If a bill that the Texas House passed becomes law, a plaintiff who is sick from asbestos exposure would have to file claims with bankrupt companies’ trust programs before seeing his lawsuit proceed to trial.
The House on May 11 voted 126-11 to pass House Bill 1492. The bill’s author, Rep. Doug Miller, R-New Braunfels, said during a May 8 House debate that past legislative reforms ensured that the sickest people got priority in court and eliminated “fraudulent mass filings.” Miller said that HB 1492 would finish that work, ensuring that sick people receive much-needed funds faster by compelling their lawyers to file bankruptcy trust claims sooner. The bill would also ensure that relevant information is available so that responsible parties pay their fair share of damages, said Miller.
