Opinion ID: 1808951
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: scope of the asbestos litigation

Text: It has been estimated that since the beginning of World War II, between eleven and thirteen million workers have been exposed to asbestos. [7] Since the early 1970s, over 30,000 claims have been filed against asbestos manufacturers. [8] The United States Department of Labor has estimated that total current and future costs attributable to asbestos could reach $540 billion. [9] There is concern about the ability of future claimants to receive adequate compensation because of the recent bankruptcy filings by asbestos manufacturers and the growing numbers and cost of the claims. [10] Therefore, this Court is aware of the special needs for fairness to this large class of victims and for judicial efficiency in these cases. We believe that allowing the Revard and Glazier cases to proceed will further these goals.