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Veterans Groups Seek Asbestos Litigation Reform
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On April 13, 17 national veterans organizations sent a letter asking the Senate Judiciary Committee to take the first step toward reforming the nation's asbestos litigation system by adopting no-fault victims' compensation fund legislation. Asbestos was used widely by the military services during and after World War II, and many veterans were exposed to this deadly substance. Veterans with asbestos-related illnesses are in a unique situation because they have virtually no avenue for compensation under the current system. Sick veterans are prevented by law from seeking compensation from the U.S. government through the courts. "Since most of the companies that supplied the U.S. military with asbestos are long gone, seeking relief from the suppliers is also a dead end," the groups said. A victims' trust fund is the only solution, the groups stated in their letter to the senators. | |