https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3Zi-5DS0_k What is Asbestos Litigation? Each asbestos lawsuit is different and the procedure will differ based on the type of asbestos lawsuit. In general, a plaintiff has to demonstrate that exposure to asbestos led to the illness, and must prove the damages. Compensation can allow victims to afford mesothelioma treatments that last a lifetime and support their families. A reputable mesothelioma lawyer will determine if a victim is eligible to sue for asbestos. The History of Asbestos Litigation In contrast to other countries where there are central compensation programs for asbestos victims, the majority of American asbestos victims have required litigation to obtain the financial aid they need. In the early 1980s, a wave of lawsuits against asbestos manufacturers started. The lawsuits were fueled by evidence that asbestos-related products could be dangerous and did not warn workers of the dangers. The first asbestos lawsuit to go to trial in the United States was filed on behalf of insulation worker Claude Tomplait. Ward Stephenson, his lawyer, named 11 companies, including manufacturers, that made asbestos insulation as defendants in the 1969 lawsuit. When this first lawsuit was filed medical researchers were only beginning to recognize the link between asbestos exposure and illnesses like mesothelioma. However, the asbestos industry's lobbyists were determined to keep the findings from being made public. In the mid-1970s, despite lobbyists' best efforts, news of the link between asbestos and asbestosis was widely covered in national publications like The New York Times. As the years went by, dozens and dozens of companies who mined or produced asbestos declared bankruptcy due to the apex of asbestos lawsuits. Certain companies acknowledged that they were aware of the dangers associated with asbestos however, they failed to inform their employees and customers. This, in conjunction with the growing awareness of the link between a