Watch Out: How Asbestos Lawsuit History Is Taking Over And What We Can Do About It

Texas Asbestos Lawsuit History Many companies have been bankrupt due to asbestos lawsuits filed by the victims. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can assist you in obtaining compensation. Doctors and health experts long warned about the dangers of asbestos exposure. Industry leaders have downplayed these risks. Over time, asbestos-related diseases became more common. The Third Case Asbestos litigation began to take off in the 1970s after scientific studies began to link asbestos with serious illnesses such as mesothelioma or asbestosis. Because these diseases often don't show symptoms until decades after exposure, hundreds of thousands of lawsuits were filed. These lawsuits were filed in Texas because of its favorable laws. Gulfport asbestos lawyer of the most significant cases that shaped asbestos litigation involved Johns Manville, the leading producer of asbestos-related products in the 1940s and 1950s. In the 1980s it was discovered that Lewis Brown, the CEO of the company, placed profits above the health and safety of his employees. In his deposition testimony, Brown admitted that he was heavily dependent on Dr. Russell Budd, the chief medical advisor to his company. Budd was an expert in his field who was known for his sloppy disregard for the health of workers. The evidence showed that Johns Manville knew about the asbestos dangers but did nothing to safeguard its workers. The court found that the company is responsible for any damages that occur if employees later develop mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related illness. The court also found that the company was responsible for damages for families of deceased employees. Following the decision in Borel, many asbestos victims and their families sought compensation from the companies that made use of the material. Most of these claims were denied for a variety reasons. A few cases were allowed to proceed and the courts set up a series of guidelines that guide the handling of asbestos-related lawsuits. In the 1990s, asbestos defendants continued to seek legal rulings to limit their liability. For instance they wanted to argue that the asbestos materials were not part of their product, and therefore should not be held liable for injuries to people who worked with them. The claims were rejected and the U.S. Supreme Court rejected the “asbestos products” defense. Today, mesothelioma victims' right to seek compensation from the parties responsible in the case is protected by state and federal law. However insurance companies continue fight these claims tooth and nail.