Buzzwords De-Buzzed: 10 Other Ways To Say 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 harmed by exposure to this toxic mineral. Compensation can cover medical costs funeral and burial costs as well as pain and suffering and lost quality of life.
Our attorneys are involved in mass toxic tort litigation on a national, regional and local level. We are well-versed in the unique issues and the complex scientific aspects of asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos fibers are dangerous and can trigger serious medical conditions like mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is skilled in handling asbestos claim lawsuits that seek financial compensation for the victims and their families due to exposure to this toxic substance. These cases can be complex, so it's important to have a mesothelioma lawyer to assist you.
New York has had a long history with asbestos litigation and many residents were exposed to the dangerous material. In recent times, there have been more lawsuits against former asbestos manufacturers than ever before. These cases are a result of the recognition of a link between asbestos and diseases like mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. These companies were aware of the dangers that asbestos posed but did not take the time to warn the employees and the public.
The New York City area is particularly susceptible to asbestos lawsuit-related illnesses due to its older structures and the numerous construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic location that continues to impact on the surrounding community.
Many workers were exposed to asbestos in the workplace. Secondhand exposure can also lead to mesothelioma. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposure workers who wore 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 incorrectly identified as defendants. A study shows that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could rise. This niche litigation is often driven by asbestos law firms that promote on television during the day and encourage victims to file claims, with the promise of substantial settlements.
The defendants could be able to reduce some of the costs of these cases by arguing their policy periods are expired or that they only have to pay a small portion of the claim value. However, New York law has not provided a definitive rule on how to allocate liability when the alleged exposure occurs partly outside of the insurer's policy periods.
Asbestos-related diseases
A myriad of asbestos-related diseases can develop because of exposure to the mineral that causes cancer. The most serious of these is mesothelioma. Many people have died due to mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related illnesses include asbestosis and lung cancer. Pleural plaques and effusion are also asbestos-related.
Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal condition that is caused by asbestos fibers which accumulate in the lung. They then irritate the linings of the ribcage (the pleura), chest cavity and abdominal cavity. Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause scarring in the lungs, called asbestosis. It can also result in thickened pleura patches (pleural plaques) or an increased fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrosis decrease lung capacity as measured by breathing tests. They also cause breathing problems and pain however they do not lead to cancer or mesothelioma.
The signs of asbestos-related illness typically do not manifest until decades after the initial exposure. It can take as long as 50 years for asbestos-related fibers to be inhaled to cause lung damage. The people at risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related ailments include those who handled, laundered and removed asbestos-containing products from their workplaces and their spouses and children of asbestos-related exposure.
As well as mesothelioma, other asbestos-related diseases 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 common than mesothelioma in general. It is diagnosed later than other types of mesothelioma, because it occurs in the linings of reproductive organs. Symptoms can be similar to other illnesses.
Several companies used asbestos lawsuit during the 20th century. They were aware that it was hazardous. When they failed to remove asbestos from their products, thousands of people were exposed. These people now are able to sue for financial compensation. Many asbestos-related manufacturers are bankrupt. The victims can now seek compensation from trust funds created by bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
For decades, asbestos-related companies have placed profits over the safety of their employees and consumers by producing dangerous products without warning of the dangers. These companies are now paying for their negligence. Patients who have suffered asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and full settlement.
Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals obtain the justice they deserve. Our lawyers have more than 25 years experience and have helped our clients receive millions of dollars in compensation. Our New York mesothelioma attorneys work to hold corporations accountable and obtain the maximum amount of compensation for our clients.
Many states have established special asbestos courts in which claims can be filed and resolving more efficiently. Judges have also established specific procedures to assess and resolve such cases.
New York, a state which has its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL) is one of the states. The number of cases in this court has been increasing steadily as more and more asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent former asbestos defendants who have gone bankrupt. In order to ensure that the justice system isn't overloaded the New York Supreme Court has ordered the creation of a special judicial panel to oversee NYCAL.
A panel comprised of six Supreme Court judges will review each case in NYCAL to decide whether or not to take it up with it. Judges will also consider the merits of each case to determine the amount a plaintiff should be awarded.
At present, the panel is reviewing more than 3,500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to issue its final decision before the end of this year.
New York asbestos lawsuits can be complicated and involve several defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience with the litigation of these complicated 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, lawyers develop strategies, coordinate and oversee regional and local counsel and ensure consistent and cost-effective defenses for each client. They have worked closely with coordinating and trial judges and special masters of litigation in the various jurisdictions where they were involved in asbestos litigation.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will decide which strategy is most effective to defend the client from a personal injury claim involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels product manufacturers, suppliers contractors, distributors, contractors, and owners of premises in matters involving claims of mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm also assists clients to create internal programs for identifying and addressing any safety and liability issues.
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 capacity Bowles Rice devises litigation strategies and manages local and region counsel to ensure a uniform and cost-effective defence in coordination with the client's goals. In addition it plays an important role in the administration of asbestos dockets as well as negotiations with plaintiffs' counsel and also leads discovery for its clients.
The firm's lawyers have extensive trial and appellate experience in defending clients from claims brought by injured claimants, such as those claiming mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense lawyers are familiar with the intricate research and technology involved in these cases as in addition to unique legal issues that arise when defending companies before federal and state courts across the United States.
Catherine has represented numerous companies in asbestos and products liability personal injury cases, defending them as the lead counsel in consolidated trials that involved multiple 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 court bodies.
During her time at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those involving respondents in the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The cases files contained SEAR forms (Short Evaluative reports that are encapsulated), which contained confidential data about the plaintiffs. These included medical reports, work histories, and a list asbestos products that plaintiffs worked with or near. Vogel was required to have access to a password to access the files. She could then look over any SEAR forms from her current employer.
The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to its extensive experience in appellate and trial work, is nationally recognized for its ability to successfully negotiate settlements for clients. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs' lawyers to develop and execute settlement agreements. The firm also has extensive experience defending businesses against appeals.