Asbestos Lawsuit History It s Not As Expensive As You Think

Texas Asbestos Lawsuit History

Many companies have gone bankrupt due to asbestos lawsuits (like this) filed by the victims. A mesothelioma lawyer can help you get compensation.

Experts in the field of health have been warning for years about the dangers of asbestos exposure. Industry leaders have downplayed these risks. Over time, asbestos-related diseases were becoming more prevalent.

The Third Case

Asbestos litigation began to take off in the 1970s, just after research studies began to link asbestos with serious diseases like asbestosis and mesothelioma. Tens of thousands of suits were filed because asbestos lawyer-related diseases rarely exhibit symptoms until decades after exposure. These lawsuits were filed in Texas due to its favorable laws.

One of the most important cases that shaped asbestos litigation involved Johns Manville, the leading producer of asbestos products in the 1940s and 1950s. In the 1980s, it was brought to the light that the company's CEO Lewis Brown prioritized company profits over the health of his employees. In his deposition testimony, 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 sloppy disregard for the health of employees.

The evidence proved that Johns Manville knew about the dangers of asbestos and took no action to protect its workers. The court declared that the company was accountable for any damages suffered by workers who later develop mesothelioma or other asbestos lawyer-related illnesses. The court also ruled that the company was liable for damages for the families of deceased employees.

After the decision in Borel many asbestos victims and their families sought compensation from the companies that used the material. Unfortunately, the majority of claims were dismissed for various reasons. Certain cases were allowed continue and the courts came up with guidelines for handling asbestos-related suits.

In the 1990s, asbestos defendants continued to seek legal rulings to limit their liability. They wanted to argue that asbestos materials were not part of their product and therefore they shouldn't be held liable for injuries caused by people who employed with it. These claims were unsuccessful and the U.S. Supreme Court rejected the "asbestos products" defense.

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