Don't Buy Into These "Trends" About Asbestos Lawsuit History

Texas Asbestos Lawsuit History

Asbestos lawsuits have led to the bankruptcy of several businesses. A mesothelioma lawyer can assist you in obtaining compensation.

Experts in the health field have warned for years about the dangers of exposure to asbestos. But, some industry leaders minimized the risks. As time went on, class action asbestos-related diseases were becoming more prevalent.

The Third Case

Asbestos litigation began to take off in the 1970s after research studies began to link asbestos lawsuit australia to serious illnesses like mesothelioma and asbestosis. Because these diseases often don't manifest until years after exposure, thousands of lawsuits were filed. Many of these claims were brought in Texas, where favorable laws made it a popular location for this litigation saga.

Johns Manville was the leading producer in the 1940s and 1950s of asbestos-related products. This case had a significant impact on class action asbestos litigation. In the 1980s, it came to the 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 the company's chief medical advisor, Dr. Russell Budd. Budd was a doctor who was well-known for his callous disregard of the health of employees.

Johns Manville was found to have been aware of asbestos's dangers however, they did not take any steps to protect their workers. The court declared that the company was liable for Asbestos Lawsuit History damages if workers later develop mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases. The court also held that the company was liable for damages to the families of employees who died.

After the decision in Borel, many asbestos victims and their families sought compensation from the companies who used asbestos as a material. Unfortunately, the majority of claims were denied due to various reasons. Some cases were allowed to proceed, and the courts drew up a series of guidelines that have governed the handling of asbestos-related lawsuits.

In the 1990s, asbestos defendants continued to seek legal rulings to limit their liability. For example they wanted to be able to argue that asbestos materials were not part of their product and therefore shouldn't be held accountable for injuries sustained by people who worked with them. These claims were unsuccessful, and the U.S. Supreme Court refused to accept the "asbestos product" defense.

Today, a mesothelioma patient's right to seek compensation from the accountable parties in a case is protected by federal and state law. Insurance companies continue to fight these claims.