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 injured through exposure to this dangerous mineral. Compensation may cover medical costs funeral and burial expenses as well as pain and suffering and the loss of quality of life.
Our lawyers are local, regional, and national counsel in large toxic tort litigation. This means that we are knowledgeable about the specific issues and complex scientific aspects associated with asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos fibers are dangerous and can cause severe medical conditions such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney is adept at dealing with lawsuits that seek financial compensation for those who have suffered from asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be complicated and therefore it is essential to have a mesothelioma lawyer to assist you.
New York has had a long-running history of
asbestos litigation and many residents were exposed to this dangerous substance. In recent years there are more lawsuits filed against asbestos producers from the past than before. These cases are a result of the recognition of a connection between asbestos and certain diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. These companies knew of the dangers associated with this dangerous mineral, but they did not warn their employees and consumers.
New York City is especially susceptible to diseases caused by asbestos due to its older structures and construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic location that continues to have an impact on the community around it.
Mesothelioma is caused by direct exposure to asbestos and many workers were exposed to it in the workplace. However, some people are diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of secondhand exposure to the harmful substances. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposed workers who wore their husband's work clothes and came into contact with asbestos dust on a regular basis.
The mesothelioma lawsuit can be costly for defendants. This is especially relevant if they've been incorrectly identified as defendants. According to an investigation, more than 3,600 claims have been filed in New York courts since 2014 and the number could rise further. This type of litigation is typically driven by asbestos law firms, which advertise on daytime TV and entice victims to file claims, with the promise of large settlements.
The defendants could be able to reduce the cost of these cases by arguing their policy periods are overdue or that they only have to pay a small portion of the amount claimed. New York law does not have a specific rule for how to distribute liability when the alleged risk is of and outside the insurer's policies.
Asbestos-related illnesses
Exposure to asbestos can trigger a wide range of diseases. The most serious condition is mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is the cause of death of many people. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer and asbestosis. Pleural plaques and effusion are also asbestos-related.
Mesothelioma, a rare, but fatal illness, is caused by asbestos fibers that accumulate in the lung. They then irritate the linings of the ribcage (the the pleura) as well as the chest cavity and abdominal cavity. Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause scarring in the lungs. This is called asbestosis. It can also cause thickened patches of pleura (pleural plaques) or an increased fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis may reduce lung capacity as measured by a breath test. They can also cause pain and difficulty breathing however they do not lead to cancer or mesothelioma.
Symptoms of
Asbestos Legal-related disease often are not evident until years after the initial exposure. This is due to the fact that it can take between 20 to 50 years for the exposure to asbestos fibers to cause lung damage. People who are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other asbestos-related ailments include those who handled, washed and removed asbestos-containing materials from the workplace, as well as spouses and children of those exposed to asbestos.
As well as mesothelioma, other asbestos-related illnesses include laryngeal cancer, lung cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma and ovarian mesothelioma. Ovarian cancer is the most fatal form of mesothelioma for women however it is much less common than mesothelioma general. It is usually diagnosed later than other forms of mesothelioma due to the fact that it is a cancer that develops in the tissues of the reproductive organs and the symptoms may be similar to those of other diseases.
Many companies employed asbestos during the 20th century. They knew it was hazardous. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos when they didn't remove it from their products. Now, those exposed have the right to claim financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are bankrupt. The victims are now able to claim compensation from trust funds created by bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
Asbestos companies have put profits over the safety of their employees and consumers for decades making dangerous products, without warning about the risks. These companies are now paying for their negligence. People who have suffered from asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and full settlement.
The attorneys at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to assisting families and individuals obtain 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 attorneys work to hold large corporations accountable and seek the highest amount of compensation for their clients.
Many states have set up special asbestos courts where claims can be filed and resolved more efficiently. In addition judges have developed specific procedures to evaluate and resolve asbestos cases.
New York is one such state that has its own asbestos court, known as NYCAL. The caseload in this specialty court has grown steadily, as increasing numbers of asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent former asbestos defendants who have gone bankrupt. The New York Supreme Court created a special judicial board to supervise NYCAL in order to prevent the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.
A panel composed of six Supreme Court judges will review every case filed in NYCAL to decide whether to accept or reject it. Judges will also assess the merits of each claim to determine the amount of amount of money each plaintiff should receive.
At present, the panel is reviewing more than 3,500 lawsuits. The panel is expected issue its final ruling by the end of this year.
New York asbestos lawsuits can be complex and involve several defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience with the litigation of these difficult cases. They are familiar with the asbestos courts in New York and their rules, regulations and policies and other jurisdictions in which they have handled multi-district litigation.
The firm also has extensive experience as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in complex, multidistrict litigation. In this role, attorneys create strategies, coordinate and manage regional and local counsel, and ensure consistent and cost-effective defenses for each client. They have been in close contact with trial judges, coordination judges, and special masters of litigation from various jurisdictions.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A knowledgeable Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best way to defend a client from a claim for personal injury resulting from asbestos.