarring to the lungs called asbestosis, and sometimes the development of thickened patches on the pleura referred to as plaques on the pleura, or the more widespread fibrosis of the pleura known as diffused fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis can reduce lung capacity as measured by a breath test. They can also cause pain and difficulty in breathing, but they do not lead mesothelioma or cancer.
Often, symptoms of asbestos-related diseases don't show up until decades after the initial exposure. This is due to the fact that it can take between 20 and 50 years for the exposure to asbestos fibers to damage the lungs. The people at risk of developing mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related ailments include those who handled, laundered and removed asbestos-containing products from their workplaces, as well as spouses and children of those who were exposed to asbestos.
Other asbestos-related illnesses, in addition to mesothelioma include laryngeal cancer and lung cancer, peritoneal, ovarian, and peritoneal cancer. Ovarian cancer is among the most deadly form of mesothelioma for women 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 tissue of the reproductive organs and the symptoms can be similar to those of other diseases.
A number of companies used asbestos in the 20th century. They were aware that it was dangerous. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos if they didn't eliminate it from their products. Now, those exposed have the right to sue for financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are bankrupt. The victims are now able to claim compensation from the trust funds set up by bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
For decades, asbestos-related companies have put profits ahead of the security of their employees and consumers by producing dangerous products, without warning of the dangers. These companies are now paying for their negligence. Victims of asbestos-related illnesses such as mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and full compensation.
Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals obtain 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 lawyers work to hold accountable large corporations accountable and seek the highest amount of compensation for our clients.
A number of states have set up special asbestos courts, where claims can be filed more efficiently. Additionally, judges have established special procedures for evaluating and resolving such 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 asbestos victims are becoming more and more likely to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants who have gone bankrupt. The New York Supreme Court created an extra judicial board to supervise NYCAL to stop the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.
A panel comprised of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine if it should be accepted or not. Judges will also assess the merits of every claim to determine the amount of the plaintiff's compensation should be.
At present, the panel is reviewing more than 3,500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to make a final decision before the end of the year.
New York asbestos lawsuits are usually complex and include allegations of multiple defendants. Belluck and Fox's lawyers have vast experience in litigating these complex matters. They are knowledgeable of New York's asbestos courts and their rules, regulations and policies, as well as other jurisdictions where they have handled multi-district litigation.
The firm also has vast experience as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in complex, multidistrict litigation. In this capacity, lawyers 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 Tulsa asbestos lawyer will determine what strategy is best to defend the client against an injury claim that involves asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises manufacturers, suppliers and contractors, distributors and property owners on issues involving mesothelioma claims, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm also assists clients to create internal programs to identify and addressing safety and liability issues.
In addition to its national asbestos practice, Bowles Rice serves as national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this role the firm designs litigation strategies, manages regional and local counsel and ensures a consistent and cost-effective defense in coordination with client objectives. In addition, it plays a key role in the management of asbestos lawsuit dockets and negotiations with counsel for plaintiffs and leads discovery for its clients.
The firm's lawyers have experience in defending clients from mesothelioma claims and other asbestos-related illnesses. Asbestos defense lawyers are familiar with the intricate science involved in these cases as and specific legal issues that arise while representing companies in state and federal courts throughout the United States.
Catherine has represented numerous companies in asbestos and products liability personal injury cases, representing them as the lead counsel in consolidated trials involving multiple plaintiffs. She has a wealth of experience litigating asbestos-related cases before state and federal courts, as well as before a variety of supreme and appellate court bodies.
During her time at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those involving respondents of the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files contained SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports), which contained confidential information about claimants, such as medical reports, work histories, and the list of asbestos-related products that the plaintiff worked with or around. Vogel was required to have access to a password to access the files. She was then able to look over any SEAR forms provided by her current employer.
In addition to its extensive trial and appellate experience as well as its vast 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 create and implement settlement agreements. It also has a wealth of experience in defending businesses against appeals.
