Don't Buy Into These “Trends” Concerning Asbestos Lawsuit History
Texas Asbestos Lawsuit History Asbestos lawsuits have led to the bankruptcy of several businesses. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can help you obtain compensation. Experts in the field of health have warned for decades about the dangers of exposure to asbestos. Yet, industry leaders downplayed the risks. Over time, asbestos-related diseases became more common. The Third Case Asbestos litigation really took off in the 1970s after research studies began to link asbestos to severe illnesses like mesothelioma and asbestosis. Because these diseases often don't manifest until years after exposure, tens of thousands of lawsuits were filed. Many of these claims were brought in Texas where favorable laws made it a preferred location for this inferno of litigation. One of the most important cases that shaped asbestos litigation was Johns Manville, the leading producer of asbestos-related products during the 1940s and 1950s. In Pittsburgh asbestos lawyers , it came to light that the company's CEO Lewis Brown prioritized company profits over the health of his employees. Deposition testimony revealed that Brown was heavily influenced by the company's chief medical advisor Dr. Russell Budd. Budd was a doctor well-known for his sloppy disregard for the health of employees. Johns Manville was found to have been aware of asbestos's dangers, but did not take any steps to safeguard their workers. The court decided that the company was responsible for damages to workers who later developed mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases. The court also held the company liable for damages for the families of deceased employees. After the ruling in Borel, many asbestos victims and their families sought compensation from the companies that made use of asbestos. Most of these claims were rejected due to a variety of reasons. Some cases were permitted to proceed and the courts came up with guidelines that guide the handling of asbestos-related lawsuits. In the 1990s asbestos defendants still sought legal rulings to limit their liability. For example, they wanted to argue that asbestos materials were not part of their product and therefore could not be held responsible for injuries to people who worked with them. These claims were unsuccessful and the U.S. Supreme Court refused to uphold the “asbestos product” defense. Federal and state laws protect the rights of a mesothelioma patient to seek compensation for their illness from the responsible parties in a specific case. However, insurance companies continue to fight these claims with a hammer and a sledgehammer.