15 Surprising Stats About Asbestos Defense Attorney
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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 injured by exposure to this toxic mineral. Compensation may cover medical costs, funeral and burial expenses, pain and suffering, and loss of quality of life.
Our attorneys serve as national, regional and local counsel in massive toxic tort litigation. As a result, we are well-versed in the unique issues and complex aspects of science that are associated with asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos fibers are deadly and can cause serious medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney is experienced in handling lawsuits to seek financial compensation for those who have suffered from asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be extremely complex, and it is critical 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 this dangerous substance. In recent years there are more lawsuits filed against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases are a result of the recognition that asbestos can cause diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. The companies were aware of the dangers that asbestos posed, but failed to warn their employees and customers.
New York City is especially susceptible to illnesses caused by asbestos due to its old structures and many construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously toxic area that continues to affect the community around it.
Many workers were exposed asbestos in their work environments. Secondhand exposure can also lead to mesothelioma. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposure workers who were wearing their husband's work clothes and came in contact with asbestos dust regularly.
Mesothelioma-related litigation can be expensive for defendants. This is particularly relevant if they've been incorrectly identified as defendants. According to an investigation, more than 3,600 claims have been filed in New York courts since 2014 and the number could rise further. The asbestos law firms that specialize in asbestos often advertise on television during the day and encourage victims to submit claims with the promise that they will receive significant settlements.
The defendants may be able reduce the cost of these cases by arguing their policy periods are expired or that they are only responsible only a small percentage of the claim value. However, New York law has not established a clear rule on how to divide liabilities when the alleged exposure is in and out of the insurance company's policy.
Asbestos-related Diseases
Exposure to asbestos can cause a wide range of illnesses. The condition known as mesothelioma is the most serious. Many have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques and the pleural effusion.
Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal condition, is caused by asbestos fibers which are found in the lungs. They then cause irritation to the linings of the ribcage (the pleura), chest cavity and abdominal cavity. Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause scarring of the lungs, called asbestosis. It can also lead to thickened pleura patches (pleural plaques) or an increased fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrisis reduce lung capacity as measured by breathing tests. They can also cause pain and difficulties in breathing, however they do not lead cancer or mesothelioma.
The symptoms of asbestos-related diseases typically are not evident until years after initial exposure. This is because it can take between 20 and 50 years for the inhalation of asbestos-containing fibers to damage the lungs. People who are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases include those who handled, laundered and removed asbestos-containing materials from the workplace and spouses and children of those exposed to asbestos.
Other asbestos-related diseases, in addition to mesothelioma include lung cancer and laryngeal carcinoma and peritoneal, ovarian and peritoneal cancer. Ovarian cancer is the most fatal mesothelioma type for women however, it is much less common than mesothelioma in general. It is diagnosed later than other mesothelioma types, because it occurs in the linings of reproductive organs. The symptoms may be similar to those of other illnesses.
There were many companies that employed asbestos in the 20th century, but they knew that it was a risk. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos because they failed to remove asbestos from their products. These people now are able to seek financial compensation. Many asbestos-related manufacturers are bankrupt. The victims are now able to seek compensation from the trust funds set up by bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
Asbestos companies have put profit before the safety of their employees and consumers for decades making dangerous products, without warning about the risks. They are now confronting the consequences of their negligence. Victims of asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and full settlement.
The attorneys at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to helping individuals and families get the justice they deserve. With more than 25 years of experience, we have secured millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. Our New York mesothelioma attorneys work to hold corporations accountable and obtain the highest amount of compensation for their clients.
Many states have established asbestos lawsuit courts that are specifically designed so that claims can be filed more efficiently. Judges have also developed specific procedures to assess and resolve asbestos-related cases.
New York is one such state with its own asbestos court known as NYCAL. As asbestos victims continue to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants that have been bankrupt the number of cases that have come through this court has steadily increased. In order to ensure that the justice system is not overwhelmed the New York Supreme Court has established a special judicial panel to oversee NYCAL.
A panel comprised of six Supreme Court judges will review each case in NYCAL to decide whether to accept or reject it. Judges will also assess the merits of every claim to determine the amount of money each plaintiff should receive.
Currently, the panel is looking into more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to issue its final decision by the end of the year.
New York asbestos lawsuits are often complex and include allegations of several defendants. Belluck & Fox's lawyers have extensive experience in the litigation of these difficult cases. They are well-versed in the rules regulations, policies, and procedures 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 vast experience serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients across the country in complex, multi-district litigation. In this capacity, attorneys create strategies, coordinate and manage local and regional counsel, and ensure consistent and cost-effective defenses for each client. They have collaborated closely with trial and coordination judges and special masters of litigation in various jurisdictions in which they were involved in asbestos litigation.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will determine what strategy is most effective to defend the client in a personal injury lawsuit involving asbestos lawsuit. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels suppliers, manufacturers contractors, distributors, contractors and premises owners in cases involving claims for mesothelioma and lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm also assists clients to create internal programs for identifying and addressing 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 role Bowles Rice devises litigation strategies and manages local and region counsel to ensure a consistent and cost-effective defence in coordination with the client's needs. It also plays a major role in the administration and management of asbestos case dockets aswell as negotiations with plaintiffs' lawyers and leading discovery for its client.
The firm's lawyers have experience in defending clients from mesothelioma-related claims and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense lawyers are acquainted with complex research and technology involved in these cases as well as particular legal issues that arise while defending businesses before state and federal courts throughout the United States.
Catherine has represented numerous manufacturers as lead counsel in asbestos lawsuit and product liability personal injury lawsuits and in consolidated cases involving multiple plaintiffs. She has extensive experience in litigating asbestos-related lawsuits in the federal and state courts, as well as a variety of Supreme Court and appellate courts.
During her tenure at Brobeck, Vogel handled asbestos cases for respondents, including those at the Asbestos Claim Facility in Northern California. The case files included SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports) that contained confidential information about plaintiffs, including medical reports, work history, and a list of asbestos products that the plaintiff worked with or around. Vogel had to have an account password to access the files. She was then able to look over any SEAR forms from her current employer.
The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to having extensive experience in appellate and trial work, is recognized nationally for its ability to reach settlements on behalf of its clients. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs’ lawyers to draft and implement settlement agreements. It also has extensive experience in defending businesses from appeals.
