Asbestos Trust Fund Transparency: AB 19 (2014)

| November 15, 2016

Provides transparency and prevent fraud in lawsuits involving personal injury

Provides transparency and prevent fraud in lawsuits involving personal injury trusts by creating certain discovery requirements during litigation. The bill requires asbestos plaintiffs to disclose any and all claims that plaintiffs have filed or will file with asbestos trust funds, along with all of the documents and information that support the trust claim. A.B. 19 also requires judges to admit trust claims and supporting materials into evidence at trial and prohibits plaintiffs from spuriously alleging that trust claims and their supporting documents are privileged. Finally, it provides defendants with a powerful tool to ensure that plaintiffs file and disclose all possible claims with asbestos trust. A.B. 19 authorizes defendants to identify trust claims that the plaintiff could and should file. If a judge agrees, the case is stayed until that claim is filed and disclosed. (Andre Jacqui – R)