Texas Asbestos Lawsuit History

Many companies have been bankrupt due to asbestos lawyer lawsuits filed by victims. A mesothelioma attorney can help you get compensation.

Health experts and doctors have long warned of the dangers of asbestos attorney exposure. Yet, industry leaders downplayed the risks. As time went on, asbestos lawyer-related diseases became more prevalent.

The Third Case

Asbestos lawsuits really took off in 1970s, after studies by scientists began to link asbestos lawyers to serious illnesses like asbestosis or mesothelioma. Since these diseases typically don't develop symptoms until decades after exposure, thousands of lawsuits were filed. These lawsuits were filed in Texas because of its favorable laws.

Johns Manville was the leading producer during the 1940s and 1950s of asbestos products. This case had a significant impact on asbestos litigation. 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 to being heavily influenced by Dr. Russell Budd, the chief medical advisor to his company. Budd was a doctor who was well-known for his indifference to the health of employees.

Johns Manville was found to have been aware of asbestos' dangers however, they did not take any action to protect their employees. The court declared that the company was responsible for any damages that occur if employees later develop mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related illness. The court also decided that the company was responsible for the families of deceased workers.

Following the decision in Borel, many asbestos victims and their families sought compensation from companies who used asbestos. Most of these claims were denied for a variety reasons. A few cases were allowed to proceed, and the courts drew up a series of guidelines that have guided the handling of asbestos-related lawsuits.

In the 1990s asbestos defendants were still seeking legal rulings to limit their liability. They wanted to be able to argue that asbestos materials were not a part of their product and therefore they should not be held liable for the injuries suffered by people who worked with it. These claims were unsuccessful and the U.S. Supreme Court rejected the "asbestos products" defense.

Today, mesothelioma victims' right to pursue compensation from responsible parties in the case is protected by state and federal law. However insurance companies continue to fight these claims tooth and nail.