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 who have been affected through exposure to this dangerous mineral. Compensation can cover medical expenses funeral and burial costs, lost quality of life, as well as pain and suffering.
Our lawyers are involved in mass toxic tort litigation on a national, regional and local scale. As such, we are familiar with the specific issues and complicated science associated with asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos is a harmful fiber that can trigger various serious medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is adept at dealing with asbestos lawsuits, which seek financial compensation for the victims and their families due to exposure to this toxic substance. These cases can be complex, so it's important to have a mesothelioma attorney on your side.
New York has had a long history of asbestos litigation and many residents were exposed to this hazardous substance. In recent years there have been more lawsuits against former asbestos manufacturers than ever before. These cases stem from the recognition of a link between asbestos and certain diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. These companies knew of the dangers associated with this asbestos-containing mineral, yet they didn't warn their employees and clients.
The New York City area is particularly susceptible to asbestos-related ailments because of its older structures and a myriad of construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously toxic area that continues affect the surrounding community.
Mesothelioma is triggered by direct exposure to asbestos, and many workers were exposed at work. However, some people are diagnosed with mesothelioma following an exposure secondarily to the harmful substances. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposed workers who had their husbands' work clothes and came into contact with asbestos dust regularly.
The litigation associated with mesothelioma is costly for defendants, particularly when they are mistakenly identified as defendants. According to an investigation, more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed in New York courts since 2014 and the number could increase further. This kind of litigation is usually supported by
asbestos law firms that advertise on daytime television and encourage victims to file claims with the promise of large settlements.
Defendants may be able to mitigate some of the costs arising from these cases by asserting that their policy periods have expired or they're only responsible for a small percentage of the total amount of the claim. New York law does not have a specific rule for how to distribute liability when the alleged exposure is of the insurer's policies.
Asbestos-Related Illnesses
A variety of asbestos-related diseases can develop due to exposure to the harmful mineral. The mesothelioma disease is the most severe. Mesothelioma is the cause of death of many people. Other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques, and the pleural effusion.
Mesothelioma, a rare, but fatal disease that is caused by asbestos fibers which are found in the lung. They then cause irritation to the linings of the ribcage (the Pleura), chest cavity and abdominal cavity. Inhaling these fibers can lead to scarring of the lungs, called asbestosis. It can also lead to thickened pleura patches (pleural plaques) or a more extensive fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrisis reduce lung capacity, as measured by breathing tests. They can also cause pain and discomfort in breathing, but they are not the cause of cancer or mesothelioma.
The signs of asbestos-related illness typically do not manifest until decades after exposure. This is due to the fact that it can take between 20 and 50 years for the inhalation of asbestos-containing fibers to damage the lungs. Workers who handled, cleaned and removed asbestos from their workplaces as well as spouses, children and other people who are exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing mesothelioma.
Other asbestos-related diseases, in addition to mesothelioma, include laryngeal carcinoma and lung cancer, peritoneal, ovarian, and peritoneal cancer. The most deadly form of mesothelioma is ovarian cancer, however it is less prevalent than mesothelioma in general. It is typically diagnosed later than other kinds of mesothelioma because it is a cancer that develops in the tissue of the reproductive organs and the symptoms can be similar to symptoms of other illnesses.
A number of companies used asbestos in the 20th century. They were aware that it was dangerous. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos if they didn't eliminate it from their products. They can now seek financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies have declared bankruptcy. In the aftermath, victims are able to seek the compensation they are entitled to from trust funds established by the bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
Asbestos companies have put profits before the safety of their employees and customers for a long time, producing hazardous products without warning about the risks. These companies are now paying for their carelessness. Patients who have suffered asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and full settlement.
Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals receive the justice they deserve. With more than 25 years of experience in the field, we have secured a million of dollars in compensation for our clients. Our New York mesothelioma lawyers work to hold large corporations responsible accountable and to secure the highest amount of compensation for our clients.
A number of states have set up Asbestos Claim (
Utahsyardsale.Com) courts that are specifically designed so that claims can be filed more efficiently. Additionally judges have created specific procedures for evaluating and resolving asbestos cases.
New York, a state which has its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL), is one of them. The caseload in this specialty court has grown steadily, as increasing numbers of asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent former asbestos defendants who have become bankrupt. The New York Supreme Court created an additional judicial board that will supervise NYCAL to stop the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.
A panel of six Supreme Court judges will review every case in NYCAL to determine whether to accept or reject it. Judges will also consider the merits of every claim to determine the amount of amount of money each plaintiff should receive.
Currently, the panel is reviewing more than 3,500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to make a final decision before the end of the year.
New York asbestos lawsuits can be complicated and involve multiple defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience with the litigation of these difficult matters. They are familiar with the rules regulations, rules, and policies of the asbestos courts in New York, as well as the laws of other jurisdictions in which they have handled multidistrict litigation.
The firm also has vast experience in 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 oversee regional and local counsel and ensure consistent and cost-effective defenses for every client. They have collaborated closely with coordinating and trial judges and litigation special masters in various jurisdictions in which they have been involved in asbestos litigation.