Louisiana has a long history of litigation over asbestos, and the end is not yet near. A 71-year-old veteran of local politics is suing parts of Jefferson Parish and other related defendants for exposure to asbestos during his decades of experience as a school board and parish council member. The suit alleges their culpability for his mesothelioma, which was diagnosed within the last year.
The plaintiff claims exposure to asbestos in several parish properties, including schools and government offices. The crystalline fibers of the material were long used in insulation and other construction needs until it was banned due to its link to lung cancer and other respiratory ailments.
The era of mesothelioma lawsuits may not have yet reached its peak. This example of late-in-life asbestos litigation indicates that the generations of workers who were exposed to asbestos may not yet be aware of their health problems. Now entering their 90th year, asbestos claims in U.S. courts have cost around $100 billion and become the most expensive class of tort law in U.S. history.
Many of the defendants in the politician’s suit are insurers, as many organizations that may be liable for asbestos litigation have liability insurance for this purpose. Victims of asbestos-related mesothelioma or lung cancer may have a similar case for financial damages to improve health and help families with the increased costs or losses due to illness and treatment.
An attorney can help victims and their families assess their case’s strength help them proceed with it in civil court to seek a compensation award. Settlements and negotiation are also possible outcomes of a claim.