The Most Effective Advice You'll Ever Receive About Asbestos Lawsuit History
Texas Asbestos Lawsuit History
Asbestos-related lawsuits have led to the bankruptcies of a number of businesses. A mesothelioma lawyer can assist you in obtaining compensation.
Experts in the health field have been warning for years about the dangers asbestos exposure. But, some industry leaders minimized the risks. As time went on, asbestos-related diseases became more prevalent.
The Third Case
Asbestos lawsuits really took off in the 1970s after studies in science began to link asbestos to serious illnesses like mesothelioma or asbestosis. Because asbestos-related diseases don't typically manifest until years after exposure, hundreds of thousands of lawsuits were filed. These lawsuits were filed in Texas due to its favorable laws.
Johns Manville was the leading producer in the 1940s and 1950s of asbestos products. This case had a significant impact on asbestos litigation. In the 1980s it was discovered that Lewis Brown, the CEO of the company, put company profits before the safety and health of his employees. In his deposition, Brown admitted that he was heavily influenced by Dr. Russell Budd, the chief medical advisor to his company. Budd, a doctor who was known for his smug disregard for employees' health was a well-known character.
The evidence showed that Johns Manville knew about the asbestos hazards but did nothing to protect its employees. The court determined that the company was liable for damages to workers who later developed mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses. The court also ruled that the company was responsible for damages for families of deceased employees.
After the decision in Borel, many asbestos victims and their families sought compensation from companies that made use of asbestos as a material. Unfortunately, the majority of claims were rejected for various reasons. Some cases were allowed to be heard, and the courts developed guidelines for the handling of asbestos-related suits.
In asbestos class action suit continued to seek legal rulings to limit their liability. They wanted to be able argue that asbestos materials were not component of their product and therefore, they shouldn't be held liable for injuries caused by people who worked with asbestos. These claims were unsuccessful and the U.S. Supreme Court rejected the "asbestos products" defense.
Today, mesothelioma victims' right to pursue compensation from accountable parties in a case is protected by federal and state law. However, insurance companies continue to fight these claims tooth and nail.