FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 13, 2013
House Passes Offensive Legislation Harming Asbestos Victims and Families
Washington, DC— Today the U.S. House of Representatives voted 221 to 199 to pass the H.R. 982—The Furthering Asbestos Claim Transparency (FACT) Act of 2013, a special interest bill that jeopardizes the ability of those harmed by asbestos poisoning to hold corporations accountable for exposing them to a known carcinogen. Below is a statement from Mesothelioma widow and Co- founder of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), Linda Reinstein:
“The asbestos victims’ community is outraged that U.S. House of Representatives chose to put the asbestos industry over the constituents they should be serving. ADAO is pleased to witness bipartisan opposition to this horrific bill.
The FACT Act will make it even more difficult for asbestos victims to receive justice in court and hold asbestos corporations responsible for the harm their products have caused. Adding insult to injury, it would also violate asbestos victims’ privacy by releasing sensitive information on a public website.”
Asbestos is still legal and lethal in the U.S. Asbestos disease claims more than 10,000 American lives each year and imports continue. Enough is enough – the time is now to end the asbestos man-made disaster.”
How the FACT Act Hurts Asbestos Victims and their Families:
- Lists the last four digits of asbestos victims’ Social Security numbers on a public website
- Creates new barriers and delays for victims receiving compensation and justice
- Threatens the security of asbestos victims by revealing financial information
- Jeopardizes asbestos victims and families for possible blacklisting and discrimination
- Publicly lists “the name and exposure history of, a claimant and the basis for any payment from the trust made to such claimant”
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The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) was founded by asbestos victims and their families in 2004. ADAO seeks to give asbestos victims a united voice to help ensure that their rights are fairly represented and protected, and raise public awareness about the dangers of asbestos exposure and the often deadly asbestos-related diseases. ADAO is funded through voluntary contributions and staffed by volunteers. For more information, visit www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org.
Contact: Kim Larkin
Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization
media@asbestosdiseaseawareness.org
(202) 391-5205
