Asbestos Lawsuit History: What No One Is Talking About

Texas Asbestos Lawsuit History

Asbestos lawsuits have resulted in the bankruptcy of many companies. A mesothelioma attorney can help you get compensation.

Experts in the health field have warned for years about the dangers of asbestos exposure. Industry leaders have downplayed these risks. Over time, asbestos-related diseases became more common.

The Third Case

Asbestos lawsuits began to take off in the 1970s after studies in science began to link asbestos with serious illnesses such as asbestosis or mesothelioma. Thousands of lawsuits were filed because asbestos-related diseases do not usually show symptoms for decades after exposure. A majority of these lawsuits were filed in Texas which had favorable laws made it an ideal venue for this litigation inferno.

Johns Manville was the leading producer during the 1940s and 1950s of asbestos-related products. This case had a significant impact on asbestos litigation. In the 1980s, it was brought to light that the company's CEO Lewis Brown prioritized company profits over the health of his employees. Deposition testimony revealed that he was heavily influenced by the company's chief medical advisor, Dr. Russell Budd. Budd was an expert in his field who was known for his sloppy disregard for the health of workers.

Johns Manville was found to be aware of asbestos' dangers however, they failed to take any steps to protect their workers. The court ruled that the company is accountable for any damages suffered by workers who later develop mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses. The court also decided that the company was responsible for the family members of deceased workers.

After the decision in Borel many asbestos victims and families sought compensation from the companies that made use of the material. Unfortunately, the majority of these claims were denied due to a variety of reasons. Some cases were allowed to proceed and the courts set guidelines that have guided the handling of asbestos-related lawsuits.

In the 1990s, asbestos defendants still sought legal rulings to limit their liability. For instance they sought to argue that asbestos materials were not part of their product and thus should not be held liable for injuries sustained by people who worked with asbestos. These arguments were not successful and the U.S. Supreme Court rejected the "asbestos products" defense.

Meridian asbestos lawyers  and state laws safeguard the right of a mesothelioma patient to seek compensation for their illness from the parties accountable in a specific case. Insurance companies continue to fight against these claims.