When God Speaks

My father died in March of 2019 with lung cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Let me tell you a little about the companies that knowingly exposed people to asbestos without informing their employees. There are over 200 trusts set up by companies that filed bankruptcy after being sued by so many people that became sick. These companies knew the risk with asbestos but used products containing asbestos anyway because it was cheap and fire resistant. Never once did they inform employees of the risk they knew of and continued letting folks work with asbestos products. All for the mighty $$. Some went so far as to make statements when warned of the risks of allowing people to work without telling them the risks that these employees would be dead and dead men can’t talk. Laughing about someone’s life that they were putting in danger. How horrible is that? But, they did.

So, most of these companies filed bankruptcy and set up trusts to pay out if people could prove their illness and prove that they worked for them. Problem is a person that develops lung cancer for instance is set up in their terms to receive on average about $1 million dollars. Not a lot for a life, but what they determined the life was worth. Yet, the kicker is this- these companies were allowed after filing bankruptcy to reorganize and begin the company anew. But, the real issue is this million dollars that should be paid according to terms they agreed upon can be and is paid out in a percentage of the million. In other words, the company decides they only want to pay 3% of this amount and they are allowed to do this. Each year reducing the amount more and more citing that they need money in the trusts for future folks that may come forth. My understanding of the money in these trusts still remains at 35 billion or more. Furthermore, asbestos containing products were taken down in the late 70’s, early 80’s and the 25 year waiting period (the time it takes for asbestos exposure to rear its ugly head and folks show signs (always too late and always fatal) is long past. That time expired in 2015 so why pay percentages? What happens to money left in the trusts after all have come forth? The people don’t get it, but the company at fault gets to pay a percentage of what is owed? Just not right.

To make matters worse, the lawyer’s get 40% of the money and that is legal. What a crooked system we have in place. I would hope these people receive same treatment in their own life.

My father was one of these employees. After he passed a law firm took the case as a wrongful death case for me. 34 companies were sued and all have to pay. But, pay what? A percentage? That is not even close to being right, but they get to do it with no say on the other side. It turns my stomach.

What I can do differently and am willing to is make a stand for what is right and go to war with these companies and with those in our legal system that allow this wrongdoing. My voice is only one, but my voice could make a difference for many. It takes just one person to change something but nothing gets changed if no one steps up and waits for someone else to step up.

It has been over 20 years now that these companies started their trusts and no one has yet to say anything. So, they continue to get away with murder. That needs to end. They murdered and they should face the consequences, but rich folks rarely do unless someone yells loud enough. Well, that person is me.

The war is on. Help take a stand for what is right. This issue I can do differently.