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
An asbestos defense attorney can assist in ensuring the financial security of those affected through exposure to this dangerous mineral. Compensation can cover medical costs, funeral and burial expenses, pain and suffering, and loss of quality of life.
Our lawyers are involved in the mass litigation of toxic torts at a national, regional and local scale. This means that we are well-versed in the unique issues and the complex scientific aspects associated with asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos is a deadly fiber that can trigger a variety of severe medical conditions, including 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 complicated and it is crucial to have a Mesothelioma Attorney expert law firm on your side.
New York has a long history of asbestos litigation and many residents have been exposed to this dangerous material. In recent years, there have been more lawsuits filed against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases result from the recognition of a connection between asbestos and diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. These companies were aware of asbestos's dangers but did not take the time to warn employees and consumers.
The New York City area is particularly susceptible to asbestos-related ailments because of its older structures and the numerous construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic location that continues to have an impact on the surrounding community.
Mesothelioma can be caused by direct exposure to asbestos, and many workers were exposed to it in the workplace. Exposure to asbestos from the outside can result in mesothelioma. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposure workers who had their husbands' work clothes and came in contact with asbestos dust regularly.
The mesothelioma lawsuit can be costly for defendants. This is especially the case if they were wrongly identified as defendants. A study indicates that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could grow. Specialized asbestos law firms typically advertise on TV during the day and encourage victims to file claims, promising they will receive significant settlements.
Defendants might be able to reduce some of the costs arising from these cases by arguing that their policy periods expire or they are only accountable for a small percentage of the amount of the claim. New York law does not provide a definitive rule on how to divide liability when the alleged exposure is part of the insurance policies.
Asbestos-Related Diseases
A wide range of asbestos-related illnesses can be triggered due to exposure to the toxic mineral. The most severe condition is mesothelioma. 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-related.
Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal condition, is caused by asbestos fibers that accumulate in the lungs. They then irritate the linings of the ribcage (the pleura) as well as the chest cavity and abdominal cavity. Inhaling these fibers can lead to scarring in the lungs, called asbestosis. It can also cause thickened pleura patches (pleural plaques) or a more extensive fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrosis decrease lung capacity as measured by breathing tests. They can also cause pain and difficulty in breathing, however they are not the cause of mesothelioma or cancer.
The majority of the time, signs of asbestos-related diseases do not manifest until decades after initial exposure. It can take as long as 50 years for asbestos fibers that are inhaled to cause lung damage. People who are at risk of developing mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related ailments include those who handled, cleaned, and removed these materials from their workplaces and spouses and children of those who were exposed to asbestos.
As well as mesothelioma, other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma attorneys and mesothelioma lawsuits ovarian. The most deadly form of mesothelioma is ovarian cancer, however it is less prevalent 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 symptoms can be similar to those of other illnesses.
Many companies employed asbestos in the 20th century, however they knew that it was dangerous. When they failed to remove it from their products, thousands of people were exposed. The affected people are now able to seek financial compensation. A lot of asbestos-related manufacturers have declared bankruptcy. As a result, the victims can seek the compensation they are entitled to from trust funds set up by the bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
For decades, asbestos companies have put profits ahead of the safety of their employees as well as consumers, manufacturing hazardous products without warning of the risks. They are now facing the consequences of their negligence. People who have suffered from asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and full settlement.
Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals get the justice they deserve. Our lawyers have over 25 years experience and have helped clients receive millions of dollars in compensation. Our New York mesothelioma attorneys work to hold corporations accountable and obtain maximum compensation for clients.
Many states have created special asbestos courts, where claims can be filed more efficiently. Judges have also created special procedures to review 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. The New York Supreme Court created an additional judicial board that will oversee NYCAL to stop the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.
A panel composed of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine whether it should be accepted or rejected. Judges will also assess the merits of each claim to determine the amount of money each plaintiff should receive.
The panel is currently examining more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to make a final decision by the end of this year.
New York asbestos lawsuits can be complex and can involve several defendants. Belluck and Fox's lawyers have vast experience in the litigation of these difficult cases. They are knowledgeable of New York's asbestos courts and their rules and regulations in addition to other jurisdictions in which they have handled multi-district litigation.
The firm also has extensive experience in serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients nationwide in multi-district, complex litigation. In this role, lawyers develop strategies, manage local and regional counsel, and ensure that they are able to provide consistent and effective defenses for clients. They have worked closely with coordinating and trial judges and special masters of litigation in various jurisdictions where they have been 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, distributors, contractors and property owners on matters involving claims of mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm works with clients to develop internal programs to identify and address potential 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 develops litigation strategies, supervises regional and local counsel and ensures a consistent and cost-effective defense that is in sync with the client's goals. In addition it plays a crucial role in the management of asbestos dockets and negotiations with plaintiffs' counsel and also leads discovery for its clients.
The attorneys of the firm have a wealth of trial and appellate experience, defending clients against claims made by injured claimants, including those claiming mesothelioma lawsuit or other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense lawyers are familiar with the complex research and technology involved in these cases, as well as specific legal issues that arise while defending companies before federal and state courts across the United States.
Catherine has represented a variety of manufacturers in asbestos and products liability personal injury cases, acting as the lead trial counsel in consolidated trials that involved multiple plaintiffs. She has extensive experience litigating asbestos-related lawsuits in federal and state courts as well as various appellate and Supreme Court bodies.
While at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those involving respondents to the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The cases files contained SEAR forms (Short Evaluative Reports Encapsulated) which contained confidential data about the plaintiffs. The files contained medical reports, work histories, and the list of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs used or worked near. Vogel was required to have a password in order to access the files. She was then able to review any SEAR forms from 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 acknowledged nationally for its ability to negotiate settlements on behalf of its clients. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs’ lawyers to develop and execute settlement agreements. It also has a wealth of experience in defending businesses from appeals.