,Federal Asbestos Legislation: The Winners Are...

Federal Asbestos Legislation: The Winners Are...


 

Publication Date: May 2005

Publisher: Public Citizen, inc.

Author(s): Frank Clemente; Chris Schmitt

Research Area: Environment; Justice; Law and ethics; Politics

Keywords: tort reform; class action; asbestos; lobbying

Type: Report

Coverage: United States

Abstract:

A bill Congress is now considering promises to help victims of asbestos exposure, but ends up being more of a special interest bailout. The legislation, S. 852, would bar victims from suing in court, in favor of seeking payments from a national trust funded by asbestos makers and companies that used asbestos. But under the plan, victims would see their damages capped -- some would not even qualify for payments -- while companies, including Fortune 500 firms, would see their asbestos liabilities cut by tens of billions of dollars.