Asbestos Lawsuit History The Process Isn't As Hard As You Think

Texas Asbestos Lawsuit History

Many companies have declared bankruptcy because of the asbestos lawsuits filed by victims.  mesothelioma lawyer asbestos cancer lawsuit  experienced mesothelioma lawyer can help you obtain compensation.

Experts in the field of health have warned for decades about the dangers of exposure to asbestos. However, the industry's leaders hid the dangers. Over time, asbestos-related diseases became more common.

The Third Case

Asbestos lawsuits really began to gain momentum in the 1970s, shortly after scientific studies began to link asbestos with serious diseases like asbestosis and mesothelioma. Since these diseases typically don't show symptoms until decades after exposure, tens of thousands of lawsuits were filed. These lawsuits were filed in Texas because of its favorable laws.

Johns Manville was the leading producer in the 1940s & 1950s of asbestos-related products. This case had a significant impact on asbestos litigation. In the 1980s it was revealed that Lewis Brown, the CEO of the company, put profits above the health and safety of his employees. The testimony of a deposition revealed that he was heavily influenced by his company's chief medical advisor Dr. Russell Budd. Budd, a doctor who was known for his smug disregard for the health of employees, was a well-known figure.

Johns Manville was found to have known about asbestos' dangers, but did not take any action to protect their workers. The court found that the company is liable for damages if workers later develop mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses. The court also ruled the company liable for damages for the families of employees who died.

Following the decision in Borel many asbestos-related victims and their families demanded compensation from the companies that made use of the material. Most of the claims were denied due to a variety of reasons. Some cases were allowed to continue and the courts drafted guidelines for the handling of asbestos-related lawsuits.

In the 1990s asbestos defendants were seeking legal rulings that would limit their liability. For example they wanted to argue that the asbestos materials were not part of their product and thus should not be held liable for injuries suffered by those who worked with asbestos. These claims were unsuccessful, and the U.S. Supreme Court refused to accept the "asbestos product" defense.

Federal and state laws protect the rights of a mesothelioma patient to seek compensation for their illness from the responsible parties in a particular case. However, insurance companies continue to defend these claims tooth and nail.