Texas Asbestos Lawsuit History
Many companies have been bankrupt due to asbestos lawsuits filed by victims. An asbestos lawyer can assist you in getting compensation.
Health professionals and doctors for years warned of the dangers of asbestos exposure. Industry leaders have downplayed these risks. As time went on, asbestos-related diseases were becoming more prevalent.
The Third Case
asbestos lawsuit litigation really took off in the 1970s after studies by scientists began to link asbestos with serious illnesses like mesothelioma and asbestosis. Because asbestos-related diseases don't typically show symptoms until decades after exposure, tens of thousands of lawsuits were filed. These lawsuits were filed in Texas due to its favorable laws.
One of the most important cases that shaped asbestos attorneys litigation was Johns Manville, the leading producer of asbestos products in the 1940s and 1950s. In the 1980s, it came to light that the company's CEO Lewis Brown prioritized company profits over the health of his employees. The testimony of a deposition revealed that he was heavily influenced by his company's chief medical advisor, Dr. Russell Budd. Budd was a physician who was famous for his indifference for the health of employees, was a well-known figure.
The evidence revealed that Johns Manville knew about the asbestos dangers but did not take any action to protect its employees. The court declared that the company was accountable for any damages suffered by workers who later develop mesothelioma, or any other asbestos-related illness. The court also decided that the company was responsible for the family members of deceased workers.
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 for a variety reasons. A few cases were allowed to proceed and the courts came up with guidelines that guide the handling of asbestos-related lawsuits.
In the 1990s asbestos defendants were seeking legal rulings that would limit their liability. For example they sought to argue that the asbestos lawsuit materials were not part of their product and therefore could not be held responsible for injuries sustained by people who worked with asbestos. The claims were not successful and the U.S. Supreme Court refused to accept the "asbestos product" defense.
Today, a mesothelioma patient's right to pursue compensation from responsible parties in a case is protected by state and federal law. Insurance companies continue to fight against these claims.