Legal aspects of Asbestos

Current trends indicate that the worldwide rate at which people are diagnosed with the disease will likely increase through the next decade[57]. Analysts have estimated that the total costs of asbestos litigation in the USA alone is over $250 billion.[58]

Litigation exists outside the United States in England, Scotland, Ireland, the Netherlands, France, Australia, and Japan among other nations. See the companion article for further information.

The volume of the asbestos liability has concerned manufacturers and insurers and reinsuers[59]. The amounts and method of allocating compensation have been the source of many court cases, and government attempts at resolution of existing and future cases.

One notable asbestos lawyer, Peter Angelos, used the vast fortune he gained from asbestos lawsuits to buy the Baltimore Orioles.