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Asbestos victims angered by proposed settlement
Paola Farer
January 16, 2004
WASHINGTON
During a news conference at the state capitol Thursday, asbestos victims say the bill amounts to a bailout for companies who recklessly exposed workers.
“I was really looking forward to old age, and a few good years left, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen,” said Frank Irvin, who is suffering from lung cancer caused by airborne asbestos particles. “I'm against this legislation because it's going to deprive people of their rights."
Frank Irvin was a carpenter in Denver for 45 years. Irvin, along with other asbestos victims and their families are calling on U.S. senators Wayne Allard and Ben Nighthorse Campbell to vote no on Senate bill 1125, sponsored by senators Orrin Hatch, R-UT and Bill Frist, R-TN.
Carolyn Benton of Greeley, who lost her husband to asbestos-related cancer in 2003 and Steve Sanchez of Saguache, who lost his father to the same illness, known as mesothelioma, also spoke at the news conference.
The Colorado Progressive Coalition, a state consumer protection organization, says that if the Senate bill becomes law, thousands of pending cases and settlements would be wiped out and payments to asbestos sufferers could be delayed for years because of a backlog in cases.
Source & Copyright: 9NEWS KUSA-TV
Complete story can be found at: http://www.9news.com/storyfull.aspx?storyid=23219
Comment
This "proposed" settlement is a disgrace.
Posted by:
laura
at
2004-03-06
I can not believe they are thinking of further victimizing asbestos victims.
Those whose lives have been devasted due to asbestos cancer need as much help as they can get. They are already wronged. The patients and their families deserve to be compensated to the fullest extent.
Replies to this comment
Comment
1093231578
Posted by:
makadaja
at
2004-08-22
I cannot believe that our ELECTED officials would come up and attempt to pass such a law. Many of the sufferers of the after effects of asbestos are and were hardworking responsible men and women that were earning an honest living to provide for their families. To be dealt the blow to deal with the ravaging effects of asbestosis, is one thing; but to relieve the responsibility of the employing companies is a blatant injustice. These companies reaped the benefits of carelessly exposing their workers and yes the are liable and should have to pay. If they want to argue that these innocent people knew what they were getting in to[risk of exposure], shame on them. My father would have never chosen to expose himself and sacrifice seeing his children and grandchildren grow up and spending his elderly years with my mother.