Latest KCIC Report Finds Decline in Mesothelioma Lawsuits

The number of mesothelioma lawsuits filed in 2020 dropped significantly, while cases involving lung cancer continued to increase, according to a recent study reflecting the changing face of asbestos litigation. KCIC, a well-respected consulting firm in Washington, D.C., that manages asbestos product liabilities, released its industry report Thursday. Asbestos legal filings, covering both malignant and nonmalignant disease in the United States, dropped 11% from 2019 to 2020, from 4,137 to 3,685 cases, respectively. Most prominently, there was a 9% increase in asbestos-related lung cancer filings, but a 14% decrease in cases for malignant mesothelioma, which is caused almost exclusively by asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma cancer accounted for almost 51% of all asbestos litigation. Lung cancer accounted for 40% of the asbestos filings in 2020, compared to 27% and 33% of the filings in 2018 and 2019, respectively. Although the decrease in total filings could partially be attributed to the global pandemic that closed federal and state courts at various times in 2020, there has been an annual decline in asbestos filings in each of the past three years. Asbestos Legal Filings Continue to Decline  Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was once used ubiquitously in the U.S., particularly for commercial and residential construction. Tighter governmental regulations in recent decades, however, have dramatically reduced its use. There was an all-time ...
Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News - Category: Environmental Health Authors: Source Type: news