Personal Injury News

Fairness In Asbestos Injury Resolution Act Of 2005

An overview of H.R. 1360, the Fairness in Asbestos Injury Resolution (FAIR) Act of 2005, as introduced by Representative Kirk on March 17, 2005. H.R. 1360 would create the Office of Asbestos Disease Compensation, within the Department of Labor, to award damages to asbestos claimants on a no-fault basis. Damages would be paid by the Asbestos Injury Claims Resolution Fund, which would be funded by companies that have previously been sued for asbestos-related injuries, and by insurers of such companies. Asbestos claims could no longer be filed or pursued under state law, except for the enforcement of judgments no longer subject to any appeal or judicial review before the date of enactment of the bill.

Claims of asbestos-related injury have flooded the courts since the 1970s, but litigation has proven to be an inadequate means to resolving all such claims. The Supreme Court has twice struck down attempted global asbestos settlements,1 in both instances inviting Congress to craft a legislative solution.2 In response, various bills have been introduced in past Congresses,3 although none has passed.

On March 17, 2005, Representative Kirk introduced H.R. 1360, the Fairness In Asbestos Injury Resolution (FAIR) Act of 2005. The bill would "create a privately funded, publicly administered fund that will provide compensation for legitimate present and future claimants of asbestos exposure."

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	Did You Know?
	Wrongful death claims seek compensation for losses resulting from the family member's death A number of situations lead to wrongful death case being filed. Medical mistakes, car accidents, criminal attacks, work-related injuries, and other accidents result in wrongful death case. Expert testimony and other requirements mean that medical mistakes tend to be the most difficult wrongful death claims to prove, requiring extensive effort on the part of attorneys.