An Asbestos Defense Attorney Can Help Protect the Financial Security of Those Harmed by Exposure to This Harmful Mineral
An asbestos defense lawyer can help protect the financial security of those who have been affected by exposure to this toxic mineral. Compensation could cover medical expenses funeral and burial costs, loss of quality of life, and suffering and pain.
Our lawyers are national, regional and local counsel in massive toxic tort litigation. As our lawyers are well-versed with the unique issues and the complex science that go along with asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos is a harmful fiber that can lead to a variety of severe medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney is skilled in dealing with lawsuits that seek financial compensation for victims of asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be a bit complicated, so it's important to have a mesothelioma lawyer on your side.
New York has a long history of
asbestos litigation, and many residents have been exposed to this hazardous substance. In recent years there have been more lawsuits filed against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases are a result of the recognition that asbestos can cause illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer. These companies were aware of asbestos's dangers but did not take the time to warn employees and consumers.
New York City is especially susceptible to illnesses caused by asbestos because of its old structures and construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic place that continues to have an impact on the community surrounding it.
Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to
asbestos claim directly and a lot of workers were exposed to it in the workplace. However, people also get diagnosed with mesothelioma following exposure to harmful substances. This includes spouses who wear their husband's clothes to work and come into contact with asbestos dust frequently.
Litigation involving mesothelioma is expensive for defendants. This is especially relevant if they've been 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 is expected to increase even more. This kind of litigation is usually driven by asbestos law firms that promote on daytime television and encourage victims to file claims, with the promise of substantial settlements.
The defendants might be able to reduce the cost of these cases by arguing that their policies are in a lapse or that they are only responsible a small portion of the claim value. New York law does not have a clear rule on how to distribute responsibility when the alleged risk is of the insurance policies.
Asbestos-related diseases
A variety of
asbestos settlement-related diseases can develop due to exposure to the toxic mineral. The condition known as mesothelioma is the most severe. Mesothelioma is the cause of death of many people. Other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer and asbestosis. Pleural plaques and effusion are also asbestos-related.
Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal disease caused by exposure to asbestos fibers that accumulate in the lungs and irritate the lining of the chest cavity, ribcage and abdominal cavity (the the pleura). Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause scarring of the lungs, known as asbestosis. It can also lead to thickened patches of pleura (pleural plaques) or an increase in fibrosis. Pleural plaques and diffused fibrosis reduce lung capacity as determined by breathing tests. They can also cause pain and difficulty breathing, though they do not lead to cancer or mesothelioma.
The signs of asbestos-related illness typically do not manifest until decades after the initial exposure. This is because it can take between 20 to 50 years for inhalation of asbestos fibers to damage the lungs. The people at risk of developing mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related conditions include workers who handled, cleaned and removed
asbestos legal-containing materials from their workplaces and their spouses and children of asbestos-related exposure.
As well as mesothelioma, other asbestos-related illnesses include laryngeal cancer, lung cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma and mesothelioma ovarian. The most dangerous form of mesothelioma is called ovarian cancer, but it's less common than the general mesothelioma. It is usually diagnosed later than other kinds of mesothelioma due to the fact that it is a cancer that develops in the lining of the reproductive organs, and symptoms can be similar to symptoms of other diseases.
A number of companies used asbestos in the 20th century, but they knew that it was a risk. When they did not remove asbestos from their products thousands of people were exposed. These people now are able to sue for financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are insolvent. In the aftermath, victims can seek the money they deserve from the 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 by producing dangerous products, without warning of the risks. These companies are now confronting the consequences of their negligence. Patients who have suffered asbestos-related illnesses such as mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and full compensation.
Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals get the justice they deserve. Our attorneys have more than 25 years experience and have assisted our clients to receive millions of dollars in compensation. Our New York mesothelioma lawyers work to hold accountable large corporations accountable and to secure the highest amount of compensation for our clients.
Many states have established asbestos courts that are specifically designed so that claims can be filed more efficiently. Additionally judges have developed specific procedures for evaluating and resolving such cases.
New York, a state with its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL) is one of them. The number of cases in this court has been increasing steadily as increasing numbers of asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent former asbestos defendants who went bankrupt. In order to ensure that the justice system is not overloaded, the New York Supreme Court has created an extra judicial panel to supervise NYCAL.
A panel composed of six Supreme Court judges will review every case in NYCAL to decide whether or not to take it up with it. Judges will also consider the merits of each claim to determine how much the plaintiff is entitled to.
The panel is currently looking at more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to announce its final decision by the end this year.
New York asbestos lawsuits can be complicated and involve multiple defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience in the litigation of these complicated issues. They are well-versed in the asbestos courts of New York, including their rules, regulations and policies, as well as other jurisdictions where they have handled multi-district 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 capacity lawyers formulate strategies, oversee local and regional counsel and ensure consistent and effective defenses for clients. 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 Tulsa
asbestos lawyer will determine which strategy is the best way to defend the client against a personal injury claim involving asbestos.