LD1181 - Limits to Asbestos Liability for Corporations

(2016)

An Act To Limit Liability for Certain Successor Corporations under Specific Circumstances

Sponsored by Sponsored by: Rep. John L. Martin

What is the bill?

Thousands of workers in Maine have been exposed to asbestos. Very often, the consequences of exposure are not known or felt until decades later. When that occurs, the impact on an individual’s life, family and finances can be devastating. Asbestos-related diseases are often deadly. When workers have been exposed to asbestos and later become ill from it, they can seek compensation and coverage of medical bills from the company that exposed them to it. LD 1181 would have given an unfair exemption from liability on asbestos related claims to one big multinational corporation, Crown Cork. While this company is not currently present in Maine, there is a national effort to pass this bill in states across the country. Such an exemption from liability would set a terrible precedent for the future. It could also hurt workers down the road who through no fault of their own were exposed to asbestos and become ill. Fortunately, a majority of Legislators agreed with us that this bill should be defeated.

What happened?

Defeated

Votes