Wisconsin House Passes Asbestos Legislation

If passed by the Wisconsin Senate and signed by Gov. Scott Walker, the legislation would make it a requirement for plaintiffs in asbestos lawsuits to disclose how many businesses their attorneys plan to file asbestos lawsuits against. The supporters of the bill say that it would prevent attorneys from profiting from multiple claims.

However, opponents of the asbestos legislation in Wisconsin say that the purpose of the measure is to protect corporations from having to pay settlement money to plaintiffs and in hope that the plaintiff could die before the asbestos lawsuit is settled, since asbestos patients are usually suffering from mesothelioma and other asbestos related side effects.

Rep. Andre Jacque of De Pere authored the measure and he says that the point of the bill is to bring transparency to asbestos claims. The result would be that judges and jurors could see how many defendants may be liable for one person’s illness and the damages would be divided up equally among the responsible companies.

The asbestos legislation passed 58-39 in the assembly. It will now go to the Wisconsin Senate.

Asbestos is used in almost 3,000 products, including fireproofing and insulation in buildings and shops, insulation for pipes and boilers, putties, caulks, paints, cements, friction products, such as clutch facings and brake linings in cars.

Asbestos poisoning usually occurs when the asbestos containing material is released into the air where the fibers are then inhaled by the victim. The most dangerous asbestos is friable asbestos, which is contained in fireproofing and various types of insulation. These fiber are difficult for the body is unable to break down.

Asbestos which is found in hard materials, such as in vinyl flooring, is generally contained and rarely released into the air, and therefore, do not pose much of a problem.

If inhaled, asbestos can get into the lungs and can also enter the digestive tract.

Asbestos poisoning can cause lung cancer, mesothelioma, digestive system cancer, and asbestosis. The problem with these dangerous asbestos side effects is it can take 15 to 40 years for these diseases to develop.

Those with asbestos exposure are approximately 5 times more likely be diagnosed with lung cancer than those who have not been exposed.

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that forms in the thin tissue layer that surrounds the majority of internal organs called the mesothelium. In most mesothelioma patients, it infects the tissue that covers the lungs, called the pleura. It can also infect the tissue in the abdominal region, the heart, and the testicles. Mesothelioma is considered incurable even though there are treatments available for it. Most patients die within 12 months of diagnosis. One of the problems with mesothelioma is that it can take decades for symptoms to appear.

If you or someone you know thinks that the lung cancer, mesothelioma, or other severe side effects are due to asbestos exposure, legal options are available to you. Learn more and get a free consultation regarding a claim’s eligibility at the Mesothelioma Asbestos Class Action Lawsuit Settlement Investigation. Experienced legal professionals have access to medical experts to assess whether or not your lung cancer or mesothelioma is the result of asbestos exposure, so act now.