A Time-Travelling Journey What People Talked About Asbestos Lawsuit History 20 Years Ago
first asbestos lawsuit -related lawsuits have led to the bankruptcies of a number of companies. A knowledgeable mesothelioma lawyer will help you secure compensation.
Health professionals and doctors for years warned about asbestos exposure's dangers. Industry leaders have downplayed the dangers. In time, more and more people fell ill with asbestos-related ailments.
The Third Case
Asbestos litigation really took off in the 1970s after studies by scientists began to link asbestos to serious illnesses such as mesothelioma or asbestosis. Tens of thousands of suits were filed because asbestos-related diseases do not usually manifest for years after exposure. 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-related products in the 1940s and 1950s. In the 1980s, it was revealed that Lewis Brown, the CEO of the company, placed profits over the safety and health of his employees. In his deposition, he admitted to being heavily influenced by Dr. Russell Budd, the chief medical advisor to his company. Budd was a doctor well-known for his callous disregard of the health of employees.
The evidence showed that Johns Manville knew about the dangers of asbestos and did not take any action to protect its 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 found the company liable for damages for the families of employees who died.
After the ruling in Borel, many asbestos victims and their families sought compensation from the companies who used the material. Most of these claims were denied for a variety reasons. A few cases were allowed to proceed and the courts set up a set of guidelines that have guided the handling of asbestos-related lawsuits.
In the 1990s, asbestos defendants were still seeking legal rulings to reduce their liability. For example they sought to argue that asbestos materials were not part of their product and therefore should not be held liable for injuries suffered by those who worked with asbestos. The claims were not successful 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 under federal and state law. However insurance companies continue to combat these claims tooth and nail.