Asbestos Lawsuit History: What No One Has Discussed
Texas Asbestos Lawsuit History
Asbestos-related lawsuits have led to the bankruptcies of a number of businesses. A knowledgeable mesothelioma lawyer will help you obtain compensation.
Experts in the health field have been warning for years about the dangers asbestos exposure. However, the industry's leaders hid the dangers. Over time, asbestos-related diseases became more prevalent.
The Third Case
Asbestos lawsuits really began to gain momentum in the 1970s, shortly after research studies began to link asbestos with serious illnesses such as mesothelioma or asbestosis. Because asbestos-related diseases don't typically manifest until years 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 and 1950s of asbestos-related products. This case had a significant impact on asbestos litigation. In the 1980s, it was brought to be known that the company's chief executive Lewis Brown prioritized company profits over the health of his employees. Deposition testimony revealed that he was heavily influenced by his company's chief medical advisor, Dr. Naperville asbestos attorneys . Budd, a doctor who was known for his smug disregard for employees' health was a well-known character.
The evidence revealed that Johns Manville knew about the dangers of asbestos and did not take any action to protect its workers. The court ruled that the company is liable for damages if workers later develop mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related illness. The court also determined that the company was responsible for the families of deceased workers.
Following the decision in Borel, many asbestos victims and their families sought compensation from companies that used asbestos as a material. Unfortunately, the majority of these claims were denied due to a variety of reasons. Certain cases were allowed be heard and the courts came up with a set of guidelines for handling asbestos-related lawsuits.
In the 1990s asbestos defendants were seeking legal rulings that would reduce their liability. They wanted to be able argue that asbestos materials were not a part of their product and therefore they shouldn't be held liable for injuries incurred by those who worked with asbestos. These claims were unsuccessful, and the U.S. Supreme Court refused to accept the "asbestos product" defense.
Today, a mesothelioma victim's right to seek compensation from accountable parties in the case is protected by state and federal law. However insurance companies continue to combat these claims tooth and nail.