Kansas House bill would add requirements to asbestos claims in effort to reduce liability

Legislation endorsed by the Kansas House would burden terminally ill cancer victims with paperwork, an investigation and sworn statement before seeking compensation from a company that exposed them to asbestos.

House Bill 2457, supported by the Kansas Chamber of Commerce, aims to reduce compensation awarded in jury trials. The bill would require all possible claims against other defendants to be filed within a 30-day window, allowing a jury to consider shared liability among sources of asbestos exposure.

Representatives passed the bill on a 77-40 vote last week as lawmakers took action on a multitude of proposals before breaking until they return Wednesday.

In debating litigation, Rep. Pam Curtis, a Kansas City Democrat, shared a personal story of her father-in-law’s death from asbestos exposure. She explained her vote against the bill by saying asbestos has been a known carcinogen for decades, placing workers’ lives at risk.

Read more: http://www.cjonline.com/news/20180226/kansas-house-bill-would-add-requirements-to-asbestos-claims-in-effort-to-reduce-liability