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 assist those whose financial security has been affected by exposure to the toxic mineral. Compensation can cover medical costs, funeral and burial costs, loss of quality of life, as well as suffering and pain.
Our lawyers are involved in mass toxic tort litigation on a national, regional and local scale. As a result, we are familiarized with the unique issues and complex scientific aspects of asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos fibers are deadly and can trigger serious medical conditions such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is skilled in dealing with asbestos lawsuits, which seek compensation for victims and their families due to exposure to this toxic substance. These cases can be a bit complicated and it's crucial to have a mesothelioma lawyer to assist you.
New York has a long history of asbestos litigation, and many residents have been exposed to this dangerous material. In recent years there have been more lawsuits against asbestos producers from the past than before. These cases are a result of the realization that
asbestos lawyers can cause diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. The companies were aware of the dangers of the hazardous mineral, but did not warn their employees and consumers.
The New York City area is particularly susceptible to asbestos-related illnesses due to its old structures and the numerous construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously toxic area that continues affect the surrounding community.
Many workers were exposed to asbestos in their work environments. In addition, exposure to asbestos through secondhand sources can result in mesothelioma. 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 incorrectly named as defendants. According to a study, more than 3,600 claims have been filed in New York courts since 2014 and the number is expected to rise further. Specialized asbestos law firms typically advertise on television during the day and encourage victims to submit claims, promising they will receive substantial settlements.
The defendants may be able mitigate some of the costs associated with these cases by asserting that their policy periods have expired or they're only accountable for a small percentage of the value of the claim. New York law does not provide a definitive rule on how to distribute responsibility when the alleged exposure is part within and part outside of the insurer's policies.
Asbestos-related Diseases
Exposure to asbestos can lead to various diseases. The condition known as mesothelioma is the most severe. Many people have died due to mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer and asbestosis. Pleural plaques and pleural effusion are also asbestos-related.
Mesothelioma, a rare, but fatal illness, is caused by asbestos fibers which collect in the lungs. They then cause irritation to the linings of the ribcage (the Pleura), chest cavity, and abdominal cavity. The inhalation of these small fibers can cause scarring of the lungs known as asbestosis and sometimes the formation of thickened patches on the pleura referred to as pleural plaques or the more widespread fibrosis of the pleura, referred to as diffused pleural fibrisis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrosis decrease lung capacity as determined by breathing tests. They can also cause pain and discomfort in breathing, but they don't cause cancer or mesothelioma.
The majority of the time, signs of asbestos-related diseases do not appear until decades after the initial exposure. It can take up to 50 years for asbestos-related fibers to be inhaled to cause lung damage. The people at risk of developing mesothelioma and other
asbestos lawsuit-related ailments include those who handled, laundered and removed asbestos-containing materials from their workplaces and their spouses and children of those who were exposed to asbestos.
In addition to mesothelioma, other asbestos-related diseases include laryngeal cancer, lung cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma and ovarian mesothelioma. Ovarian cancer is the deadliest mesothelioma that women suffer from however it is much less common than mesothelioma in general. It is typically diagnosed later than other kinds of
mesothelioma lawsuits because it is a cancer that develops in the tissues of the reproductive organs and the symptoms can be similar to those of other diseases.
There were many companies that employed asbestos in the 20th century, however they knew that it was hazardous. When they did not remove asbestos from their products, thousands of people were exposed. These people can now seek financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are insolvent. The victims can now seek compensation from the trust funds created by bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
For decades, asbestos companies have placed profits over the safety of their employees and consumers by producing dangerous products without warning of the dangers. These companies are now facing the consequences of their negligence. Victims of asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and full settlement.
Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals get the justice they deserve. With more than 25 years of experience, we have secured millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. 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 set up special asbestos courts where claims can be filed and resolving more efficiently. In addition, judges have established specialized procedures to evaluate and resolve asbestos cases.
New York is one such state with its own asbestos court, known as NYCAL. As asbestos victims continue to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants who have declared bankruptcy, the caseload of the court has been steadily increasing. In order to ensure that the justice system is not overwhelmed, the New York Supreme Court has established an additional judicial panel that will oversee NYCAL.
A panel comprised of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine if it should be accepted or rejected. Judges will also assess the merits of each case to determine the amount a plaintiff should receive.
The panel is currently looking at more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to issue its final ruling before the end of the 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 complicated matters. They are knowledgeable of the asbestos courts of New York as well as their rules and regulations, as well as other jurisdictions where they have handled multi-district litigation.
The firm also has vast experience serving as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients throughout the nation in multi-district, complex litigation. In this capacity lawyers devise strategies, manage local and regional counsel, and ensure consistent and effective defenses for clients. They have worked closely in the past with trial judges, coordination judges, and litigation special masters from various jurisdictions.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will determine what strategy is most effective to defend the client from an injury claim that involves asbestos.