Most Recent Mesothelioma Litigation
Companies that owned and operated facilities where workers were exposed to asbestos could be liable for injuries that occurred due to this exposure. Many companies were aware of the hazards of asbestos exposure and did not educate the workers about these dangers. Some companies went even concealed medical records and health histories of some employees in order to not alarm the rest of the workers. Due to this negligence by the companies, many lawsuits have been filed in order to collect settlements for the victims of malignant mesothelioma and asbestos injury.
In 2003, 953 asbestos cases were filed in the United States. Out of those cases, 457 were filed in Madison County, Illinois. Here, over 300 cases were set for trial, more than in New York or Chicago.
Madison County is seen by defense attorneys as a "fast track" for mesothelioma litigation. Defense attorneys suggest that the number of cases filed in this county makes it difficult for these attorneys to effectively defend their clients. Many of the defending companies are located in different parts of the country, such as shipbuilding or other major places where construction projects have been undertaken.
On the other hand, judges from Madison County feel that the speedy trials are necessary. They recognize that mesothelioma patients only have a relatively short time period left. The average life span of most mesothelioma patients, after diagnosis, is 10 to 14 months. Therefore, judges feel that a quick trial is imperative in order to obtain settlements that can be used during the patients' lifetimes.
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