Texas Asbestos Lawsuit History

Asbestos lawsuits have led to the bankruptcy of many companies. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can help you secure compensation.

Health experts and doctors have long warned of the dangers of asbestos exposure. Industry leaders have downplayed the risks. Over time, asbestos-related diseases were becoming more prevalent.

The Third Case

Asbestos Lawsuit Louisiana litigation began to take off in the 1970s after scientific studies began to link asbestos to serious diseases like asbestosis and mesothelioma. Thousands of lawsuits were filed as asbestos-related diseases rarely show symptoms for decades after exposure. These lawsuits were filed in Texas because of its favorable laws.

One of the most important cases that shaped asbestos lawsuit payouts litigation was Johns Manville, the leading producer of asbestos-related products in the 1940s and 1950s. 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 testimony Brown admitted that he was heavily dependent on Dr. Russell Budd, the chief medical advisor to his company. Budd, a doctor famous for his indifference for employees' health, was a well-known figure.

The evidence proved that Johns Manville knew about the dangers of asbestos lawsuit settlements and did nothing to protect its employees. The court found that the company is accountable for any damages suffered by workers who later develop mesothelioma, or other asbestos-related diseases. The court also decided that the company was liable for asbestos lawsuit louisiana damages to the families of deceased workers.

Following the decision in Borel many asbestos victims and 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 set up a set of guidelines that guide the handling of asbestos lawsuit louisiana-related lawsuits.

In the 1990s, asbestos defendants were still seeking legal rulings to reduce their liability. They wanted to be able to argue that asbestos was not part of their product, and therefore they should not be held liable for the injuries suffered by people who employed 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 accountable parties in a case is protected by state and federal law. Insurance companies continue to fight against these claims.