Friday, October 19, 2007

about Potential Asbestos Ban

According to an article in the Western News, Max Baucus, the senior senator from Montana, is delighted that the Senate has taken the first step towards the total ban of asbestos, a dangerous mineral that has caused horrendous devastation and heartbreak in his state.

“Asbestos has wrought havoc in Montana and across the country,” said Baucus, who is the co-sponsor of the ‘Ban Asbestos in America Act’ along with Senator Patty Murray of Washington. “Getting rid of asbestos and stopping the devastation it causes is a very personal fight for me. I’m proud to help pass the legislation that will end the use of asbestos once and for all.”

In particular, Baucus cites the case of Libby, Montana, where literally thousands have been sickened by the long-time presence of a vermiculite mine, owned by W.R. Grace and Company. Hundreds have died since the mine closed in 1990. People in Libby develop asbestos-related health problems at a rate of 40 to 60 times the national average, and they suffer from mesothelioma, a dangerous and aggressive form of cancer caused by asbestos exposure, at a rate of about 100 times the national average. Libby was declared a national “superfund” site in 2002.

“I don’t want folks in other parts of the country to go through what the folks of Libby have - it’s awful and never should happen again,” Baucus said. “This legislation will help prevent asbestos tragedies from happening in the future. It’s a good, common-sense bill.”

Baucus hopes the House will take up the cause and pass the bill as well.

Mesothelioma News

Mesothelioma News is your site for the up-to-date information you need if you or a loved one has been affected by this disease.

The law firm of Baron & Budd, P.C. has been fighting for the rights of mesothelioma victims for nearly three decades. One of the firm’s founders filed one of the first asbestos lawsuits in the country against asbestos manufacturers. With more than 80 attorneys, over 300 staff, and offices in Texas, California, Louisiana, Ohio, and New York, Baron & Budd is one of America’s largest law firms that fights for the rights of people and families affected by mesothelioma. Our firm has successfully represented asbestos victims from throughout the country. Here are just some examples of compensation we have achieved for our clients:

The cases described here reflect the net amounts of the judgments or settlements our clients received after the deduction of attorneys fees and expenses-in other words, what our clients actually received. The actual settlement or verdict would be higher. These cases were all handled by Baron & Budd attorneys serving as lead counsel.

Specific Results Depend on the Facts of Each Case.

$10,603,661.00 Received by Client after Attorney’s Fees and Expenses for a gentleman who developed malignant mesothelioma as a result of his exposure to joint compound as a construction worker. This case went to trial and resulted in a significant verdict in favor of the gentleman, his wife and children that was listed by a national legal publication as one of the top verdicts in the U.S. that year. The case subsequently settled.

$6,356,942.00 Received by Client after Attorney’s Fees and Expenses, for the widow of a man who died at the age of 50 after developing asbestos-related mesothelioma. He was exposed to asbestos while serving in the Navy aboard nuclear submarines during the 1960s. This case went to trial against the manufacturer of an asbestos-containing pipe covering product. The jury awarded a significant verdict, which was affirmed on appeal.

$4,380,755.00 Received by Client after Attorney’s Fees and Expenses, for an ironworker who worked at a number of industrial sites throughout his career and who was diagnosed with mesothelioma at the age of 79.