Asbestos Litigation Group

If you're involved in asbestos litigation or another harmful tort matter, you need a company that can provide comprehensive assistance. This includes electronic discovery management, high-tech depositions, and a comprehensive solution to manage large volumes of information.

This group is open to Regular, Life, Sustaining and President's Club AAJ members. It meets at the AAJ Annual and Winter conventions.

Asbestos Litigation History

The first asbestos lawsuit in the United States was filed by Anna Pirskowski in 1929 in Newark federal court. The case was unsuccessful however it was the beginning of a decade-long effort by asbestos firms to compensate victims for exposure.

In the 1960s, health researchers began to see that a connection existed between asbestos and diseases like mesothelioma. The asbestos industry tried to hide the findings however, news about the research began to surface. Unions for workers and other groups started demanding that asbestos manufacturers be forced to inform people about the dangers of the dangerous mineral.

In the course of this time asbestos producers were found to be negligent and ordered to compensate victims. This was made possible by laws that require anyone who creates a dangerous product, to inform consumers so they can protect themselves.

In the 1980s, asbestos litigation began to change. Instead of focusing on miners and asbestos manufacturers, lawyers represented those exposed to asbestos in other work environments. These included refineries, shipyards railways, power plants, and power stations. These claims usually grew into large class actions.

This pattern of litigation had a number of problems and issues, among them the fact that the attorneys of plaintiffs were tasked with a lot of work. They were specialized in contacting and bundling clients to file lawsuits in huge quantities. These mass filings were intended to overwhelm the court system as well as the defendants.

Many law firms representing plaintiffs focused on generating profit instead of taking care of their injured clients. Some even screened their clients with mobile x-ray vans. They refused them compensation when serious illnesses arose, such as mesothelioma.

The lawyers at Kazan Law specialize in representing those suffering from asbestos-related diseases which include mesothelioma. They were named as "Best Lawyers for Asbestos Litigation" by U.S. News & World Report. They attend the AAJ's Annual Convention and Winter Convention, and take part in regular meetings with the national Asbestos Trial Attorneys Association. This extensive involvement in asbestos litigation provides our firm with a distinct edge. We are able to provide our clients the best possible representation in these complex cases.

Asbestos Class Actions

Mesothelioma class actions are lawsuits filed on behalf of a group of people with similar asbestos injuries. These kinds of asbestos lawsuits enable victims to receive compensation without having to file individual claims against multiple defendants, which can be costly and time-consuming.

Asbestos class action lawsuits are a faster way to get victims the compensation they deserve. In an action that is a group, one plaintiff is chosen to represent the entire group. The plaintiffs and their mesothelioma attorneys are able to focus on building a strong case to achieve the best result for the family and victim.

There are a variety of regions in the United States in which asbestos exposure is high. Class actions are frequent. In New York, the Brooklyn Navy Yard trials and Con Edison powerhouse cases combined hundreds of mesothelioma lawsuits into a single case so that each claim could be resolved efficiently, rather than going through multiple individual trials.

However it's important to keep in mind that class actions are not always in the best interests of victims. The main problem with mesothelioma class action settlements is that they tend not to give victims as much compensation as they would if they had filed their own individual lawsuit against the companies responsible for their asbestos lawyer exposure.

Levy Konigsberg LLP has a team of mesothelioma lawyers who are skilled in representing asbestos victims in class actions and other forms of litigation. Since over 20 years, we've been committed to providing comprehensive legal assistance to patients and their families. Our attorneys understand the ways and disadvantages of filing mesothelioma lawsuits state courts, as well as federal courts.

We represent victims across the United States, even though the majority of them reside in or around New York. If you reside in California or Florida we can help you receive the money you deserve from mesothelioma lawsuits against negligent asbestos producers. Call us today for a free consultation. We're available to discuss your case and provide options to you.

Asbestos Bankruptcy Trusts

In the process of bankruptcy, asbestos companies, they reserve funds for compensation to victims with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases. In lieu of suing a company or a person, victims can file a trust fund claim. Trusts guarantee that there will be enough money to cover all legitimate claims.

You must meet certain eligibility requirements in order to submit an application. You must have worked for the company that established the trust and be diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease to qualify. You must also provide proof of exposure, such as employment documents, affidavits from employees who worked for you and in some instances the report of pathology or X-rays. If you are filing on behalf a deceased individual, you will need to submit a death certificate.

In addition, each asbestos trust has its own set of criteria for how to review an application. Some have a two-step process known as expedited review, and others have an individual review system. Lawyers who specialize in asbestos litigation can help you in determining the best method to process claims.

Asbestos trusts must equitably compensate claimants who have similar diseases. To determine this, they must have established disease levels that vary from mesothelioma through pleural disease without significantly restricted lung function.

It is typical for people to file trust funds and lawsuits against several asbestos companies accountable for their exposure. Depending on state law the companies are required to disclose information regarding trust claims during the discovery phase of the lawsuit.

While certain states have passed legislation to prevent the sharing of this information, most courts have allowed it to happen. The U.S. Department of Justice, however, has called for greater accountability for asbestos trusts. They claim that they are not protected from fraud and poor management.

The American Association for Justice offers assistance and resources to asbestos lawyers. Members can join a plaintiff-only list server and attend meetings at AAJ annual and winter conventions. The asbestos attorney Litigation Group is open to Regular Life, Sustaining, and President's Club AAJ members. The attorneys in the group concentrate on cases involving asbestos-related diagnoses and mesothelioma.

Asbestos Settlements

A successful asbestos lawsuit - just click the next document - can help victims receive compensation for their losses. Medical expenses, lost income, home-care expenses, emotional distress and pain and suffering are all included. Asbestos victims might also be able to seek punitive damages against negligent companies who put profits before safety of workers.

The amount of an award or settlement will depend on the individual losses of the victim. Each case is evaluated by an experienced New York mesothelioma attorney who will ensure that victims receive the maximum compensation.

Mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses are not easy to diagnose or treat. It is important that victims have a knowledgeable legal team who can identify the sources of asbestos exposure and anticipate the defenses from the parties responsible.

In the mesothelioma lawsuit process, the victim's legal team will be able to gather evidence and investigating their exposure to asbestos to demonstrate that the asbestos-related disease was caused by defendants' actions. They may also interview employees, both former and current, who worked at the work places where the victim was exposed. They can also review factory records and company financial records that prove that the defendants were aware of the dangers that asbestos poses and did not protect their employees.

Although there aren't any official statistics that provide information regarding asbestos cases or verdicts in Connecticut however, data from across the country shows that most asbestos cases end up in court before trial. Most cases that go to trial end up being a victory for the plaintiff, however there have been asbestos attorney jury verdicts which were reduced to reflect medical insurance benefits the victim or loved ones received.

There are numerous types of asbestos litigation dockets across the United States, each with its specific rules and procedures. In the upstate region of New York the 5th Judicial District which comprises Onondaga and Oswego and Herkimer and Jefferson, has an asbestos docket that is overseen by Justice Charles C. Merrell. The 4th District, on the other hand, has a judge dedicated to asbestos cases, Justice Richard T. Aulisi and is governed by an order for case management that is specifically geared towards asbestos.