An Asbestos Defense Attorney Can Help Protect the Financial Security of Those Harmed by Exposure to This Harmful Mineral
An asbestos defense attorney can help protect the financial security of those harmed by exposure to this toxic mineral. Compensation can cover medical expenses funeral and burial costs, pain and suffering, and loss of quality of life.
Our lawyers are involved in mass toxic tort litigation at a national, regional and local level. As a result, we are knowledgeable about the specific issues and complex aspects of science that are associated with
asbestos legal cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos is a harmful fiber that can lead to numerous serious medical conditions, including mesothelioma. A New York
asbestos lawyer is adept at handling asbestos lawsuits that seek financial compensation for the victims and their families due to exposure to this toxic substance. 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 hazardous material. In recent years there have been more lawsuits against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases are the result of the recognition that asbestos is linked to illnesses such as mesothelioma or lung cancer. These companies knew of the dangers of the hazardous mineral, but failed to warn their employees and clients.
New York City is especially susceptible to illnesses caused by asbestos because of its older structures and construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously toxic area that continues to impact the surrounding community.
Many workers were exposed asbestos in the workplace. However, people also get diagnosed with mesothelioma after experiencing secondhand exposure to the harmful substances. This includes spouses who wear husband's clothing at work and come in contact with asbestos dust regularly.
The mesothelioma litigation is costly for defendants, particularly when they are mistakenly identified as defendants. A study shows that more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed since 2014 in New York courts. This number could rise. This kind of litigation is usually driven by asbestos law firms, which advertise on daytime television and encourage victims to file claims, with the promise of huge settlements.
The defendants may be able mitigate some of the expenses arising from these cases by arguing that their policy periods expire or they are only responsible for a tiny portion of the claim value. New York law does not provide a definitive rule on how to divide the liability if the alleged risk is of the insurer's policies.
Asbestos-related Illnesses
A wide range of asbestos-related diseases can develop due to exposure to the mineral that causes cancer. The most serious of these is mesothelioma. Many have died from mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques, and pleural effusion.
Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal illness that is caused by exposure to asbestos fibers which accumulate in the lungs, and can cause irritation to the lining of the chest cavity, ribcage, and abdominal cavity (the the pleura). The inhalation of these small fibers can result in scarring of the lungs, a condition known as asbestosis and occasionally, the development of thickened patches on the pleura referred to 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 difficulty in breathing, but they are not the cause of cancer or mesothelioma.
Symptoms of asbestos-related disease often are not evident until years after initial exposure. It can take as long as 50 years for asbestos fibers inhaled to cause lung damage. Workers who handled, cleaned and removed asbestos from the workplace and their children, spouses and others who were exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing mesothelioma.
In addition to mesothelioma other asbestos-related diseases include laryngeal cancer, lung cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma, and mesothelioma of the ovary. Ovarian cancer is the deadliest mesothelioma type for women however, it is much less common than mesothelioma in general. It is diagnosed later than most other types of mesothelioma because it develops in the linings of reproductive organs. The symptoms can be similar to other diseases.
Many companies employed asbestos in the 20th century, but they knew that it was a risk. They exposed thousands of people to
asbestos compensation when they didn't remove it from their products. The affected people are now able to sue for financial compensation. Many of the asbestos-related manufacturers have filed for bankruptcy. The victims are now able to claim compensation from the trust funds established by bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
Asbestos-related companies have put profit before the safety of their workers and consumers for decades making dangerous products, without warning of the dangers. These companies are now facing the consequences of their inattention. People whose lives have been disrupted by mesothelioma, cancer of the lung, and other asbestos-related illnesses are seeking full and fair settlement.
Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals obtain the justice they deserve. Our attorneys have more than 25 years of experience and have helped clients receive millions of dollars in compensation. Our New York mesothelioma lawyers work to hold accountable large corporations accountable and seek the maximum amount of compensation for our clients.
Many states have created asbestos courts with specialization, where claims can be filed more efficiently. Additionally, judges have established specific procedures for evaluating and resolving such 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 more and more asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants who have become bankrupt. 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 to determine if it is accepted or rejected. Judges will also consider the merits of each claim to determine the amount the plaintiff is entitled to.
The panel is currently examining more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to announce its final decision by the end of the 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 complicated issues. They are familiar with the rules regulations, policies, and procedures of the asbestos courts in New York, as well as the laws of other jurisdictions where they have handled multidistrict litigation.
The firm also has extensive experience in serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients nationwide in multi-district litigation that is complex and complex. In this role, attorneys create strategies, coordinate and manage regional and local counsel and ensure cost-effective and consistent defenses for each client. They have collaborated closely with coordinating and trial judges and litigation special masters in various jurisdictions where they have been involved in asbestos litigation.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A skilled Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best way to defend a client against an asbestos personal injury claim.