If You've Just Purchased Asbestos Defense Attorney ... Now What?
If You've Just Purchased Asbestos Defense Attorney ... Now What?
Barbra
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01.12 10:08
An Asbestos Defense Attorney Can Help Protect the Financial Security of Those Harmed by Exposure to This Harmful Mineral
An asbestos defense lawyer can protect the financial security of those who have been affected by exposure to this toxic mineral. Compensation can cover medical expenses funeral and burial expenses as well as pain and suffering and loss of quality of life.
Our attorneys serve as national, regional and local counsel in mass toxic tort litigation. We are knowledgeable about the specific issues and the complex scientific aspects of 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 adept at handling lawsuits to seek the financial compensation of those affected by asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be complex, and it is critical to have an experienced mesothelioma Attorney law firm on your side.
New York has had a long-running history of asbestos litigation, and many residents were exposed to the dangerous material. In recent years there have been more lawsuits against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases are a result of the recognition that asbestos is linked to illnesses such as mesothelioma or lung cancer. These companies were aware of asbestos's dangers but did not take the time to warn their employees and customers.
The New York City area is particularly prone to asbestos-related diseases due to its old structures and numerous construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic place that continues to have an impact on the community around it.
Mesothelioma is triggered by exposure to asbestos in direct contact and many workers were exposed to asbestos at work. Secondhand exposure can also lead to mesothelioma. This is especially true for spouses who wear husband's clothes at work and come in contact with asbestos dust regularly.
The mesothelioma lawsuit can be costly 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. The asbestos law firms that specialize in asbestos often advertise on daytime TV and encourage victims to file claims under the premise that they will receive substantial settlements.
Defendants may be able to reduce some of the costs arising from these cases by arguing that their policy periods expire or they are only responsible for a small percentage of the total claim value. New York law does not provide a definitive rule on how to distribute the liability if the alleged exposure is within and part outside of the insurance policies.
Asbestos-Related Diseases
A myriad of asbestos-related illnesses can develop due to exposure to the harmful mineral. The mesothelioma attorney condition is the most severe. Many people have died due to mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques and the pleural effusion.
Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal illness caused by exposure to asbestos fibers that accumulate in the lungs and irritate the lining of the chest cavity, ribcage and abdominal cavity (the the pleura). Inhaling these fibers can lead to scarring in the lungs, known as asbestosis. It can also lead to thickened pleura patches (pleural plaques) or an increase in fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis can reduce lung capacity, as determined by a breathing test. They also cause breathing problems and pain, though they do not cause 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 to 50 years for the inhalation of asbestos fibers to damage the lungs. Workers who handled, cleaned and removed asbestos from their workplaces as well as 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, peritoneal, ovarian, and peritoneal cancer. Ovarian cancer is among the most deadly mesothelioma that women suffer from however it is much less common than mesothelioma in general. It is often diagnosed later than other types of mesothelioma due to the fact that it is a cancer that develops in the tissue of the reproductive organs, and the symptoms may be similar to those of other illnesses.
A number of companies used asbestos in the 20th century. They were aware that it was dangerous. If they didn't remove asbestos from their products thousands of people were exposed. Now, these people have the right to sue for financial compensation. A lot of asbestos-related manufacturers have declared bankruptcy. The victims are now able to seek compensation from trust funds established by bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
For decades, asbestos-related companies put profits above the security of their employees and consumers by producing dangerous products, without warning of the risks. They are now facing the consequences of their negligence. Patients who have suffered asbestos-related illnesses such as mesothelioma lawyers and lung cancer are seeking fair and full compensation.
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 large corporations accountable and to secure the maximum amount of compensation for our clients.
Many states have established special asbestos courts in which claims can be filed and resolved more efficiently. Judges have also established specialized procedures to evaluate and resolve these cases.
New York is one such state that has its own asbestos court known as NYCAL. The number of cases in this court has increased steadily, as asbestos victims are becoming more and more likely to seek compensation from solvent former asbestos defendants who have become bankrupt. To ensure that the justice system is not overloaded, the New York Supreme Court has established an additional judicial panel that will supervise NYCAL.
A panel comprised of six Supreme Court judges will review every case in NYCAL to determine whether to accept or reject it. Judges will also assess the merits of each claim to determine how much the plaintiff's compensation should be.
At present, the panel is reviewing more than 3,500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to announce its final decision by the end this year.
New York asbestos lawsuits can be complex and involve multiple defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience with the litigation of these complicated cases. They are knowledgeable of the asbestos courts of New York as well as their rules and regulations, as well as other jurisdictions in which they have handled multi-district litigation.
The firm also has vast experience as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients across the country in complex, multi-district litigation. In this role lawyers devise strategies, oversee regional and local counsel, and ensure that they are able to provide consistent and efficient defenses for clients. They have been in close contact with trial judges, coordinating judges and special masters of litigation from various jurisdictions.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will determine what strategy is the best way to defend the client in a personal injury claim involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels product manufacturers, suppliers contractors, distributors, contractors and premises owners on matters involving claims of mesothelioma and lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm works with clients to develop internal programs to determine and deal with potential liability and safety concerns.
In addition to its asbestos practice across the nation, Bowles Rice serves as the national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this role the firm designs litigation strategies, supervises regional and local counsel and ensures a consistent and cost-effective defense, in line with client goals. It also plays a significant part in the administration and management of asbestos dockets as well in negotiations with plaintiffs' lawyers and leading discovery for its client.
The firm's lawyers have experience in defending clients against mesothelioma claims and other asbestos-related illnesses. Asbestos defense attorneys are familiar with complex research and technology involved in these cases, as in addition to particular legal issues that arise when representing companies in state and federal courts throughout 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 as well as in consolidated cases that involve multiple claimants. She has extensive experience litigating asbestos-related lawsuits before federal and state courts, as well as a variety of appellate and Supreme Court bodies.
While at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those for respondents in the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files contained SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports) which contained confidential information about plaintiffs, including medical reports, a history of work and the list of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs worked with or around. Vogel was required to have access to a password to access the files. She could then review any SEAR forms provided by her current employer.
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. In this capacity, the firm works closely with lawyers representing plaintiffs in the creation and implementation of settlement agreements. It also has extensive experience defending companies against appeals.