25 Aug 2003 It Sounds Boring, I Know, But It Really Isn’t

I think it would be a great public service if the blogging community, or talk radio hosts, or more editorial writers and the public generally, started following the asbestos issue a lot more

I know, I know, it sounds like a snoozer issue, but like most issues, the more you get into it, the more interesting it gets.

In this situation, sick people are getting ripped off while healthy ones are enriched. 60 percent of the awards in asbestos lawsuits go to lawyers and court costs, not to plaintiffs, and 65 percent of the money that does reach plaintiffs goes to people who don’t have a serious asbestos-related disease or disability.

Meanwhile, over 60 companies have gone bankrupt as a result of the lawsuits, putting tens of thousands out of work.

A number of Senators, including Hatch, Grassley, Kyl, Cornyn, Craig, Sessions and a few others, are trying to fix the system, but they are running up against trial lawyers (who like the system the way it is, thank you very much) and a Senate faux filibuster rule that requires 60 votes to get any contentious legislation approved (never mind that this requirement is not in the Constitution).

I believe that if more Americans knew what is going on, there would be more support for reform, and we just might get it. Asbestos victims would be far better off, and so would our economy.

If I’ve sold you on wanting to learn more, we have a new asbestos information page set up. Please consider visiting.