Thousands of veterans and workers have suffered from asbestos exposure and have been unable to get compensation for their suffering. Now Sen. Orrin Hatch is introducing legislation that will right the wrongs of the past.
Many Navy veterans who served between World War II and Vietnam have suffered horribly from asbestos. Diseases caused by asbestos are often deadly. Adding insult to injury, they often cannot get adequate compensation for their medical expenses. The Rand Institute found that victims only get about half the amount of the awards they receive in the courts. The rest goes to lawyers and administration. Meanwhile, court delays are so long that many victims die before they receive anything.
Now, Sen. Hatch is proposing a trust fund that will give money to victims when they are sick. If they have a disease caused by asbestos, they will receive compensation. There are no lawyers or middlemen, no waiting for years in court and it won't cost taxpayers. Companies being sued for exposing people to asbestos will contribute to the fund at a rate set by law.
The proposal still has to get through Congress, but at least things are headed in the right direction.
Daniel Crossley
past state commander
Utah Department of the Veterans of Foreign Wars