20 Things You Must Be Educated About Asbestos Lawsuit History
Texas Asbestos Lawsuit History
Many companies have been bankrupt because of the asbestos lawsuits filed by the victims. An asbestos lawyer can help you get compensation.
Experts in the field of health have warned for decades about the dangers of asbestos exposure. Industry leaders have minimized these risks. As time went on, asbestos-related diseases were becoming more prevalent.
The Third Case
Asbestos lawsuits really began to gain momentum in the 1970s, shortly after studies by scientists began to link asbestos to severe illnesses like mesothelioma and asbestosis. Because these diseases often don't manifest until years after exposure, tens of thousands of lawsuits were filed. These lawsuits were filed in Texas due to its favorable laws.
One of the most significant 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 light that the company's CEO Lewis Brown prioritized company profits over the health of his employees. In his deposition testimony, Brown admitted that he was heavily influenced by Dr. Russell Budd, the chief medical advisor to 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 asbestos hazards but did not take any action to safeguard its workers. The court decided that the company was liable for the injuries suffered by workers who later developed mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases. The court also ruled the company liable for damages for the families of employees who died.
Following the decision in Borel many asbestos victims and families sought compensation from the companies that used this material. Unfortunately, the majority of these claims were dismissed for different reasons. Some cases were permitted to proceed and the courts came up with guidelines that guide the handling of asbestos-related lawsuits.
In the 1990s asbestos defendants continued to seek legal rulings to limit their liability. For exposure to asbestos lawsuit wanted to argue that the asbestos materials were not part of their product, and therefore shouldn't be held accountable for injuries sustained by people who worked with them. The claims were rejected and the U.S. Supreme Court rejected the "asbestos products" defense.
Today, a mesothelioma patient's right to seek compensation from the accountable parties in the case is protected by federal and state law. Insurance companies continue to fight against these claims.