July 6, 2003
FAIR Act Would Protect Asbestos Companies
Approximately 300,000 workers have died because of asbestos exposure, and it is predicted that just as many will die in the next 30-40 years. For decades, millions of workers were exposed to asbestos, inhaling the deadly fibers every day at work. Some companies even knew the dangers of asbestos fibers since 1929-1930, but failed to do anything about it.

The FAIR Act was introduced by Senator Orrin Hatch on May 22, 2003, and has the possibility of being passed by the end of 2003. Many people are concerned with the lack of compensation that some mesothelioma patients, as well as other asbestos related illnesses might recover if the FAIR Act is passed. It could take years to recover any money from mesothelioma lawsuits, however by the time mesothelioma is diagnosed patients have less than 18 months to live.

The FAIR Act would mean that all pending asbestos cases would be halted with all appeals tossed out with jury verdicts being overturned. The payments will be substantially smaller than previous asbestos lawsuits have paid out, without considering if the deceased has dependents left behind or their age at the time of death.

One of the largest critics of the FAIR Act is Senator Patty Murray who believes, “If Congress is going to prevent any future lawsuits, then Congress must try to prevent any more asbestos casualties, by banning the use of asbestos. Why on earth does our government allow thousands of tons of asbestos to continue to be put into consumer products every year? Why does our government still allow asbestos products to be imported? If we are going to limit the rights of asbestos victims we have an obligation to prevent future victims, by banning asbestos (Sunday Gazette, 7/6/03).”

Contact us to confer with an asbestos lawyer.