Mesothelioma is one of the deadliest forms of cancer. It starts in the lining of the organs and then eventually metastasizes or spreads to other parts of the body. Mesothelioma is notorious for growing slowly. People often don’t get diagnosed until decades after their exposure to asbestos.
Workers who have previously handled asbestos, their family members and even members of the general public may eventually need to take legal action. The law allows those with asbestos-related mesothelioma to hold employers or businesses that did not comply with environmental regulations accountable.
Lawsuits can compensate sickened people and grieving families for the damage caused by asbestos exposure. For people in several states, filing asbestos-related mesothelioma lawsuits may soon become more difficult.
What legal changes are underway?
In Georgia, Senate Bill 68 has made progress but has yet to become law. If signed by the governor, this law could separate lawsuits in many separate stages, limit liability in certain scenarios and make it easier to dismiss lawsuits in some cases.
In Missouri, House Bill 68 could reduce the timeline for initiating a lawsuit if state lawmakers adopt the bill as law. Those diagnosed with asbestos currently have up to five years to file a lawsuit, but this bill could reduce that window of opportunity to just two years. Arkansas adopted a law limiting the compensation plaintiffs receive by limiting them to claiming the bills they paid, not their total medical costs.
Montana’s pending bills could be the most significant for those with asbestos-related mesothelioma or other illnesses. There is one bill that shortens the statute of limitations for claims to just two years, while another mandates a separate trial in cases where plaintiffs request punitive damages. Another bill seeks to place all liability for claims related to Libby, Montana-area asbestos exposure with the now-bankrupt mining company W.R. Grace, exempting a railroad that also has connections to the matter.
For those in jurisdictions that may soon adopt laws that restrict litigation, prompt action is necessary. Lawsuits filed before any of these laws take effect can proceed based on current laws. Those who believe that prior employers or irresponsible businesses exposed them to asbestos may need help pursuing their legal rights. Filing a mesothelioma lawsuit quickly can help people secure justice before legal changes restrict their ability to do so.