Starting in 1991, The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation consolidated all of the federal asbestos products liability personal injury claims to the Eastern District of Pennsylvania for pretrial proceedings. According to statistics from the MDL Panel, there are currently 60,000 cases containing over 3 million claims before the court. One of the purposes of this transfer was to try to help foster settlements for claims.

How did all of this get started?

Since the early 1900’s many corporations in the United States have been aware of the dangers associated with exposure to hazardous asbestos materials. Yet these very same corporations made conscious and deliberate decisions to expose workers to asbestos materials.

In 1934, Thomas Legge, the Chief Medical Inspector of Factories famously said, “Looking back in the light of present knowledge, it is impossible not to feel that opportunities for discovery and prevention of asbestos disease were badly missed.”

In 1966, the Director of Purchases for Bendix Corporation, E.A. Martin wrote a letter to Noel Hendry of the Canadian Johnson Manville Company where he stated, “My answer to the problem is: if you have enjoyed a good life while working with asbestos products why not die from it.”

As more and more information came to light, litigation continued to increase.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How Long Does it Take Before Mesothelioma Symptoms Appear?

Mesothelioma and other asbestos related illness can have a latency period as long as 50 years, making it difficult for victims to identify the source of the asbestos exposure. Many of their co-workers and colleagues have since passed away and are unable to testify as a witness.

How does a person get Mesothelioma?

The main risk factor for developing this disease is exposure in the work place. Some occupations have higher rates than others. Some examples of high risk occupations include:

shipyard workers, people working in asbestos mines and mills, punch pressers, warehousemen, trippers, pelletizers, agglomerators, electricians, insulators, iron workers, mechanics, boilermakers, carpenters, drywall, welders, longshoremen, railway and railroad workers, engine shop workers, aircraft mechanics, plant maintenance workers, crush workers, and grinder operators. Almost 30% of mesothelioma diagnoses involve Navy Personnel because asbestos was used so widely on military vessels.

I’m a Navy Veteran, but I don’t want to sue the government or the military.

Most mesothelioma attorneys are only interested in suing the companies and corporations that produced the asbestos materials and do not sue the government or the military.

How Do I Know if I have Mesothelioma?

Your doctor will begin by taking a medical history, and try to determine if there has been any history of asbestos exposure. Next, a physical examination will be performed. Your doctor will also order x-rays and diagnostic tests like a CT, MRI, or PET scan to detect any tumors or abnormalities. Before a diagnosis of mesothelioma can be confirmed, a biopsy must be performed.

If there is a diagnosis of mesothelioma, it is important for the doctor to determine what stage the disease is in, and whether or not it has spread to other parts of the body. This will help determine what type of treatment plan should be considered.

People who are diagnosed with mesothelioma often have difficulty dealing with the disease. The symptoms and side effects are not only painful, but they also limit the quality of life. Undergoing chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery can also take its toll on a person, and affect their family and loved ones.

This article should not be construed as medical or legal advice. For more information, please click the link at the end of this article.

Jack Thomas is author of this article on Mesothelioma Lung Cancer.
Find more information about Mesothelioma Lawyers here.

Article Source: Mesothelioma Settlement, Claims and information on Multi District Litigation