Texas Asbestos Lawsuit History
Many companies have gone bankrupt because of the asbestos lawsuits filed by victims. A knowledgeable mesothelioma lawyer will help you secure compensation.
Experts in the health field have warned for decades about the dangers asbestos exposure. Industry leaders have downplayed these risks. Over time, more and more people were diagnosed with asbestos-related illnesses.
The Third Case
Asbestos litigation really took off in the 1970s, just after scientific studies began to link asbestos to serious illnesses such as mesothelioma or asbestosis. Since these diseases typically don't show symptoms until decades after exposure, thousands of lawsuits were filed. These lawsuits were filed in Texas because of its favorable laws.
One of the most significant cases that shaped asbestos litigation was 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, Brown admitted that he was heavily dependent on Dr. Russell Budd, the chief medical advisor to his company. Budd was a doctor well-known for his sloppy disregard for the health of workers.
Johns Manville was found to have known about asbestos's dangers however, they did not take any action to safeguard their workers. Chicago asbestos attorney decided that the company was responsible for the injuries suffered by workers who later developed mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases. The court also decided that the company was liable for the family members of deceased workers.
Following the decision in Borel, many asbestos victims and their families sought compensation from the companies that made use of the material. Unfortunately, the majority of these claims were dismissed for different reasons. Certain cases were allowed be heard and the courts drafted a set of guidelines for the handling of asbestos-related suits.
In the 1990s, asbestos defendants were still seeking legal rulings to reduce their liability. They wanted to argue that asbestos materials were not component of their product and therefore they shouldn't be held accountable for injuries caused by people who employed with asbestos. The claims were not successful and the U.S. Supreme Court refused to recognize the "asbestos product" defense.
Today, a mesothelioma victim's right to seek compensation from parties responsible in a case is protected by federal and state law. Insurance companies continue to fight against these claims.
