An In-Depth Look Back How People Discussed Asbestos Lawsuit History 20 Years Ago
Texas Asbestos Lawsuit History
Asbestos lawsuits have resulted in the bankruptcy of many businesses. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can help you secure compensation.
Experts in the field of health have warned for years about the dangers of asbestos exposure. Industry leaders have downplayed these risks. As time passed, asbestos-related illnesses became more prevalent.
The Third Case
Asbestos lawsuits began to take off in the 1970s after studies by scientists began to link asbestos with serious illnesses like mesothelioma or asbestosis. Tens of thousands of lawsuits were filed due to the fact that these diseases don't usually exhibit symptoms until decades after exposure. asbestos class action lawsuit canada were filed in Texas due to its favorable laws.
One of the most important cases that shaped asbestos litigation was Johns Manville, the leading producer of asbestos products in the 1940s and 1950s. In the 1980s it was revealed that Lewis Brown, the CEO of the company, placed profits over the health and safety of his employees. In his deposition testimony, Brown admitted to being heavily affected by Dr. Russell Budd, the chief medical advisor of his company. Budd, a doctor who was known for his smug disregard for employees' health was a well-known persona.
Johns Manville was found to be aware of asbestos's dangers however, they did not take any action to safeguard their workers. The court ruled that the company was liable for damages to workers who later developed mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. The court also found that the company was liable for damages to the families of deceased employees.
After the decision in Borel many asbestos victims and their families sought compensation from the companies that made use of this material. Unfortunately, the majority of these claims were dismissed for different reasons. Certain cases were allowed continue, and the courts developed guidelines for the handling of asbestos-related suits.
In the 1990s, asbestos defendants were still seeking legal rulings to reduce their liability. They wanted to be able to argue that asbestos materials were not a part of their product and therefore they should not be held accountable for injuries caused by people who worked with asbestos. These claims were unsuccessful and the U.S. Supreme Court refused to uphold the "asbestos product" defense.
Today, mesothelioma victims' right to pursue compensation from responsible parties in a case is protected by federal and state law. Insurance companies continue to fight against these claims.