The National Cancer Institute is part of the National Institute of Health, one of 11 agencies currently operating under the umbrella of the Department of Health and Human Services. In addition to research conducted in its own clinics and laboratories, the NCI supports and coordinates research projects through cancer centers, hospitals, and universities, while also being the primary federal entity responsible for disseminating information about cancer.
Mesothelioma research is among the many projects and initiatives being conducted by the institute. What's even more disturbing is some of these big name companies were still solvent at the time of bankruptcy and had the funds to compensate victims. A change in tort and bankruptcy laws allowed these companies to form trusts that pay only a few pennies on the dollar for each mesothelioma lawsuit they've lost—leaving victims' families crushed under a mountain of debt from medical bills, lost wages, and more.
To add insult to injury, a movement to limit the individual's right to seek compensation in court is pushing forward. This movement is called Tort Reform and its advocates, as you can guess, are big mesotheliomacorporations and big insurance companies, among others. One of tort reform's goals is to cap the amount of damages an individual can receive. It also seeks to limit an individual's right to a jury trial.
As mesothelioma victim advocates we have joined the fight against tort reform and we're proud to work with some of the leading voices in opposition against this movement.
Joining Together for a Brighter Future
The future of mesothelioma depends on a number of factors such as corporate and individual responsibility; changes in asbestos regulation; and clinical trials discovering better treatments for the disease. Let us hope and work together for a better future.
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