An Asbestos Defense Attorney Can Help Protect the Financial Security of Those Harmed by Exposure to This Harmful Mineral
A lawyer who is a defense attorney for asbestos can assist those whose financial security has been affected due to exposure to the hazardous mineral. Compensation can cover medical expenses funeral and burial costs, lost quality of life, and pain and suffering.
Our attorneys serve as local, regional, and national counsel in mass toxic tort litigation. This means that we are knowledgeable about the specific issues and the complex scientific aspects associated with asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos is a dangerous fiber that can lead to numerous serious medical conditions, including mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney is skilled in handling lawsuits to 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 an experienced mesothelioma law firm on your side.
New York has a long history of asbestos litigation, and many residents have been exposed to this dangerous substance. In recent years, there are more lawsuits filed against asbestos producers in the past than ever before. These cases result from the recognition of a connection between
asbestos lawsuit and diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer and asbestosis. The companies were aware of the dangers of the 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 place that continues to impact on the community around it.
Many workers were exposed asbestos in their work environments. However, many people are diagnosed with mesothelioma after experiencing an exposure secondarily to the harmful substances. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposure workers who were wearing their husband's work clothes and came in contact with asbestos dust on a regular basis.
Litigation involving mesothelioma is expensive for defendants. This is particularly the case if they were wrongly named as defendants. According to a study, more than 3,600 claims have been filed in New York courts since 2014 and the number could increase even more. Specialized
asbestos law firms often advertise on daytime TV and encourage victims to submit claims under the premise that they will receive significant settlements.
The defendants may be able reduce some of the costs of these cases by arguing that their policy periods are expired or that they are only responsible a small portion of the claim value. However, New York law has not provided a definitive rule on how to divide liabilities when the alleged exposure is in and out of the policy period of the insurer.
Asbestos-Related Diseases
A wide range of asbestos-related diseases can develop because of exposure to the harmful mineral. The most serious of these is mesothelioma. Mesothelioma has led to the deaths of many people. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer asbestosis, pleural plaques and pleural effusion.
Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal disease, is caused by asbestos fibers that accumulate in the lungs. They then cause irritation to the linings of the ribcage (the the pleura) as well as the chest cavity and abdominal cavity. Inhaling these fibers can lead to scarring in the lungs. This is called asbestosis. It can also lead to thickened patches of pleura (pleural plaques) or an increase in fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrisis reduce lung capacity, as measured by breathing tests. They can also cause breathing problems and pain however they do not lead to cancer or mesothelioma.
The symptoms of asbestos-related diseases typically don't manifest until decades after the initial exposure. It can take as long as 50 years for asbestos fibers inhaled to cause lung damage. People who are at risk of developing mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related ailments include those who handled, laundered, and removed these materials from the workplace, as well as spouses and children of those exposed to asbestos.
Other asbestos-related diseases, in addition to mesothelioma, include lung cancer and laryngeal carcinoma and peritoneal, ovarian and peritoneal cancer. The most fatal mesothelioma type is ovarian cancer, but it's less frequent than the general mesothelioma. It is typically diagnosed later than other types of mesothelioma since it develops in the tissues of the reproductive organs and symptoms can be similar to those of other diseases.
Many companies employed asbestos in the 20th century, however they knew that it was dangerous. If they didn't remove asbestos from their products thousands of people were exposed. Now, those exposed are able to claim financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are bankrupt. In the aftermath, victims can seek the money they are entitled to from trust funds set up by the bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
For decades, asbestos-related companies put profits above the safety of their employees as well as consumers, producing dangerous products without warning of the dangers. They are now paying the price for their negligence. People who's lives have been affected by mesothelioma and lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses are seeking fair and full compensation.
Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals get 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 the highest amount of compensation for their clients.
Many states have established asbestos courts with specialization, where claims can be filed more efficiently. Additionally judges have created specific procedures for evaluating and resolving such cases.
New York is one such state with its own asbestos court known as NYCAL. The number of cases in this court has been increasing steadily as asbestos victims are becoming more and more likely to seek compensation from solvent
Asbestos Legal defendants who have become bankrupt. In order to ensure that the justice system is not overwhelmed the New York Supreme Court has created an extra judicial panel to oversee NYCAL.
A panel composed of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine if it should be accepted or rejected. Judges will also consider the merits of every claim to determine how much amount of money each plaintiff should receive.
The panel is currently looking at more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected make a final decision before the end of the year.
New York asbestos lawsuits are usually complex and include allegations of several defendants. Belluck & Fox's lawyers have extensive experience in litigating these complex matters. They are knowledgeable of the asbestos courts of New York and their rules regulations, policies and guidelines, as well as other jurisdictions in which they have handled multi-district litigation.
The firm also has extensive experience as National Coordinating Counsel in
asbestos litigation, representing clients nationwide in complex, multi-district litigation. In this capacity, attorneys create strategies, coordinate and manage regional and local counsel, and ensure consistent and cost-effective defenses for every client. They have worked closely with trial and coordination judges and litigation special masters in various jurisdictions in which they were involved in asbestos litigation.