January 28, 2015: ADAO Letter of Opposition to the FACT Act
Posted on November 12, 2013: ADAO Brings the “Voice of the Victims” to the House Staff Briefing in Opposition of the FACT Act
Posted on May 21, 2014: ACTION ALERT — Stop the FACT Act! URGE Your U.S. Senators to Oppose S. 2319!
Posted on February 4, 2015
Once again, the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) is disappointed in Congress’ inadequate efforts to protect asbestos victims’ rights. Instead of pushing towards an asbestos ban and protection of victims’ civil liberties, the U.S. House of Representatives is fast-tracking a bill crafted and promoted by the asbestos industry. It’s called the “Furthering Asbestos Claim Transparency (FACT) Act” (H.R. 526), and it will force private asbestos bankruptcy trusts to publicly disclose asbestos victims’ personal information, as well as create burdensome new requirements that will delay justice for dying asbestos victims.
The House Judiciary Committee is holding a hearing on this bill TOMORROW, February 4, 2015, at 1:00 p.m. ET. Unfortunately, the victims’ community continues to be shut out of the discussion over this bill. As was the case with all previous hearings on the FACT Act, no victims were invited to speak about how this bill will impact their lives and the lives of their families. Even so, asbestos victims continue to fight for truth and justice – Over one-dozen mesothelioma victims will attend today’s hearing to voice their opposition for themselves and on our behalf.
Please join with them and make your voice by sharing this blog, tweeting to your followers, and liking on Facebook. Remember: Every voice counts, and every action makes a difference. If you tweet about the FACT Act, please include #NoFACTAct.
Even in the face of challenges, ADAO remains dedicated to preventing asbestos-caused diseases and protecting victims’ civil rights. We need your help to raise awareness and rally support against the FACT Act. It is your voices, along with our own, that can defeat this shameless hand-out to asbestos corporations and protect asbestos victims’ rights.
As we know all too well, asbestos is still legal and lethal in the U.S. Asbestos disease claims more than 10,000 American lives each year, but this deadly toxin continues to be imported into our country. If Congress wants greater asbestos transparency, it should focus on uncovering where this hazard threatens the public – not on violating the privacy of asbestos victims and their families.
Witnesses
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Mr. Nicholas Vari Esq, Partner, K&L Gates L.L.P.
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Mr. Marc Scarcella, Principal, Bates White Economic Consulting
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Mr. Lester Brickman, Benjamin N. Cardozo Distinguished Professor of Law, Yeshiva University
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Mr. Elihu Inselbuch, Member Caplin & Drysdale, Chartered
Below are some FAQ’s about the FACT ACT:
What is the FACT Act?
The “Furthering Asbestos Claim Transparency (FACT) Act” (H.R. 526) is a bill that requires the public disclosure of all information between asbestos trusts and claimants (victims of asbestos exposure) Learn more through the ADAO “STOP The FACT Act” Infographic
Why should you care?
Although the FACT Act claims to increase transparency, its true purpose is to expose the private information of asbestos victims and make receiving compensation for their injuries, through asbestos trusts and the judicial system, even more difficult than before. Under the current law, the information within lawful settlements between asbestos trusts and victims is completely confidential and inadmissible in court. The FACT Act changes this and not only denies asbestos victims compensation but intrudes on victims personal privacy.
How exactly does the FACT Act hurt asbestos victims?
- 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”
What can you do to help?
The most important factor in opposing the FACT Act is raising public awareness and opposition. Please help us spread the word, by sharing this blog, tweeting to your followers, and make your voice heard. Remember: Every voice counts, and every action makes a difference. If you tweet about the FACT Act, please include #NoFACTAct.
In unity,
Linda Reinstein
The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, does not make legal referrals.