Sometimes people use the word “natural” to imply that something is inherently safe or trustworthy. Asbestos is a perfect example of why that kind of oversimplification can be dangerous. Asbestos occurs naturally. It is a mineral substance that serves as a fire retardant and insulator.
Humans have used it for centuries. It is only within recent decades that the truth of how dangerous asbestos actually is has become widely known. Unfortunately, many businesses have exposed their workers or consumers to asbestos for years. The people exposed may develop mesothelioma or other deadly cancers years after their exposure.
Companies to blame may try to avoid responsibility when the people they exposed to this dangerous human carcinogen eventually fall ill. The following are some of the ways that some businesses try to avoid responsibility for exposing people to asbestos.
Denying the presence of asbestos
Organizations often try to deny responsibility until they have no other option. It has become standard for companies to assert that claims of asbestos contamination are incorrect. Even in cases where there are laboratory test results showing that makeup or other products had asbestos in them, companies may try to claim the testing was inaccurate to avoid responsibility. Consumers often need assistance gathering evidence to prove that there was dangerous asbestos contamination of a product.
Restructuring or filing for bankruptcy
Some companies eventually decide to close down or file for bankruptcy because of how expensive asbestos claims or potential asbestos claims might be. Others might try to restructure. Johnson & Johnson created a subsidiary organization in Texas a few years ago in the hopes of doing exactly that. The company transferred all of its asbestos liability to that subsidiary and then filed for bankruptcy. It is currently in the process of a third attempt at bankruptcy which could protect the organization from future liability despite the tens of thousands of people with cancer linked to its products.
Most people cannot fight big businesses intent on engaging in misconduct without help. Discussing workplace or product-based asbestos exposure with a skilled legal team could help people determine if they have a grounds for a lawsuit after a cancer diagnosis. Those who can connect an illness to dangerous products or work environments may be able to seek compensation from the company at fault for their harm.