15 Surprising Stats About Asbestos Defense Attorney
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 assist those who's financial security has been affected by exposure to the toxic mineral. Compensation can cover medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, loss of quality of life, and suffering and pain.
Our attorneys are involved in mass toxic tort litigation on a national, regional and local level. This means that we are knowledgeable about the specific issues and complex aspects of science associated with asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos is a deadly fiber that can trigger various serious medical conditions, including mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney is adept at dealing with lawsuits that seek financial compensation for those who have suffered from asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be complicated and it's crucial to have a mesothelioma lawyer to assist you.
New York has had a long history with asbestos litigation. Many residents were exposed to this hazardous substance. In recent times there have been more claims against former asbestos manufacturers than ever before. These cases arise out of the realization that asbestos is linked to illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer. The companies were aware of the dangers of the asbestos-containing mineral, yet they failed to inform their employees and customers.
The New York City area is particularly prone to asbestos-related diseases because of its older structures and the numerous construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously hazardous area that continues to affect the surrounding community.
Many workers were exposed asbestos at work. However, some people are diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of an exposure secondarily to the harmful substances. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposure workers who were wearing their husband's work clothes and came into contact with asbestos dust regularly.
The mesothelioma lawsuit can be costly for defendants. This is particularly the case if they were wrongly identified as defendants. According to a study, more that 3,600 lawsuits have been filed in New York courts since 2014 and the number could increase further. This type of litigation is typically driven by asbestos law firms that advertise on daytime television and encourage victims to file claims with the promise of huge settlements.
The defendants may be able reduce the cost of these cases by arguing their policy periods are expired or that they only have to pay only for a small proportion of the amount claimed. However, New York law has not established a clear rule on how to divide liabilities when the alleged exposure is outside of the insurance company's policy.
Asbestos-related Illnesses
A wide range of asbestos-related illnesses can develop due to exposure to the mineral that causes cancer. The most serious condition is mesothelioma. Mesothelioma has caused the death of many people. Other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques and the pleural effusion.
Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal illness caused by exposure to asbestos fibers which accumulate in the lungs, and can cause irritation to the lining of the chest cavity, ribcage and abdominal cavity (the Pleura). Inhaling these fibers can lead to scarring of the lungs, known as asbestosis. It can also result in thickened patches of pleura (pleural plaques) or an increase in fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrosis decrease lung capacity as determined by breathing tests. They can also cause pain and discomfort in breathing, but they don't cause cancer or mesothelioma.
Often, symptoms of asbestos-related diseases don't show up until decades after the initial exposure. It can take as long as 50 years for asbestos fibers that are inhaled to cause lung damage. Workers who handled, cleaned and removed asbestos from the workplace and their children, spouses and other people who are exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing mesothelioma.
Other asbestos-related diseases, in addition to mesothelioma include lung cancer and laryngeal carcinoma and peritoneal, ovarian and peritoneal cancer. Ovarian cancer is among the most deadly mesothelioma lawyers type for women, but it is less common than mesothelioma in general. It is diagnosed later than most other types of mesothelioma, because it develops in the linings of the reproductive organs. The symptoms can be similar to other illnesses.
There were many companies that used asbestos in the 20th century, however they knew that it was a risk. When they failed to remove it from their products, thousands of people were exposed. The affected people are now able to claim financial compensation. A lot of asbestos-related manufacturers have gone bankrupt. In the aftermath, victims can seek the compensation they are entitled to from trust funds established by the bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
Asbestos companies have put profit before the safety of their workers and customers for a long time making dangerous products, without warning of the dangers. They are now confronting the consequences of their inattention. People who have suffered from life-altering issues caused by mesothelioma, cancer of the lung, and other asbestos-related illnesses are seeking fair and full compensation.
The lawyers at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to helping individuals and families receive the justice they need. With more than 25 years of experience and accomplishments, we have secured millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. Our New York mesothelioma attorneys work to hold large corporations accountable and to secure maximum compensation for clients.
Many states have set up special asbestos courts in which claims can be filed and resolved more efficiently. Additionally judges have created specific procedures to evaluate and resolve asbestos cases.
New York, a state that has its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL) is one of them. As asbestos victims continue to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants who have been bankrupt the number of cases that have come through this court has been steadily increasing. To ensure that the justice system is not overloaded and overwhelmed, the New York Supreme Court has created a special judicial panel to supervise NYCAL.
A panel of six Supreme Court judges will review every case filed in NYCAL to determine whether or not to take it up with it. Judges will also consider the merits of each claim to determine how much the plaintiff's compensation should be.
The panel is currently reviewing more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to issue its final ruling at the end of this year.
New York asbestos lawsuits are usually complex and involve several defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience with the litigation of these complicated issues. They are familiar with the rules regulations, rules, and policies of the asbestos courts in New York, as well as the laws of other jurisdictions where they have handled multidistrict litigation.
The firm also has extensive experience as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in complex, multidistrict litigation. In this role, attorneys develop strategies, coordinate and oversee regional and local counsel, and ensure cost-effective and consistent defenses for every client. They have worked closely in the past with trial judges, coordinating judges, and litigation special masters from various jurisdictions.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will decide which strategy is best to defend the client from an injury claim that involves asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels product manufacturers, suppliers contractors, distributors, contractors and owners of premises on matters involving claims of mesothelioma and lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm also works with clients to develop internal programs for identifying and addressing any safety and liability concerns.
Bowles Rice In addition to its asbestos practice in the national level and multi-state asbestos litigation, is also the national Coordinating counsel. In this capacity, the firm develops litigation strategies, supervises local and regional counsel, and achieves consistent and cost-effective defense that is in sync with client goals. Additionally it plays an important role in the administration of asbestos dockets as well as negotiations with counsel for plaintiffs and also leads discovery for its clients.
The firm's lawyers are skilled in defending clients from mesothelioma claims and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are acquainted with the complex science associated with these cases, as well as the unique legal issues that arise when defending companies in state and federal courts across the United States.
Catherine has represented numerous manufacturers in asbestos and product liability personal injury cases, acting as the lead trial counsel in consolidated trials involving a variety of claimants. She has a wealth of experience arguing asbestos-related cases in the federal and state courts and before a variety of supreme and appellate courts.
While at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos cases for respondents, including the Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The case files included SEAR forms (Short encapsulated Evaluative reports), which contained confidential information about the claimants. This included medical reports and work histories, as well as the list of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs used or worked near. Vogel had to have a password in order to access the files. She could then go through any SEAR forms provided by her current employer.
The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to having extensive experience in trial and appellate work, is widely acclaimed for its ability to reach settlements on behalf of its clients. In this capacity, the company works closely with plaintiffs' lawyers in the preparation and execution of settlement agreements, and it has a vast experience in defending companies against appeals.