Mesothelioma Update – Controversial Asbestos Bill Senate Judiciary Committee

Mesothelioma Update – Controversial Asbestos Bill Senate Judiciary Committee

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Houston, Tx, USA, 02/05/2016 /SubmitPressRelease123/

The proposed law would make those who are suffering from mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases publicly reveal personal information

The FACT Act (also known as the Furthering Asbestos Claim Transparency Act), is currently being considered by the Senate Judiciary Committee after it received approval in the House of Representatives. The proposed law would make those who are suffering from mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases publicly reveal personal information about their work history and their health in order to seek compensation for their damages in court. Advocates from many different backgrounds are asking the Senate to reject the bill.

In preparation for hearings on the bill, several groups sent letters to the Chuck Grassley, the Republican senator from Iowa who is the Senate Judiciary Committee Chair. The letters express extreme concern about the negative impact that the bill would have on veterans and others who have been harmed by being exposed to asbestos. One of the letters was sent by a collaborative group of veterans organizations, including the Air Force Sergeants Association, the National Defense Council and the Vietnam Veterans of America. Issues surrounding asbestos litigation are of particular concern to veterans because so many of them were exposed to the deadly carcinogen during their years of service. The letter from the veterans group read in part, “The bill is a cynical ploy by the asbestos industry to avoid compensating its victims who are seeking justice in court – many of whom are veterans who were double exposed; first while in uniform and when they went on to work for companies that knowingly exposed them to the deadly fiber.”

Though the bill’s proponents say that it is meant to create greater transparency in the legal process, that defense of it is disregarded by groups including the National Education Association, the International Association of Fire Fighters, and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, all of whom have members who have also been exposed to asbestos. These groups also collaborated on a letter to the congressional leaders, saying, “Victims of asbestos exposure, including first responders and teachers, among many other dedicated public employees, are entitled to compensation from the companies that caused their illnesses. S. 357 (the FACT Act), however, would give companies an unfair advantage over asbestos victims seeking justice for their injuries – speciously touted as a ‘transparency bill’, the measure actually is designed to help the asbestos industry avoid paying victims through delay tactics and waste of scarce trust resources set aside for victims.”

Similar legislation has been put through for approval in the past and has failed, and President Obama has promised to veto the measure should it reach his desk. If your interest in this piece of legislation stems from yourself being a victim of asbestos exposure, the mesothelioma attorneys at the law firm of Danziger & De Llano would like to offer you legal representation. Call us today to at 1-800-818-5043 set up a free appointment to discuss how we can be of service and help you get the compensation that you deserve.

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