Victims and their lawyers thwart asbestos bill.Grassroots lobbying by ATLA ATLA Association of Trial Lawyers of America ATLA American Theological Library Association ATLA American Trial Lawyers Association ATLA Air Transport Licensing Authority (Hong Kong) ATLA Avatar: The Last Airbender lawyers and their clients helped derail de·rail intr. & tr.v. de·railed, de·rail·ing, de·rails 1. To run or cause to run off the rails. 2. a well-funded, industry-backed effort to enact an asbestos trust fund bill that would have bailed out many asbestos defendants at the expense of victims. On February 15, the U.S. Senate voted against waiving a point of order against S.852, bringing an immediate end to debate and halting action on the bill. Two weeks earlier; an Asbestos Victims Lobby Day brought over 100 people harmed by asbestos to Capitol Hill, along with family members, to share with senators their stories of asbestos-related disease. Attorneys from dozens of states accompanied their clients, many of whom are in deteriorating health, as they explained the tragic impact of diseases such as asbestosis asbestosis Lung disease caused by long-term inhalation of asbestos fibres. A pneumoconiosis found primarily in asbestos workers, asbestosis is also seen in people living near asbestos industries. , lung cancer lung cancer, cancer that originates in the tissues of the lungs. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States in both men and women. Like other cancers, lung cancer occurs after repeated insults to the genetic material of the cell. , and mesothelioma Mesothelioma Definition Mesothelioma is an uncommon disease that causes malignant cancer cells to form within the lining of the chest, abdomen, or around the heart. Its primary cause is believed to be exposure to asbestos. . A collection of these stories was compiled into a book that the asbestos victims gave to their senators. The stories, some of which were shared on the floor of the Senate during the debate, made a powerful impression and helped fuel opposition to the bill. Amplifying the Lobby Day advocacy were nearly 55,000 letters to Congress and a petition carried out by ATLA members, who reached out to their clients to gather more than 150,000 signatures from people opposed to the bill. Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) presented the signatures on the Senate floor during the debate. ATLA members who organized clients were important to this victory, showing that when attorneys mobilize the victims of wrongdoing wrong·do·er n. One who does wrong, especially morally or ethically. wrong  do , the
results can be tremendous.
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