An Asbestos Defense Attorney Can Help Protect the Financial Security of Those Harmed by Exposure to This Harmful Mineral
A defense attorney for asbestos can help protect those who's financial security was affected due to exposure to the hazardous mineral. Compensation can cover medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, loss of quality of life, and suffering and pain.
Our attorneys are involved in mass toxic tort litigation on a regional, national and local scale. As as such, we are acquainted with the specific issues and complex science associated with asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos is a deadly fiber that can lead to a variety of severe medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney is skilled in handling lawsuits seeking the financial compensation of those affected by asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be complicated and therefore it is essential to have a mesothelioma lawyer on your side.
New York has had a long history of
asbestos litigation. 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 realization that asbestos is linked to diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. The companies were aware of the dangers of the asbestos-containing mineral, yet they did not inform their employees and customers.
New York City is especially susceptible to diseases caused by asbestos because of its old structures and construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously toxic area that continues affect the community around it.
Mesothelioma can be caused by direct exposure to asbestos and many workers were exposed to asbestos in the workplace. In addition, exposure to asbestos through secondhand sources can lead to mesothelioma. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposure workers who were wearing their husband's work clothes and came into contact with asbestos dust regularly.
The litigation associated with mesothelioma is costly for defendants, particularly when they are incorrectly named as defendants. A study has revealed that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could grow. This type of litigation is typically supported by
asbestos law firms, which advertise on daytime television and encourage victims to file claims with the promise of huge settlements.
Defendants may be able to lower some of the costs associated with these cases by arguing that their policy periods expire or they are only responsible for a tiny percentage of the total value of the claim. However, New York law has not established a clear rule on how to divide liabilities when the alleged exposure occurs in and out of the policy period of the insurer.
Asbestos-related illnesses
A wide range of asbestos-related illnesses can develop due to exposure to the mineral that causes cancer. The most serious condition is mesothelioma. Many people have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer and asbestosis. Pleural plaques and effusion are also asbestos-related.
Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal disease is caused by asbestos fibers that are found in the lungs. They then irritate the linings of the ribcage (the the pleura), chest cavity, and abdominal cavity. Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause scarring of the lungs, known as asbestosis. It can also cause thickened pleura patches (pleural plaques) or an increase in fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrosis reduce 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 signs of asbestos-related illness typically don't manifest until decades after the initial exposure. This is because it can take between 20 to 50 years for inhalation of asbestos fibers to damage the lungs. People at risk of developing mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases include those who handled, washed and removed asbestos-containing materials from the workplace and spouses and children of asbestos-related exposure.
In addition to mesothelioma other
asbestos case-related diseases include laryngeal cancer, lung cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma and ovarian mesothelioma. The most fatal form of mesothelioma is called ovarian cancer, but it's less frequent than the general mesothelioma. It is diagnosed later than other mesothelioma types, because it is found within the linings of reproductive organs. Symptoms can be similar to those of other illnesses.
Several companies used asbestos during the 20th century. They knew it was a risk. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos when they failed to remove it from their products. These people can now claim financial compensation. A lot of asbestos-related manufacturers have filed for bankruptcy. 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 profits over the safety of their workers and customers for a long time, producing hazardous products without warning about the risks. They are now paying the price for their inattention to. Victims of asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and complete settlement.
The lawyers 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 large corporations accountable and obtain maximum compensation for clients.
Many states have created special asbestos courts, where claims can be filed more efficiently. In addition judges have developed special procedures for evaluating and resolving asbestos cases.
New York is one such state with its own asbestos court, known as NYCAL. The caseload in this specialty court has grown steadily, as more and more asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants who went bankrupt. The New York Supreme Court created a special judicial board to supervise NYCAL in order to keep the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.
A panel comprised of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine if it is accepted or rejected. Judges will also evaluate the merits of every claim to determine the amount of amount of money each plaintiff should receive.
The panel is currently reviewing more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected issue its final decision by the end of the year.
New York asbestos lawsuits can be complicated and involve several defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience in the litigation of these complex matters. They are knowledgeable of the asbestos courts of New York as well as their rules and regulations and other jurisdictions where they have handled multi-district litigation.
The firm has also extensive experience as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in complex, multidistrict litigation. In this capacity lawyers devise strategies, oversee local and regional counsel and ensure that they are able to provide consistent and efficient defenses for clients. They have been in close contact with trial judges, coordination judges and special masters of litigation from different jurisdictions.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A knowledgeable Tulsa
asbestos claim defense lawyer will determine the best approach to defend a client against an asbestos-related personal injury claim.