The 10 Most Scariest Things About Asbestos Lawsuit History

Texas Asbestos Lawsuit History

Many companies have gone bankrupt because of the asbestos lawsuits filed by victims. A mesothelioma attorney can assist you in getting compensation.

Experts in the health field have been warning for years about the dangers asbestos exposure. Industry leaders have downplayed the risks. Over 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 severe illnesses like mesothelioma and asbestosis. Because these diseases often don't show symptoms until decades after exposure, tens of thousands of lawsuits were filed. Many of these claims were filed in Texas where favorable laws made it a popular location for this inferno of litigation.

Johns Manville was the leading producer during the 1940s and 1950s of asbestos attorney-related products. This case had a major impact on asbestos litigation. In the 1980s it was discovered that Lewis Brown, the CEO of the company, placed profits above the safety and health of his employees. The testimony of a deposition revealed that he was heavily influenced by the chief medical advisor of the company, Dr. Russell Budd. Budd was an expert in his field who was known for his callous disregard of the health of employees.

The evidence showed that Johns Manville knew about the asbestos hazards but did nothing to protect its workers. The court declared that the company was responsible for any damages that occur if employees later develop mesothelioma, or any other asbestos-related illness. The court also found that the company was liable for damages for the families of employees who passed away.

After the decision in Borel, many asbestos victims and their families sought compensation from companies that made use of asbestos. Unfortunately, most of these claims were denied due to different 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 still sought legal rulings to limit their liability. They wanted to be able argue that asbestos materials were not a part of their product, and therefore they should not be held responsible for injuries caused by people who employed with asbestos. The claims were not successful and the U.S. Supreme Court refused to accept the "asbestos lawyers product" defense.

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