Joe Lieberman: “I want to thank Senator Hatch for introducing this important legislation, which I am pleased to co-sponsor with him and…”

“I want to thank Senator Hatch for introducing this important legislation, which I am pleased to co-sponsor with him and Senators Dodd, Ashcroft, Sessions, and Torricelli. As Senator Hatch already has explained, this bill addresses an issue-- asbestos litigation--that has clogged the federal and state courts for some time now. Due to the huge number of these cases and the massive verdicts they often yield, it is unclear whether those who have been exposed to asbestos, but have not yet become sick, will be able to gain full compensation for their injuries should they become sick in the future. To address these concerns, and respond to calls from the courts and others for creating an alternative mechanism for resolving these disputes outside of the court system, a settlement was reached several years ago that, among other things, would have created an alternative claims resolution system for dealing with certain asbestos claims. Unfortunately, despite the desire of representatives of the interested parties--both victims and defendants--to enter into this settlement, and despite the trial court's belief that the settlement was fair, the Supreme Court voided it.”