Texas Asbestos Lawsuit History
Asbestos lawsuits have resulted in the bankruptcy of many businesses. A knowledgeable mesothelioma lawyer will help you secure compensation.
Experts in the field of health have warned for decades about the dangers of asbestos exposure. Industry leaders have downplayed these risks. Over time, asbestos-related diseases were becoming more prevalent.
The Third Case
Asbestos lawsuits really took off in 1970s, after scientific studies started to link asbestos with serious illnesses like asbestosis or mesothelioma. Because asbestos-related diseases don't typically manifest until years after exposure, thousands of lawsuits were filed. Many of these claims were brought in Texas where favorable laws made it a preferred venue for this litigation inferno.
One of the most important cases that shaped asbestos litigation was Johns Manville, the leading producer of asbestos-related products in the 1940s and 1950s. In the 1980s, it came to the light that the company's CEO Lewis Brown prioritized company profits over the health of his employees. The testimony of a deposition revealed that Brown was heavily influenced by the chief medical advisor of the company, Dr. Russell Budd. Budd was a doctor who was known for his callous disregard for the health of employees was a well-known persona.
The evidence revealed that Johns Manville knew about the asbestos dangers but did not take any action to protect its workers. The court determined that the company was responsible for the injuries suffered by workers who later developed mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases. The court also held the company liable for damages for the families of employees who passed away.
Following the decision in Borel, many asbestos victims and their families sought compensation from companies that made use of the material. The majority of the claims were denied for a variety reasons. Denver asbestos attorney were allowed to proceed and the courts set up a series of guidelines that have governed the handling of asbestos-related lawsuits.
In the 1990s, asbestos defendants were still seeking legal rulings that would limit their liability. They wanted to be able 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 worked with it. These claims were unsuccessful and the U.S. Supreme Court refused to uphold the "asbestos product" defense.
Today, a mesothelioma patient's right to seek compensation from parties responsible in a case is protected under state and federal law. However insurance companies continue to fight these claims with a hammer and a sledgehammer.