Recognized asbestos litigation authority and W&L partner Charles M. Ferguson has once again been invited to serve as co-chair for the upcoming Perrin Asbestos Litigation Conference. The conference is being held at the New York City Bar Association in New York on December 7, 2023.
Several W&L Attorneys Sharing Their Knowledge
Mr. Ferguson is speaking from 9:15 to 9:30 a.m. at the Opening Remarks session in the Meeting Hall. Not only does Mr. Ferguson head the Weitz & Luxenberg Mesothelioma and Asbestos Practice Group, but he is widely regarded as one of New York’s leaders in asbestos litigation — dating back to the late 1980s.
In addition, he and his team of attorneys are credited with having litigated 36,000 asbestos cases. They have secured $8.5 billion in settlements and verdicts on behalf of victims of asbestos exposure.
Two of Mr. Ferguson’s W&L colleagues are also presenting at the 2023 conference. Attorney Sean K. Kerley is discussing Talc Litigation from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Attorney Pierre Ratzki is speaking on Appellate and Summary Judgment Decisions from 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Mesothelioma Litigation Continues to Climb
Although the pandemic halted a lot of litigation efforts in general, we have found our way through. The world — and the courts — have reopened and cases are ongoing.
People may have felt disinclined to reach out to attorneys, but the numbers are growing once again. Currently, Mr. Ferguson oversees more than 60 attorneys, and our firm is filing more than 500 cases annually across the country.
“Mesothelioma caused by asbestos continues to be a major health concern for many,” Mr. Ferguson says. “The pandemic may have slowed or disrupted litigation efforts for a time, but the disease didn’t stop its progression waiting for the courts to catch up. And people are paying the price. Sadly, the mesothelioma mortality rate nationwide is on the rise.”
He adds, “As long as people are facing this very real threat, Weitz & Luxenberg will continue resolutely to represent our clients in the best way possible. We hope to expand and innovate our approaches to resolve their claims most effectively.”
Talcum Powder Contaminated with Asbestos
Despite misleading marketing tactics from manufacturers and distributors, some talcum powder products are contaminated with asbestos. Products the general public thought were safe can, sadly, lead to mesothelioma and ovarian cancer. Mr. Kerley is pleased to be part of W&L’s team where he can continue his asbestos exposure litigation work.
In his career, Mr. Kerley is credited with being part of a trial team that secured a $12.2 million verdict for his clients, as well as multiple settlements totaling close to $50 million. Mr. Kerley handles all types of asbestos exposure, with a focus on talcum powder cases. His cases take him all over the country, fighting for the rights of injured clients.
Appellate and Summary Judgments
Each year, one of the W&L attorneys serving in our Asbestos Appellate Unit offers insights and implications regarding current appellate court decisions. These decisions are ongoing and integrally intertwined with all of our current asbestos litigation.
This year, Mr. Ratzki shares his views regarding the latest New York appellate decisions and litigation efforts awaiting review by the U.S. Supreme Court. His discussion considers the practical impact of what the ruling is doing at the trial level and what the standard currently is.
Mr. Ratzki serves in our asbestos litigation group, focusing on appeals. He keeps a close eye on W&L’s defeat attempts. Losing defendants are always looking for a way to persuade a higher court to overturn our winning verdicts, or otherwise place our clients in a weakened position. His job is to stop them.
Perrin Asbestos Litigation Conferences
Perrin’s annual asbestos litigation conference lasts just one day, but packs a lot of content into its short span. Leading attorneys, judges, and industry professionals come together to share their latest insights about critical events in New York State asbestos litigation. By keeping each other informed, we hope that one day asbestos exposure diseases — including mesothelioma — will be a thing of the past.
