Michigan Asbestos Ruling Creates Tension
Article Added August 17th, 2006 - Print This Story - Bookmark This Story
After a controversial ruling by a Michigan court, lawyers and plaintiffs alike are calling foul. The ruling would keep plaintiffs from banding together to strengthen their cases.
A Michigan court is receiving negative feedback over a ruling designed to protect asbestos victims. The ruling states that people claiming asbestos exposure cannot join together in group lawsuits, a move that may protect people that are seriously ill. The decision came after it was found that many plaintiffs awarded compensation in mass suits might not be sick enough to qualify for payouts.
The state Supreme Court ruling is drawing criticism from lawyers and victims alike, which state that the fastest way to resolve these cases is to group together similar cases. The state maintains that often in these cases, people with few or no symptoms of asbestos-related diseases can include themselves on lawsuits, enabling a payout that may not have been available to them if they had been tried alone. Lawyers think the 4-3 ruling will bog down courts, delaying compensation to sick patients for years, a time frame that mesothelioma victims might not have. The courts hope, however, that frivolous claims will be weeded out, enabling critically ill victims to receive more compensation.
Article Added August 17th, 2006 - Print This Story - Bookmark This Story
Looking for a Michigan Mesothelioma Lawyer? Click Here.
- David Greenstone, Founding Partner
View archived Asbestos and Mesothelioma articles below:
