In 1964, a medical paper demonstrated that asbestos causes lung cancer and mesothelioma. Some indication of asbestos-related health problems has existed since the 1920s. Some historians believe there were concerns even before this time.
Even though certain people knew the dangers of asbestos before the public did, manufacturers continued to distribute the material without proper warnings and instructions. Workers in some industries continued to be exposed to asbestos without proper protection.
The first US lawsuit involving asbestos diseases occurred in the early 1970s. Clarence Borel worked in asbestos job sites for decades beginning in the mid-1930s. In the late 1960s he was diagnosed with severe asbestosis, a lung disease caused by asbestos fibers. He received some compensation through a workers’ compensation claim, but later went to an attorney to pursue more compensation to help pay for his medical bills and costs of living.
Although Borel died of mesothelioma before the case was resolved, the case was eventually decided in his favor in the early ’70s. This landmark case demonstrated that asbestos manufacturers can be held liable for the diseases caused by the material. The court had determined that the manufacturers knew how dangerous asbestos was, but did not provide proper warnings and instructions.
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma in Washington, DC; Baltimore, Maryland or anywhere in the nation, please contact the Law Office of Brown | Kiely, LLP, to schedule a free initial consultation.
