ADAO Strongly Opposes the So-Called “PROTECT Asbestos Victims Act” (S. 2564)

This Bill Will Delay and Deny Justice for Asbestos Victims and
Their Families

WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#BanAsbestos–The Asbestos
Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), an independent nonprofit
dedicating to ending asbestos exposure through education, advocacy, and
community work; strongly opposes the “PROTECT Asbestos Victims Act” (S.
2564). Authored by Senators Tom Tillis (R-NC), John Cornyn (R-TX), and
Chuck Grassley (R-IA), this is just the latest tactic in the ongoing
efforts to protect the asbestos industry and insurers from being held
responsible for poisoning of Americans.

The new legislation follows a path of more than 25 pro-asbestos industry
bills masking as protective legislation for asbestos victims, when, in
reality, they are protecting those who caused the asbestos man-made
disasters. This latest bill claims to help diminish fraud but instead
delays claims payments for those impacted by asbestos and denies them
their rights.

“Whether you call it the FAIR Act, the FACT Act, or the new ‘PROTECT
Asbestos Victims Act’ – it’s always the same industry driven legislation
to delay and deny justice to present and future asbestos victims. This
newest bill’s name is misleading and offensive with claims to protect
victims but instead protects trust money, instead of focusing on a much
needed asbestos ban, while continuing to give the asbestos industry a
pass,” stated ADAO President and Co-founder, Linda Reinstein. “Since
2004, ADAO has strongly opposed congressional efforts to push both the
asbestos industry and U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s agendas at the expense
of asbestos victims. We urgently call on the Senate to stand up for
asbestos victims, their constituents oppose this dangerous and
irresponsible legislation.

During the past two decades, an estimated 300,000 Americans have died
from preventable, asbestos-caused deaths, and 89,000 metric tons of
asbestos has been imported in order to meet ‘manufacturing needs’ at the
expense of Americans.

We are holding the sponsors and others who may think about supporting S.
2564 responsible for this shameless attack on innocent victims who have
built and defended our country, their families who washed their clothes,
and their children who hugged them, and those exposed after disaster.
Asbestos has still not been banned and we continue to see it in many
parts of our lives, including makeup and other consumer products. The
time is now to protect public health and our environment – not the
companies who knowingly exposed and killed Americans.”

About the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization
The
Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) was founded by asbestos
victims and their families in 2004. ADAO is the largest non-profit in
the U.S. dedicated to providing asbestos victims and concerned citizens
with a united voice through our education, advocacy, and community
initiatives. ADAO seeks to raise public awareness about the dangers of
asbestos exposure, advocate for an asbestos ban, and protect asbestos
victims’ civil rights. For more information, visit www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org. ADAO,
a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, does not make legal
referrals.

Contacts

Media:
ADAO
Kim Cecchini, 202-391-5205
[email protected]