Is there legislation to help victims of asbestos-related health diseases?

No Federal legislation has been enacted yet to compensate victims of asbestos-related diseases or to protect people from asbestos exposure. However, in 2005, the Fairness in Asbestos Injury Resolution (FAIR) Act (Senate bill 852) was introduced into Congress (15). This bill would create a national trust fund to compensate victims suffering from asbestos-related diseases. The proposed trust fund would be administered by the DOL, outside of the courts, through a claims process whereby all those with certain medical symptoms and evidence of asbestos-related disease would be compensated. Funding for the trust would come from insurance companies and companies that mined, manufactured, and sold asbestos or asbestos products. Under the bill, individuals affected by asbestos exposure would no longer be able to pursue awards for damages in any Federal or state court.