20 Inspiring Quotes About Asbestos Lawsuit History

Texas Asbestos Lawsuit History

Asbestos lawsuits have resulted in the bankruptcy of several businesses. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can assist you in obtaining compensation.

Doctors and health experts long warned about the dangers of asbestos exposure. Industry leaders have downplayed these risks. Over  lawsuit asbestos , more and more people fell ill with asbestos-related ailments.

The Third Case

Asbestos lawsuits really took off in the 1970s, when studies by scientists began to connect asbestos with serious diseases like mesothelioma or asbestosis. Because asbestos-related diseases don't typically develop symptoms until decades after exposure, 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 significant cases that shaped asbestos litigation involved Johns Manville, the leading producer of asbestos-related 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. Deposition testimony revealed that Brown was heavily influenced by his company's chief medical advisor Dr. Russell Budd. Budd, a doctor known for his callous disregard for employees' health was a well-known character.

The evidence showed that Johns Manville knew about the asbestos dangers but did not take any action to protect its workers. The court found that the company is responsible for any damages that occur if employees later develop mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases. The court also found that the company was liable for damages for families of employees who died.

Following the decision in Borel, many asbestos victims and their families sought compensation from the companies who used asbestos. The majority of these claims were rejected for a variety reasons. Some cases were allowed to continue and the courts drafted guidelines for 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 argue that the asbestos materials were not part of their product, and therefore shouldn't be held accountable for injuries suffered by those who worked with them. These arguments were rejected and the U.S. Supreme Court refused to accept the "asbestos product" defense.

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