Author: Michael

The Industrial Revolution led to a rapid increase in the use of asbestos that continued until the mid-1970s. Asbestos could be found in just about every product made during the twentieth century and also found its way into homes and other buildings. Unfortunately, asbestos can be very dangerous, leading to the development of mesothelioma and other cancers. Asbestos is a group of minerals that occur naturally as bundles of microscopic fibers. When released into the air, the fibers can be breathed in and remain in the lungs for long periods of time.

Every year, there are approximately 3,000 new mesothelioma cases in the United States of America. If you or someone dear to you was diagnosed with mesothelioma after asbestos exposure, you might have the right to file a claim and recover compensation. However, just because you are entitled to compensation does not mean you are guaranteed to recover the compensation you deserve. Defendants in mesothelioma cases are known to do whatever they can to deny liability and get out of paying out compensation.

Missouri could be the next state to adopt so-called asbestos claims transparency laws that could have a tremendous impact on the legal rights of victims struck by a mesothelioma diagnosis due to a manufacturer’s negligence. While supporters of the bill tout the legislation’s cost savings and ability to preserve asbestos bankruptcy trusts for future claims, the reality is that the law would force claimants to disclose sensitive information and make it more difficult to recover much needed compensation.

Occupational asbestos exposure is quite common. Some of the high-risk jobs include construction, firefighting, engineering, sheet metal fabrication, and roofing. After a worker develops mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness, they may be eligible for workers’ compensation if they suffered asbestos exposure while on the job. However, before selecting workers’ compensation as the compensation option, it is crucial that a mesothelioma patient fully understands all their legal options. There are many other ways of seeking compensation after developing mesothelioma due to occupational asbestos exposure.

A Texas-federal lawmaker recently introduced a bill in Congress allegedly targeting what has been incorrectly characterized as a “lack of transparency” when it comes to who, how, and why claimants receive compensation in asbestos bankruptcy trust funds. Other lawmakers have introduced similar legislation over the years aimed at making it more difficult for mesothelioma cancer victims to follow through with filing claims to receive the vital compensation necessary to pay for medical treatment and cover lost earnings. House Judiciary Committee and House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform member Rep.

Though the use of asbestos was largely discontinued in the 1970s, there are many buildings that still contain the product. For the most part, asbestos poses little or no threat so long as it is not disturbed. As a result, asbestos was simply left in buildings in order to avoid the expense and difficulty of removing it. However, when repairs or reconstruction are required, materials containing asbestos may be disturbed. Because of this, there are numerous laws regulating the process of removal, known as asbestos abatement.