October 31th, 2007

The state of Georgia has signed a bill limiting asbestos lawsuits within the state. Georgia now joins six other states with the same restrictions, among them Florida and Ohio.

The governor of Georgia signed a bill this week restricting the ability to engage in an asbestos lawsuit. The bill is much like others in Florida, Ohio, Texas and a few other states, which restricts people from being involved in an asbestos lawsuit. The bill states that the only way to bring asbestos litigation to court is if the plaintiff has a documented physical illness that can be linked to asbestos exposure. This will clear the courts of “perspective” cases, which sue a company for exposure even when no disease or illness has been detected.

Asbestos litigation normally sues a company over the contraction of a respiratory illness that is linked with exposure. Asbestosis, emphysema and mesothelioma are just a few diseases that can result from asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma and asbestosis results from inhaling asbestos particles that become lodged in the lungs. Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that results from asbestos particles inhibiting the lungs from absorbing oxygen, and can take decades to be diagnosed.