Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization Coordinates Landmark Asbestos Victims Meeting with Senator Specter.

WASHINGTON -- Leading Asbestos Victims Groups Gather in Nation's Capitol to Discuss Reasons Why Senate Bill 852, "Fairness in Asbestos Injury Resolution Act", is Not Fair

The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) today announced a landmark asbestos victims meeting with Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) to discuss opposition to S. 852, the Fairness in Asbestos Injury Resolution Act. In a press conference following the meeting, ADAO Co-Founder and Executive Director Linda Reinstein spoke about the top opposition points to the bill, explaining why it does not adequately address the rights of asbestos victims.

In her statement, Reinstein stated, "My husband, Alan, has pleural mesothelioma, a progressive cancer caused only by asbestos fibers...For too long, our voice - the voice of the hundreds of thousands of victims throughout America - has gone unheard...I promise all of you, that from this point onward, that will no longer be the case...We're here to share with you our unanimous opposition to the so-called Fairness in Asbestos Injury Resolution Bill. We believe it is anything but fair."

Reinstein outlined the asbestos victims' top opposition points to the bill, which include: the elimination of a person's basic right to have their grievances heard in court, vast under-funding, unwarranted ineligibility and exclusion of claims, faulty medical criteria, burdensome claims processes, insufficient up front funding, lack of equitable transition for current cases, under funding for research into potential treatments and a cure, lack of proper definition for financial awards and too much power in the hands of the Administrator.

According to Reinstein, "The bottom line is that Senate Bill 852 was written without the voice of the victims. At the same time, it protects the asbestos industry and cuts its liability at every turn...I believe the victims' organizations gathered here today - and the thousands of victims we represent across the country - would support an asbestos resolution bill -- if it was fair and equitable. There are solutions to this problem. But, they are not represented in this bill. Ladies and gentleman, asbestos companies are not victims. Congress should only pass legislation that properly protects and supports those who are."

About Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization

Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) was founded by asbestos victims and their families. ADAO seeks to give asbestos victims and concerned citizens a united voice to help ensure that their rights are fairly represented and protected, while raising public awareness about the dangers of asbestos exposure and often deadly asbestos related diseases. ADAO is an independent organization funded through voluntary contributions and staffed by volunteers. For more information visit www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org.