Texas Asbestos Lawsuit History
Asbestos lawsuits have led to the bankruptcies of a number of companies. A mesothelioma attorney can assist you in getting compensation.
Doctors and health experts long warned about asbestos exposure's dangers. Industry leaders have downplayed the dangers. In time the number of people who became ill with asbestos-related diseases.
The Third Case
Asbestos lawsuits really took off in the 1970s after studies by scientists began to link asbestos to serious illnesses like asbestosis or mesothelioma. Thousands of lawsuits were filed due to the fact that asbestos-related diseases do not usually exhibit symptoms until decades after exposure. These lawsuits were filed in Texas due to its favorable laws.
Johns Manville was the leading producer in the 1940s & 1950s of asbestos 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. In his deposition, Brown admitted to being heavily affected by Dr. Russell Budd, the chief medical advisor of his company. Budd was a doctor who was who was known for his smug disregard for the health of employees, was a well-known figure.
The evidence proved that Johns Manville knew about the asbestos hazards 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 illnesses. The court also held that the company was liable for damages for families of deceased employees.
After the decision in Borel many asbestos victims and their families sought compensation from the companies that made use of the material. The majority of the claims were denied due to a variety of reasons. Some cases were allowed to proceed and the courts came up with up a series of guidelines that have governed the handling of asbestos-related lawsuits.
In the 1990s asbestos defendants were seeking legal rulings that would reduce their liability. For instance, they wanted to argue that the asbestos materials were not part of their product, and therefore should not be held liable for injuries to people who worked with asbestos. The claims were rejected and the U.S. Supreme Court rejected the "asbestos products" defense.
Today, a mesothelioma patient's right to seek compensation asbestos lawsuit history from the responsible parties in a case is protected under federal and state law. Insurance companies continue to fight these claims.