Many companies have been bankrupt because of the asbestos lawsuits filed by victims. An asbestos lawyer can assist you in getting compensation.
Experts in the health field have warned for years about the dangers asbestos exposure. Yet, industry leaders downplayed the risks. Over time the number of people who fell ill with asbestos-related ailments.
The Third Case
Asbestos lawsuits began to take off in the 1970s, when scientific studies started to link asbestos attorney with serious illnesses like asbestosis or mesothelioma. Because these diseases often don't show symptoms until decades after exposure, thousands of lawsuits were filed. These lawsuits were filed in Texas due to its favorable laws.
One of the most significant cases that shaped asbestos litigation was Johns Manville, the leading producer of asbestos attorneys-related products during the 1940s and 1950s. In the 1980s, it came to light that the company's CEO Lewis Brown prioritized company profits over the health of his employees. In his deposition, he admitted to being heavily affected by Dr. Russell Budd, the chief medical advisor of his company. Budd was a doctor who was well-known for his callous disregard of the health of workers.
Johns Manville was found to have been aware of asbestos' dangers however, they did not take any action to protect their workers. The court determined that the company was responsible for the injuries suffered by workers who later developed mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. The court also determined that the company was liable for the family members of deceased workers.
Following the decision in Borel, many asbestos victims and their families sought compensation from the companies that made use of asbestos as a material. Unfortunately, the majority of claims were denied due to a variety of reasons. Some cases were allowed to be heard and the courts came up with guidelines for handling asbestos-related lawsuits.
In the 1990s, asbestos defendants continued to seek legal rulings to limit their liability. They wanted to to argue that asbestos materials were not part of their product and therefore, they shouldn't be held responsible for injuries caused by people who employed with it. These arguments were not successful and the U.S. Supreme Court rejected the "asbestos products" defense.
Today, a mesothelioma patient's right to seek compensation from parties responsible in the case is protected by state and federal law. However insurance companies continue fight these claims with a hammer and a sledgehammer.