Law firm Weitz & Luxemberg is behind more than half the cases that go through the section of the court specialising in asbestos, NYCAL (New York City Asbestos Litigaiton). Another lawyer using the court said: 'They’ve taken over a section of the courthouse, and the people in charge of the courthouse run it for them. It pours money into the firm.'
Awards level
There is controversy about the way that Weitz cases are being consolidated even if they appear not to have much in common. The newspaper says that the firm won 'a record $190 million' for five mesothelioma victims in a consolidated case even though they had different jobs and worked for different employers. The average awards in NYCAL are 'two to three times higher' than in other US courts, according to research from Bates White. The firm is now under the spotlight because of its connection with Sheldon Silver, the New York politician who has just been charged on five counts including bribery. Sources: New York Post and NYCAL
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