Texas Asbestos Lawsuit History
Asbestos lawsuits have led to the bankruptcy of several companies. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can assist you in obtaining compensation.
Experts in the field of health have warned for years about the dangers asbestos exposure. Industry leaders have minimized the risks. As time went on, asbestos-related diseases became more common.
The Third Case
Asbestos lawsuits began to take off in 1970s, after studies in science began to link asbestos with serious illnesses like asbestosis or mesothelioma. Tens of thousands of lawsuits were filed due to the fact that asbestos-related diseases rarely exhibit symptoms until decades after exposure. A majority of these lawsuits were brought in Texas where favorable laws made it a preferred location for this litigation saga.
One of the most significant cases that shaped asbestos litigation involved Johns Manville, the leading producer of asbestos-related 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 Rapid City asbestos lawsuit 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 callous disregard of the health of workers.
The evidence proved that Johns Manville knew about the dangers of asbestos and did nothing to safeguard its workers. The court ruled that the company was responsible for the injuries suffered by workers who later developed mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases. The court also ruled that the company was liable for damages for families of employees who passed away.
After the ruling in Borel, many asbestos victims and their families sought compensation from the companies who used the material. Unfortunately, the majority of claims were rejected for different reasons. A few cases were allowed to proceed and the courts set up a series of guidelines that guide the handling of asbestos-related lawsuits.
In the 1990s, asbestos defendants were still seeking legal rulings that would reduce their liability. They wanted to argue that asbestos materials were not part of their product and therefore they shouldn't be held responsible for injuries caused by people who worked with it. These arguments were not successful 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 a case is protected under federal and state law. However insurance companies continue to defend these claims tooth and nail.