14 Questions You're Anxious To Ask Asbestos Defense Attorney

An Asbestos Defense Attorney Can Help Protect the Financial Security of Those Harmed by Exposure to This Harmful Mineral

A lawyer for asbestos defense can protect those who's financial security has been affected by exposure to the toxic mineral. Compensation can cover medical costs, funeral and burial costs, loss of quality of life, as well as suffering and pain.

Our attorneys serve as national, regional and local counsel in massive toxic tort litigation. This means that we are knowledgeable about the specific issues and complex aspects of science of asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos fibers are deadly and can cause severe medical conditions such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is skilled in handling asbestos lawsuits which seek financial compensation for the victims and their families for exposure to this toxic substance. These cases can be complicated and therefore it is essential to have a mesothelioma attorney 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 against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases result from the recognition of a link between asbestos and diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. These companies were aware asbestos's dangers but did not take the time to warn the employees and the public.

The New York City area is particularly susceptible to asbestos-related illnesses because of its older structures and a myriad of construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic place that continues to impact on the community around it.

Mesothelioma can be caused by exposure to asbestos in direct contact and a lot of workers were exposed to asbestos in the workplace. Exposure to asbestos from the outside can cause mesothelioma. This includes spouses who wear husband's clothes at work and come in contact with asbestos dust on a regular basis.

Mesothelioma-related litigation can be expensive for defendants. This is especially relevant if they've been wrongly identified as defendants. According to a study, more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed in New York courts since 2014, and the number could increase further. The asbestos law firms that specialize in asbestos often advertise on television during the day and encourage victims to submit claims, promising they will receive significant settlements.

The defendants may be able reduce some of the expenses arising from these cases by asserting that their policy periods expire or they are only responsible for a small percentage of the total amount of the claim. However, New York law has not set out a clear policy on how to divide liabilities when the alleged exposure is within and outside the insurance company's policy.

Asbestos-related illnesses

A variety of asbestos-related illnesses can develop because of 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 asbestosis and lung cancer. Pleural plaques and effusion are also asbestos-related.

Mesothelioma, a rare, but fatal disease is caused by asbestos fibers that accumulate in the lung. They then irritate the linings of the ribcage (the pleura), chest cavity and abdominal cavity. The inhalation of these small fibers can cause scarring to the lungs known as asbestosis and sometimes the formation of thickened patches on the pleura, known as pleural plaques or an enlargement of fibrosis in the pleura, referred to as diffused pleural fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis may reduce lung capacity, as measured by breathing test. They can also cause pain and difficulties in breathing, but they are not the cause of mesothelioma or cancer.

The majority of the time, signs of asbestos-related diseases don't manifest until decades after 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 spouses, children and others who were exposed to asbestos are at risk for developing mesothelioma.

In addition to mesothelioma, other asbestos-related illnesses include laryngeal cancer, lung cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma, and mesothelioma of the ovary. The most deadly mesothelioma type is ovarian cancer, but it's less prevalent than mesothelioma in general. It is typically diagnosed later than other forms of mesothelioma because it develops in the lining of the reproductive organs, and the symptoms may be similar to those of other diseases.

A number of companies used asbestos in the 20th century. They were aware that it was dangerous. When they failed to remove it from their products, thousands of people were exposed. They can now seek financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are bankrupt. The victims are now able to claim compensation from trust funds set up by bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

For decades, asbestos-related companies have placed profits over the security of their employees and consumers, manufacturing hazardous products without warning of the risks. They are now paying the price for their negligence.  Antioch asbestos attorney  who have suffered from asbestos-related illnesses such as mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and complete compensation.

The attorneys at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to helping families and individuals obtain the justice they deserve. 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 corporations accountable and obtain maximum compensation for clients.

Many states have created asbestos courts that are specifically designed so that claims can be filed more efficiently. Judges have also created special procedures to review and resolve these 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 who have been bankrupt the number of cases that have come through this special court has steadily increased. The New York Supreme Court created an additional judicial board that will oversee NYCAL in order to keep the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.

A panel comprised of six Supreme Court judges will review each case in NYCAL to determine whether or not to take it up with it. Judges will also assess the merits of each case to determine the amount the plaintiff is entitled to.

The panel is currently examining more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to issue 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 in the litigation of these difficult matters. They are familiar with New York's asbestos courts 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 in serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients nationwide in complex, multi-district litigation. In this capacity, lawyers develop strategies, manage local and regional counsel and ensure consistent and effective defenses for clients. They have worked closely in the past with trial judges, coordination judges, and litigation special masters from various jurisdictions.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will determine what strategy is most effective to defend the client from a personal injury claim involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises product manufacturers, suppliers and contractors, distributors, and owners of premises on matters concerning mesothelioma-related claims, lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases. The firm collaborates with clients on developing internal programs to determine and deal with potential liability and safety issues.

In addition to its asbestos practice across the nation, Bowles Rice serves as the national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this capacity Bowles Rice devises strategies for litigation and supervises local and region counsel to achieve a consistent and cost-effective defense that is in line with the client's objectives. In addition it plays an important part in the administration of asbestos dockets, negotiations with plaintiffs' counsel and lead discovery for its clients.

The firm's attorneys have a wealth of trial and appellate experience, defending clients against claims made by injured claimants, such as those claiming mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense lawyers are familiar with complex science involved in these cases as well as specific legal issues that arise while representing companies in state and federal courts throughout the United States.

Catherine has represented a variety of manufacturers as the lead counsel in asbestos and personal injury lawsuits involving product liability as well as in consolidated cases that involve multiple claimants. She has a wealth of experience arguing asbestos-related cases in the federal and state courts, as well as before various supreme and appellate courts.

During her time at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those for respondents to the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files included SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports), which contained confidential information on the claimants, such as medical reports, work history and an inventory of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs worked with or around. Vogel required access to a password to access the files. Then, she could go through any SEAR forms provided by her current employer.

The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team, in addition to its vast experience in appellate and trial work, is recognized nationally for its ability to successfully reach settlements on behalf of its clients. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs' lawyers to create and implement settlement agreements. The firm also has extensive experience in defending businesses from appeals.