Senators Work To Create Asbestos Victims' Standards

Date: June 19, 2003

Source: News Room

Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT.), who are working on creation of a national fund to compensate asbestos victims, said they have resolved differences over the medical standards that would underpin compensation levels. Still to be resolved are questions over what amounts to assign the 10 categories of asbestos-linked lung scarring and cancer that have been agreed upon, and whether the $108 billion fund will be sufficient. Asbestos was widely used for fireproofing and insulation until the 1970s, when scientists concluded that inhaled fibers could be linked to cancer and other diseases. Injury claims have driven at least 60 companies to seek bankruptcy protection.

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