Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization Opposes S. 3274, the Fairness in Asbestos Injury Resolution Act of 2006; New ''FAIR'' Act Still Highly Unfair to Asbestos Victims.

WASHINGTON -- The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), an organization dedicated to serving as the voice of asbestos victims, today voiced its opposition to S. 3274, introduced by Senate Committee Judiciary Chairman Arlen Specter and the Ranking Democrat Patrick Leahy.

The newly introduced bill, much like its predecessor S. 852, is still highly unfair to asbestos victims. ADAO opposes the bill because it inadequately addresses the most fundamental elements necessary for a just piece of legislation. Most importantly:

--  More victims are unjustly excluded with the elimination of
        dormant claims

    --  New medical and exposure criteria further discriminate against
        victims

        --  The fund is billed as a no fault system, yet it requires a
            contested hearing to test the nature and extent of
            asbestos exposure with additional auditing requirements

        --  The lack of requirements for adequately trained doctors
            who are experts in asbestos will further penalize victims

        --  Exceptional medical claims including those for victims
            dying of various forms of cancer and those exposed during
            home remodeling projects and automotive maintenance will
            be excluded during the fund start-up

    --  Victims' recoveries remain delayed forcing many dying victims
        to accept inadequate settlements

    --  Hardship and inequity adjustments reduce overall pricing
        because of a lack of transparency

    --  Taxpayers and the treasury remain at risk with

        --  The fund that will be insolvent in a matter of years

        --  After sunset (when the fund runs out of money) the "Master
            Trust" language requires victims to stay within the trust
            system even though it's insolvent, putting a potentially
            higher burden on taxpayers

    --  Was theoretically written for victims but without the input of
        victims

"Having just lost my beloved husband and our courageous President, Alan Reinstein, to mesothelioma, I am continuing the fight with ADAO to help ensure that all asbestos victims receive fair and just compensation," said Linda Reinstein, Executive Director, Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization. "S. 3274 fails substantially to meet this objective and creates further suffering and injustice for already devastated families."

"Unfortunately, the old saying: 'No matter how much lipstick you apply to a pig, it is still a pig' sums up S. 3274," stated Douglas Larkin, Co-Founder of ADAO. "This bill fails to take into account the most important American asset of all - its citizens. With the current language, asbestos victims are put at the end of the line behind industry and special interest groups, while needless suffering continues without justice."

About Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization

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