Association of
American Physicians & Surgeons
The Voice for
Private Physicians Since 1943
DON’T LET TRIAL LAWYERS KILL ASBESTOS TORT REFORM ON A
TECHNICALITY
Vote likely this afternoon
(
This
bill would create an asbestos compensation fund for true victims of
asbestos-related illnesses, to be fully paid-for with the private funds of
manufacturers.
Sen. Ensign claims
that the legislation would increase spending by more than $5 billion in a
10-year period are made moot by the offsets in the bill. The incoming private revenue from
the companies that will be funding the entire program established by S. 852 will
offset all spending. The net result is that there is
no government or taxpayer liability of any kind in this bill. Zero.
The system is badly
broken beyond repair, and the budget point of order raised by Sen. Ensign is a
cynical, procedural attempt to kill the bill and cheat thousands of patients
from fair compensation, while allowing trial lawyers to continue to hold the
purse strings and call the shots.
Unscrupulous
individuals, including doctors, are claiming injuries even though there are
none. Further, attorneys troll for class action members in frequent
television ads, with only "possible exposure" to asbestos -- not real harm,
illness or injury -- required to join the class.
It has been estimated
that there are approximately 300,000 claims currently pending. But a recent study uncovered that as
many as 90% of these claims may have been filed by unimpaired individuals. On top of that, media reports have
asserted that 9 out of 10 X-rays presented in trial by plaintiffs show no signs
of disease.
Clearly, the system is
being abused – it's being abused by opportunistic trial lawyers who are making
millions off the current system.
This fraud must be abolished.
Call or email your
Senators RIGHT NOW – the vote could come this
afternoon.
Congressional
switchboard: (202)
224-3121
http://www.house.gov/writerep/
Read the AAPS statement sent to the entire Senate
Association of American
Physicians & Surgeons
(800)
635-1196
www.aapsonline.org
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